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The Jayhawks/ Richmond Fontaine

Venue: 02 Academy
Town: Liverpool
Date: March llth
Website: http://www.jayhawksofficial.com

This was the first ever gig in Liverpool by the very wonderful Jayhawks .Support act was Richmond Fontaine but not the full band. Instead we had a duo of main songwriter and singer/novelist Willy Vlautin and guitarist Dan Eccles who performed a short set of songs [mainly] from the band's latest album "The High Country ".

After the break the Jayhawks took to the stage for their much- anticipated Liverpool debut. Unfortunately ,for the band and the audience, they had to compete with a succession of death-metal bands [with names like Malefice and Heaven Shall Burn] in the room below. Not a very clever arrangement by the venue's management !

The Jayhawks formed in 1985 and in the early 1990's recorded two classic albums "Hollywood Town Hall" and "Tomorrow the Green Grass" but in 1995 co-frontman Mark Olson left. The band continued under the leadership of Gary Louris ,making several excellent albums. Olson and Louris got back together in 2009 for the "Ready for the Flood" album and later that year the Jayhawks re-formed with their current line-up of Louris, Olson, Tim O'Reagan [drums] ,Karen Grotberg [keyboards]and Marc Perlman [bass]. A new album "Mockingbird Time" was released in 2011 and tonight's show combined songs from their "classic" 1990's period and songs from the new album.

Of the "greatest hits" they played such favourites as "Blue" [perhaps their best known song] ; "I'd Run Away "; "Two Angels"; "Settled Down Like Rain" ;"Waiting for the Sun" and "Miss Wlliams' Guitar"[ about Olson's ex ,Victoria Williams].

From the new album they played "Closer to Your Side";"Tiny Arrows";"Cinnamon Love";"Black Eyed Susan" and best of all, the Byrds-like "She Walks in So Many Ways". We also had a song [Tampa to Tulsa] sung by the drummer Tim O' Reagan ,which was superb.

They are a great live band, Gary's and Mark's voices blend perfectly and there was some great harmony singing. Gary Louris is an excellent guitarist who is equally at home playing rock riffs and country licks. Add to that Karen's tasteful piano and a rock solid rhythm section and you have one of the best country rock bands ....ever. All I can say is that I hope that they stay together for a long time to come.

Peter Cowley