Although they've toured together and renewed their friendship, this is the first recording by Olson and Louris since Olson left the Jayhawks in 1995. What would become READY FOR THE FLOOD was recorded at Sage & Sound Studios in Hollywood with friend Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes. Louris had called in Robinson, who happened to be in town at that point, for vibe support and he ended up producing the album; he also appears on the album playing harmonica and contributing backing vocals.

READY FOR THE FLOOD captures the stripped down, fingerpicked guitar playing and Laurel Canyon sound of an earlier time, with allusions to English folk Bert Jansch, Nick Drake, John Renbourne, whom both Mark and Gary had both been getting into independently and a simpler, live recording technique where capturing the right vibe was as important as the sound. It s an album that only two career musicians and friends could make organic, intuitive and loosely confident, heartfelt and moving, echoing with the combined experience of two kindred spirits reuniting to do what they do and love best.

1. The Rose Society
2. Bicycle
3. Turn Your Pretty Name Around
4. Saturday Morning On Sunday Street
5. Kick The Wood
6. Chamberlain, SD
7. Black Eyes
8. Doves and Stones
9. My Gospel Song For You
10. When The Wind Comes Up
11. Bloody Hands
12. Life's Warm Sheets
13. The Trap's Been Set

USA Bonus Tracks
14. Precious Time
15. Cotton Dress

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001L4O4RO/?tag=imwan-20

At $32.99 for an import, I sure hope it's released domestically.

I cannot believe there isn't a US label willing to release this! This album has been in the can for a while now (prior to the release of Olson's solo album last June), but was shelved for that album and Louris' solo album to make the rounds.

My guess is we have one of three things going on here:

1) The album isn't good and the labels don't have enough confidence in it to merit a US release (Rykodisc has so far turned it down after releasing the Louris album; Hacktone released the last Olson album and is the current label for this UK release).

2) Legal reasons are preventing a US release, possibly one artist's contract not allowing his name to be used on another label (doubtful that Ryko would prevent allowing Louris to release and promote this when they were given the opportunity to release it).

3) The album will see US release with an extra track or two after an initial overseas-only run.

Either way, I'll hold out for a while before I pay $32.00 (or $26.00 plus shipping through Amazon UK) until I see a few reviews and a US release is absolutely confirmed to be never happening. I've really been looking forward to this album since the two toured together a few years ago, but my confidence in the quality has taken a few hits since.

Hey, according to the Jayhawks Fanpage, "Ready for the Flood" is coming out in January here:


On a side note, I wonder why Ryko didn't take it. It's not like any of their releases burn up the charts. None the less, this is excellent news, since we won't have to go up against the Pound or the Euro to get this one!

Thanks for posting this Jimmy, good news!

New West is probably better positioned to market a niche title like this than Ryko. Hopefully they won't lose a lot of sales to the import release.

or lost highway.

Yep, and with two bonus tracks to boot! Also new cover art. See the first post for updated details.

I bet "Precious Time" is the track they wrote (and performed on) for Maria McKee's second solo album, "You Gotta Sin To Get Saved". Also, New West has created a page for them at:

http://www.newwestrecords.com/OlsonAndLouris

You can also stream three songs from it there.

I was going to order this from the fine folks at Blue Rose who had the courage to release this first. I guess I can wait for the domestic version if it has 2 extra songs.

very nice record, quite jayhawk-like.

they harmonize well together.

kind of crosby*nash-ish if you will.

renny

p.s. and it is HDCD!