JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 UNIT : INNINGS FESTIVAL - TEMPE, AZ - FEBRUARY 29, 2020 |
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Label : no label Venue : Innings Festival, Tempe Arts Park, Tempe, Arizona, USA Recording Date : February 29, 2020 Length : 54:28 Quality : Soundboard Recording (A+) Concert Review (The Arizona Republic) : Jason Isbell is among the most acclaimed Americana artists of his generation for a reason. He has developed an unerring knack for penning lyrics that cut to the heart of the matter in ways that make the deeply personal feel universal. The audience cheered his resolve when he sang, “Oh but I sobered up and I swore off that stuff forever this time” in heartfelt rendition of “Cover Me Up.” The onetime Drive-By Trucker who now fronts his own band, the 400 Unit, led his bandmates in a set that moved from strength to strength. He shared songs from his forthcoming album, "Reunions," including the excellent "Be Afraid" and "Overseas." And Isbell worked through several staples that continue to define him: "Hope the High Road," "Something More Than Free," "If We Were Vampires," "24 Frames" and "Super 8." That last one brought things to a head, with Isbell singing "I don't wanna die in a Super 8 motel" before tearing it up on guitar, more than earning his place in the spotlight he shares with fellow guitarist Sadler Vaden, whose slide work was stellar. They ended with a well-chosen cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Oh Well," affording fans an opportunity to experience Isbell singing lyrics it's hard to imagine him writing – "Can't help about the shape I'm in / I can't sing, I ain't pretty and my legs are thin." It was a raucous conclusion. |