Named after the debut single by Teenage Fanclub.
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Sunday 9 May 2021
Clouds by The Jayhawks
Trust me #24
Back in 1993 there was a BBC Scotland show called No Stilettos, featuring bands filmed live in the lovely setting of Cottiers Theatre in the West End of Glasgow. Hosted by Eddie Reader, bands like The Lemonheads, Trashcan Sinatras, Aztec Camera, BMX Bandits and American Music Club passed through the doors, on to the stage and on to our screens.
As a 17-year old soaking up alternative guitar pop from as many sources as possible in a pre-internet age, it seemed like this programme had been created directly for me.
In addition to the acts mentioned above, a band called The Jayhawks played, promoting their 3rd LP, the outstanding Hollywood Town Hall.
Clouds and Wichita were the 2-songs filmed for the show, there was possibly a 3rd but I can distinctly remember these two. I bought the album soon afterwards.
Mark Olson on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, alongside Gary Louris on electric guitar and harmonies, absolutely captivated me. The way their voices and guitars combined seemed so effortless and vital. They looked like a proper band, Olson was all smiles, strumming his acoustic way up the neck, Louris made it look easy.
Mark Olson & Gary Louris
So many American bands get that combination of acoustic and electric guitars spot on, The Jayhawks sure hit a sweet spot with rock, country, folk and what would become known as Americana or alt country.
I've decided to write a blog on Hollywood Town Hall in the near future. In the meantime, I chose to write about Clouds for my monthly Trust Me feature.
Clouds bursts into life with electric guitar, organ and acoustic guitar all at once before Gary Louris settles into a riff, beautifully underpinned by Mark Olson's acoustic.
It's not just the guitars that sound so good together. Louris and Olson's voices gel beautifully as they harmonise, particularly as they sing can you see them shine on the chorus.
Can your diamonds talk to you? Can you see them shine?
Keep them hiding in your room, can they guide you in your time?
Can they guide you in your time?
Clouds is like a burst of warm sunshine pouring through a window and seeping into your room. The closing 50 second instrumental builds and the last 30 seconds are a band in full flight.
Screw that, go back to the start. Clouds is 4 minutes 52 seconds of the band flying; swooping, soaring, gliding, playing ... and then there is the majestic closing instrumental.
The way the band settle into a groove after the initial intro burst is just glorious, Olson's lyrics are kind of Dylan style string of consciousness, fitting together, leading to the chorus. Louris harmonises in all the right places, the little riffs he fires off are stunning, the keys/organ underneath are beautiful and help lift the song.
Clouds and The Jayhawks made an immediate impression on me all those years ago. It was also a lasting one, I've really enjoyed revisiting Hollywood Town Hall as an album and I'm going to work through their catalogue.
1 comment:
A great album and a great band live
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