In 1986, the Jayhawks, that little independent country outfit from Minneapolis, released it's self-titled debut album on an ever-so-small label called Bunkhouse Records.
The catch was only about 2,000 copies were released and only a few lucky people were able to get their hands on it.
However, throughout the years, the album, which eventually was rechristened "The Bunkhouse Album," became a hard-to-find commodity in fan circles, thanks to the band's growing fan base due to 1992's "Hollywood Town Hall" and 1995's "Tomorrow the Green Grass."
Last week, "The Bunkhouse Album" was officially released on CD.
So, all you Jayhawks fans who never got a chance to possess this work of art can get it now.
And you won't be disappointed.
With the remastering, the sound is clear and crisp. But that's just a bonus of the digital age. The real draw is these crafty little songs by songwriter Mark Olson and Gary Louris, which are once more available in the original sequence.
Last year, Sony/Legacy's deluxe edition of "Music From the North Country: Jayhawks Anthology" featured the "Bunkhouse …" track "Falling Star" among the rare tracks.
Now fans can hear "Falling Star," which is "The Bunkhouse Album's" official kick-off track, alongside other vintage gems, such as the sunny "Tried and True Love," the road-trip vocal delivery of "Let the Critics Wonder" (my favorite track), the honky "Behind Bars" and steel-slide highlighted closing track "Six Pack on the Dashboard."
In reality, every song is a celebration of music, lyrics and arrangement. Just try to listen to "People in This Place on Every Side" and "(I'm Not in) Prison" without tapping your toes.
Or try not to get caught up in the sad-sack lyrics of "Misery Tavern" and "The Liquor Store Came First."
It's simply impossible.
The opportunity to snatch up this little jewel of Jayhawks' mythos has once again become a reality. Get it while supplies last.