Entertainment For Lively Minds
The Jayhawks
Posted by Badlands on 3 August 2011 - 8:29am.
When:
02/08/2011
Where:
The Library, HMV Institute, Digbeth, Birmingham
Comments:
A perfect night for me. A rip-roaring ride through my favourite songs with the odd surprise thrown in. All delivered with the trademark Olsen/Louris harmonies. All the good stuff from 'Tomorrow The Green Grass', plus other faves and a couple of new tracks. The rhythm section were faultless and subtle and yes, you could hear Karen Grotberg's piano and harmonies. A review a couple of years ago accused Louris of taking too many meandering solos, but that wasn't the case tonight with everything punchy and to the point. His SG tone is slightly grungy, but that is part of the trademark sound. There was even space for Tim O'Reagan (drums) to deliver a beautiful 'Tampa to Tulsa' during the encores. No signs of the historic split between the co-founders were evident - everyone appeared to be having a ball on stage. A band not to be missed.
The Audience:
A packed crowd ranging in age roaring approval at the classic numbers. Good-natured on the whole, given the heat and limited space. As ever, one person shouting 'Get on with it', at a hiatus between numbers, hard to tell if it was tongue-in-cheek.
Food & Drink:
I was drinking cold bottled water. Fortunately I could get to one of the 2 bars inside the venue. Prices above average, but what you would expect for a venue of this sort.
It Made Me Think...:
I left with a very warm glow. Classic songs with choruses. Well played and not too loud. A polished band with superb country harmonies. Uplifting, and made me glad I made the effort to be there. A sweaty one - this room needs Air-Conditioning !
Giddy with excitement
I'm off to see them in Glasgow tonight.
They are wonderful aren't they? May Olsen and Louris never go their seperate ways again.
Amen
to that !
Make sure you catch the support
It's Mark Olsen.
I was there
It was a stunning gig. They seemed surprised at the roaring crowd's reaction to the material. I don't think they realize how much people love them. The new songs were equally as strong as the classic material.
The four part harmony on I'd Run Away was just spine-tingling.
It may be the best gig I've ever been to. Perfect.
(edit. The new single She Walks in So Many Ways is on Spotify - if you want to hear a masterclass in economical, melodic, jangly country-ish power pop)
Oh that really whetted my appetite
Off to see them in Manchester tomorrow night.
When I saw an acoustic set at Sheffield Memorial Hall five odd years ago I was sure that was the last I would see of one of my favourite bands of the 90's. The fact Olsen's back, the single is lovely and they are clearly up for it from this report has just inspired me to fire up the Sound of Lies.
Careful
They are playing strictly Olsen/Louris era material on this tour. Apparently the next tour will feature a wider set list.
Tampa to Tulsa?
OP mentions Tampa to Tulsa from Rainy Day Music, I realise it's an O'Reagan tune, but still it's definitely post-Olsen era.
Going with Robbie1112 for the gig tonight - hoping for more RDM-era material, (controversially?) my favourite of their records.
Of course
That's the only one from the Louris era currently. I didn't count it because it's O'Regan's tune, and he's the band's secret weapon (check out his solo album if you get the chance).
Hadn't thought of that.......
Mark Olsen was out of the band a long time. Still a set based on HTH and Green Grass will be more than acceptable.
Kentish Town HMV Forum on Friday
Drooling with anticipation. Caught Mark Olson in Sheffield a few years back but missed out on the acoustic Jayhawks gig mentioned above due to work.
The Forum
We're going to be there on Friday as well.
I'm slightly worried. My anticipation has just been ratcheted up massively, but what if they have an off night?
Think positive. It will be even better.
In the immortal words of Peter Puppy (Earthworm Jim)
I must not fear, fear is the mindkiller, fear is the little death that brings total oblivion..
It'll be great Carl. Go with the flow !
Hello there
Going on Friday-Forum says 7pm start which may be tricky, any idea of timings, folks if you've already been? Much appreciated.
Birmingham Show started early
Missed support slot. Jayhawks were on stage about 8.50 p.m. and played through until about 10.05. Encores until about 10.25 p.m.
Ta
Looks like 7pm sharpish then
Roll on Friday
Glasgow
Well... The support act was Mark Olsen accompanied by a Viking maid called Inga.Mark thrashed away on lap guitar while Inga alternated between an Indian drum and harmonium. It was...interesting.
The band came on to a rapturous welcome and for the first couple of songs all seemed well.But then I started to notice how bad the sound was.I'd never been in the bigger top floor hall at the ABC before so I don't know if it's a characteristic of the venue,but the sound was muddy and echoey.It was still a treat to see "all the Jayhawks" there on stage but I have to say I thought the performance was a bit ramshackle.I'm glad I went,but the best Jayhawks gig I've ever been to is still the acoustic show they did on the Renfrew Ferry about 8 years ago.
Ramshackle is an interesting term
There was certainly no artifice in the performance that I saw, but the band knew the set, the vocal harmonies were superb, as stated above and everyone played their part.
There were a few points at which Louris had to retune, but given the temperature, that was hardly surprising.
His guitar parts, as I alluded to above, are not clean country twang, but the slightly thicker tone works well for him, imparting a 'Neil Young-ish' feel to one or 2 of the solos, particularly on "Take Me With You (When You Go)". He plays country licks (e.g. Memphis runs etc.) in his own style.
The band were polished, I felt, but never slick. The band's style imparts an immediacy and intimacy. They never came on like stars - they don't need to, because the performance is driven by the songs as much as the personality of the players.
encore
I thought the sound was okay in Glasgow. Excellent concert with my only complaint being that the final song was a bit of a dud to me. Can anyone tell me what it was?
High Water Blues
From the new album.
Thank
You!
Inga
is Mrs Olsen.
Gutted to be missing them but hopefully they'll be back soon. Seen the post Olsen Jawhawks once, Creekdippers several times, Gary solo once, and Louris and Olsen together once. Seeing them all together would complete the box set so don't be long, boys.
I know Mark likes to travel by public transport so a 7pm prompt start on a Friday night might be pushing it!
They said on Tuesday (from stage)
that they would be back in January. Anyone else know about this?
Extremely bad form though it may be...
But I can't stand it any more.
No one would be able to stand a thread about Richard Thompsen after all.
It's Olson, not Olsen, Ole Olsen was a Danish speedway rider.
Sorry Fraser...
I started it
apologies, Mr Dysen (whoops) ! :-)
So how was Manchester Gig?
Anyone?
Manchester last night
Enjoyed it enormously.
Missed much of Olson's support set due to work commitments, caught the last three-four songs and these were charming and entertaining without leaving me with any regret that I had missed the start.His Creekdippers stuff has never been anything more than ok to these ears.
As forewarned here the Jayhawks' set was taken almost exclusively from the Louris/Olson era, playing almost the whole of HTH and Green Grass which wasn't an issue for me as these were a vital part of lstening thoughout the mid 90's and beyond.My gig going mate however was rather disappointed not to hear anything more recent apart from a lovely Tampa to Tulsa.
I thought the sound quality was a little muddy at the start but this seemed to improve throughout the show. The harmonies from all four singers were wonderful, I appreciate Louris' guitar playin doesn't appeal to all but for me it's just right for this band and the new stuff all sounded pretty good. The show finished on something of a low with song called "Take it on the chin" - is it a cover?, whatever it was dire as Mark Olson trying to rock out really doesn't work.
Oh and Karen Grotberg looks scarily like my sister in law which was a daft but alarming distraction.
Thanks Seb
sounds like a very good night , then
Olson rocks out
At the Birmingham show he did the same, doing the barmy uncle at a wedding thing. Fortunately he strapped on a guitar for the psychedelic wigout ending of the song. I liked it though, it was a good song to end the set. As noted before, it's High Water Blues from the forthcoming album, which I somehow managed to hear in a coffee shop in Zurich last week. It works well in the context of the album.
The encore, of course, should have been Blue and Waiting for the Sun. But they don't realize how popular those songs are over hear, I suspect.
Blue
I suspect they do know how popular Blue is from the unprompted singalong that accompanied that song's performance last Friday.
The Forum
My fears were allayed. It was tremendous.
They may need to get a new sound man, because tonight, again, we start with a very muddy sound, Louris's vocals are almost inaudible for the first few numbers. Lucky then that Mark Olson was on lead vocals for the most part.
The set was like the one's fellow Massivistas have noted on previous nights. They got the crowd right behind them. Early on I thought a sizeable contingent of the Fuckwits who were in the house might spoil the evening, but stone me if they didn't shut up and listen to the music.
Not much to add to previous posts except to ask, once the sound is sorted out, are The Jayhawks currently the finest live band on the planet at present?
It was...
...a bit chuffing hot in there, though, wasn't it?
I'm still smiling. Great stuff.
Yes
It was a bit chuffin' hot, especially upstairs, we left before the encores and the relief at getting outside and some fresh air and a cold bottle of water was immense.
I'll echo all that has been said so far, I did't discover the Jayhawks until 2000 but they have been regulars on my stereo since, seeing them was a treat I thought would never happen.
Wonderful
I only discovered the Jayhawks after they had apparently split up. I didn't think I'd ever get to see them live so last night was all the more satisfying for me. My problem is that my favourite album is Rainy Day Music so I didn't get much of that for my money. If they are going to tour with that line up are they always going to avoid the post Olson material? I hope not.
Best live band?
I've no idea. I haven't seen all of the others on the planet yet. But they are the best I've seen so far. Still smiling nearly a week after the gig.