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An Evening With Jason Isbell

Jason Isbell is a singer/songwriter from Muscle Shoals Alabama who is best known for his 3 album stint with the Drive-by Truckers (he left the band last year). I’ve seen him live before 3 or 4 times with the Truckers and I caught his phenomenal acoustic show last week (with Browan Lollar on guitar and vocals) at the Mint in Los Angeles presented by an Aquarium Drunkard.

Isbell’s music is both easy and difficult to categorize. Easy: He’s an alt-country singer songwriter from Alabama. Hard: He’s a little bit of Townes Van Zandt (imagery), Bruce Springsteen (symbolism), the Band esp Danko (brawling musicianship), Willie Nelson, Tom Petty (hooks), Dylan (songwriting). With the release of Sirens of the Ditch he’s got a shows worth of great songs to perform, going back to his early Truckers’ songs (Outfit, Goddamn Lonely Love) and before (TVA). He’s also not afraid to do a cover – Dylans The Man in Me was a real highlight last night. He made mention that there “probably aren’t too many cover bands in Los Angeles”, like he was the only one in on the joke.

Another highlight of the evening was the young Marine from Jason’s hometown of Greenhill, Alabama who had driven up from the proving grounds at 29 Palms to see the show. Juxtaposed against Isbell’s poignant intro to Dress Blues where he talked about the empty space a dead soldier could leave in a small southern (anywhere?) town that inspired the song, the young soldier’s presence was moving.

It was a great performance that left me really looking forward to his 2nd solo album which is due out in early ‘09. He mentioned last night that the album is in the can and seemed really happy with it.

If by some Google’s chance in hell the guy taping last night’s show stumbles across this post – hit me up I’d love a copy. Also MickO leave a comment when you get your film developed and up on Flickr.

Jason Isbell – Dress Blues

Drive-by Truckers – Outfit

Drive-by Truckers – Goddamn Lonely Love

Sirens of the Ditch on Amazon

Posted: November 16th, 2008 under digital music, live music, moblog, mp3blog.
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One on One time with Alec

One on One time with Alec, originally uploaded by steveray.

Jen and I are making an effort to spend time with the twins individually. Today Alec and I went hiking and then to the bowling alley while Jen and JJ shopped and went to LACMA. Good times! Tomorrow we’ll switch it up.

Posted: May 24th, 2008 under moblog.
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Great Winter Riding

Steve Smith in Sullivan Canyon, originally uploaded by steveray.

The mountain biking in Santa Monica has been off the hook with all this rain we’re having. I’ve ridden Sullivan Canyon 4 or 5 times this year, its always a different ride because the stream keeps jumping its banks. You need to ford the stream at least a dozen times coming down, sometimes riding in the stream itself for extended periods. I caught this shot with my iPhone camera. About 40 minutes later I broke the screen trying to switch the music without stopping. Grrr.

Posted: February 11th, 2008 under moblog, mountain biking, portable devices.
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Thanksgiving school performance

Originally uploaded by steveray.

They knew all the words

Steve

Posted: November 20th, 2007 under Uncategorized, moblog.
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Collier at work

Collier at work

Originally uploaded by Steve R’s screen.

Explaining the strategy around a potential deal with a certain partner.

Posted: April 17th, 2007 under moblog, work.
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Rodrigo y gabriela

Rodrigo y gabriela

Originally uploaded by Steve R’s screen.

Chicks who can jam at guitar are so much fun.

Here is some video – I will definitely be checking them out again at Coachella. This one has embeds disabled for some reason but its from the KCRW show where I took the above photo.