At the core of The Jayhawks' warm alt-country music is the combined talent of Gary Louris and Mark Olson. These guys seem to have it all: impeccable guitar lines, smooth harmonies and songwriting capabilities that rival just about any musician (or group of musicians) around.
After forming in Minneapolis in 1985, The Jayhawks' members drew inspiration from the likes of Gram Parsons, The Louvin Brothers, Tim Hardin and (of course) Bob Dylan. After adding bass and percussion, the quartet released its eponymous debut in 1986. Quickly becoming a local favorite, The Jayhawks' hard folk could be heard all over the Twin Cities.
The band's big breakthrough came with the major-label Hollywood Town Hall in 1991. From then on, despite a rotating lineup, The Jayhawks released a stream of terrific albums before going on hiatus. The group has occasionally assembled for brief tours — Louris announced a few shows this spring on the festival circuit — but not much else. Still, The Jayhawks' members did just release their first-ever compilation in July. North Country: The Jayhawks Anthology features video, B-sides and greatest hits.
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