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Product Description
Review
With Mark Olson returning as co-leader of The Jayhawks after 16 years away, Mockingbird Time marks a long-awaited reunion for nostalgic fans. Its familiar noises are pleasing, too - though it's hard to believe this was ever a band which made music that sounded new.
Long ago, The Jayhawks in their first flight seemed like a fine idea: loping country rock without frills, brotherly harmonies, a bar-band bluesy edge (especially in Gary Louris' grinding guitar) and, above all, Olson's throaty, plaintive tenor. In the early 90s this modest synthesis even sounded like it might be the way ahead. The austerity of indie pioneers like Cowboy Junkies had swept away the Eagles generation, and The Jayhawks looked ready to bring an edgier sort of country into the mainstream.
When the breakthrough never happened, they split. Olson stretched out in a rootsy meander with the Original Harmony Ridge Creekdippers, while Louris' stewardship of The Jayhawks slid increasingly towards 60s pop mannerisms and airy philosophising.
Which, on the whole, is where we find them on Mockingbird Time. Classic pop inspirations loom large, apparently by design: the Beatles influence of the opening track is underlined by George Martin-style strings, and guitars ring like Roger McGuinn's Rickenbacker on the Dylan/Byrds pastiche She Walks In So Many Ways.
There must be worse fates than ending up as a classic pop jukebox, and there's excitement as well as devotion in all this archaeology. Looking backwards, after all, The Jayhawks are working with a much broader palette than in their days of early promise. They sound like they're having fun. And in the more oblique moments - generally the ones that Olson makes his own, like the slight but melodically angular title-track, or the fiddle-heavy folk rock of Black-Eyed Susan - there is an understated, nostalgic reminder of a distinctive voice.
--Ninian Dunnett
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have read several reviews of various media recently where there have been extreme differences of opinion, e.g Bjork, and come to the conclusion that, as they must be, all opinions are subjective. Having said that, I detect a thread of disappointment running through even the 4/5 star reviews of this album, and Altcountryfan is closest to the heart of the matter. The Jayhawks always belonged to that group of artists who remained admired and loved by too few fans to become major players, no matter how much they deserve to be. Like other lovers of this band, I was so looking forward to this album, having bought all the Olson/Louris solo/joint albums, which all have their moments, and I was so disappointed for several reasons. 1) The production is very poor and cheap, obviously little money/support from the record company 2) The songs do sound formulaic and dominated by the voice of Gary Louris 3) Where oh where are the guitars that made Tomorrow the Green Grass such a joy. I know that sometimes first thoughts are not always the basis of lasting views, but I have played this album several times, and nothing has changed my view. Now if you want to hear something that does hit the spot from first listen, try Joe Ely Satisfied at Last, surely aprophetic title.
After listening to this album several times, I wrote the above review and was fairly certain that this was an album that would be part exchanged sometime in the near future. However, the other day I decided to give it another go, and hey, I heard a different album. The production is still sadly lacking, but the tunes do have a greater depth than I first thought, despite somewhat pedestrian titles. If you are a Jayhawks fan, give it time, and it may grow on you as well
After listening to this album several times, I wrote the above review and was fairly certain that this was an album that would be part exchanged sometime in the near future. However, the other day I decided to give it another go, and hey, I heard a different album. The production is still sadly lacking, but the tunes do have a greater depth than I first thought, despite somewhat pedestrian titles. If you are a Jayhawks fan, give it time, and it may grow on you as well
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
If, like me, you've been getting excited about the return of the Jayhawks, then i would say the first thing you've got to do before listening to 'Mockingbird Time' is lower your expectations just a bit. Come on, it was never going to be as good as the album we've dreamed about! In fact, for the Jayhawks, it feels very much like business as usual. You know what you're gonna get and it doesn't disappoint. 'She Walks In So Many Ways' & 'Hide Your Colours' stood out from the off, alt-country with a touch of The Byrds about them. 'Tiny Arrows' And 'Black-Eyed Susan' are proving to be growers. After giving it more than a few listens, i would say it's a fine album and a worthy addition to the Jayhawks catalogue. The overall feel is of 'Mockingbird Time' as the natural follow-up to 'Tomorrow The Green Grass'. Sadly, the return of the Jayhawks will go un-noticed by most of the world, but for me, i'm just glad to have them back.
3 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The Jayhawks are back with a brand new album! Honestly, how a so-called "massive Jayhawks fan" can rate this album with one star is beyond me. It's a grower,and it has everything this band is about and even more: great songs, wonderful harmonies, terrific singing, brilliant playing, different music styles... I need to see and hear these songs live and that will be next year in their European tour!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
I love the JayHawks.
The album has so many great songs, I can't believe how strong they've come back after not being a band for so long. I can't name my favourite songs as they are all amazing. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Man Bat
Fantastic Jayhawks album
The new Jayhawks album is by far and undoubtedly the best they've ever made. Every track is a gem and knocks your socks off. Buy it. Jayhawks are still awesome!
Published 2 months ago by O. Lowndes
This is poor!
Unutterably dull! The lyrics are so poor, it's almost unlistenable. Gary's less interesting "Neil Young" voice tends to blot out Marc's "Gram Parsons," unfortunately. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Simon Turner
Make what you will of their two decades down the road
It's funny isn't it? Here there's someone saying what were 'they' thinking of 'inviting' Mark back because of the 'rambling, shapeless' form to his songs (wouldn't something like... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Orryl Oak
Ever regretted an invitation to reform?
What were they thinking when they invited Mark Olson back? My favourite Jayhawks albums were always the ones after he left, because they didn't have his rambling, shapeless songs... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Franimi
I'm still thinking
This album initially disappointed me but I will give it time. Less of an instant hit than some previous albums but very good and will probably prove a 'grower' as time reveals... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Small Mercies
Ignore the doubters, this is top quality Jayhawks
I must start by saying I am really surprised by the somewhat indifferent reaction to this album. Am I really listening to the same music? Read more
Published 5 months ago by M. J. Tokley
Pouring rain
I started buying The Jayhawks' albums after seeing the video of 'Blue' back in the mid-1990s and since then have collected all of them. Read more
Published 6 months ago by D. J. H. Thorn
Mockingbird Time by The Jayhawks
Early Jayhawks albums (Hollywood Townhall, Tomorrow The Green Grass)will always be almost impossible to better, but this album has been worth waiting for, especially the harmonies... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Trev
There's nothing Mocking about Mockingbird Time!
LS.
I bought the CD/DVD version, which adds to the fun. I like their music (I -so to speak- burned a hole in the 'Tomoorow the Green Grass' CD which I bought when that... Read more
I bought the CD/DVD version, which adds to the fun. I like their music (I -so to speak- burned a hole in the 'Tomoorow the Green Grass' CD which I bought when that... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Henry
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