Former Drive-By Trucker and current Americana superstar Jason Isbell stopped by Nashville's Ryman Auditorium for three nights of tunes, adding covers by Cream, Warren Zevon and The Rolling Stones to his setlists.
Last month, the artist swept the 13th annual Americana Honors and Awards ceremony by winning Artist of the Year, Song of the Year ("Cover Me Up") and Album of the Year — so fans at the Ryman were in for a treat when Isbell kicked things off Oct. 24 by playing his superb 2013 release Southeastern in its entirety.
As Rolling Stone Country noted, Isbell and his band, after hearing about the death of Cream bassist Jack Bruce Saturday, Oct. 25, tore through a reverent cover of the power trio's hit "Sunshine of Your Love" at their second show. Fans were quick to give a standing ovation after the song — check it out below.
While he also took on the title track to Zevon's 1995 album Mutineer, accompanied by wife and fiddle player Amanda Shires, Isbell decided to close the residency with the Rolling Stones classic "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" Sunday, Oct. 26.
Southeastern was released in June 2013 to a slew of solid reviews.
"Here, he mostly dials back the volume to plumb heavy emotions," Rolling Stone wrote about the album. "New wife Amanda Shires and Kim Richey add harmonies to rich songs about love's struggle. But 'Elephant' is the masterpiece, a piercingly plainspoken song about friendship and cancer that concludes, 'One thing that's real clear to me / No one dies with dignity.' Maybe, but he proves you can sure as hell make art with it."
The singer has a few more dates for 2014 before he hits the road again in the new year. Visit Isbell's website to see his full schedule.
