Vagabonds

Gary Louris

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 19, 2008)
• Original Release Date: February 19, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rykodisc
• ASIN: B000TLYOI4
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #71,513 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. True Blue

2. Omaha Nights

3. To Die A Happy Man

4. She Only Calls Me On Sundays

5. We'll Get By

6. Black Grass

7. I Wanna Get High

8. Vagabonds

9. D.C. Blues

10. Meandering

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Gary Louris has shown pop-star eager earmarks since 1989, when his endearing "Baltimore Sun" cracked the honky-tonk playlist that was the Jayhawks’ sophomore record, Blue Earth. While Louris dipped his toe in a pop direction after Jayhawks co-founder Mark Olson departed in 1995, he never took the full plunge until now, with his first solo effort. Chiming with guitars and choruses and soaring melodies straight out of 1975, Vagabonds rightfully pens the Minneapolis musician inside a small stable of America’s greatest songwriters--and singers--adding three or four compositions to his career-best list. The 10-song record (produced by Chris Robinson, late of the Black Crowes) polishes the wide-ranging Louris palette with the simplest of instrumentation, including organ and banjo, ethereal pedal steel playing from Josh Grange, and a backing chorale led by Susannah Hoffs and Jenny Lewis. Louris's saccharine falsetto has never sounded better, whether it’s offering Paul Simon-like imagery ("To Die A Happy Man"), channeling John Lennon ("Black Grass") and Nick Drake ("Meandering"), or preaching with the Laurel Canyon choir ("I Wanna Get High"). Jayhawks followers will find comfort in "True Blue"--missing only Olson’s co-vocals--and "D.C. Blues," in which Louris borrows the traditional country line, "Hand me down my walking cane," before declaring, "It’s my game to win / It’s my game to lose." My money is on the former. --Scott Holter

Product Description

Through his two-decade stint as singer, guitarist and principal songwriter of The Jayhawks and as a member of alt-supergroup Golden Smog, Gary Louris has built a deeply compelling body of music whose artistry and integrity has earned him a loyal audience and the respect of critics and his peers. With his solo debut, Vagabonds, Louris steps out to deliver some of his most evocative and personal music yet with the aid of Black Crowes frontman and longtime fan, Chris Robinson, who co-produced the album s organically soulful performances. Louris trademark introspection and uplift is reflected on the standout True Blue, which offers a compelling blend of acoustic and electric textures. The title track acts as the musical and conceptual centerpiece of the record, with bittersweet, vivid imagery and a surging vocal chorus featuring Robinson, Susanna Hoffs and Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley. Natural, resonating collaborations such as these are at the heart of Vagabonds.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truest of blue, February 28, 2008

By	Howlinw (California, USA) - See all my reviews

Five (plus) stars.

I have been a Jayhwaks fan for years and was very disappointed when they called it quits. It was always oddly comforting to know that they were out there in the world quietly creating classic albums that stood the test of time. I liked the Louris-helmed material just as much as the Olson-Louris albums and thought that they were heading in a good direction when they released Rainy Day Music.

However now that I hear this album, perhaps the Jayhawks breakup wasn't such a bad thing. This continues pretty much where the band left off, returning to the rootsy sound that made them unique but with an added sense of smart-poppiness a la Golden Smog (Louris's "other band" in which he seemed to have been playing a larger role than before). So far my favorites are "Omaha Nights" (with a gospel-style chorus) and the ramshackle 70s-styled "She Only Calls Me On Sundays." But the thing is this album will grow on me over repeated listens, and other tracks will start to stand out as well and gain meaning as they form the backdrop to my life. This is something that has always been true of The Jayhawks' music too - their albums are meant to be digested over long periods of time and their facets reveal themselves over many listens. That above all else is the mark of a great musician - the ability to craft songs that stay with you. Gary Louris is that kind of musician and this album is a hands-down immediate classic on a par with The Jayhawks and Golden Smog albums that I love so much.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE SOUL OF MIDWEST AMERICA IS HERE!, March 6, 2008

By	Joseph A. Kengor (Youngstown, OH USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I agree with some of the other reviewers - haunting, eerily stunning; however, I feel the Byrds influence here, but not Crosby's 1st solo - with the rich chorus texture and subtle vocal effects - I'm hearing more Gene Clark's No Other album influence than anything else. This album is weird, after the first listen, it didn't grab me at all - because it's not an "in your face" recording. I've left it in the car player all week and I don;t know if I can take it out! I hear something wonderfully new every time I listen through it. His voice is alluring, like Tweedy of Wilco. True Blue American mid-west SOUL. This is a solid work of a master songcraftsman. It would be cool to shake his hand some day. Tell him he's good. And mean it.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love Vagabonds, February 25, 2008

By	Music Fan (Illinois) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm a big Jayhawks fan and of course immediately pounced on this record. It has a beautiful sound, with the chorus swelling behind Gary's lovely voice, not to mention the pedal steel throughout which I love.

This record has a timely quality to it like it could have been made back in the 70's feeling to it. If you love early Eagles, Jackson Browne, the Byrds, the Burrito Bros., this will fit right in.