We leave you this week dear reader with a clip (just filmed on someone’s phone sorry – but thank you person with the phone, we’re not complaining) of Jason Isbell and his 400 Unit performing an electrifying cover of Dire Straits’ ‘Brothers in Arms’, a song known to make grown men weep inconsolably. The song was played as part of Isbell’s yearly residency at the Ryman which has become something of an institution in americana circles. RS Country have a full set list if you’re interested. Have a good one.
Tag: Jason Isbell
North Mississippi Allstars “Up and Rolling” (New West Records, 2019)
After almost a quarter of a century of releasing highly-acclaimed, Grammy-nominated records, North Mississippi Allstars have released their 11th album, ‘Up and Rolling’. The Dickinson brothers, Luther and Cody, have once again demonstrated their sublime songcraft and expert musicianship on one of the year’s most eagerly anticipated releases. Continue reading “North Mississippi Allstars “Up and Rolling” (New West Records, 2019)”
Josh Ritter plays NPR Tiny Desk Concert with Amanda Shires And Jason Isbell: Watch
Apologies for completely missing this last week – Josh Ritter played one of NPR’s magical little Tiny Desk concerts last week, as they described it “with the enthusiasm of a young child and the wisdom of an old soul”. Accompanying him was Amanda Shires on fiddle and Jason Isbell on acoustic guitar, both of who played on Ritter’s recent album ‘Fever Breaks’ which indeed Isbell produced. You can watch it below. Continue reading “Josh Ritter plays NPR Tiny Desk Concert with Amanda Shires And Jason Isbell: Watch”
Jason Isbell re-releases two classic albums
We’ve got some more details on the reissue two of Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit’s earliest albums – 2009’s self-titled ‘Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit’ and 2011’s ‘Here We Rest’ – both remixed and remastered by Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb – out October 18th for the first time on Thirty Tigers. These records contain some of Isbell’s best-known songs, including ‘Alabama Pines, Codeine, Cigarettes and Wine, The Blue’ and ‘Tour Of Duty’. Continue reading “Jason Isbell re-releases two classic albums”
Rosanne Cash, Isbell and more voice support for gun control
Rolling Stone carried an interesting piece yesterday on americana and country artists who in the wake of the recent mass shootings in the US have voiced their support for gun control. In several recent incidents, the guns used were semi-automatic assault weapons which more than half of Americans favour a ban on owning. Continue reading “Rosanne Cash, Isbell and more voice support for gun control”
The Highwomen perform with Dolly and Isbell – Watch
The Highwomen, if you haven’t heard, are a like a new up to date female version of the Highway Men (geddit?), the country supergroup from the 80s which included Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson. The Highwomen are Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires and Natalie Hemby, and they performed the song ‘Eagle When She Flies’ at the Newport Folk Festival Saturday night, with backing from Mr Shires, Jason Isbell. Their self-titled debut album is coming out in September.
Jason Isbell and Sheryl Crow cover Dylan’s “Everything Is Broken” – Listen
Sheryl Crow has covered Bob Dylan songs in the past such as ‘Mississippi’ and ‘Tombstone Blues’, and she keeps up that tradition on her forthcoming ‘Threads’ album, due next month, where she covers Dylan’s ‘Everything Is Broken’ but recasts the song as a duet with Jason Isbell. As RS describes it, “their rendition opens with some fierce guitar runs from Isbell, before Crow sings about “broken lines,” “broken strings” and, in a nod to her album title, “broken threads.” Isbell steps in on the second verse, lamenting “streets filled with broken hearts.” It’s a true duet, with the vocalists eventually swapping lines and harmonizing together.” Have a listen below.
Jason Isbell first two albums to be remastered
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit’s first two albums (the self-titled debut and 2011’s ‘Here We Rest’) will be remastered and reissued this autumn. Collaborator and producer Dave Cobb will oversee the updated versions of the albums. Isbell’s solo debut ‘Sirens of the Ditch’ was repackaged as a deluxe edition last year. Continue reading “Jason Isbell first two albums to be remastered”
Jason Isbell jams with Widespread Panic – Watch
Widespread Panic and Jason Isbell with his 400 Unit headed the bill at Sweetwater 420 Fest which took place in Atlanta last weekend, the festival ending on the highlight of two Southern roots-based bands who played the main stage with back-to-back performances on Sunday. Jason Isbell performed the first of those sets with his band but then he stuck around with his guitar and joined Athens, Georgia’s Widespread Panic for a version of ZZ Top’s classic ‘Jesus Just Left Chicago.’ Watch it below. Isbell has previously played with Widespread Panic in 2016, where he joined the band for a version of J.J. Cale’s ‘Ride Me High’ in Raleigh, North Carolina.
NPR previews new Josh Ritter album in full
Well this is a treat for the Easter weekend – NPR are previewing today the new Josh Ritter album ‘Fever Breaks’ which is due out on Friday next week and which, of course, is produced by Jason Isbell, whose 400 Unit serve as the backing band for the record. NPR comment: Continue reading “NPR previews new Josh Ritter album in full”