TUNES & TIX: Jayhawks return to flight

The parting of ways between Jayhawks co–founders Mark Olson and Gary Louris more than 15 years ago was to Americana faithful what Paul McCartney's Beatles' bursting bombshell was a quarter century or so earlier.

Forming in Minneapolis in the mid 80s — the same locale and era that served as a ground zero for alt–rock trailblazers such as Husker Du and the Replacements — Olson and Louris' Jayhawks took flight after their hometown forefathers burnt out and/or faded away.

After a pair of promising mid and late 80s homespun efforts, the Jayhawks created two Americana classics with 1992's "Hollywood Town Hall" and 1995's "Tomorrow the Green Grass." Although devoured by scribes and genre loyalists at the time, and few else, both sets would grow in influence and stature as the years went on; it's hard to imagine a pre–solo Ryan Adams Whiskeytown or, to an extent, Drive–By Truckers without thinking of these two masterworks.

After the release of "Grass," however, Olson parted ways with Louis and Co., to explore other musical avenues with (now his former wife) Victoria Williams. Louris kept the Jayhawks name in the air for a trio of albums up through the early 00s, which, while sturdy, paled when compared to the Olson/Louris triumphs.

Come 2004, Louris bid the Jayhawks in name adieu and, a year later returned to action onstage with Olson. Five years later saw their first studio effort together in 14 years, "Ready for the Flood."

That a Jayhawks reunion in name would follow was pretty much a given; in addition to performances as a duo, occasional original Jayhawks would join the duo for songs and sets, and a full–fledged show featuring the band lineup prior to Olson's departure was cause for celebration.

Last September saw the release of "Mockingbird Time," the first collection of Jayhawks songs led by Olson and Louris to come out in a decade and a half. That many of the songs on the set could hold their own alongside the best on "Hollywood" or "Grass" was a pleasant surprise; that the album debuted on the all–genre encompassing Billboard 200 album chart in the Top 40 was an added bonus.

The Jayhawks, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17, Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield, Chicago. $31 (18-and-older show) FYI: (773) 472–0449, JAMUSA.COM

On sale now

For more information, contact the venues or ticket sales agencies listed below. Unless otherwise indicated, all shows are all–ages.

• St. Vincent, May 11, Vic Theatre (JAMUSA.COM)

• Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert, Chris Young, June 9, Wrigley Field (TICKETS.COM)

• Red Hot Chili Peppers. May 28, Allstate Arena (ALLSTATEARENA.COM)

• Ingrid Michaelson, April 12, Vic Theatre (18 and older, JAMUSA,COM)

• George Benson, March 23, Chicago Theatre (THECHICAGOTHEATRE.COM)

• Andrew W.K., March 25, Metro (METROCHICAGO.COM)

The opinions expressed solely are those of the writer. Tim Shellberg can be reached at T.shellberg@comcast.net.