Mark Olson CD Release Show

400 Bar

8.18.07

Mark Olson - Photo by Alexa Jones

The band played a few tunes off of the new disc and an old Jayhawks song, “Over My Shoulder,” which foreshadowed the events that were about to unfold. Having been at Olson's in-store performance at the Electric Fetus earlier in the day, I had an idea of what to expect from this particular show, but most of the audience was surprised and elated when they spotted Gary Louris stepping out of the door next to the stage, clutching an acoustic guitar. It has been over 10 years since Olson and Louris have been in a band together, and the two have only performed sporadically since; it was clear from the loud cheering that those in attendance understood how special it was to see them sharing a stage.

The crowd seemed to double after Louris took to the stage, and as the bar filled up and pressed forward the band launched into the Jayhawks song “Pray for Me.” Olson and Louris's vocals collided so perfectly that it was impossible to tell who was singing which part, and for a moment I stopped being jealous of all the lucky jerks who got to see the original Jayhawks lineup play together many years ago and reveled in the beauty of the two men performing together.

Gary Louris and Mark Olson - Photo by Alexa Jones

Louris stayed on stage for two more songs off Salvation Blues, including “Poor Michael's Boat,” a song that, according to Olson, “Gary and I wrote together a long time ago.” It's clear in this clip from the show how natural the duo sounded live:

Download "Poor Michael's Boat" live from the 400 Bar (8.18.07)

After Gary left the stage the energy in the bar was high, and the showed rolled along nicely with a few more new Olson tunes. Mike “Razz” Rusell joined the band for the final portion of the set, giving Creekdippers fans a few stomping-good treats. The main set ended with a breathtaking version of my favorite track, “Clifton Bridge,” with Olson singing triumphantly, “Some people come here to die/We came here to live/There's a hope in our hearts/There's a beauty in our future.” It seemed like the room was going to explode as Olson and crew stepped down off the stage and the crowd hollered for an encore.

By the end of the night, Olson had proved to Minneapolis music fans that he is still alive and kicking; still making soulful, sincere and heartbreaking music; and still a prominent force in the realm of Americana music.

Set List:

Winter Song
Over My Shoulder
National Express
Salvation Blues
**Gary comes out
Pray For Me
Poor Michael's Boat
Look Into the Night
**Gary leaves
My Carol
Sandy Denny
**Razz Russell comes out
Hummingbird
Big Old Smile
Tears From Above
Blue
Clifton Bridge

Encore 1: Mark and Gary
Two Angels
**band comes back out
Still We Have a Friend in You
December's Child
Sister Cry

Encore 2: Mark solo
My One Book Philosophy