JAYHAWKS Return to the Music Scene

       MUSIC NEWS - Often citied by critics and fans as one of the inventors of the alt-country music genre that rose up in the 80s/90s, the Jayhawks have returned with original line-up, appearing together for the first time together since 1995. Co-founder Mark Olson left the Jayhawks in 1995 but has returned to the lineup with co-leader Gary Louris (and bassist Marc Perlman, drummer/-vocalist Tim O’Reagan, and Karen Grotberg on keyboards and vocals). The re-united band played several music festivals in Europe and are booked to play their first USA show this Friday in Minneapolis at the Basilica Block Party (8:45 - 10:15pm). 

Olson had a disdain for the "rock star life" that took over the Jayhawks and quit the band. He toured Europe and released albums as the Original Harmony Ridge Creekdippers. The Jayhawks kept on without him, releasing out three more albums, 1997's Sound of Lies, Smile (2000) and Rainy Day Music (2003), before Louris finally annouced the band as dead in 2005.  For nearly six years, Olson and Louris didn't talk to each other often until they got back together in 2002 to write a song for a movie.  They started touring as a duo and earlier this year released an album via New West Records, "Ready for the Flood," produced by Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes.  But now, all has changed!

And tomorrow, Sony Legacy will release "Music From the North Country: The Jayhawks Anthology" (order below thru MNN), a collection that spans the Minneapolis band's history from Twin/Tone Records through American Recordings.  It'll be out as a single CD or a two-CD-plus-DVD package that includes Jayhawks music videos. In September, Sony Legacy will start re-releasing the Jayhawks' five major-label releases, with bonus tracks.