The Jayhawks: Sanctuary Park (Album of the Week)

The Jayhawks have been one of my favorite bands for the last nearly fifty years. Of course, my bias springs from the fact that they are from my hometown, Minneapolis. Each time they release a new record, it becomes an instant classic of the North Woods and the seven country metro. Their latest, Sanctuary Park, is just such an example.

The album opens with this lovely track.

Next we get this gem.

Later, a shiver and a sigh...

Hometown pride is a powerful force. This band continues to be a colossus!

Gary Louris: Dark Country

Gary Louris has a most excellent record out called Dark Country. It's one of those albums that takes you on a journey. And it's not necessarily all bleak. I find the mix of light and dark in both style and them to be refreshingly melancholic. 

Track #19 of 2020: The Jayhawks: Homecoming

I love it when hometown heroes make good. I've been a fan of The Jayhawks since the mid-'80s, seeing them in all sorts of great bars and clubs. Some still exist and others (like the 400 Bar) sadly do not. 

Our treasure is still around...

The Jayhawks: XOXO (Album of the Week)

My hometown of Minneapolis has one of the best bands in the world. They have been making incredible music for over 35 years. Every Christmas season they do a show in the Main Room when they come home to visit with family and it sells out, invariably forcing a second show.

The Jayhawks are a Minnesota treasure.

And, honestly, they are second only to Prince in terms of local music legends.

Their latest release, XOXO, continues the high standard set by their recent output. Louris, Grothberg, Perlman, and the lads have refused to give up on exploring new musical horizons and territories. I continue to be as amazed as I was when I bought their first record back in 1986 at the record store in the basement of Coffman Union.

Here is my favorite track from the album. So perfect for hometown heroes...