Around Austin Music-Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit opened their three night stay Saturday night to an enthusiastic sold out crowd at ACL-Live. All attendees were screened for either vaccination card or recent negative COVID test. (More photographs below)
The night featured the "Reunion" album* that was released just before the big onset of the COVID pandemic (May 15, 2020) making this the first live presentation of the material in Austin. The set consisted of 18 tunes and two encores. The show started with "*It Gets Easier" followed by a stunning rendition of 24 Frames which showcased the newfound strength of Isbell and the band. Following that was "*Overseas", "Hope the High Road", Something More Than Free", "*Dreamsicle", "Relatively Easy", "Go It Alone" and "Outfit" which Isbell mentioned having written for his father who is on the tour with him this go round.
Outfit was another standout this time an older song and highlighted strong vocals and emotional connection by Isbell on a song filled with a father's guidance "Don't call what you're wearing an outfit, don't ever say your car is broke. Dont worry about losing your accent, a southern man tells better jokes. Have fun, stay clear of the needle, call home on your sister's birthday. Don't tell them you're bigger than Jesus, don't give it away."
Following Outfit Isbell followed with "Elephant", "The Life You Chose" then another standout in "Last of My Kind". That stirring version was followed by "*Only Children", "Stockholm" and "Cover Me Up" which went the deepest "So girl, leave your boots by the bed. We ain't leaving this room. 'Til someone needs medical help. Or the magnolias bloom. It's cold in this house and I ain't going out to chop wood. So cover me up and know you're enough to use me for good."
"*What've I Done To Help" followed "If We Were Vampires" and closing out the show a rockin' version of Super 8 that spontaneously brought the house down. Like much of the show Super 8 was surprising in it's fitness and was a huge crescendo for the night and for our collective angst in these times.
Encores were *St. Peter's Autography and the anthem to being who you are in "Never Gonna Change." Throughout the two hour show Isbell and his band showed their virtuosity and "Never Gonna Change" has Isbell and guitarist Browan Lollar trading rifts. Lollar and Jimbo Hart on bass and Derry deBorja on keyboards harmonized well on vocals with Isbell. Matt Pence on drums like Ringo Starr just right and remarkable on his solo segments.
The three time Grammy Award winner Lucinda Williams opened the night. Listed as the 79th greatest songwriter of all time by "Rolling Stone" magazine Lucinda, hobbled by the latent effects of a stroke in November 2020 nonetheless carried her songs and covers convincingly with depth and her characteristic vocal style. This was an Austin audience that showed up early and greatly enjoyed Lucinda's hour set.
Missed the show. Not to worry Williams and Isbell/400 Unit are scheduled Sunday and Monday as well at ACL-LIVE.
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