Isbell is the only artist that has at least one line in every song that absolutely shivs me in the guts. A song this sad has no business rocking this hard.
This is his best album, in my opinion. His past releases haven't had the stylistic range of Weathervanes, and him self-producing resulted in great rock tracks with a beautiful mix. King of Oklahoma, When We Were Close, and This Ain't It are absolute rockers. And of course his lyricism is as good or better than ever.
Its not Michael but this interview of Jason for Gibson Guitars “The Collection” series is outstanding ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-jI6bYgx4sVE.htmlsi=nkK7ZmsPDvA7jYAq
Glad Sadler got some love here. Went to watch them with some musician buddies of mine and they walked away talking about Sadler the rest of the night. Awesome band. Incredible performance.
Sadler is my favorite currently active guitarist. He's like Mike Campbell. Can play literally anything but he knows he has to serve the song. I saw them in a small theater and I was basically right in front of Sadler's amps. Second best live guitar tone I've ever heard, right behind Lukas Nelson
@@dylandenney3980 I really like that comparison. He and Jason both have incredible tone and are great players. Sadler has magic fingers though. His tone is special.
Isbell is a treasure. I've been playing guitar for over 50 years. Grew up with Beatles, Eagles, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Jim Croce, etc., and Isbell's songs are just as good. His story telling ranks as good as, if not even more honest, than anyone else. I'm fortunate to be here to see this talent blooming! And you're right with the 'don't sleep on Sadler Vaden' comment. Such a great band. Exceptional stuff.
I've been playing guitar since I was around 10 yrs old, I'm 53 and still suck. I say this because I always told myself that I had an appreciation for all types of music - except country. I don't know why but it never resonated with me as a young man. Fwd to the last 8 yrs, jamming with some cool dudes that love country music. I start listening more and suddenly realize what I had deprived myself of for so many years. Then I went to a Jason Isbell concert. To say I was blown away will never accurately describe what I walked away with. I got to see him at the House of Blues right in front of the stage and this man is a powerhouse of talent. Singer, songwriter, amazing guitar player wrapped in a cocoon of humility few have. If anyone has an opportunity to see him live do it. You will not be disappointed.
I agree with you that Jason is an amazing musician and must be experienced live! I've seen him at least eight times. But I don't necessarily agree with your description of him as a country musician. His music spans genres.
What a band, Jason plays lead than moves to rythm when he is singing and Sadler takes the lead, back and forth seamlessly, total understanding between them, amazing to watch live.
I’ve been a fan since Southeastern blew my mind. It’s been fun to watch you move from someone who didn’t know Jason or who any of the 400 Unit members are to a full-blown fan boy. Jason is the complete package-there’s no one better.
I think he said he wrote pretty much all of Weathvanes while he was filming and didn't realize until later how much the movie and the album intertwined.
I'm traveling on the road for work by myself The band is playing an hour and a half away here in a couple months I bought myself one ticket and I cannot be more excited to go see him in a small theatre
I saw him this past summer in a theatre on Long Island. Went alone, got there two hours early, was front and center on the rail. Amazing. Well worth the hearing loss. 😂
I'm so excited. I saw him last year in an amphitheater but that was when I only had appreciation for a few of his songs. I literally can't turn him off anymore. He's the best songwriter I've heard since maybe Tool had that kind of influence on me back at the end of my high school days, 20+ years ago. He's incredible.
I caught Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit with Turnpike Troubadours in Baton Rouge, LA a few weeks ago and they rock so hard live. They opened with this song and rocked our faces for the whole set. They even find a way to make the more acoustic songs huge and Sadler’s guitar playing on them while Jason plays acoustic is heavenly. One of the best bands working today imo
I love Jason Isbell so much. He’s an American treasure. I also love your breakdown of this amazing song. I lived what he’s singing about and made it through to the other side. Thanks for this video, man. It got me good. Right in the feels. ❤️
This song blew me away when I firat heard it about 10 moths ago, saw it live at Red Rocks in May and told everyone who would listen that it was gonna win a Grammy. Three nominations for Weathervanes later this is an instant classic, just so powerful and amazing in the live set with Sadler and Jason going off. Thank you!
I saw Jason live at the Salt Shed in Chicago about a month ago. I think this was the second song they played and it was KICK ASS! I had no idea he could rock that hard.
@bernbabybern1509 love Neil, huge influence here obviously. However, I don't think he's Jason's equal in songwriting or guitar playing. Just my opinion.
I worship Isbell, but I think there are about 50 such people. You have a wee bit of recency bias. Off the top of my head: Bob Dylan Prince Bruce Springsteen Neil Young Creedence Clearwater Revival (essentially John Fogerty was everything) Now let's consult the internet and you get: Stevie Wonder Van Morrison Joni Mitchell Paul Simon If you add in bands that had an extremely influential leader, the list gets enormous. Isbell is a truly great artist, but there have been a lot of great band leaders who were also great musicians and songwriters.
@elmoblatch9787 with the exception of Prince, none of them are his equal when it comes to guitar playing, a few of them are his equal in songwriting. None of them are as good at all 3 of the things I mentioned (Band leader, songwriter, guitarist) as Jason. Again, my opinion.
Spotify says this was my most played song of the year. Its almost like the mountain is calling to me as I am calling to it. Interpret the metaphors as you see fit. Thanks so much for breaking it down for us Michael.
To me, and in no way is this not a compliment, Jason is the "new" old Neil Young. Jason's transitions from predominantly acoustic to more electric (400 unit material) along with his writing just gets me emotionally in the same way as Neil's "After the Goldrush" and the "Rust" and "Weld" eras. The visceral impact is stunning. We're lucky to still have some examples of truly great musicians/writers as the music industry, in my opinion, has hit a serious wall as far as talent and creativity go.
Saw them last month in Chattanooga and was completely blown away. Had no idea Jason could wail on the guitar like he does. Such a great band and if you get the chance you should absolutely see them live!
That Austin City Limits show has some of the best live guitar playing I've ever seen and heard. Jason at the top of his game. The whole band is dialed in.
This is one the best song Jason has ever written. Can’t get enough and your review was so good. Saw this song live at The Ryman back in October and my jaw was in the floor during the outro. A masterpiece.
@@connorruggles8740You will be blown away. So good live. I have seen them 12 times or so and it is always fantastic. As good a band as there is touring right now. And the sound guy always has the mix dialed in to perfection. True professionals.
"Emptying my bladder on a 20 ft ladder should've climbed down and found myself some shade" Thats what happens when you get heat stroke. Painting the picture of somebody trying too do the right thing.❤
Jason is amazing- what a player, singer and song writer. Great video, brother! Already have my tix to his Baltimore show in Feb., hope you do too. Happy Birthday and glad UT was great! 🎸🐶❄️⛷️
Saw these guys some years back in a small-ish venue in Brussels during a trip to Belgium to see my wife's family. It remains one of my favourite concert experiences. Jason's music live gets another dimension.
Was there and it was magical, powerful, and soulful. The songs and their craftsmanship are as good as it gets live. So happy when I saw this review show up!!!
I checked out your channel just expecting a technical breakdown of the guitar parts, but the songwriting deep dive is a great unexpected bonus. And I'm a huge Jason Isbell fan. Nice work here.
I LOVE your Isbell reviews! So good! Please do “This Ain’t It” or “Miles” please. Love your content! Not a musician, but can’t get enough of your stuff!! Keep it up, Brother!!!
I’ve been a big fan of Jason since Decoration Day. I saw him play at Shank Hall in Milwaukee in Feb of ‘09 and there were maybe 12 other people there. So glad to see how he’s progressed since then
hell yeah, always love when you cover Jason. I think this latest album is his best work to date. Weathervanes showcases his and the band's breadth of range moreseo than any past release imo, and of course his lyricism is as gripping as ever. LFG!!!
Worth noting, in a Twitter thread Jason said he gets the subtle chorus sound on the main riff by playing his Bigsby-equipped guitar (which, to hear him tell it, is never really in tune) against Sadler's guitar, which is all the way in tune. There's a lot of ways to get a really subtle chorus effect, but the amount of trust it takes to say, "Nah, we'll get it by just having two guitars play *slightly* out of tune from each other" is a level of guitar art/porn everyone should take a moment to appreciate.
Isbell amazes with everything he puts out. This episode of Austin City Limits is beyond fantastic. Make sure you check out This Ain't It in this episode as well, Allman Brothers tribute all the way, Killer
I've listened to this song a hundred times, thought I had it all figured out, then got some great insight from you on both the lyrics and guitar playing. Nice work!
Great reaction man! I saw them play this in Australia for what Jason said was the first time live. It was 12 minutes of epicness. Lyrically I love that we don’t really get a resolution to the story. Molly’s gone off to Bixby telling him ‘You’ve got some shit to figure out’, but we don’t know whether he does or he doesn’t. It puts us as listeners right at that fork in the road to examine our own choices!
Thanks! I appreciate it :) An unexpected surprise - Much love. It can get easy to get caught up in my emotions and head instead of seeing the love in front of me. I appreciate that about you, man. I want to surround myself with folks that have your humanity and heart; glad to be a part of your guitargate community... oh and also learn to play some guitar [rest of my gear gets here on Friday so I can get in the shed and get to work]!
Nice job, Michael! Been hoping you would do this song. Jason is a great songwriter. We can all relate to his lyrics. The Weathervanes album is him at the top of his game. But Jason and Sadler are monster guitarists too! Thanks for sharing!
That guitar work after the long chorus is a HUGE callback to his time with Drive-by Truckers. Would LOVE to see you react to their track "Aint Never Gonna Change"
If Bruce Springsteen was 30 years younger, this is the kind of song he would write. Jason captures these vignettes and lays them out in 4-5 minutes better than anyone since the Boss. On top of being the best lyricist in the business he's also a great guitar player leading a brilliant band.
Had the same thought (and I suspect we're not the only ones). The protagonist & his situation are so similar to the narrative in "Atlantic City". The other thing that struck me is how much the band's sound & the "leave it all on the floor" attitude remind me of Neil & Crazy Horse.
The Austin city limits version is good. But I saw his concert in September of this year and it was probably the best concert I’ve been too. You gotta check this song where they’re in concert it’s about 8 minutes. Great jam.
Don't know who if anyone learns more than watching your breakdowns of lyrics and guitar chords and licks. I really appreciate what you do, besides you are a great human....
I think the song is in G. That’s what makes the chorus so effective when it comes in. Not only do we land into that awesome half time, but we finally land on the one chord after avoiding it for the whole verse.
Always LOVE when you do Jason! I have followed him since the Drive-By Trucker days. He was definitely into the sauce in his youth but could still play..all of us great musicians of various instruments can still pull it off lol.
The lyrics about Oklahoma has to be a statement about the opioid situation. I've been spending the weekend in northern Oklahoma. I've never been to the state previously. There are highway billboards advertising Naloxone treatment. Last year the state also received mega settlements with big pharma.
Really should check out isbell and sadler on honeysuckle blue....such a banger tune. Salder does the singing on it, it was originally a drivin and cryin song, which sadler was in
I always wonder what I'd do if that happened to me. I'd want to just say hi and thanks, but also would feel weird at the same time feeling like I'm bugging them on vacation. Maybe I'd wave and make a heart sign with my hands, no idea, but it'd be awkward for both of us.
Another great songwriter band is Watchhouse. Their song Waltz about Whiskey is incredible, definitely worth a listen as well as their cover of Harvest moon!
Isabell and Sadler put on a master class on guitar playing during this show and ACL did an outstanding job showing exactly what they are playing. It's also nothing but guitar porn with each axe each of them pull out to play for every song.
The Art of Music (The Met Museum) with Jason and Sheryl Crow dropped a few days ago. You should check their rendition of her song Redemption Day. Fantastic performance from both.
Love the video Michael. I really like how you review what's going on harmonically. It helps me really learn and understand the solo and approach even though you don't go lick by lick (which doesn't really help me grow as a guitar player as much as what you do). By the way, Weathervanes is a truly incredible album. If you haven't listened to it yet, you are missing out. I like it more every time I listen to it. A sign of a great album.
I've known about jason since he was with the truckers As someone who has suffered with anxiety and depression for over thirty years I've never related more to an album or an artist. The stuff he's done since southeastern. This new album is awesome and every song is filled with hurt and lost. But it somehow connects and heals you. When we were close, it was about him and his strained relationship with justin towns earle . That hits me every time. You should check that 1 on your channel if you like this one.
He doesn't have one song that doesn't hit you somewhere lyrically and musically in the gut or in the heart. I don't know of any other artist. I've related to and i've been playing guitar since I was fifteen i'm fifty now.
