Blue Earth is an album by the American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 alternative country

Alternative country

Alternative country is a loosely defined sub-genre of country music, which includes acts that differ significantly in style from mainstream or pop country music...

 and rock

Rock music

Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...

 band The Jayhawks

Jayhawks (band)

The Jayhawks are an American alternative country and rock band that emerged from the Twin Cities music scene during the mid 1980s. Their country rock sound was influential on many bands who played the Twin Cities circuit during the 80s and 90s like Uncle Tupelo, The Gear Daddies and The Honeydogs...

, released in 1989.

History

After the local release of their debut album The Jayhawks, the band recorded a set of demos in order to attract a major label deal. Singer/guitarist Gary Louris

Gary Louris

Gary Louris is a guitarist, singer, and songwriter of alternative country and pop music. He was a founding member of the Minneapolis-based band The Jayhawks, and their principal songwriter and vocalist after the departure of Mark Olson; he is often credited with the band's subsequent move from...

 was injured in a car accident and left the band. Their manager was able to interest Twin/Tone Records in releasing the demos. Louris went to the studio to overdub his guitar parts and ended up re-joining the band. The re-mixed demos were released as Blue Earth.

"Martin's Song" and "Two Angels" were later re-recorded on Hollywood Town Hall.

Blue Earth was re-issued on CD on the Rykodisc label in 2003 with three bonus tracks.

Reception

In his review for Allmusic, critic Jason Ankeny wrote that due to the songs originally being demos, they lack punch, and noted "the songs are simply too primitive to come to life in this setting. Nonetheless, the growth of the band's songwriting skills over their debut is substantial..." Music critic Robert Christgau

Robert Christgau

Robert Christgau is an American essayist, music journalist, and self-proclaimed "Dean of American Rock Critics".One of the earliest professional rock critics, Christgau is known for his terse capsule reviews, published since 1969 in his Consumer Guide columns...

 gave the album an A- rating, noting "Gram Parsons

Gram Parsons

Gram Parsons was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist. Parsons is best known for his work within the country genre; he also mixed blues, folk, and rock to create what he called "Cosmic American Music"...

 comparisons get you nowhere, but I'm not kidding—this is the obliquely songful followup the Burritos never made."

Track listing

All songs written by Mark Olson

Mark Olson (musician)

Mark Olson is an American musician. He is one of the founding members of acclaimed alternative country bands The Jayhawks and The Original Harmony Ridge Creekdippers and a respected singer/songwriter in his own right....

except as noted.

1. "Two Angels" – 4:07
2. "She's Not Alone Anymore" – 3:23
3. "Will I Be Married" – 3:53
4. "Dead End Angel" – 3:40
5. "Commonplace Streets" – 5:21
6. "Ain't No End" (Olson, Greg Louris, Marc Perlman) – 3:45
7. "Five Cups of Coffee" (Olson, Louris) – 3:52
8. "The Baltimore Sun" (Olson, Louris) – 3:10
9. "Red Firecracker" (Louris, Olson) – 3:08
10. "Sioux City" – 3:11
11. "I'm Still Dreaming, Now I'm Yours" – 3:45
12. "Martin's Song" – 3:31

Bonus tracks on 2003 re-issue:

1. "Fingernail Moon"
2. "Two Minute Pop Song"
3. "Nightshade"

Personnel

• Mark Olson – vocals, guitar, harmonica
• Gary Louris – vocals, guitar
• Marc Perlman – electric and acoustic bass
• Thad Spencer – drums

Additional musicians:

• Dan Gaarder – lead guitar (on "Ain't No End", "Five Cups of Coffee", "Dead End Angel")
• Charlie Pine – organ (on "Sioux City")
• Norm Rogers – vocals (on "Sioux City")
• Jim Rondinelli – vocals (on "Red Firecracker")

External links

• Jayhawks fan site discography.