I'd worked up a mean thirst by the time Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit hit the stage at Crossroads KC last night. Yet I'd already determined that I wasn't going to have a single drink.
After writing a few of the most harrowing songs about substance abuse of the past twenty years, Isbell has gone straight. An excellent profile in The New York Times examined Isbell's recovery. Out of respect for Isbell's bold change of course (as well as for the sake of my bank account), I abstained.
Based on the strength of the new album Southeastern, I knew Isbell and his band would be solid. I wasn't sure, however, if he'd be willing to dip into his past work. Much to my delight, he sang the disturbing ode to suicide-in-slow-motion "Goddamn Lonely Love" from the Drive-By Truckers' classic The Dirty South album with conviction. "Codeine" and "Outfit" were similarly exceptional examinations of the dark side of life.
As if to offer further proof that he wouldn't let his new perspective prevent him from addressing songs about decadence, he and his band covered the Stones' sordid "Can't You Hear Me Knocking." Isbell is a hero.
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A remarkable footnote regarding last night's concert: Almost 1,000 people paid $18 or more to hear Isbell, American Aquarium and the Turnpike Troubadours even though the show conflicted with two free performances by country notables- current Nashville hit-makers Gloriana at the KC Live! stage and BR549's Chuck Mead at a suburban shopping center. Kansas City really loves its country.
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Slim Whitman has died. His 1951 version of "Indian Love Call," of course, is one of the most amazing documents of the 20th century. And gee, does anyone else remember these Whitman infomercials?
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Let You Tell It is Stik Figa's new three-song EP. RIYL: Mos Def, Tech N9ne, Topeka.
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The Guardian takes notice of Radkey.
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TIm Finn checks in with the Pedaljets.
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The jazz trio of Massot, Florizoone and Horbaczewski is RIYL Astor Piazzolla, Howard Johnson, travel.
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Regular reader BGO shared an amazing document with There Stands the Glass. In an essay published by Negro Digest in 1961, Duke Ellington suggests that "Rock-and-roll is the most raucous form of jazz, beyond a doubt; it maintains a link with the folk origins, and I believe that no other form of jazz has ever been accepted so enthusiastically by so many."
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Are we living in the golden age of French pop music? Maître Gims' "J'me tire" is RIYL: Akon, Wyclef Jean, Justin Timberlake.
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Have you heard ELEW, aka Eric Lewis? RIYL: Scott Joplin, Art Tatum, Brad Mehldau.
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Bill Frisell's Big Sur is spectacular. RIYL: string quartets, Charlie Haden, Eric Dolphy.
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Gummy Soul created a mashup of Big Boi and Otis Redding.
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Kansas City Click: My official picks are published here.
(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)
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