The history of (white) American popular music is often one of appropriation – whether it was taking inspiration from the blues, British invasion bands of the 60s or New York punk stealing (back) from the Sex Pistols in the 70s. But in the 90s the phrase ‘Americana’ came into common currency – a wide church but at its purest a distillation of country music and roots-rock into something distinctly, well, American. The ‘alt-country’ strand headed by Uncle Tupelo took the anger and energy from punk and fused it with raw country blues. The Jayhawks tended to that gentler, more folksy side of the genre, mining a rich seam of artists exploring America’s past and present including Dylan, The Band, and The Byrds circa “Sweetheart of the Rodeo”. Although at the peak of their game and popularity in the early to mid 90s, the music of The Jayhawks could have come from (almost) any decade from the 60s onwards. What the classic rock magazines would call “timeless”.

Formed in Minneapolis around the two main song-writers, Mark Olsen and Gary Louris, The Jayhawks released a couple of indie albums in the late 80s before signing to (Def) American Recordings in the early 90s. They released a further five albums surviving the shock departure of founding member Olsen in 1995, adding more of a power-pop and orchestral sound to some of those later records before grinding to a halt in 2003. There were various side projects including Olsen and Louris playing together following this (but pointedly NOT using the band name) until a tentative re-union gig in 2008 and some festival appearances in 2009. So no-one knows yet if The Jayhawks are back as a going concern – but here is a single disc anthology of their music for the uninitiated (for the fans there is the lavish Deluxe version - second CD including 14 unreleased songs and 55 minute DVD of archive film).

In 2009 with Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes and The Low Anthem flying the flag for a new strain of Americana, it seems entirely appropriate to re-visit The Jayhawks. This compilation, 20 songs presented chronologically however shows up the gap between the two generations . “Music From The North Country” shows the variety the band brought to that country rock template across 15 years but The Jayhawks in 2009 feels quite retro – rather than timeless – proposition placed next to the new guard. There is still much to admire on this compilation: the folksy country anthem “Martin’s Song”, the woozy rhythms of (hit) single “Waiting For The Sun”; the orch-pop mini-symphony “I’d Run Away”, the rich guitar work on “Miss Williams’ Guitar”.

Classic song-writing, rich harmonies, traditional country-rock instrumentation all tastefully brought together in a warm, organic sound that may be just a little too ‘Mojo Magazine’ for some. If your interest in music is only in the cutting edge, discovering what is surfing the zeitgeist, this record is probably not for you. If you think that Wilco are a bit too experimental at times, then this record probably IS for you. “Music From the North Country” is an excellent and beautifully presented way to get acquainted with the history of a band tapping into the well-spring of American roots and producing high quality (even if not-so-alternative) country music.