Mark Olson, one of the original co-founders of The Jayhawks is back with a new album, and although he is credited as “the head of the bill”, Spokeswoman of the Bright Sun is actually a dual effort with his new wife and musical partner, Norwegian singer and musician Ingunn Ringvold.
Neither was Olson that absent from the scene nor is this the first album him and Ringvold made together. ’Spokeswoman’ was preceded by duo’s joint debut Goodbye Lizelle and Olson has been spearheading what could be called off-kilter Americana he was making with his former wife, singer Victoria Williams, The Original Creek Dippers and a couple of duo albums with the other Jayhawks co-founder, Gary Louris.
In a way, as far as the album titles go, the two albums he has made with Ringvold seem to have double messages each. Goodbye Lizelle (Victoria?) might not only be a goodbye to his former partner, but also to the good old Americana. Spokeswoman of the Bright Sun may not only refer to the new partner but also to the music style, Olson and Ringvold are exploring here, and the clue is in that bright sun that shines in the Mojave desert where the duo lives now.
The clue might also lie in the array of instruments, particularly Ringvold use on the album - guitars, dulcimer, Mellotron, Chamberlin Qanon… If it to those of a bit advance age who can still vividly recall the Sixties psychedelia and The Incredible String Band this sounds familiar, they are on the right track!
While Olson’s voice is quite recognizable, the sunshine of the title might indicate the shift towards some sunshine psych pop, akin to Peanut Butter Conspiracy, and The Left Banke, ‘pure’ psych of Love or the folk psych visions of The Incredible String Band.
And it all actually works fine. Ringvold’s string arrangements give the music that true ‘baroque pop’ feel, good for those that are not sure what the term really means. If this comes as a surprise to those who were expecting more Americana explorations from Olson, it shouldn’t. After all, he started The Original Jayhawks at the time when California was ringing with the sounds of the psych reveal of the Paisley Underground bands. And after all, his original band’s first album sounded quite inspired by Crosby, Stills, and Nash.
But what is key here is that Olson and Ringvold have come up with some quite substantial, interesting and enjoyable music which should be taken at its own value.
