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There was a moment at the beginning of the Nineties when the direction of American rock music seemed inexorably aimed at a return to its roots, never as desired as after the synthetic hangover of a few years prior. Yes, I know, that little word that starts with "gr" and ends with "unge" immediately comes to mind, but fortunately, that was not the only thing, quite the opposite! Other interesting groups emerged, tied even more, if possible, to the aforementioned (and in many respects exaggerated) purism of the six-string. The Blue Rodeo, the Counting Crows, the great Walkabouts, and later people like the Wallflowers embraced those very elements of late '80s independent rock (gosh, how many names were there in Minneapolis in those years? Replacements, Husker Du, Soul Asylum...).
And it was precisely from Minneapolis that our Jayhawks hailed, guided by the crystalline harmonies of Mark Olson and Gary Louris, emulators of certain illustrious folk-country-rock, with CSNY and Flying Burrito Bros above all. The first albums are interesting, music that naturally pays homage to the masters but in its wandering seeks space in the chaos of those years. It is with "Hollywood Town Hall" in '92 that they hit the jackpot (the cover of which curiously reminded both the famous "sofa" of CSN and certain long-haired folks we know well), propelled by wonderful songs like the initial tandem Waiting for the Sun - Crowded in the Wings. Within a few years, the group managed the most difficult step, giving shape to their intuitions within a finally recognizable and certainly original sound.
The following album had to be then the one of confirmation and - if possible - of new momentum. And that's how, once under pressure, they bring out the best of their repertoire: a batch of highly inspired songs, supported by the usual impeccable guitar work and the usual vocal interplay. Let's say that, if "Hollywood..." was their "American" record, "Tomorrow the Green Grass" is as much their "English" and even more "Beatlesque" album: it's impossible not to hear the echo of the FabFour in the sixth harmony of Blue, and in the melodic and harmonic structures of I'd Run Away (another nice single) and Mrs William Guitar. Olson & co.'s strength was precisely this: by completely abdicating the instrumental fury that characterized the other half of the rock of the era, they turned to songs that appeared simple and impactful, ultimately adorned by the beautiful vocal interplays and - I repeat, because it is not a given - by clean and perfectly executed sounds, with acoustics and electrics happily dialoguing in an atmosphere of complete harmony. There are continuous homages to tradition: no keyboards or synths, no intricate scores. Just bass, drums, guitars, and piano, sometimes Hammond, and above all, a lot of heart. Let's also add a few touches of strings (Over My Shoulder), and we have the recipe for the masterpiece. The so-called state of grace, in short.
The stylistic and instrumental variety of this album, in short, contrasted with the homogeneity and warmth conveyed by its predecessor three years earlier. The Jayhawks succeeded in the fateful "step forward," not just to the side, embracing a much greater amount of influences and suggestions, always filtering them through their lens. It would soon turn out to be their last act: a few months later, Mark Olson's departure, and Gary Louris would be tasked with reforming the group with new stylistic coordinates. But that's another story. What's left is that fantastic album, the result of a partnership that inevitably recalled great names of the past. And also the result, in hindsight, of an unrepeatable season. Soon forgotten, but that never ceases to move me.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Blue (03:10)
Where have all my friends gone
They've all disappeared
Turned around maybe one day
You're all that was there
Stood by on believing
Stood by on my own
Always thought I was someone
Turned out I was wrong
You brought me through
And you made me feel
Chorus:
So Blue
Why don't you stay behind
So Blue
Why don't you stop and look at what's going down
Lived by an old woman
She'd never sell me a lie
It's hard to sing with someone
Who won't sing with you
Give all of my mercy
Give all of my heart
Never thought that I'd miss you
That I'd miss you so much
You brought me through
And you made me feel
(Chorus)
All my life (Stand by)
I've waited for (Stand by)
Someone I (Waiting round)
Could show the door (Now, that I’m blue)
But nothing seems to change (That I’m blue from now on)
You've come back into my arms
So Blue
Why don't you stay behind
So Blue
Why don’t you. Why don’t you stay behind.
So Blue
Why don’t you. Why don’t you stay behind.
So Blue
Why don't you stop and look at what's going down
02 I'd Run Away (03:34)
I could take a hint from you
I could take a little hint from you
And I'd run away
I'd run away with you baby
You said a couple things to me
You said a couple things that showed your place
But how many ways, how many ways can I say it
Yeah, how many ways, how many ways can I say it
So we had a little baby boy
But we knew it wouldn't last too long
Kind of what I had in mind
But what I had in mind was strong
I recall a side of you
I recall a different side of you
But I'd run away
I'd run away with you baby
I'd run away
I'd run away with you baby
So we had a little baby boy
But we knew it wouldn't last too long
Kind of what I had in mind
But what I had in mind was strong
I could take a hint from you
I could take a little hint from you
And I'd run away, I'd run away with you baby
Yeah, I'd run away, I'd run away with you baby
Yeah, I'd run away, I'd run away, I'd run away with you baby
Yeah, I'd run away, I'd run away, I'd run away with you baby
I'd run away, I'd run away with you baby
03 Miss Williams' Guitar (03:07)
Sounds like a field being painted in the delta sun
Songs from the book of life for everyone
Chorus:
Miss Williams’ guitar
Miss Williams’ guitar
I remember watching her play
And the whole damn crowd
Seemed so far away
Oh, so far away
One night in a bar in Louisville
We had some fun
Walked through a graveyard park
Left the flowers alone
(Chorus)
(Chorus)
I remember watching her play
And the whole damn crowd
Seemed so far away
Oh so far away
06 Over My Shoulder (03:41)
Left running you said you were flying
Left running you said you were cold
Any statue you can name
Like the ones that I fell for
Chorus:
I've been looking over my shoulder
Would you love me when you're older
Would you love me when you're older
Still I know you're true
The first game is lost and you will
Another game is hide in your fear
Oh, please tell me how my heart
How can my heart belong to you
(Chorus)
Every time that you look my way
I fell so homeless
Your dreams own me
These landslides and buildings too high
That blocks the sun for everyone
Oh the law lives everywhere
And it lives without a care
(Chorus)
(Chorus)
Left running you said you were flying
Left running you said you were cold
07 Bad Time (03:28)
I'm in love with the girl that I'm talking about
I'm in love with the girl that I can't live without
I'm in love but I sure picked a bad time
To be in love, to be in love.
Let her be somebody else's queen, I don't wanna hear about it
There is too many others that know what I mean
And that's why I gotta live without it.
Chorus:
Cause, I'm in love with the girl I'm talking about
I'm in love with the girl I can't live without
I'm in love but I feel like I'm living it out
I'm in love but I must have picked a bad time to be in love
A bad time to be in love
A bad time to be in love
A bad time to be in love
All the stories coming back to me
About my friends and the people I don't wanna see
All the stories they just couldn't be true
Least not until I hear them from you
(Chorus)
(Chorus)
A bad time to be in love (such a bad time)
A bad time to be in love (such a bad time)
A bad time to be in love (such a bad time)
A bad time to be in love (such a bad time)
A bad time to be in love
10 Ann Jane (04:00)
Jane don't cry, your daddy'll be alright
Jane don't cry, your daddy'll be alright
He's there with you
How do I know? I walk with him
Supper will be at 6:15
Supper will be at 6:15
Come home soon
None of those people know you're mine
Chorus:
Ann Jane don't cry, Ann Jane don't cry
Say that you need someone there, my sister
Say that you need someone to be yours
Say that you need someone there, my sister
Say that you need someone to be yours
Beans and Jello, I made them by myself
Beans and Jello, I made them by myself
Please stay close
Many in this world walk with God
(Chorus)
Jane don't cry, Jane don't cry
Jane don't cry, your daddy'll be alright
11 Pray for Me (03:39)
Pray for me that I may keep
Faithful to you in my time
Beloved it is morn
Deeper yellow on the corn
Lovers work as children play
Beloved it is morn
One fine day I walked to town
No love like yours to be found
Idle days, idle days
Heart and soul are full of light
Heart and soul untired always
Beloved it is morn
One fine day I walked to town
No love like yours to be found
Idle days, idle days
Pray for me that I may keep
Faithful to you in my time
Beloved it is morn
Deeper red on the thorn
May God keep you in his sight
Beloved it is morn
Unknown steps before me fall
No love like yours to be found
Idle days, idle days
Heart and soul are full of light
Heart and soul untired always
Beloved it is morn
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