Life is Music™

Together for their first shows since the Basilica Block Party in Minneapolis last year, The Jayhawks reunited for a long awaited trio of concerts at First Avenue.  The band warmed up for these concerts with an in-store performance at the Electric Fetus record store and a live taping on 89.3 The Current.  After that it was three shows at the infamous First Avenue.

I attended nights one and two.  With the sold out “Rock the Garden” concert keeping the younger crowd busy just across town, the capacity crowd on this Saturday was predominantly middle aged and brimming with energy.  The Brooklyn based duo, KaiserCartel, opened before The Jayhawks finally took stage.  At that time I looked throughout the crowd and saw nothing but smiles.  The band opened with the hit “Wichita” from their classic 1992 record Hollywood Town Hall.  From their they worked through songs from every era of the band before ending the show with a five song encore.

The Jayhawks

Gary Louris

Gary Louris & Mark Olson

The Jayhawks – First Avenue – Saturday, June 19th, 2010

Wichita
Pray For Me
Real Light
Red’s Song
Nothing Left To Borrow
Tomorrow The Green Grass
Let The Critics Wonder
Two Hearts
Settled Down Like Rain
Nevada Ca.
Falling Star
Two Angels
Blue
I’d Run Away
I Don’t Want [Sir Douglas Quintet]
Miss Williams Guitar
Lights
Bad Time
People in This Place on Every Side

Encore:
Waiting For The Sun
Ann Jane
Will I Be Married
Over My Shoulder
Last Cigarette

Sunday night the crowd was more mixed with younger people but the smiles didn’t change.  Once again First Avenue was electric with anticipation for the legendary hometown band.  After local band Strange Lights got things going with a moody rock set, The Jayhawks took the stage with ease and all smiles.  They opened the night with the song “People in This Place on Every Side” from their recently released The Bunkhouse Album.  Once again they worked in their hits including another beautiful version of “Blue”.  That song has never sounded better and will never get old.  They ended the night with a four song encore including an absolute goose-bump inducing “Tampa to Tulsa”.

Each night I witnessed professional musicians at their finest.  The Jayhawks were smooth, playing as though they had never taken a break.  The band didn’t hesitate to call out friends in the crowd making each night feel intimate and fun.  The Jayhawks are an amazing band.  Lets hope that they continue playing together.

Mark Olson & Gary Louris

Gary Louris

Marc Perlman

The Jayhawks

The Jayhawks – First Avenue – Sunday, June 20th, 2010

People in This Place on Every Side
Up Above My Head
Red’s Song
Real Light
Nothing Left To Borrow
Tomorrow the Green Grass
King of Kings
Two Hearts
Clouds Settled Down Like Rain
Someone Will
See Him on the Streets
Blue
I’d Run Away
I Don’t Want [Sir Douglas Quintet]
Miss Williams GuitarLights
Bad Time
Wichita

Encore:
Ain’t No End
Sister Cry
Tampa To Tulsa
Will I Be Married

The Jayhawks – First Avenue – Monday, June 21th, 2010
Wichita
Over My Shoulder
Real Light
Red’s Song
Nothing Left To Borrow
Tomorrow The Green Grass
Let The Critics Wonder
King of Kings
Two Hearts
Settled Down Like Rain
Martin’s Song
Take Me With You When You Go
She’s Not Alone Anymore
Blue
I’d Run Away
Miss Williams Guitar
Lights
Bad Time
People In This Place On Every Side

Encore:
Tampa To Tulsa
Waiting For The Sun
Will I Be Married
Almost Saturday Night* [John Fogerty]

The New Standards know how to play.  Putting a jazz twist on everyday pop songs, this trio of accomplished Minnesota musicians has created a style all their own.  I was quite fortunate to witness their late night set at the wonderful Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis, MN on Saturday, June 5th.

With John Munson (formerly of Semisonic & Trip Shakespeare) on upright bass, Chan Poling (formerly of The Suburbs) behind the piano, and Steve Roehm on the vibraphone, The New Standards played an exceptionally entertaining set of pop covers.  The intimate brick lined Dakota Jazz Club was the perfect venue for the near capacity concert.  The crowd listened along with attentive ears and a respectful quietness, although the band’s humor and interesting choice of songs induced chuckles at times.  Britney Spears’ song “Toxic” was my favorite with Steve Roehm taking it out with some very impressive vibraphone work.  Their version of The Clash’s “London Calling” opened my eyes to the song.

Later in the evening, Twin Cities jazz singer Kristin Rooney joined the band for a few songs.  Then the Minneapolis alt-country legend Gary Louris (The Jayhawks) sat in and sung along.  The night ended with a satisfied crowd yelling for more.  Go see this band when they are in your area.  They put on a fantastic show.

Here are a few samples of their music.  More songs and tour dates are available on their website.

Hey Ya (Outcast)
London Calling (The Clash)
Toxic (Britney Spears)

The New Standards

The New Standards

The New Standards

The New Standards with Kristin Mooney & Gary Louris