The Jayhawks – Blue Earth (Record Store Day 2025 reissue – Rhino)

Blue Earth was my introduction to The Jayhawks. They checked a lot of boxes related to my music preferences:

• They were severely under the influence of Gram Parsons-era Flying Burrito Brothers
• Amazing vocal harmonies
• Epic riffs and searing country guitar solos

Famed music critic Robert Christgau gave the album an A-rating, noting, “Gram Parsons comparisons get you nowhere, but I’m not kidding—this is the obliquely songful follow-up the Burritos never made.”

I am a sucker for alt-country / Americana. The Jayhawks and this album were my first alt-country love. Elvis Costello introduced me to the Gram Parsons era Flying Burrito Brothers years earlier via “I’m Your Toy” on 1981’s Almost Blue. However, this album, along with contemporaries like Uncle Tupelo and Lucinda Williams, among others, suggested this could be a genre. Something different than 70s country rock. Alt-country was informed by punk, the British New Wave, and R.E.M. It was urban country.

The top features of the band were:

• Gary Louris’ guitar – unique voice on the instrument – just a touch of Neil Young.
• Vocals – Mark Olson and Louris share leads and harmonize at a near Everly Brothers quality, which is magical
• Gorgeous arrangements

Blue Earth was The Jayhawks’ second album, released on Twin-Tone Records. It has not been on LP since it was initially issued in 1989. This Record Store Day 2025 release includes a 7” EP with four bonus tracks never on vinyl (the album plus four-song bonus tracks is how the album is presented on streaming services). I have had this album for years on CD, and it is nice to have it on vinyl. This vinyl release is well-mastered and a nice, clean pressing.