Whether they know it or not, today’s “beard rock” bands owes a great debt to the musical stylings of The Jayhawks. The Minneapolis-based band were not only the pioneers of the alt.country movement, but also helped to define the sound of modern Americana with their mix of The Byrds meets The Band meets The Flying Burrito Brothers. After nearly two decades, and a few lineup changes, which included the departure of founding member and co-principal songwriter Mark Olsen, the band decided to go on an extended hiatus in 2005 after touring behind their seventh studio album Rainy Day Music. In the years that followed, Olsen and his former songwriting partner Gary Louris reconnected, recording an album together and playing a series of one-off Jayhawks reunion gigs.

Late last winter, in a move that longtime fans of the band didn’t think would happen, the band’s original lineup regrouped at The Terrarium Recording Studios in Minneapolis to record their first album of new material together. Last week, The Jayhawks released Mockingbird Time, their first album of new material in eight years, and their first with their original line up since 1995′s  classic Tomorrow The Green Grass.

Let’s check out this live in-studio music video for She Walks In So Many Ways, which is full on vintage Jayhawks, complete with the band’s classic harmonies and jangly roots-rock sound.

The Jayhawks will kick off the American leg of their lengthy world tour on September 30 at Slim’s in San Francisco, Calif.

Jeffrey Greenblatt

Jeff joined the Hidden Track team full-time in 2008 and helps guide the site in his role as Managing Editor and Social Media Coordinator. Each week Jeff pens Pullin' 'Tubes, Tour Dates and Bloggy Goodness in addition to features, video posts and more. Jeff is a graduate of The George Washington University ('98), with a degree in Journalism, and has worked in the media and technology industry for the likes of MTV, VH1, A&E and Joost.

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