Jason Isbell

[ducktrapper]

Former Drive By Trucker is one of the very best songwriters in the business right now. Just got the new CD. If you liked Southeastern, you'll like this one too. If you've heard neither, you don't know what you're missing. In my humble opinion anyway.   

[tuffythepug]

Got tickets to see him in Reno tomorrow night !

[ducktrapper]

Got tickets to see him in Reno tomorrow night !

Lucky duck! Wish I could be there. Tell us how he is live.

[tuffythepug]

Thomas
We were treated to a great concert with Damien Jurado opening and then a set by Dawes followed by almost 2 hours of Jason Isbell at his best.   4th row center seats were perfect for visual and sound.  He is an amazing talent and should be seen if you get the opportunity.   

A great thing happened before the concert.  On Sunday afternoon I was waiting by the elevators at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno while my wife visited the ladies room.   Out of an elevator walks Jason Isbell by himself.   He spots my shirt which says "Muscle Shoals Sound Studios" on it and grins real big and says it's a great shirt and that's where he's from.   We shake hands and I tell him we are looking forward to his show later that night and he tells me he hopes we enjoy it.     A small thing but I thought it was kinda cool.

[ducktrapper]

Thomas
We were treated to a great concert with Damien Jurado opening and then a set by Dawes followed by almost 2 hours of Jason Isbell at his best.   4th row center seats were perfect for visual and sound.  He is an amazing talent and should be seen if you get the opportunity.  

A great thing happened before the concert.  On Sunday afternoon I was waiting by the elevators at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno while my wife visited the ladies room.   Out of an elevator walks Jason Isbell by himself.   He spots my shirt which says "Muscle Shoals Sound Studios" on it and grins real big and says it's a great shirt and that's where he's from.   We shake hands and I tell him we are looking forward to his show later that night and he tells me he hopes we enjoy it.     A small thing but I thought it was kinda cool.

I'm a little jealous. Sounds like a great show. Not familiar with Jurado but I've really grown to like Dawes, as well. Great to hear young people doing good music. Meeting these guys and finding out they're good people is a bonus. I talked to John Hiatt briefly at the Winnipeg Folk Festival a few years back and he was friendly, humble and very genuine. The new Isbell CD gets better with every listen, by the way.  

[tuffythepug]

Thomas
Google Damien Jurado.  He is a very interesting performer.  solo acoustic performer with a haunting voice and some good guitar chops.  I had never heard of Dawes before but I may have been the only one.  They had a big fan base there.  Their lead gutar player is Duane Betts, son of Dicky Betts of the Allmen Bro's.

[ducktrapper]

Thomas
Google Damien Jurado.  He is a very interesting performer.  solo acoustic performer with a haunting voice and some good guitar chops.  I had never heard of Dawes before but I may have been the only one.  They had a big fan base there.  Their lead gutar player is Duane Betts, son of Dicky Betts of the Allmen Bro's.

I will do that. As for Dawes,  I bought their first album based on reviews, wasn't initially impressed but went back to it and liked it more every time I put it on. I also picked up a CD by Middle Brother, including the main guy from Dawes, that I liked quite a bit.   

[headsup]

one of the artists covered by one of the "young " bands I worked with this summer, turned me on to Jason Isbell, I had to learn the guitar parts to "24 frames", great stuff.
I mentioned playing with new bands in another post (electric guitars), learned a lot of new material by new artists, was flattered to be the "geezer" player in the group.
I concur there is some wonderful new writers & singers out there, good to know.

[BT]

Wow, I was there too Sunday.  Great show!  I had no idea that was Dickey's son.  Really weird since I was getting a real Allman's vibe during some of his solos.

[ZachStevenson]

I saw him July 2014 at the Phoenix in Toronto, I'd not really heard of him but went with a friend who is a fan and whose musical taste I trust. Absolutely amazing show, have been a huge fan ever since.

[tuffythepug]

Wow, I was there too Sunday.  Great show!  I had no idea that was Dickey's son.  Really weird since I was getting a real Allman's vibe during some of his solos.

I also got a very strong Allman vibe on some of the solos before I knew who he was.   A couple of times they did a twin guitar lead thing just like Duane and Dicky did all the time.  When the lead singer introduced him all I heard was "Betts" which got me to thinking.   Later I looked on google and found that he had joined the band.  The guitar work from both guys was excellent I thought.    Jason Isbell has surrounded himself with excellent musicians too. 

What did you think of the first performer, Damien Jurado ?

[tuffythepug]

I saw him July 2014 at the Phoenix in Toronto, I'd not really heard of him but went with a friend who is a fan and whose musical taste I trust. Absolutely amazing show, have been a huge fan ever since.

When I saw him on PBS Austin City Limits I knew I had to see him in person if I got the chance.

[ZachStevenson]

When I saw him on PBS Austin City Limits I knew I had to see him in person if I got the chance.

I missed him on PBS, but I have the DVD. A very good performance. The Live from Alabama CD is great too.

[BT]

What did you think of the first performer, Damien Jurado ?

I think the coolest thing with Dawes was the blend of the Tele/Strat with the Les Paul sound, especially when they would solo back to back.

Jurado's songwriting is great and yea it is haunting.  I was working security, so I got to see him soundcheck with the song he led off with.  His guitar work fit perfectly with the songs too.

[ducktrapper]

Of course, if you like Jason Isbell, you might find that the early Drive By Truckers CDs are also excellent. They're still very good after Isbell left the band but just not quite as good, imo.

[StringPicker6]

Reviving this old thread: I just watched a documentary about Jason on HBOMAX, really interesting guy. Can anyone recommend an album to start with if I want to hear his music?

[canoeten]

From Wikipedia:

Southeastern is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Jason Isbell, released on June 11, 2013 on Southeastern Records. Initially set to be produced by Isbell's friend and touring companion Ryan Adams, the album was recorded following a stint in rehab, with Isbell noting, "This time I want to remember it all."[13] Produced by Dave Cobb, the album was released to widespread critical acclaim.[14] In 2020, the album was ranked at 458 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.[15]

Can personally attest, if you're a Larrivee fan who actually listens to guitar (and all of us do), you'll love this guy's work. Fantastic writer. -dp

[StringPicker6]

Thanks for the recommendation! And I'm also a huge Ryan Adams fan. 

[ducktrapper]

Thanks for the recommendation! And I'm also a huge Ryan Adams fan. 

Adams is a bit like the little girl with a curl in the middle of her forehead. When he's good, he's very, very good but when he is bad, he is horrid. LOL
Loved Ashes and Fire. Hated 1989.   

[StringPicker6]

That's a great Ryan Adams summary!
 Check out his album Stone Roses with his old band the Cardinals. That is a superb album.