An Acoustic Evening With Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit (8/4/2009)

By request here, a Jason Isbell show from this past august. This is all acoustic, and it's damn good. Sound is a B+ because there is some low level chatter throughout, but really nothing to make this unlistenable. Performance is a solid A+. A Very good evening of acoustic music from Mr. Isbell and his 400 Unit. Includes extended cuts of Danko/Manuel, Goddamn Lonely Love (an amazingly soulful version I might add...a must hear), Decoration Day and Thank God For The TVA (which was recently released on the killer DBT odd's & ends album The Fine Print). Now that was all said to lure you DBT fans in who might be on the fence about Isbell's solo career. I will say this, his latest self titled album is one of the finest albums I've heard this year. It's definitely a slow grower.....but it sticks with you and reveals an album that will be listened to for many years to come.

MP3

An Acoustic Evening with Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit

Centro-Matic (with Jason Isbell) - The Mercy Lounge, Nashville TN August 24, 2007

I know I've got some Centro fans out there, this ones for you guys. This is pretty interesting, Centro-Matic with Jason Isbell on guitar. The sound is very clear, very good, and I'm sure you Centro fans will eat this up. Jason Isbell fans, there's not really much on here for you guys, as these are all Centro-Matic (I.E. Will Johnson) songs. But it makes an interesting listen none-the-less.

Jason and his band The 400 unit are currently touring with Centro-Matic. They both have put out good albums this year. Isbell's "Sirens of the Ditch" and Centro's EP "Operation Motorcide".

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Centro-Matic (with Jason Isbell) - The Mercy Lounge

Jason Isbell - KEXP Studios Seattle 8-1-07

Here's a good little acoustic Jason Isbell set he did for KEXP radio in Seattle, WA. There are some insightful interviews on here (sorry, he doesn't spill any dirt on why he left DBT). Some good versions of songs off his new album as well. The highlight on here, just like on the album is of course Dress Blues. This song is so good it's not even funny, and will surely be remembered as one of the best "protest songs" from this era when people start looking back.

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http://sharebee.com/aaa0e518

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit - Live in Philadelphia 7-14-07

All I can say about this one is WOW!!! Jason learned a thing or two during his stint with the truckers, number being how to put on a live show. If you like live truckers, download this.....it's as good as anything they have done. Some seriously good guitar playing going on too....Jason was always a killer guitarist with the truckers, but he takes to a whole 'nother level here.....I mean WOW!!! What's even cooler is he plays some of his famous songs he recorded with the truckers.....and expands on them.....adding some of that killer guitar he is soon to be known for. I'm really loving this recording, alot better than the album (which is out NOW btw.....go get it......and go check him out live)

http://www.jasonisbell.com/

get his stuff here
www.myspace.com/jasonisbellmusic

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Dead Link

Jason Isbell - Sirens of the Ditch (Leaked Album, Low Quality)

Here's a special treat for you hearin' ears, Jason Isbell's long overdue solo album "Sirens of the Ditch". Now I've upped this at a low quality intentionaly cause it helps to ease my mind about putting up the man's album a whole month before it comes out.....but I know alot of people are curious like me and want to know what it sounds like. And what does it sound like...well it sounds like Jason Isbell.....so don't be expecting a Drive-By Truckers album. One thing I do know is the studio version of "Dress Blues" is phenomenal! (man that steel guitar adds so much depth to the song). This song should be getting national radio airplay right now to drum up interest in this album.....why it's not, God only knows. I also really like the songs "Try", "Down In A Hole" (not an Alice Chains cover :P , though the guitar is slightly reminiscent of "Heaven Beside You"), the soulful "Hurricanes & Hand Grenades", the folky "In A Razor Town", the breezy country-rock of"The Magician", and the killer closing track "The Devil is My Running Mate". So I guess you could say I really like this album.

Anyway, here it is....in low quality, but still listenable....we'll call it radio/streaming audio quality. If you like it buy it when it comes out sometime in july.....you'll get a case, artwork, liner notes, and a shiny little disc to call your own.

1. Brand New Kind of Actress
2. Down in a Hole
3. Try
4. Chicago Promenade
5. Dress Blues
6. Grown
7. Hurricanes and Hand Grenades
8. In A Razor Town
9. Shotgun Wedding
10. The Magician
11. The Devil Is My Running Mate

WMA @ 48kps
Download Link Removed

Bad news from the Drive-By Truckers

From the DBT website

Y'ALL:

It's with a wide range of emotions and feelings that I'm announcing that we have parted ways with Jason.
The split, which I consider extremely amicable is the result of a period of personal and artistic growth from all sides which has left us with differing dreams and goals.

Jason joined our band, mid-tour, in the fall of 2001, shortly after the release of our 4th album (Southern Rock Opera). His impact on the band was immediate and profound, bringing an awe-inspiring combination of vocal range, guitar dexterity, and amazing songwriting and leading us into an era of creativity that has resulted in three albums that I will be proud of for as long as I live.

Life in a band is always a delicate balancing act of personal and musical chemistries. Having been in bands for most of my life, I still marvel that any band stays together for longer than a year. Especially if the band in question spends anywhere from 150-220 days a year on the road, as our band has done since 1998. That said, I have also likened this band to a family. A big, messy, sometimes dysfunctional one, but a family full of love all the same. It is in this spirit that I plan on Jason continuing to be a part of our lives wherever our roads and dreams take us in the immediate future.

Jason is about to embark on a tour (including a leg of dates with Son Volt) with his stellar band and will be releasing (finally) his amazing solo album "Sirens of the Ditch" <> . We all are wishing him nothing but the absolute best on every step that plays before him.

Cooley and I will have played together for 22 years this summer and DBT is about to begin it's 12th year of existence on the very day that we will be going into the studio to begin recording our 8th album. Cooley recently sent me a demo of five new songs and yesterday I demoed nine new ones for consideration. In addition to Shonna and Brad (who is coming up on ten years in the band) John Neff will be playing with us full time, playing both guitar and pedal steel. John was a founding member of the band in 96 and has already played on four of our albums and has been on the road with us, full time for going on two years.

It is my sincere and and adamant hope that everyone will support all of us, and by that I mean our band and Jason's, as we deal with this transition. Jason's tenure in this band has been one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me on a personal and musical level and our love for him and his music is in no way changed or endangered by our collective decision to move into different directions.

In addition to the upcoming THE DIRT UNDERNEATH tour and the recording of our next album, we will also be playing some special ROCK SHOW dates this summer and hope to do another leg or two of THE DIRT UNDERNEATH in the fall.

As always, the bond that we have with each other, as well as with the folks that come to our shows and listen to our records has always been one of the things that has set this band apart. We plan to continue on in that tradition and spirit and hope you will come with us as we attempt to tell another tale and Rock the nights away a little while longer.

Sincerely Yours,
Patterson Hood
Drive-By Truckers
April 6, 2007

Jason Isbell - When The Well Runs Dry

They keep saying that Jason's solo album is coming out this year, can't wait for that, but until then this will have tide us over.