Sunday, August 9, 2015

Jason Isbell @ Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall August 8, 2015

I first saw Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit" opening for Justin Townes Earle. It was the very first time i saw an opening band come back for an encore, but the crowd was just that enthusiastic. Isbell's songs are of wildly differing volumes, but always poetic. I think his new album "Something More Than Free" might have eclipsed his previous effort, "Southeastern" (an album my father played incessantly for a long while.) I am not sure a word exists to adequately describe the level of loudness last night in the intimate and church-like Schnitzer., "wall-shaking" will have to suffice.

 I am so pleased to see Mr. Isbell rocket so far into fame since I saw his first solo show at the much smaller Aladdin Theater. I also must gratefully report that unlike the John Mellencamp show at the Schnitzer a few weeks ago, the audience stayed mostly in their seats, despite the rollicking atmosphere. The Schnitzer has a wonderful selection of accessible seating locations, and is a peerlessly beautiful venue. Jason Isbell deserves every bit of the accolades he will no doubt receive, and if my father elects to play "Something More Than Free" constantly, I will not mind.

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