Last month Wilco took a victory lap around Chicago, performing in five prestigious venues in one week. In the process Jeff Tweedy and company reaffirmed their status as Chicago’s favorite band. When they’re on-stage at the Civic Opera House, it’s easy to forget that Wilco’s humble roots go back to the alternative country scene of the early 90s. There would be no Wilco without Uncle Tupelo and it could be argued that Uncle Tupelo wouldn’t have been the same without The Jayhawks.

Founded in the fertile Twin Cities music scene of the ’80s, The Jayhawks were digging deep into country-rock influences when it was incredibly unfashionable. Like many great bands, The Jayhawks were at their best when both Gary Louris and Mark Olsen were writing songs. On some of their best songs like “Blue,” they sound like Neil Young and Bob Dylan collaborating a la Lennon-McCartney.

After a four-year hiatus, the band has been back together for a few years. This year they released their first new music since reforming. The mid-90s line-up stopped by our studios recently to play a few songs for Sound Opinions. For their interview listen to this week’s episode of Sound Opinions, enjoy a few of the songs they performed below.

Download The Jayhawks’ performance of “Blue” on the Live Music Thursday podcast.