I was the disappointed guy. But I'm still here and you came through. Now a subscriber. The violinist is Jason's wife Amanda Shires. She's the one who got him sobered up about 8 years ago before they were married. He's been clean since and he wrote this song for her. Let me say that I don't mind covers, but some songs have a deeper meaning when done by the original artist.
Jason Isbell is one of the greatest songwriters ever. His songs hold up with the legends of the past and he has been praised by those very legends. I remember Tom Petty at some point before his passing posting a photo of his home turntable with the words "What am I listening to?" and there was a Jason Isbell album on his turntable. I've been fortunate to see him live many times and even got to meet and hang out with him one evening after a show right before he began to hit the big time. Pay attention to his lyrics. He is extremely clever in choices of words and the phrases he comes up with. I don't use the term 'genius' very often to describe anyone but the way he writes phrases takes incredible intelligence and creativity.
Jason Isbell just has one masterpiece after another. One of the very best songwriters out there. On a side note, Syd has a voice made for radio or audiobooks or something - smooth, deep and a lot of character.
My first time hearing this. His voice is so emotion provoking. I'm glad you did both this one and the HFcover. I like watching both. I like that you chose the Austin City Limits version. You can't go wrong with ACL. It is to country music what The Midnight Special was to rock. Thanks for the review.
The reason, other than Jason’s pure talent, that the original is the best, is the back story. Study why this song was written, then listen to it again, and I challenge you to not get a chill on your spine and a tear in your eye.
Loving the Isbell reaction! Highly recommend getting into some of his other stuff, he was in a rock band called Drive-by Truckers, Decoration Day remains one of my favorites of his Truckers days, but his solo career has been amazing as well, with White Man's World being a really conscious song from him, and What Have I Done To Help? from his newest album Reunions. He's a brilliant songwriter through and through, even on his more rock tinged songs like Cumberland Gap. Glad you liked this performance so much, he's been one of my favorite artists for a few years
I didn't realize he was in Drive -by Truckers. I'm slightly familiar with them and liked what little I've heard of their music. Thanks for that information.
Great reaction as always and great to see Jason Isbell on your channel! This song is always so much more powerful when his wife, the fiddle/violin player, is onstage. (She has her own band and performs with the 400 Unit when she’s available). If you want to hear why Jason is renowned as genius songwriter with lyrical emotional gut punches, you should check out “Elephant,” “If We Were Vampires,” “Only Children,” or “White Man’s World.” The last obviously very relevant right now.
You are correct sir. Both versions are great. Amazing how different they each one sound with the addition of instruments. The violin is beautiful and adds a sense of longing to the song. Great reaction!!!
I follow you and just now saw this. Jason is one of my favorite artists, and I’m a TOOL guy if that says anything. You should check out If We Were Vampires, Elephant, Traveling Alone, 24 Frames, Speed Trap Town, White Man’s World, Palmetto Rose and many others. He is considered one of the industry’s best lyricists. And his/their story is beautiful and gives you context.
I love hearing the originals, not as comparison but seeing and hearing the different interpretations of the same song. It is what makes music so compelling to me! 💖
bro this is such an amazing reaction. probably my favorite of all i've ever seen. you are sleeping on jason isbell reaction unless you've already heard them. but you got a like a subscribe x 9000
Thank you for trying new stuff. I do enjoy hearing the song that HF (or any group) based their arrangement on. You KNOW how I feel about the guys in Home Free... but this one actually made me tear up. Before you get to the lightness, you can hear the pain, passion, and rawness to it. Reminds me of the differences discovered of original "human" Rag n Bone man.
I find it really interesting to compare HF songs with the originals, so I'm very happy for you to carry on comparing them, either in the same video or a separate one, but it's up to you. In the end, I love Home Free's sound and the style that they bring to all the music they make, so it may well be that I will always prefer their version, but that doesn't mean I can't or won't appreciate what the original artist brings to a song either. It doesn't have to be a competition.
I’ve got to tell you, brother, as a fellow NC boy and musician, I always appreciate your critiques and insight on music and music videos. Keep doing my what you do, and keep doing it well.
Don't mean to overwhelm comments here, but ... when people begin pigeonholing Isbell as a country artist, he breaks out this sonic bomb from when he was a druggie punk kid with the Drive By Truckers. It's called "Never Gonna Change" and it's 180 degrees from this beauty. Go ahead. You know you're curious. It's OK ... ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1j7P9G7Sc6A.html
I didn't even know Home Free covered this until I looked up reactions for this song just now. I love Home Free, don't get me wrong. But in some specific instances, it bugs me that people only listen to a cover. Particularly in the instances where it was already a great song by a heavily under appreciated artist/writer like this one. And it kinda irks me that a lot of people will now probably attribute this great song to a group that only does cover songs, when I think in this case it needs to be attributed to the original artist/writer more. Probably sounds dumb, and I don't deny that it probably is. But that's just my honest and personal feelings about it.. Guess I'm just aggravated that great writers/artists like a Jason Isbell don't get enough notoriety and support, while the music industry constantly push and produce cookie cutter, uncreative artists.
Although Home Free does tons of original work, I see what you're saying. This is more prevalent with Morgan Wallen's cover of the song as it's much more popular and tons of people probably don't even know it's cover
Saddler on the slide is haunting. You need to listen to this songs answer by his wife and fiddle player Amanda Shires. Her song Your my home is the answer
Michael, from my standpoint if I haven't heard the original I can always look for it. I appreciate covers and originals and I agree with your opinion that originals should be respected for what they are. The creator of a song has a special relationship to a song. The original performer also has that special connection. In so far as providing your opinion on both versions that is entirely up to you. This is your reaction channel and the reactions you choose to share, while many are requests or referals, are a choice. I guess for me it comes down to I appreciate your reactions, your professionalism, your respect of material, the "producer" and "performer" perspective you give. I have to admit, I prefer the Home Free version primarily as it's more "diverse". While Chance is the lead the others contributed and the varied tones make their rendition superior to me. It's a personal opinion. This version is very good (the growly / gritty parts are exceptional). I guess I've become so appreciative of what acapella artists bring to the table that instruments can seem overwhelming.
Thanks for reacting to this. I'd never heard the original version before, but I'd heard how good Jason Isbell is. Home Free's version is my favorite cause something about it just hits me in the heart. I really like the original a lot though too. I do like the comparison videos, but whatever you prefer to do is great with me.
You need to watch the music video by Morgan wallen. The video will give you a full picture of what this song is about. This goes out to all my brothers and sisters who suffer with PTSD everyday. #22aday
With all due respect but that's not what the song is about. Jason wrote it for his wife to be Amanda when she helped him get sober. In my opinion Wallens video used the difficulties that veterans face to inject the emotion that his version lacks.
