What a band. What a song. It has so much 70s sensibility and composition aesthetic that I thought it was like a George Harrison cover for years. Nope. Just the BAMF Jayhawks doing what they do.
Is it perfect??? Absolutely not! But are the imperfections beautiful and mesmerizing? Absolutely, yes! These gentlemen were angry at each other and flawed. They basically hated each other. But they swallowed their pride and gave everything that they were able to give. Is there anything more honest? Is there anything more raw? No! This is *TRUE* art! Believe it!
well they were both miserable. I don't mean the playing (Not a good performance from either of them tbh) but emotionally. Gary was struggling with substance abuse around this time and completed a treatment program at the end of '12. He called the recording of Mockingbird Time 'a fiasco'. Anyway, Mark left soon after acrimoniously. "Olson...claims that Louris promised not to tour as the Jayhawks without him, a pre-condition to their 2011-2012 reunion." Needless to say this promise was not kept. So...this was a rough time for both of them during the recording of this (All of this is from publicly available sources by the way). That explains a lot. They are both great talents and continue to make great music, just not here.
compare this to the acoustic live version on world café from early 1995. if you can find the version from world café early 1995. two problems with this version is. 1 )... they are older and their voices have not held up well & 2 ) on the 1995 acoustic live version they were stoned out of their gourds while singing it LOL
Damn. I love the original. But folks are right: Mark Olson is really, really off here. Louris and the others do their best, but Olson turns this lovely song into an anharmonic dirge.
The problem with making something so beautifully harmonically perfect like 'Blue' .... is that you get older, life gets in the way... and the blemishes of the universe reveal themselves... I've been to rehab with a few Famous rockers... and they all admit they were a shell of themselves ( though they didn't recognize it at the time) in the midst of their careers... a 100% or even 50% ...just wasn't possible. This was a 'raw' performance ...good, but not great.
I think Mark Olsen sounds awful. His guitar playing is marginal as well. Gary sounds great and the rest of the band sounds great. Olsen just doesn't add anything good. his tone and pitch are horrific.
This is really an unfortunate version of an otherwise outstanding song. Mark Olson is skipping half of the chord changes and words. He sabotaged this one.
![The Jayhawks "Blue" [LIVE In Studio] | Austin City Limits Radio](/img/n.gif)
Great performance, piano is top-notch!
Love you guys! They still play this song all the time on Macon, Ga. radio!
This is so great.
I've loved this song from the first time I heard it. Don't really know what it means but I love it.
Absolutely Beautiful so very natural ,incredible !!!!!
Still great after 20 years
Goosebumps still…
What a band. What a song. It has so much 70s sensibility and composition aesthetic that I thought it was like a George Harrison cover for years. Nope. Just the BAMF Jayhawks doing what they do.
excellent live studio version, guys and girl...beautiful rickenbacker guitar and piano sound... thanks for posting.
Timeless...
F.....K !! I Love it !!
Beautiful. loose, ragged and sweet. If you don't get it, just move on. Jayhawks Forever!
Great sound with Gary playing the Rickenbacker 12String. As good as always !
That piano!
song is so great...nice to hear different versions...
❤this band!
I enjoyed the quality of the audio/video.
Is it perfect??? Absolutely not! But are the imperfections beautiful and mesmerizing? Absolutely, yes! These gentlemen were angry at each other and flawed. They basically hated each other. But they swallowed their pride and gave everything that they were able to give. Is there anything more honest? Is there anything more raw? No! This is *TRUE* art! Believe it!
Why they didn’t like each other?
@markoverwater2179, I can't say. I don't know. All I can say is that it's beautiful.
Greats !!
I'm hittin' all the even #'s this sleepless night: Like #300!
I think I'll stop and look what's going down!
I think they sound better now. More raw. Honest.
well they were both miserable. I don't mean the playing (Not a good performance from either of them tbh) but emotionally. Gary was struggling with substance abuse around this time and completed a treatment program at the end of '12. He called the recording of Mockingbird Time 'a fiasco'. Anyway, Mark left soon after acrimoniously. "Olson...claims that Louris promised not to tour as the Jayhawks without him, a pre-condition to their 2011-2012 reunion." Needless to say this promise was not kept. So...this was a rough time for both of them during the recording of this (All of this is from publicly available sources by the way). That explains a lot. They are both great talents and continue to make great music, just not here.
Always thought I was someone. Turned out I was wrong.
It's hard to sing with someone who won't sing with you. No kidding.
Sound like America...very good song*
compare this to the acoustic live version on world café from early 1995. if you can find the version from world café early 1995. two problems with this version is. 1 )... they are older and their voices have not held up well & 2 ) on the 1995 acoustic live version they were stoned out of their gourds while singing it LOL
Possibly their best song; not sure about this version, though.
Not so sure I would've chosen a 12 string for this one. Cool guitar though.
I love it. 12s are wasted on some music but sounds great here.
Damn. I love the original. But folks are right: Mark Olson is really, really off here. Louris and the others do their best, but Olson turns this lovely song into an anharmonic dirge.
Karen was perfection.
lol the drummers face at 0:48 gives it away.
hey, they ain't in their 20-30's anymore
no excuse. if you cant do it. bow out with grace while people remember how good it was.
The problem with making something so beautifully harmonically perfect like 'Blue' .... is that you get older, life gets in the way... and the blemishes of the universe reveal themselves... I've been to rehab with a few Famous rockers... and they all admit they were a shell of themselves ( though they didn't recognize it at the time) in the midst of their careers... a 100% or even 50% ...just wasn't possible. This was a 'raw' performance ...good, but not great.
Such a great song on the original album, shame to hear such a weak version of it here.
I think Mark Olsen sounds awful. His guitar playing is marginal as well. Gary sounds great and the rest of the band sounds great. Olsen just doesn't add anything good. his tone and pitch are horrific.
sounds like Popeye
I'd say that sounds like alcohol singing
J Ward
Sad...but true. All sounds so tired
Not being an smartass but I think his mic was cranked a bit much. Just a bit lower...
This is really an unfortunate version of an otherwise outstanding song. Mark Olson is skipping half of the chord changes and words. He sabotaged this one.
NOW JACOB FOATAIN...
Sounds outta tune?
Their instruments and playing sounded ok, I think it was Mark's singing.
Man, is the dude in the hat alright?
The original is a great song. But jesus this is terrible
lol,I know! . Put some fraekin' heart into it already. I can't stand the old age excuse. People let this world suck the life outta them.
Totally, he's all over the place.!
Kosta Mckay
Their current line-up sounds great!!
uhh, no. unrelease this please.
It's hard to sing with someone who won't give a damn
Not their best performance.
Oh my god a terrible performance of this song...i heard they split up again...i thinking this was what caused it!!