Jayhawks - Hollywood Town Hall

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 20 / 3 / 2011

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Article

Recently reformed Minnesota-based alt.country band the Jayhawks‘ third album and major label debut, ‘Hollywood Town Hall’, has just been re-released in a remastered version with bonus tracks. ‘Waiting For the Sun’ opens this 1992 album, and, while sharing a title with a Doors song, is a classy Americana track that has you instantly dreaming of Sunny Californian beaches, semi-naked blondes and fast cars. It is like a modern day Beach Boys number, a cool slice of summer sunshine that ends up with a Neil Young/Crazy Horse groove at the end of it. ‘Crowded in the Wing’ is a dreamy Sunday morning number, a song to wile away your troubles too. ‘Clouds’ has more grit to it and, a toe tapper, is like an upbeat John Denver or Neil Diamond number. ‘Two Angels’ is a song to sway along too. The Jayhawks sound on it like an American Crowded House. It has a sweet taste to it that brings a flavour of California to your senses. ‘Take Me With You (When You Go) is a gentle number, which, beginning sounding like latter-period country era Byrds, once again ends in Neil Young style. ‘Sister Cry’ has a smooth country glide, while ‘Settled Down Like Rain’ is very pleasant and easy-on-the ear. ‘Wichita’ is as smooth as classic Squeeze, a happy tune, while ‘Nevada, California' is a slow burning song to sway too and a perfect end of the day tune. ‘Martin's Song’, which ends the original album, is a well-paced number and good closer. The bonus tracks include five unreleased tracks. The first of these is ‘Leaves No Gold’, which is a cool rocker that is fast in pace. ‘Keith and Quentin’ is a bar room country track, which is both catchy and very infectious, and ‘Up Above My Head’ is a song to drink along too. ‘Warm River’ and ‘Mother Trust You to Walk to the Store’ are, however, both disappointing, and let the rest of this otherwise excellent album down.

Track Listing:-

Band Links:-

http://www.jayhawksofficial.com/
https://www.facebook.com/jayhawksoffic
https://twitter.com/the_jayhawks

Picture Gallery:-