Vagabonds

This guy knows how to write a song

I wrote a brief review of this album shortly after receiving it, and I gave it four stars. I had to come back, add a star, and completely revise. This is a monster of a record, and I mean that in a good way -- it just makes a huge impact.But it takes time, and multiple listens, for that to happen. Gary Louris has a great voice, smoky but very warm -- yet even he admits he's not the loudest, most arresting guy out there. That doesn't matter here; in fact, Louris' unassuming nature works to the songs' advantage. They're all beautiful tunes, and his delivery of them is refreshing because you can't hear an ounce of ego.The opening track, "True Blue," is so freaking gorgeous and sad that I can't stop listening to it. It's one of those great, great singer/songwriter tracks that comes along once every few years if that. I'd rank it with some of my other all-time favorites, including Jackson Browne's "For Everyman," Bruce Cockburn's "Tokyo" and Bruce Springsteen's "Devils and Dust." It's both quiet and monumental at the same time."Vagabonds," the title track, is another winner, as is "D.C. Blues." In fact, there's not a bad track on the album, although my least favorite, "Omaha Nights," sounds a bit overproduced compared to everything else here.But I can forgive that one. All I have to do is listen again to "True Blue." If you don't get chills when the backing vocals come up on the chorus, or during the lovely pedal steel guitar solo -- well, then, I just can't imagine you like music at all.In an interview when the album was released, Louris talked about how it felt good at the time to go the rootsy route on this record, instead of using loops and synths and stuff. I'm glad he did, and also glad the players recorded live in the studio. You can hear them pulling together to make every moment count for something. As Louris sings on "True Blue," "strip it down to what you can believe in / pass it on, what is right and true blue." He and his cohorts have done that here, and the result is unforgettable.

The dynamic of certain bands is such that when their wildly talented frontman--or woman--steps out of the shadows and demands the spotlight to be thrust upon them in the context of a solo project, it often confirms something for the listener: they were the flesh and blood of the band all along.Actually, this brings to mind the producer of this particular CD, Chris Robinson. (Check out both of his fantastic solo discs: they bring with them the best of the Black Crowes--their organic rootsiness, poetic luster, as well as grit and arrogance--all staples of his full time gig.)As for Gary Louris' first solo outing, it's diffiult to mourn the now defunct Jayhawks--despite the stellar nature of their latest disc, Rainy Day Music. Vagabonds is the best of the Jayhawks: it's a pure, stripped down affair that's all about the songs. And Louris brings with him ten new beauties. Check out the gorgeous acoustic poetics of "True Blue" or the forlorn country laze of "She Only Calls Me On Sundays." "Omaha Nights", perhaps the rowdiest tune on the disc, is nevertheless steeped in some of Louris' most profound lyrics: "Am I growing old in the arms of the wrong lover."A detour into trippier territory with songs like "I Wanna Get High" and "Black Grass" are welcomed deviations. A track by track listing is not necessary. Everything about this music works: it's warm, inviting, and without a trace of pretense. On the one hand, the tunes suggest the somber melancholy of a jilted, contemplative lover, while on the other they proudly reveal the heart of a man who knows where he's been and where he's going. Louris, hopefully--and possibly with Robinson at his side once again--will continue to light out for similar ground, following the shadow of his muse.

I love the Gary Louris version of the Jayhawks after Mark Olsen left (the first time) and those are some of my favorite albums by the band. What a great voice. Very distinctive and emotive. That said, I was slightly disappointed with this album, or rather not as blown away as I had hoped. I just think there was an element of magic missing from most of these songs. That voice is still glorious, but I don't think this material ranks with the best tunes Louris has written. Nevertheless, if you are a Jayhawks fan, particularly of the Louris era, you will most likely enjoy this album a little or a lot.

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.

👍🏻👍🏻

I thought the album was excellent, although I am used to more up-tempo songs that Gary does with the Jayhawks. It is growing on me the more I listen to it. The track "Black Grass" is my favorite, but all cuts are well-crafted. I was lucky enough to see Mr. Louris and The Jayhawks in person in Pennsylvania around 2005, and they were great. His solo effort is fine, but hope he gets back with the group in the future.

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.

Maybe it is just me but I am a bit disappointed by this album. At his best Louris writes some wonderfully bitter sweet love songs that few can match. Neil Young's more mellow output comes to mind and they have a similar voices and Louris at times compares very well with one of the greats of American music.At first hearing I thought this album was going to be a satisfying follow-up to the Jayhawks Rainy Day Music, which was in many respects, was as close to a Louris solo album as you can find. However while the feel is very similar Vagabonds just does not have the melodic strength of the likes of Tail Spin, Eyes of Sarahjayne or One Man's problem.It is a decent and listenable album but I can't hear the magic. Vagabonds is, at the end of the day, just not very memorable.

On first listen to this i was disappointed that it wan't a jayhawks album or at least sound like one, but after a few plays it's for this reason that i love it. With Chris Robinson (the black crowes) producing, this album shares a similar feel to his New Earth Mud lp (which i also recommend). The overall feel of the album is laid back and warm but it's not without a few lively moments. True Blue, We'll Get By & Vagabonds are the stand out songs for me. The `laurel canyon family choir' add a bit of colour to the songs and are a nice touch. I found it to be a grower, so persevere with it!

I have given this CD three stars in the hope that it is a slow burner as J.Willis thinks. The first impression was certainly one of disappointment, with the muddy low key production, and the dominance of the pedal steel. I kept waiting for Gary's guitar to lighten the gloom, but there was not a single solo on the album. The Jayhawks are right up there in my lexicon of the finest American bands who simply produce consistently outstanding music, without any commercial reward. Perhaps these songs would come to life with the Jayhawks, but more importantly, I hope that The Jayhawks are still alive

Louris is one of those rare songwriters who just keeps getting better and better as the decades tick by. This is in my opinion his strongest set of songs yet (though I am yet to hear Ready for the Flood). The combination of beautifully crafted songs, Louris' age-improved vocals, and spot-on earthy production combine to make this one of the most mellowly beautiful albums I have heard in many a year. If you have enjoyed any of Louris' past work at all, you will get a lot of pleasure from this one.

Boy, what an album. Every song a scorcher. I somehow missed this one when it came out, but I’m certainly all over it now!