He puts on a helluva show, especially if he does his "Sittin' On The Dock of the Bay" or "Psycho Killer" covers.
If anyone is interested, you can listen to or download Isbell with DBT in Huntsville here http://www.archive.org/details/dbt2011-01-27.flac
I have it too, but I haven't been completely wowed by it. He definitely went to a jazzy direction with this album, but I may need to listen to it a few more times.
Entire concert from last night: Knitting Factory Reno Live - live streaming video powered by Livestream
Dunno about peaked, they've just gone back to their Gangstabilly/Pizza Deliverance style of more country style music imo
Some drop off from their first 5, but maybe my standards are too high nowadays, or maybe my tastes have shifted toward another direction.
They're in clear decline. I blame their infatuation with keyboards. Changing your sound is good if you can pull off a worthwhile change. I preferred the more drunken three guitar southern-fried assault, personally. I'll still be at two of their shows next month. Might be my last two shows if they don't step their game up. That said, back-to-back or three night stands in one town is usually when they shine. I'm mildly optimistic.
Saw them at Tipatina's in New Orleans last March. Absolutely great show. I hope they come back to NOLA or Mobile soon. Personally, I think they are one of the best bands out there.
Ya I'd say so, Patterson's song writing is as good as it's ever been, as is Cooley. Lot more acoustic on the albums than earlier albums Agreed.
Had to jump ITT, DBT is easily my favorite band and Isbell is doing great on his own. The last few truckers albums I was kind of meh about but Isbell's new one is the jam. Seen DBT prob 10+ times and Isbell twice. I'll see if I can upload Isbell's new album somewhere on the internetz when I get home for you fellas.
To answer the question on why Isbell left , he was married to Shonna Tucker - the bass player for those that don't know - and there was a lot of fighting between them that caused the them to end their relationship and forced the rest of the band to take sides. Jason was also not very candid about cheating on Shonna and brought girls back stage even if she was still there. So that made it easy to choose sides, and the band decided it would be better for them to go their separate ways. From what I can gather the rest of the guys harbor no bad feelings toward Jason and he and Shonna are at least cordial to each other now. I saw Cooley, Patterson and Brad at Isbell's shows shortly after the split, and even saw Patterson tear up when Isbell covered Patterson's song "The Assassin". Both sides feel he is better off on his own as he was writing so much material that the band couldn't keep up anyway. I mentioned it but if you haven't heard Patterson's solo album Killers and Stars you should grab it asap. He recorded it in his dining room in Athens right after his divorce so it's full of good stuff.
Even though I was able to find it about a week ago. I really enjoy it. It's short, concise and to the point. His country approach is really strong on some of these tunes.
didn't even realize that post was from awhile back. don't know how I missed this thread until today, glad you were able to get it. I agree on the country aspect, and I think he is becoming more approachable to a wider audience while staying true to who he is musically and how he writes. I haven't seen him live since right before The Sirens of the Ditch came out, but I'm looking forward to when he get's to Atlanta in April. agree, The Big To-Do and Go-Go Boots have disappointed me. but I think it's a simple fix, just a couple more guitar crunching Cooley songs per record and they'll have it. I also think they need to take a long break, they've been touring and putting out albums and side projects (Booker T, Patterson producing Mavis Staples, etc.) constantly since they wrapped the Dirt Underneath tour. Taking a step back would help them IMO. Isbell on the other hand, needs to keep cranking em out.
Bump for official Isbell album release also, "Never Could Believe" is NPR's song of the day, http://www.npr.org/2011/04/12/135347833/jason-isbell-turning-life-into-rock and anyone headed to The Earl in Atlanta on Thursday? I'm pretty pumped, haven't seen the 400 Unit in a while
I enjoy anything Cooley does, and I'm starting to come back around on this album. It takes a few dozen listens but some of the good ones are like that. I def didn't love Gangstability the first time I heard it.