Led by the gifted songwriting, impeccable playing, and honeyed harmonies of vocalists/guitarists Gary Louris and Mark Olson, the Jayhawks' shimmering blend of country, folk, and bar band rock made them one of the most widely acclaimed artists to emerge from the alternative country scene. The group sprung up in 1985 out of the fertile Minneapolis, Minnesota, musical community, where Olson had been playing standup bass in a rockabilly band called Stagger Lee until his desire to write and perform his own country-folk material prompted him to begin a solo career. He enlisted Marc Perlman, the guitarist for a local band called the Neglecters, whom Olson then convinced to take up the bass; after the addition of drummer Norm Rogers, the group first played in front of a crowd of less than a dozen people. One of those patrons, however, was Gary Louris, a veteran of the local bands Safety Last and Schnauzer; after the show, he and Olson began talking, and by the end of the evening Louris, a guitarist famed locally for his innovative, pedal steel-like sound, had become a member of the group, eventually named the Jayhawks.
Drawing on influences like Gram Parsons, the Louvin Brothers, Tim Hardin, and Nashville Skyline-era Bob Dylan, the Jayhawks quickly became a local favorite, honing their sound in Twin Cities clubs before releasing their eponymous debut in 1986. Issued in a pressing of just a few thousand copies, the album was well received by those who heard it; a major recording deal did not follow, however, so the band continued to polish their craft live, with more and more of their songs bearing writing credits belonging to both Olson and Louris. In October 1988, after a lineup change which saw the departure of Rogers (who joined Cows) followed by the addition of drummer Thad Spencer, Louris was nearly killed in an auto accident, and the Jayhawks went on hiatus. At much the same time, however, executives at the Minneapolis independent label Twin/Tone decided to issue the demos the group had been stockpiling over the past few years, and after some overdubbing and remixing, Blue Earth appeared in 1989. Richer in sound and more complex in its themes and concerns, the record's release brought the group considerable attention, and also brought Louris back into the fold. After another drummer switch (Spencer for Ken Callahan), the band hit the road for a national tour.
The Jayhawks were signed to major label American Records after producer George Drakoulias heard The Blue Earth playing in the background during a phone call to Twin/Tone's offices. With Drakoulias in the producer's seat, the band recorded its breakthrough album, Hollywood Town Hall, in 1991; a mainstay of critics' annual "best of" lists, the album generated the alternative radio hits "Waiting for the Sun," "Take Me With You (When You Go)," and "Settled Down Like Rain." After a tour which saw the permanent addition of Minneapolis pianist Karen Grotberg, the individual bandmembers guested on albums from Counting Crows, Soul Asylum, Maria McKee, Joe Henry, and others. Before recording the fourth Jayhawks album, Callahan departed, and was replaced by session drummer Don Heffington. The resulting record, 1995's Tomorrow the Green Grass, is a beautiful collection of songs led off by the elegiac single "Blue," the recipient of significant airplay. A tour followed, but after some months on the road, Olson announced he was quitting the band. In 1997, the Jayhawks — now consisting of Louris, Perlman, Grotberg, and drummer Tim O'Reagan — released the album Sound of Lies. Grotberg left the band in early 2000, and was replaced by ex-DAG keyboardist Jen Gunderman for the band's sixth album, Smile. A move to a new label (Lost Highway) in 2002 brought about more changes in the band's ever evolving lineup, leaving Louris, Perlman, and O' Reagan (assisted by newcomer Stephen McCarthy on guitar) to craft 2003's rootsier Rainy Day Music.
After a hiatus from 2005-9, the band reunited and, in 2011, recorded a new album. The lineup consists of Mark Olson, Gary Louris, Marc Perlman, Karen Grotberg, and Tim O'Reagan. The album, Mockingbird Time, was released on 20 September 2011. In September 2015, the same line-up, minus Mark Olson, began recording a new album 'Paging Mr Proust', produced by Peter Buck and Tucker Martine for release on the band's own Sham label in April 2016.
The Jayhawks featured on two albums by English rock musician Ray Davies, best known as lead singer-songwriter for The Kinks: Americana, released in April 2017, and Our Country: Americana Act II which appeared in June 2018.
The following month, the 'Paging Mr Proust' line-up was augmented by John Jackson (mandolin, violin, acoustic guitar) for the album Back Roads and Abandoned Motels. Recorded in two sessions in 2017, it comprises nine songs co-written by Gary Louris with other artists, alongside two of his recent compositions.
Norm Rogers (August 1, 1956 - February 19, 2018) original drummer and founding member, died in 2018.
http://www.jayhawksofficial.com
There is another band with the same name:
2. The Jayhawks (Jay Hawks, Jay-Hawks) were an American doo-wop group from Los Angeles, California that had a hit in 1956 with "Stranded in the Jungle". Their track "The Creature (From Outer Space)" can be found on various Halloween themed rock & roll compilations. During this time they also recorded as The Classics, After a few line-up changes they renamed themselves The Vibrations in 1960, but also had a hit with "Peanut Butter" under the name The Marathons.
Miss Williams' Guitar
The Jayhawks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the delta sun
Songs from the book of life
For everyone
Miss William's guitar
Miss William's guitar
I remember watching her play
And the whole damn crowd
Oh so far away
One night in a bar in Louisville
We had some fun
Walked through a graveyard park
Left flowers alone
Miss William's guitar
Miss William's guitar
I remember watching her play
And the whole damn crowd
Seemed so far away
Oh so far away
Miss William's guitar
Miss William's guitar
I remember watching her play
And the whole damn crowd
Seemed so far away
I remember watching her play
And the whole damn crowd
Seemed so far away
Oh so far away
The Jayhawks's song Miss Williams' Guitar is a heartfelt tribute to a woman named Miss Williams and her guitar. The opening lyrics "Sounds like a field being painted in the delta sun" set the scene for the listener, describing the atmosphere and setting of Miss Williams, who is likely from the southern United States, specifically the Mississippi Delta region, known for its blues and gospel music traditions. The next line, "Songs from the book of life for everyone," points to the idea that the music Miss Williams plays is universal and speaks to listeners of all backgrounds and experiences.
The chorus, "Miss William's guitar, I remember watching her play, and the whole damn crowd seemed so far away," reinforces the idea that Williams is a captivating performer who can transport her audience to another world. She and her guitar have the ability to create an intimate connection between performer and listener, as if casting a spell. The final verse adds a personal element to the story as the singer remembers a night in Louisville with Williams, walking through a graveyard park and leaving flowers alone. The chorus repeats again, closing out the song with the same sentiment of being entranced by William's guitar playing and her ability to create a beautiful, otherworldly experience for her listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Sounds like a field being painted
The music created by Miss Williams' guitar is so vivid and joyful that it mimics the harmonic beauty of a freshly painted field in the hot sun.
In the delta sun
The setting for the music is in a sunny delta where the singer has an opportunity to enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and rhythm of the place.
Songs from the book of life
The melodies played by Miss Williams' guitar contain real-life messages for people who take the time to listen to them. These songs are more than just entertainment; they teach important life lessons.
For everyone
The music is meant to be enjoyed by everyone without any discrimination as it carries a message that applies to all of us.
Miss William's guitar
The guitar is a metaphor for the passion and emotion that lives inside Miss Williams. Her music is so intimate that it carries a piece of her essence with it.
I remember watching her play
The singer has an indelible memory of Miss Williams playing her guitar which made a significant impact on his personal journey.
And the whole damn crowd
Even when surrounded by a noisy, indifferent crowd, Miss Williams' music cuts through like a knife, connecting with each person individually.
Seemed so far away
The crowd fades into the background as the singer becomes lost in the music that touches him on a deep emotional level.
One night in a bar in Louisville
The singer reminisces about the night he heard Miss Williams play in a particular Louisville bar. This night is so vivid that it has stayed in his memory to this day.
We had some fun
The singer is recalling the camaraderie and excitement that he shared with his friends while enjoying Miss Williams' music.
Walked through a graveyard park
After leaving the bar, the singer and his friends took a midnight stroll through the park, where they found peace and tranquility in the midst of the tombstones.
Left flowers alone
The singer and his friends left flowers in the graveyard as a sign of respect and reverence for the deceased, acknowledging the transience of life.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GARY LOURIS, GARY MICHAEL LOURIS, MARK OLSON, MARK JOHN OLSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind