Tyler Childers, Colter Wall, Billy Strings, Punch Brothers. So many others, clearly you just wanted to make the old “music today sucks” comment. Do better
@Matt Sparlin possibly I was truly blessed with some time on the road with the drive by truckers, and every day I reminded Cooley and Barbi of the fact that they were lucky to have him and keep him as long as they had, they were just starting to danko live I remember looking over at their manager and him shrugging his shoulders like I know he's gone now, It was so good that the hair on my neck stood up, the proverbial lightning in a bottle, the band knew it too, it really floored a few people
I listened to the original dbt album it was on everyday while commuting in Washington DC and one of those times I really listened to this song and... it still grabs me 13 years later. Once it gets you, it gets you
This is by far my favorite Jason Isabell song. It has some incredible guitar. I like to think the fans all crammed into that small venue must have felt they were witnessing something really special.
If this played on a loop for the rest of my life, I'd be ok with that. Simply amazing performance by both the band and Isbell. It looks and sounds like he goes to another place and brings back something beautiful for the rest of us.
Richard Manuel is dead Such a painful line to hear Jason sing but what a fantastic song Written in DBT and the respect for the members of ‘The Band’ clear to see One of his best RIP Richard
Jason is a good friend of mine. He is a really nice guy and very down to earth. I would say that someone posting negative stuff about someone online mainly so they could boast about opening for them is more my definition of a douche. To each their own.
I keep coming back to this performance as its a complete lesson in modulation and how important it is to creating a experience that anyone in that audience will never forget !
I agree. But DBT's drummer is leaps and bounds better. this guy plays the eighth notes on the hats with his right all the way through where the DBT version the drummer only plays quarters with the left foot on the hats using his right hand for ghost notes on the snare. Much cleaner and much more nuanced. It takes more discipline that way. But still very evocative drumming.
So glad I channel surfed to Austin City Limits the other night...I am now a huge fan of Jason Isbell! Thank you for bringing country/rock/blues all together amazingly!!!!
If you know the back ground of both The Band and Isbell's past this song is by far one of the best written songs ever... especially from a traveling musician's point of view... it's just fantastic...
I really have no proof of this, but from knowing a good bit about The Band, DBT, and Isbell (including meeting him a few times and growing up with people that know him) this is the conclusion I've come to. Overall I think it is a song about Isbell thinking about leaving the Drive by Truckers and comparing the Truckers to The Band. I believe he started out writing it like he says that it was to be about Levon Helm, the demise of the band, and the deaths of Richard Manuel and Rick Danko... but it turned into a song about Isbell's internal struggle with both alcoholism and wanting something more than staying with the truckers and continuing on down the same road that could end in the demise as it did for the band. I think he sees a comparison somewhat between the two... Considering The band had three strong vocalists and so did Drive by Truckers. Along with his struggle with substance abuse just like Richard Manuels... and how his struggle affected Drive by Truckers just the way Manuel's affected the band. Which can be seen in the lines... quote: I ain't living like I should. A little rest might do me good. He also feels stuck, like he's stuck in a spot that he wants to get out of... Stuck standing in the same place, doing the same thing, night after night and that he may want more. Which can be seen in the lines... quote: Got to sinking in the place where I once stood. Now I ain't living like I should. Also, I do know Isbell somewhat in person, and people that know him... He can be pretty cocky. I believe when he is referring to Singing that sounds like Gold, he is referring more about himself than the other members of DBT. Just like Manuel was the best vocalist of The Band. He could be referring to the whole band, but I don't think so and will show more proof of it in later lines. The chorus states this, along with the feeling of being stuck in the same routine of being on the road much the same as the band ended up in... one in which it comes to be the "road is running over them" I think the next lines are about Richard Manuel's threats to kill himself and Isbells threats to leave the band... along with him being cocky... like DBT won't be as good without him.. In many ways I think it was both cocky of him and correct.. many people only really liked DBT because of Isbell's songs. quote: God forbid you call their bluff. Like the nightmares ain't enough. Remember when we used to think that we were tough? God forbid you call their bluff. The next set of lines are probably the most important... cause some of them have changed from the way they were sung when the song was originally written. It seems pretty obvious to me that Isbell is talking about himself as if he is Manuel and either Cooley or Hood is Danko... It also goes back to the cockiness I was mentioning before.. that Isbell seems to think he is the better of the singers. And him wondering if he wants to stay with DBT. But then the line changes to something much less cocky after his departure and more so of saying Cooley and/or Hood might have been proud of him. It starts off stating that people have made him out to be the best... quote: First they make you out to be the only pirate on the sea. Pirate is now sung pirates... as if he now includes Cooley and Hood where before he did not. And then the most important line, the one that changed the most. it was originally quote: Then they say Danko would have sounded just like me. but is now sung... after Isbell's departure. quote: They say Danko might have been real proud of me. And of Course... He is questioning before leaving DBT if he wants to stay with DBT and the same routine... quote: "Is that the man you want to be?" Which he sometimes sings as I want to be. He continues to sum up his questioning about leaving DBT in a small chorus change with the line... quote: Maybe I could make it bigger overseas. which he actually did after leaving DBT Then he continues to relate himself to Manuel with the lines and questioning leaving his home "The Drive by Truckers" for another band with the lines... quote: Maybe I can hear poor Richard from the grave singin' where to reap and when to sow when you've found another home you have to leave.
Absolutely, if there's any others you'd like to know about, just ask. I can tell you a good bit about outfit, seven mile island, tva, codiene, decoration day, and some others.
He does tour a LOT and I am sure he gets burned out. Still when you roll into a city peeps have expectations. Mine is that with a small band like this that I've followed from the begining, I might be able to get a hand shake and thank him for coming get a shirt signed or whatever. Even something small like this is hard to get from him now days since he made it big with R.A. and is all sobered up. Still love the dude and the band, fact is he's not like he use to be.
This is just that king of song.... whatever you do or listen, you have to play it. The "remind" of who you are, simple and intense. What a great version
Just discovered this awesome performer this week thanks to my weekly Spotify list .... i'm totally blown away by the richness of his voice... and a helluva band with him too...very tight
hes great in person, very energetic and interacts with the audience, makes you feel like you are sitting around his living room listening to him play, i loved it, I am going to see him again very soon.
My brother brought a retired professional drummer to see JI at the Greek in LA. He said it was the best concert he’d ever seen. “In the pocket” was the drummer and never missed.
Wow, just wow. Best version I have ever heard. REPEAT, REPEAT, REPEAT for me. Insanely brilliant songwriting and that band doe.. ha. Love Jason Isbell, you will to.
Seen Jason a few times live, what an amazing singer, and decent person, met all the people that went to his show in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. I wish him well.
Like the way he changes the standard chorus formula of exact words and placement of those choruses. Brilliant lyrics placements. For example; “Decoration Day” Thank you Sir!!!
Article in the June 2, 2013 Sunday NYTimes Mag made me seek out the music- this singer/songwriter and this tune in particular is my favorite new music find since discovering Ryan Adams
Knew about DBT but never listened much, not that I didn't enjoy it, but was more in the Son Volt vein (still my favorite band and eagerly awaiting their new album due early 2013), My wife got me his new Live album and I am super-impressed and count this as one of my favorites, will be buying the back catalog as time and money allow. What a great musician. To paraphrase a quote I saw, this is what Americana is and should be: craftsmanship, songwriting, caring abt what you write and doing it well
Google. But don't just read the lyrics. Get to know what does the song mean first. Made me cry like a real man after I read the meaning and listened to the song almost an hour straight on a loop.
Seriously bums me out to hear this. He use to be a good dude I met him years back with my daughter and he was really cute with her and good to us too. He use to talk to his fans at sound check and after shows. His band is still cool as shit, I've been to two concerts this year and talked with Jimbo and Derry for a long time. Good peeps. I still think he is one of the most tallented singer/songwriters of our time.
He's become more famous without a doubt but you ever think you may be over analyzing or expecting too much?? It probably gets old being everybody's friend and making time for everyone.He doesn't need to take extra time out after giving you his all in a show.
Two of my faves for sure, but it sounds like you missed Ray Lamontagne, Sam Beam, Aaron Wood etc... Plus some of Isbells most killer stuff came out of the Drive-by Truckers. Decoration day is still my all time JS #1. Keep digging, there is killer stuff hidden under the rocks.
I have been listening to this version for years, but just now saw the video. WOW! To think that solo was likely impromptu and to see him play it, just amazing. The lyrics are so authentic and perfect too. Which is better, Decoration Day, Danko or Goddamn Lonely Love?
