Jason Isbell Welcomes New Album at Crowded In-Store
In this digital world we live in, I would sure hate to lose the intimate nature of an in-store performance. Last night (Feb. 16) I went to Grimey's, the coolest record shop in Nashville, to catch Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit playing from their brand new, self-titled album. I walked in the back door and that's as far as I got. Wall-to-wall people. But I did get to hear a couple of tunes, including "Cigarettes and Wine," which is straight-up country. Isbell told us that he thought it was probably going to be an alt-country song as he was writing it, but that ultimately he decided it's just like an old honky-tonk song. True enough. Since the album was recorded in Muscle Shoals, Ala., where Isbell lives, it goes without saying that there's a soulful vibe on here, too. Thanks to some creative and inspired songwriting, this is the most musically diverse album I've heard so far this year. The band will be back in Nashville next month on tour, but I'm happy that I could get my fix early.
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Cathy says:
I saw one of Jason’s solo shows in LA recently. Wow, that guy is so talented. Great singer, great songwriter, great guitarist. Can’t wait to see him again and hear the new album.
RedMaZ says:
Thanks for bringing a balance and open mindness to this blog site Craig Shelburne. It’s refreshing, and appreciated.
As far as Jason Isbell, I havent heard much off his new CD yet(which by the way is at #14 on the AMA chart), but his debut CD in 2007 “Sirens of the Ditch” has some great music on it. Some of my personal favorite from that CD are…”Try”, “Down in the Hole”, “Grown”, “Hurricanes and Hand Grenades”, “The Magician”…
I will be sure to take some time and check out his latest release. Once again, thanks for bring some actual music to this blog site.
Brendan says:
He did some of my favorite songs when he was with DBT … but I think it’s best for both, considering that DBT put out a really strong album last year, and from everything I’ve been hearing, this one from Isbell is very solid as well.