Rainy Day Music
Encyclopedia
Rainy Day Music is an album by the American
alternative country
and rock
band The Jayhawks, released in 2003. It debuted on the Billboard 200
at number 51, selling 19,000 copies that week.
and long-time members Marc Perlman and Tim O'Reagan. New guitarist Stephen McCarthy replaced guitarist Kraig Johnson. The initial release included a bonus CD of six songs, including a solo live performance by Louris of "Waiting For the Sun", the lead-off track of the groups 1992 album Hollywood Town Hall
, on April 26, 2002 at The Woman's Club, Minneapolis, MN.
Guests on the album included Bernie Leadon
, Jakob Dylan
and Matthew Sweet
.
reviewer Andrew Bryant agreed that the first half surpasses the second, writing the latter songs "...simply sound forced, pushing the combination of what constitutes alt-country and folk-rock to its limit of self-parody, and at times irreversibly crossing that line." He ultimately concludes the album "the sound of a dog (or more appropriately a bird) chasing its own tail, content with plugging away at the same formula as long as there's still precedence for satisfying their musical niche."
Glide reviewer Shane Handler called it "...a warm statement made in the spirit of bluegrass and country/folk that can uplift, inspire and enduringly stand the test of time." Dirty Linen called it "A low-key effort that features delicate harmonies, recalling California relatives such as Poco and the post-Gram Parsons Burrito Brothers". Uncut
gave it 4 out of 5 stars — "It's all acoustic guitars, rich jangling melodies and heavenly harmonies....Gary Louris has come up with some of his most memorable compositions." Entertainment Weekly
described it as "Folk-rock laced with banjos, accordions, and pedal steel, Rainy Day Music is the roots move one suspects fans have wanted for years, its classic rock flavor echoing the Byrds, CSNY, and Poco" and gave it a B+ rating. Mojo
gave it 3 stars out of 5 — "...their new-found economy makes for some pretty lovely highpoints....Louris is unquestionably a virtuoso, playing his parts with a decorous restraint, and contributing cooing, affectingly human vocals."
The initial release of Rainy Day Music included a bonus CD including:
Additional musicians:
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, released in 2003. It debuted on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
at number 51, selling 19,000 copies that week.
History
At the time of the recording, the band consisted of the trio Gary LourisGary 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...
and long-time members Marc Perlman and Tim O'Reagan. New guitarist Stephen McCarthy replaced guitarist Kraig Johnson. The initial release included a bonus CD of six songs, including a solo live performance by Louris of "Waiting For the Sun", the lead-off track of the groups 1992 album Hollywood Town Hall
Hollywood Town Hall
Hollywood Town Hall is a 1992 album by country rock revivalists The Jayhawks. It peaked at #11 on the Billboard Heatseekers and #192 on the Billboard 200...
, on April 26, 2002 at The Woman's Club, Minneapolis, MN.
Guests on the album included Bernie Leadon
Bernie Leadon
Bernard Mathew "Bernie" Leadon, III is an American musician and songwriter, best known as a founding member of the Eagles. Prior to the Eagles, he was a member of two pioneering and highly influential country rock bands, Dillard & Clark and the Flying Burrito Brothers...
, Jakob Dylan
Jakob Dylan
Jakob Luke Dylan is the lead singer and songwriter of the rock band The Wallflowers and is a son of singer-songwriter Bob Dylan and Sara Dylan. He has also recorded two solo albums.-Personal life:...
and Matthew Sweet
Matthew Sweet
Sidney Matthew Sweet is an American alternative rock/power pop musician. He was part of the burgeoning Athens, Georgia music scene in the early and mid-1980s before gaining commercial success during the early 1990s...
.
Reception
Rainy Day Music received generally enthusiastic, but some lukewarm reviews. In his review for Allmusic, Zac Johnson notes the return to roots music versus the band's previous albums in a more pop style. He praises the first six songs but that "the second half stumbles", concluding that "it's certainly an album that gets better with each listen, so it may yet prove to be worth its weight in acoustic gold." Pitchfork MediaPitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
reviewer Andrew Bryant agreed that the first half surpasses the second, writing the latter songs "...simply sound forced, pushing the combination of what constitutes alt-country and folk-rock to its limit of self-parody, and at times irreversibly crossing that line." He ultimately concludes the album "the sound of a dog (or more appropriately a bird) chasing its own tail, content with plugging away at the same formula as long as there's still precedence for satisfying their musical niche."
Glide reviewer Shane Handler called it "...a warm statement made in the spirit of bluegrass and country/folk that can uplift, inspire and enduringly stand the test of time." Dirty Linen called it "A low-key effort that features delicate harmonies, recalling California relatives such as Poco and the post-Gram Parsons Burrito Brothers". Uncut
UNCUT (magazine)
Uncut magazine, trademarked as UNCUT, is a monthly publication based in London. It is available across the English-speaking world, and focuses on music, but also includes film and books sections...
gave it 4 out of 5 stars — "It's all acoustic guitars, rich jangling melodies and heavenly harmonies....Gary Louris has come up with some of his most memorable compositions." Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
described it as "Folk-rock laced with banjos, accordions, and pedal steel, Rainy Day Music is the roots move one suspects fans have wanted for years, its classic rock flavor echoing the Byrds, CSNY, and Poco" and gave it a B+ rating. Mojo
Mojo (magazine)
MOJO is a popular music magazine published initially by Emap, and since January 2008 by Bauer, monthly in the United Kingdom. Following the success of the magazine Q, publishers Emap were looking for a title which would cater for the burgeoning interest in classic rock music...
gave it 3 stars out of 5 — "...their new-found economy makes for some pretty lovely highpoints....Louris is unquestionably a virtuoso, playing his parts with a decorous restraint, and contributing cooing, affectingly human vocals."
Track listing
All songs by Gary Louris unless otherwise noted.- "Stumbling Through the Dark" (Gary Louris, Matthew Sweet) – 2:26
- "Tailspin" – 3:19
- "All the Right Reasons" – 3:25
- "Save It for a Rainy Day" – 3:08
- "Eyes of Sarahjane" – 3:48
- "One Man's Problem" – 4:02
- "Don't Let the World Get in Your Way" (Tim O'Reagan) – 4:19
- "Come to the River" – 4:29
- "Angelyne" – 3:44
- "Madman" – 4:04
- "You Look So Young" – 4:03
- "Tampa to Tulsa" (O'Reagan) – 4:02
- "Will I See You in Heaven" (Marc Perlman) – 3:39
- "Stumbling Through the Dark (Reprise)" (Louris, Sweet) – 2:17
The initial release of Rainy Day Music included a bonus CD including:
- "Fools On Parade"
- "Say Your Prayers"(Demo)
- "All The Right Reasons"(Alternate Mix)
- "Caught With a Smile on My Face"(Demo)
- "Tampa To Tulsa"(Alternate Mix)
- "Waiting For the Sun" (Louris, Mark OlsonMark 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....
) (Live performance by Gary Louris on April 26, 2002 at The Woman's Club, Minneapolis, MN )
Personnel
- Gary LourisGary LourisGary 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...
– guitar, harmonica, vocals - Marc Perlman – bass, guitar, mandolin, drums
- Tim O'Reagan – drums, percussion, guitar, conga, vocals
- Stephen McCarthy – guitar, pedal steel guitar, banjo, lap steel guitar, vocals
Additional musicians:
- Richard Causon – piano, accordion, harmonium, keyboards, Hammond organ
- Ethan JohnsEthan JohnsEthan Johns is a record producer, engineer, mixer, musician, and songwriter who has worked with such artists such as Ryan Adams, Kings of Leon, Ray LaMontagne, Kevin Prosch, Rufus Wainwright, Howard Eliott Payne, Emmylou Harris, Crowded House, Laura Marling, Luthea Salom, and Crosby, Stills and...
– dulcimer, guitar, drums, piano, percussion, harmonium, pump organ, guitar loops - Bernie LeadonBernie LeadonBernard Mathew "Bernie" Leadon, III is an American musician and songwriter, best known as a founding member of the Eagles. Prior to the Eagles, he was a member of two pioneering and highly influential country rock bands, Dillard & Clark and the Flying Burrito Brothers...
– banjo (on "Tailspin") - Jakob DylanJakob DylanJakob Luke Dylan is the lead singer and songwriter of the rock band The Wallflowers and is a son of singer-songwriter Bob Dylan and Sara Dylan. He has also recorded two solo albums.-Personal life:...
– vocals (on "Come to the River") - Matthew SweetMatthew SweetSidney Matthew Sweet is an American alternative rock/power pop musician. He was part of the burgeoning Athens, Georgia music scene in the early and mid-1980s before gaining commercial success during the early 1990s...
– vocals (on "Tailspin", "All the Right Reasons", "The Eyes of Sarahjane") - Chris Stills – vocals, percussion
Production notes
- Ethan Johns – producer, engineer
- Ed Ackerson – engineer
- Richard Dodd – mastering
- Craig Allen – design
- Martyn Atkins – photography
- Chris Reynolds – assistant engineer
- Rick RubinRick RubinFrederick Jay "Rick" Rubin is an American record producer and the co-president of Columbia Records. Along with Russell Simmons, Rubin was the co-founder of Def Jam Records and also established American Recordings...
– executive producer, art direction
External links
- The Jayhawks make music for a rainy day. Country Standard Time interview. Accessed December 6, 2008.