A Tale of Two Fridays

The music posts have been far and few between, so lets make up for lost time with a double shot live review from two shows we enjoyed catching the past two Fridays.

Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit
Justin Townes Earle
The Independent
San Francisco, CA
4.03.09

Almost anything would have been better than the previous Jason Isbell show we caught in 2007 at Slims. Jason had decided to battle his flu onstage with copious amounts of Jack Daniels and the flu won about 50 minutes into the set, forcing the band to play an instrumental and call it a night.

Tonight, after filling our bellies with delicious Little Star pizza and ale, we strolled down the street to The Independent to catch a great double bill: Justin Townes Earle and Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit.

First up was Justin Townes Earle, son of country rocker Steve Earle but very much his own musician without navigating dad's shadow. Where the elder Earle mixes politics against a backdrop of country rock, the younger Earle embraces the old school Nashville artist mold with his brand of country-infused folk. Like Ryan Bingham, Earle's road weary narratives and characters defy their writer's youthful age and reveal a serious and unique artist emerging in the public eye .

Taking the stage with an acoustic guitar and mandolin/harp/banjo player Cory Younts, Earle played a high energy and mesmerizing set of songs from his latest album Midnight at the Movies, as well as songs from his previous album The Good Life. With rapid fire clips of humorous between song banter, Earle kept the energy of his set high, allowing folks like yours truly to enjoy his set without knowing a single song.

Justin Townes Earle plays like a musician from a by-gone era of country music. Kenny Chesney this ain't. Check him out, you will not be disappointed.

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit wasted little time in taking the stage after Earle's set, launching into the percussive goodness of "Seven Mile Island" off their new album. Where the Isbell from last year seemed to be navigating the pensive rivers of leading a new band of backing musicians, Isbell tonight commanded a calm cool as he and the road seasoned 400 Unit were in fact just that- a band of brothers united in kicking our musical asses.

The band played a well balanced set. New material sounded grittier and expansive live - "Cigarettes and Wine" and "Soldier Get Strange" were highlights, and a cork ripping cover of Talking Head's "Pyscho Killer (complete with 400 unit guitarist Browan Lollar belting the lead vocals)" got the crowd going. DBT-era Isbell also appeared in several forms: a haunting rendition of "Danko/Manuel", a defiant "Never Gonna Change" and a set ending guitar-epic "Decoration Day".

And while this music freak would have preferred more cuts off the new album, Isbell and the 400 Unit left everyone walking out of The Independent with a smile on their face, and that's the goal of a Friday night rock show, right?

Setlist:
Seven-Mile Island
Chicago Promenade
Never Gonna Change
Blue
Goddamn Lonely Love
Soldiers Get Strange >
Dress Blues
The Assassin
Cigarettes and Wine
Psycho Killer (Talking Heads Cover)
Danko/Manuel
Try
Outfit
The Last Song I Will Write

*Encore*

Streetlights
Sway (Rolling Stones Cover)
Decoration Day



Gary Louris & Mark Olson
The Crepe Place
Santa Cruz, CA
4.10.09

As a week's worth of rain storms, mother nature's departing gift of cold air and winds couldn't deter fans of reunited songwriting partners Gary Louris and Mark Oslon (The Jayhawks) from enjoying an evening of acoustic guitars and soaring harmonies in the intimate backyard setting of The Crepe Place in Santa Cruz, CA.

I'm going to be honest. It was freaking cold (54 F), and aside from wisely procuring Baileys and coffee from the bar, the only thing keeping us planted in our seats was the soul warming vocal harmonies of Louris and Olson. These guys could melt butter with their vocals and the mix of songs from their new album Ready for the Flood and the Jayhawk's back catalog gave everyone in attendance a reason to brave the elements.

When listening to the duo play a song like "Turn Your Pretty Name Around" or "The Rose Society" one could close their eyes and imagine watching some 60s folk duo performing to a packed NYC coffee house back in day. Newer songs like "Bicycle" and "Chamberlain, SD" balanced out the slower numbers (hell it was an acoustic show, all the songs were moderately paced)

While Gary Louris stuck to updating the crowd on all things surrounding The Jayhawks (album reissues, box set) Mark Olson was the MC of the evening, ribbing folks in the audience and making several weather-related comments.

Despite the weather, the music won out as it should. Here's hoping this reunited musical collaboration between Louris and Olson continues to bear fruit.

Back from the Dead

It's always wonderful to follow up a week soaking up the sun, food and culture of Puerto Vallarta with an absolutely shit-tastic hell week at work that includes the virus-lead destruction of both of your computers, a two day business trip and catching up on all the work that has been laying dormant while you were gone.

But enough complaining. So what has been going on in the world of music?

Former Drive By Trucker Jason Isbell released his second album, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit on Yep Rock Records. We picked it up and are currently digesting it between client crisis' at work. We'll get back to you with a review.








We also picked up the solo album by the Black Keys Dan Auerbach called Keep it Hid. We're still forming opinions but we like what we've heard so far. Far more instrumentation than your typical Black Keys album of drums, guitar and vocals. The limitations of a two piece band eventually will catch up with even the most talented of musicians and this solo album sounds like Mr. Auerbach has been having some fun in his home studio. More later...







Jayhawks Gary Louris and Mark Olson have announced a string of U.S. tour dates in support of their recently released album, Ready for the Flood. Check them out for a night of soaring melodies and acoustic guitar picking.

SXSW
March 18 - Austin, TX - Victorian Room at The Driskill
March 20 - Austin, TX - Momo's

April
06 - Seattle, WA - The Triple Door
07 - Portland, OR - Aladdin Theater
09 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
10 - Santa Cruz, CA - The Crepe Place
11 - Los Angeles, CA - The Coronet
12 - Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up
13 - Tucson, Arizona - Club Congress
15 - Santa Fe, NM - Sante Fe Brewing Company
17 - Dallas, Texas - Sons of Hermann Hall
18 - Austin, Texas - Antone’s

In the holy-shit-I'm-starting-to-feel-old department, Nine Inch Nails and a reunited Jane's Addiction are mounting a co-headlining tour. Having not toured together since Lollapalooza's maiden 1991 voyage, this tour is a must see, especially with all of the original members of Jane's Addiction reunited for the first time since, well, 1991. Trent Reznor of NIN is also hinting this will be the last fans will see of NIN for a while.

For more info, check janesaddiction.org

• 05/08 West Palm Beach, FL @ Cruzan Amphitheatre
• 05/09 Tampa, FL @ Ford Amphitheatre
• 05/10 Atlanta, GA @ Lakewood Amphitheatre
• 05/14 Albuquerque, NM @ Journal Pavilion
• 05/15 Phoenix, AZ @ Cricket Wireless Pavilion
• 05/16 Chula Vista, CA @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheater
• 05/18 Las Vegas, NV @ The Pearl
• 05/20 Irvine, CA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater - Irvine Meadows
• 05/22 Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre
• 05/26 Englewood, CO @ Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
• 05/27 Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre
• 05/30 Noblesville, IN @ Verizon Wireless Music Center
• 05/31 Clarkston, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
• 06/02 Toronto, ON @ Molson Amphitheatre
• 06/03 Darien Lake, NY @ Darien Lake Amphitheatre
• 06/05 Camden, NJ @ Tweeter Center At The Waterfront
• 06/06 Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
• 06/07 Wantagh, NY @ Nikon at Jones Beach Music Theater
• 06/09 Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
• 06/10 Burgettstown, PA @ Post-Gazette Pavilion
• 06/12 Charlotte, NC @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatr

Finally, in the irony department, local law enforcement confiscated about $1.2 million in illegal drugs at the Phish reunion shows this past weekend in Hampton, VA. According to a Billboard.com article, the cops also confiscated about $68,000 in cash from people buying/selling drugs at the three day run of Phish shows. Really dumb Phishheads, entrapment, or just really smart cops? You decide.

Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit Album Out Now

Yesterday, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit released their new self titled album. Here's a video about the making of the album.


Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit SHORT promotional video from Corey Hannah on Vimeo.

Jason Isbell Announces Tour with Justin Townes Earle

Finally, some good news in 2009! Not only are we getting some West Coast dates for Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, but we are also getting a joint tour with Justin Townes Earle, son of country maverick Steve Earle.

Isbell and the 400 Unit will touring in support of their new self-titled album out February 17th on Lightning Rod Records and Earle's upcoming album Midnight at the Movies drops March 3rd on Bloodshot Records. Don't miss this tour.

Tour Dates:
Tue-Mar-24 Memphis, TN The Hi-Tone
Wed-Mar-25 Little Rock, AR Sticky Fingerz
Thu-Mar-26 Oklahoma City, OK Wormy Dog Saloon
Sat-Mar-28 Telluride, CO Sheridan Opera House
Mon-Mar-30 Flagstaff, AZ Green Room
Tue-Mar-31 Tucson, AZ Club Congress
Thu-Apr-02 Los Angeles, CA Spaceland
Fri-Apr-03 San Francisco, CA The Independent
Sat-Apr-04 Sacramento, CA Blue Lamp
Sun-Apr-05 Portland, OR Doug Fir
Mon-Apr-06 Seattle, WA Tractor Tavern
Wed-Apr-08 Salt Lake City, UT The State Room
Thu-Apr-09 Aspen, CO Belly Up
Fri-Apr-10 Vail, CO The Sand Bar
Sat-Apr-11 Denver, CO The Bluebird
Sun-Apr-12 Kansas City, MO Knuckleheads
Tue-Apr-14 Lincoln, NE Knickerbockers
Wed-Apr-15 St. Paul, MN The Turf Club
Thu-Apr-16 Madison, WI High Noon Saloon
Fri-Apr-17 Chicago, IL Double Door

Music News

Blur to Reunite for Summer Gig

According to British music rag NME, the original members of Blur - Alex James, Graham Coxon, Dave Rowntree and Damon Albarn will reunite to play a summer gig in Hyde Park on July 3, 2009. The band made no mention of recording a new album and instead focused on the upcoming gigs.

Woo Hoo!...sorry had to do it.

Pearl Jam to Release Anniversary Editions of Debut Album

As Pearl Jam approaches it's 20 year anniversary, the group is preparing to release deluxe reissue editions of their debut album Ten.

The band's website: pearljam.com is currently offering a presale for club members. Among the goodies in the various versions of the reissue include:

- Remaster of original Ten album + remix by producer Brendan O'Brien

- DVD of previously unreleased 1992 Pearl Jam MTV Unplugged performance with 5.1 surround sound audio remix

- LP of the band's 1992 "Drop in the Park" concert

- Replica of Pearl Jam three-song demo cassette with Eddie Vedder's original vocal dubs

- Recreation of Eddie Vedder composition notebook

- Never before seen memorabilia Bonus tracks and more.

Ten Reissue Press Release:

All four editions will be available for purchase on March 24, 2009. The reissue of Ten serves as the launch of a planned two-year catalogue re-release campaign leading up to the band's 20th anniversary in 2011.

Each Ten package will include two versions of the album: the remastered version of the original album PLUS an accompanying remixed version done by the band's long-time producer, Brendan O'Brien (Bruce Springsteen, AC/DC, Audioslave).

"The band loved the original mix of Ten, but were also interested in what it would sound like if I were to deconstruct and remix it," says producer Brendan O'Brien. "The original Ten sound is what millions of people bought, dug and loved, so I was initially hesitant to mess around with that. After years of persistent nudging from the band, I was able to wrap my head around the idea of offering it as a companion piece to the original - giving a fresh take on it, a more direct sound."

TEN Cover RE-DESIGN

Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament, who served as the art director for the original Ten packaging, reprised his role for the reissues collaborating with designer, Andy Fischer, of Cameron Crowe's Vinyl Films (Into the Wild soundtrack LP, Vanilla Sky soundtrack LP, Harold and Maude anniversary edition soundtrack LP).

"The goal was to assemble the ultimate fan-piece," explains Fischer. "Something Pearl Jam lovers could pore over as they experience an indelible record all over again, in an entirely new way."
"The original concept was about really being together as a group and entering into the world of music as a true band...a sort of all-for-one deal," says Jeff Ament. "There were some elements of the original Ten artwork that didn't turn out the way we had hoped, due to time constraints. With this reissue, we've been able to take our time and invest resources into making the design the way we had originally intended."

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Announce Tour

Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit announce their first tour in support of their new self-titled album (Release date: February 17, 2009 on Lightning Rod Records). Presented by Paste Magazine, the tour will begin in Birmingham, AL on February 12 and continue through the band's mid-March SXSW showcase in Austin, TX. Benji Hughes, Deer Tick, and Sons of Roswell will support select dates.

You can pre-order tix until Dec 19th here.

Tour Dates:
Feb 12 - Birmingham, AL Workplay
Feb 14 - Florence, AL Shoals Theater
Feb 17 - Athens, GA Georgia Theater
Feb 18 - Atlanta, GA The Earl
Feb 20 - Raleigh, NC Lincoln Theater
Feb 22 - Harrisonburg, VA The Pub
Feb 24 - Boston, MA - TT the Bears
Feb 26 - New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
Feb 27 - Philadelphia, PA World Cafe' Live
Feb 28 - Pittsburgh, PA Club Cafe
Mar 1 - Washington DC 9:30 Club
Mar -2 - Cleveland, OH Beachl and Ballroom
Mar 4 - Toronto, ONT Horseshow Tavern
Mar 5 - Buffalo, NY Mohawk Place
Mar 6 - Columbus, OH The Rumba Cafe'
Mar 7 - Cincinnati, OH Southgate House
Mar 8 - Asheville, NC Orange Peel
Mar 13 - Louisville, KY Headliner's
Mar 14 - Nashville, TN The Mercy Lounge
Mar 18 - 22 Austin, TX, SWSW

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Ready Second Album

After performing more than 200 shows supporting his 2007 debut solo album Sirens of the Ditch, Jason Isbell and his band The 400 Unit are preparing to release their self titled album in February 2009.

According to a press release from Lightning Rod Records, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit will be released February 17, 2009. Recorded at FAME studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, the album was produced by the band and Centromatic/South San Gabriel drummer Matt Pence (who also played drums on the album).

Although Isbell continues to be the primary songwriter, he sees the new album as more of a collaborative effort.

"I want it to be known that it's a band record." says Isbell in the press release. "I want it to be known that it's something we all did together. Even though I wrote the songs, it was a very inclusive project."

You can listen to a song off the new album on Jason's MySpace page.