Notice how every time Jason plays this live he gets a giant cheer when he says "I sobered up, and swore off that stuff. Forever this time." I adore that. If you know his history he struggled a lot with addiction and was in a seriously awful place. It's down right beautiful that people would get so excited about a guy who manages to miraculously fight off the demons and get to a better place.
Most people cheer when someone sings about drinking, it's so cool that they do the opposite bc he wouldn't be able to do what he does if he wasn't sober. It also shows how loyal his fans are and how he connects with them through his songs about his life.
Watching people discover Jason Isbell is my favorite thing in the world. Best songwriter in the game. I just subscribed to your channel on the assumption you're about to do a big run of his stuff once you start listening to his catalog. Welcome to Isbell experience. Enjoy!
Absolutely agree. Jason came into my ears at exactly the moment I needed him 3 years ago, I've loved the dive into his catalog and I'm sure everyone around me is sick of my obsession with his songs but he speaks directly to many of us and I saw instantly he spoke to Michael.
Man, I agree 100%... Sadler is great , and I love him... seen them live a few times... but Jason is sooooo underrated... the best guitar player in that band and one of the best of his generation.... It kills me that he rarely gets recognition for his guitar playing....
@@carsonthompson8637 Although you can't leave Sonny Landreth out a "best slide players" convo. Very different style than Derek. Check him out and find a live vid so you can see his technique which is crazy. Recommend "Congo Square." There's a live version with him & Derek playing it together. Amazing!
Jason Isbell's songwriting is next to none. He's incredible. I used to get furious about people doting over Morgan Wallen's cover and not knowing it was an Isbell song until I heard Jason talk about hearing someone else keeping his song alive. Changed my perspective a little. Jason leaves a part of his soul in every note. This is the universal language that attracts me directly to songwriters and further from the churned out pop industry pandering crew.
I've always felt the same way about his song Dress Blues. Most people seem to think its a Zac Brown song as they have heard their cover, not knowing Jason actually wrote it.
It’s an astonishingly beautiful song, and obviously the original song will always be a masterpiece, but I honestly think that Morgan’s cover is still almost as good just because of the pain you can hear in is voice showing how much he feels the soul of the song and the heart in the lyrics.
@@rmac7441 But Zac Brown replaces "Hollywood war" with some other nonsense, and totally changes the meaning of the song. Jason didn't use any names, but he did request other artists avoid changing the lyrics in his songs when cover them.
I know this is 3 years old and you've learned a lot more about JI and the 400 Unit since this vid came out, but I am literally sitting here with damp eyes and covered in goose pimples watching you discover this man and this group for the 1st time. I KNOW you're life has been changed immensely in these past 3 years just having them in your head and life. Thanks for this!
Jason Isbell has the guitar chops, writing and has a great voice. He’s got it all man. He’s my guitar hero! He’s an incredible slide player as well. He’s got it man. He’s got it.
@@annmarie3573 unfortunately, it's not about Amanda. The song is about a crime and recovery. Go to Jason's twitter. He finally told us the meaning last year... Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) Tweeted: The narrator in Cover Me Up is a crime there I’ve said it twitter.com/JasonIsbell/status/1177691167288377346?s=20
Jason Isbell wrote this song for his wife, whom is the backup singer and fiddle player, after dealing with alcohol addiction. You should listen to more of his songs like Live Oak, Elephant, and If we were Vampires. He is one of the best songwriters of our generation. He did a lot of writing when he was with the Drive By Trucker.
I was looking for this comment. They went into different rooms to write a song and when he was done he knew he couldn't sing it to her yet because it would give away that he was in love with her. The story & the raw soul behind every bit of this song is untouchable. No one does it like Jason Isbell.
Jason Isbell is one of the best song writers in a generation. His interviews are authentic and well worth an hour or two in TH-cam. He’s also a strong with the strings which you will appreciate.
Sadler Vaden is the guy playing the slide, The 400 Unit is a great band. You could do Jason's entire Southeastern album, specifically Elephant. Been lucky to see them too may times to count and they have never disappointed.
Im a firm believer that Isbell is the greatest singer/song writer of all time. I heard a cover of this on the radio the other day by Morgan waylon? Maybe. It broke my heart when i looked it up on youtube and his version had more views than Isbell. This man gets no love, well mainstream love. He so overlooked, it hurts me.
Jason Isbell's Southeastern album is one that absolutely deserves a full, uninterrupted listen to from start to finish. I hope you can find some time to do that.
I recently did this for the first time, and wow. . . Incredible! I was up in the mountains of Colorado and didn't have any cell service, but I had recently been introduced to a song of his and had looked it up on my Spotify before I left and for some reason it downloaded the album to my phone without my knowledge. But I figured I had really liked the song I'd heard, so decided to see what else he had while I was laying down taking a break. I had only planned on laying down for 15-20 minutes but I just couldn't stop listening as every song was just incredible!!! I probably listened to the whole album 10-15 times that week and a bunch more since I got home! I would argue he may be the best songwriter storyteller of his generation!
I like to interpret the line "I know you're enough to use me for good" as a double entendre where "for good" means both "the rest of our lives" and the act of "doing good". It can mean that he knows she can be the person who "covers him up" in an intimacy sense for the rest of their lives, AND it can mean that he knows that she can motivate him to be a better man and to "do good" in the world. Jason Isbell is absolutely fantastic. I love diving into all his lyrics. My favorite songwriter. Thanks for doing this video!
To me, it means that when you use me, you’re using me for me and who i am, what i am. Not for what you want but for us. You won’t shame me for your use, but you’ll make me shine for your use. It’s the ultimate concession. She sees him for him. And that’s the one thing she won’t betray.
Isbell has become one of my favorite artists over the past few years. He paints pictures with his lyrics that most songwriters could only dream of. This one in particular is quite a decleration. Thanks for this
You can’t talk about Jason Isbell without mentioning “Decoration Day”, one of the best story songs - you HAVE to do it ...and if you wanna cry on camera, listen do “elephant” by Isbell
@@paulfreet elephant kills me. I am 38 with a lump and a high risk of breast cancer and have had an appt for weeks to get it checked out (I go Monday… doctors… it’s the soonest I could get)… the song randomly came on the other day and just fucking obliterated me. I’m sure I’ll be fine, but he sure gets in your feels like nobody I know. Few are aware he went back to college after Drive By Truckers to actually improve his writing. He’s dedicated.
This is really cool to watch another guitar player's reaction to Isbell for the first time. This song was my introduction. Check out the story behind the song. Imagine taking a Richard Thompson level songwriter and player, and essentially a Johnny meeting his June with a band of the level of the Heartbreakers in terms of feel and ability. Go deep in listening to him. You won't regret it.
"Live From Alabama" IMHO is the greatest live album of my life and the version of "GODDAMN LONELY LOVE" with the horns is absolutely ridiculous in how good it is !!!
I've seen Jason Isbell 5 times I believe and every time he plays Cover Me Up when he gets loud in the chorus lines I get goose bumps and tear up from the power in that voice and the lyrics. I had to learn that song on guitar, so I did. I'm so glad you honored this suggestion and I got to see someone react similar to the way I did. Humbling song for sure.
With each new Isbell song you discover, you are just blown away with the authenticity of his lyrics. His voice and guitar playing are on point as well making him the holy trinity of musicians.
Sadler Vaden is playing the slide,and believe it or not Jason is even better on the slide! Amanda is his wife and the inspiration behind the song! 400 unit are one tight band,and they cover a lot of classic rock in their live shows,Pure Genius!
Its amazing he did the standard acoustic on this, only because he might be the best slide guitarist I've ever seen, ever. Go see his work in the Drive by Truckers and some 400 unit recordings and tell me I'm wrong
This may legitimately be my first time ever commenting on a video, but watching someone discover Isbell for the first time makes me so emotional. I love your channel regardless, but I especially love when I find one where you've never heard of an artist I love. It is the closest thing you can have to experience discovering them for yourself. Keep it up!
Like others have said, Jason is one of (if not the) best lyricist out there. He doesn’t just sing a song-he tells you a story and you fall into it, every time. It’s not lyrics-it’s scenes from someone’s life you’re witnessing. Something More Than Free; Yvette; Only Children; Alabama Pines... his world is a deep, deep hole to fall into, but it’s worth it.
Since hearing Jason Isbell for the first time about 3 years ago (this very song), I occasionally search “reactions to Jason Isbell” just so I can watch people discover his genius. Never gets old!
Have been a huge fan of Jason for years since he was in the band Drive By Truckers! He is pure Americana with his songs and lyrics. Words of purity. His songs have always just spoke to me. Highly recommend anything he has done or will ever do.
This was wonderful, Michael. As a longtime fan of Jason’s and a big fan of yours as well, it was touching to watch your very heartfelt reaction to a song I know so well and that means so much to me personally. I hope you do more of Jason’s songs as you keep doing those videos. Both Jason and his band mate Sadler Vaden are killer guitar players!
“This guy is speaking to my life” you have no idea man...Jason’s lyrics touch the core on a whole different level. He is such a one of a kind artist. Children of Children, Dress Blues, Live Oak & of course Elephant are staples in my various “favorite songs” playlist.
Isbell is a lyrical and musical genius. His last five albums, including the newly released Reunions, are all stone cold classics. He has written at least 50 truly great songs in the last decade. Listen to it all...your life will be changed. He will go down as one of the greatest songwriters ever by the time he is done.
Please do more Jason Isbell. He's an incredible guitarist, played for years with the Drive By Truckers before going solo and writing his own music with The 400 Unit (The band you see here). Some of my favorite lyrics are Streetlights, Dress Blues, and Speed Trap Town, though you seriously can't go wrong with anything this guy has released, especially the entire Southeastern album.
My god Isbell...cuts to the core. Genius songwriting and a phenomenal singer. So glad you chose this. If you didn’t know, his wife (Amanda Shires) is on fiddle. And Sadler Vaden is on slide. Great player.
What a kick to see someone discover Jason Isbell and be gob-smacked like I was when I heard his work after his recovery. I loved his work with drive-by truckers, but his post recovery work is unmatched. Singing, song writing and a great guitarist as well. Thank God for his wife, who rescued him for us.
So glad to see you found Mr. Isbell and the phenomenal 400 unit. Looking forward to seeing many more reaction videos of his stuff - and envy you finding his stuff for the first time. Read a bit of his history, and it all makes sense. Hear him do an interview, and you see where the lyrics come from - the man is killer smart.
watching you react to Jason Isbell reminds me of 2003 when I first saw him in DBT and it was obvious the talent he has for story telling and guitar playing. He was a young gunslinger living fast and playing hard. Now he is a master of his craft and a beautiful human being full of honesty and vulnerability and truth. Changed my life he did
Welcome to the world of lyrical genius that is Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. I love watching people discover them for the first time. Your life will never be the same!
If I could like this a few hundred times I would! I remember when I first heard isbell… and I wish I could relive that time and time again for the first time like he is in this video!
Jason Isbell's stuff has always been good, but his last four studio albums have been stellar and are well worth the listen. Thanks for the review, it was fun to see your reaction.
I’m so enjoying watching you hear Jason for the first time. I keep rewatching this video. I hope that I had the same looks on my face first time I heard him. This was the first song I heard too.
You won't stop listening to Jason. He's present day Dylan/Boss lyricist and equal to today's best guitarists i.e. Haynes, Mayer etc. Check out one of his latest Gems "Overseas". Isbell (pronounced Is-Bull) is in a class by himself.
Discovering Jason Isbell is quite literally life changing. Immaculate song writing that never disappoints. Prepare to cry. Lol. Please do more Jason Isbell. Elephant, Yvette, Live Oak, Speed Trap Town. Those are some of my favorites and they hit hard. Like HARD. H A R D.
I come back to this video often. Love the song and your reaction to it. Some people have the ability to feel it more than others. It is awesome to see someone feel music the same way you do.
I've seen Jason a number of times and you MUST go see him. One of the most authentic performers I've ever seen. Nothing contrived, I believe everything is the best way I can describe his shows. When he says thank you to the audience you know he means it, seriously! What I love about this video is it allowed me to listen to this song again for the first time and enjoy your emotional connection to it. Powerful is how I describe his writing. I unashamedly cried watching this video. Thank You!
Jason Isbell is quite possibly one of the best songwriters and lyricists in the business. There is such a vast catalogue of his you need to explore. I love ‘Dreamsicle’ , ‘Chaos and Clothes’, ‘letting her go’, and you absolutely need to hear ‘Tupelo’
"This dudes songs..." was what I said when I first heard Jason and sent his songs to my wife. His stories bring me to tears. Maybe I just feel music too much, but I love it.
Not one to jump in the comments, but damn it’s nice to meet some Jason Isbell fans! First heard this song on a rainy Sunday, driving around with my college roommate while visiting him in Nashville. In fact, he cued up the album Southeastern and said, “I think you’ll like this guy.” It’s not often I’m speechless, but when it was over I didn’t say a word. I just hit the back button and we listened again. It so happens you posted this gem the day I joined the GuitarGate family. Keep up the amazing work, Michael.
Jason is a former member of Drive By Truckers and one the best songwriters working. As others have mentioned, his Southeastern album is full of songs like this that touch your soul. The fiddle player is his wife, Amanda Shires. The slide is being played by Sadler Vaden. Jason is a heck of a slide player too. He doesn't show it in this song but he's a force on the guitar.
Love the bit about your family! Anyone who's been through some shit can and will relate 100%. That slide hits you right in the soul. Band is wicked good, Keep truckin brother. Awesome yet again
Watching his face you can watch his mind form thoughts. The pure joy on your face and genuine surprise at every second of this is EXACTLY what music is about.
come on! i can not belive you didn't know Jason... he is killer! great songwriter, killer singer, and ever better guitar player with a deep personal background. TOP CLASS!
Watching you discover and immediately love Jason Isbell was so awesome and relatable. I had those same feelings. Welcome to the greatest living songwriter club, brother.
Such a heartfelt reaction to an amazing artist. Jason Isbell is the preeminent songwriter of our generation. Consider giving Elephant and Goddamn Lonely Love a listen as well, they won't disappoint.
This is my all-time favorite song. When I heard it for the first time it hit me the same way it just hit you. Your explanation of the song was spot on. Thanks for helping show more people the beauty of this song! Great video once again
I had this same reaction the first time I heard this song. It blew my mind. Heard it a month ago for first time and I can’t listen to enough versions. The one his does with boys from Truckers acoustic show they just released is phenomenal
My favourite artist of all time. His lyrics are pure poetry, he’s a killer player, his wife is an exceptional player as well and he just seems like a lovely guy too.
One of the greatest love songs ever written and one of the absolute best songwriters of the last decade+. Glad to see him make the page! He plays a MEAN geetar too if you ever wanted to dig deeper. He's sat in with Widespread Panic a few times as a strictly axe man and managed to hold his own next to Jimmy Herring so.. that should say everything.
To see that song connect to you internally was a gift in itself . You could see In Your face that you were moved by this song and it made me watch it over and over . This is a great song . Probably one of the best songs in music ever .
Michael, you’ve turned me on to some great artists. I can’t believe that you’re not familiar with Jason Isbell and his brilliant wife Amanda Shires!! Check out her new female supergroup The Highwomen
Love coming to this video AFTER watching you break down the Highwomen's performance of The Chain where you're clearly a huge fan of them a couple years later. Jason Isbell is a revelation, and very cool to watch yours! I'm a huge fan of this series!
Thank you for doing these. You have introduced me to so many new artist the last 12 months. This song just hit me in a place I didn't even know I could feel things
Song about your spouse dying, about a friend dying of cancer, and of someone being abused and murdering the abuser.... couldn't be a happier selection of songs
“I have no idea who this guy is”...to know you were about to start your Isbell journey made me so happy
Makes you jealous doesn’t it?
Yes!!!!
I hate it when people like Morgan Wallen’s version of cover me up but don’t know Jason Isbell
Morgan wallen did it better tho
Trevor Price no bad opinions allowed in this sacred space 😂
Notice how every time Jason plays this live he gets a giant cheer when he says "I sobered up, and swore off that stuff. Forever this time." I adore that. If you know his history he struggled a lot with addiction and was in a seriously awful place. It's down right beautiful that people would get so excited about a guy who manages to miraculously fight off the demons and get to a better place.
@Matthew Levac cause it’s funny that all the drunks in the crowd are the loudest cheers
Most people cheer when someone sings about drinking, it's so cool that they do the opposite bc he wouldn't be able to do what he does if he wasn't sober. It also shows how loyal his fans are and how he connects with them through his songs about his life.
Sobriety.is so hard
The same happened in Manchester UK, he is so good live.
@@Skitch1992 Sobriety is good in moderation-Grace Slick..i live that lol
“Home was a dream, one I’d never seen, til you came along.”
That phrase is a masterpiece.
Watching people discover Jason Isbell is my favorite thing in the world. Best songwriter in the game. I just subscribed to your channel on the assumption you're about to do a big run of his stuff once you start listening to his catalog. Welcome to Isbell experience. Enjoy!
Amen, brother.👍
Deal :)
Absolutely agree. Jason came into my ears at exactly the moment I needed him 3 years ago, I've loved the dive into his catalog and I'm sure everyone around me is sick of my obsession with his songs but he speaks directly to many of us and I saw instantly he spoke to Michael.
Him and Billy strings
Check out is song Speed Trap Town. Killer song, probably his best one!
You could do Isbell songs all day, every day. He’s absolutely the best singer-songwriter-guitarist today, and among the all-time greats.
wb john mayer?
Yep.
Jacob Krauss hes great too. But have you heard jason?
Jacob Krauss look up what Mayer has said about Isbell. He agrees
John Mayer, Warren Haynes...
Jason is a national treasure and we must protect him at all costs. One of the greatest songwriters in recent decades.
The guitarist playing the slide is Sadler Vaden, but believe it or not Jason is the best slide and lead player in the band.
Isbell is one of the best slide players out there right now, I wish he would show off a little more.
Sim Ross second only to Derek trucks right now.
Man, I agree 100%... Sadler is great , and I love him... seen them live a few times... but Jason is sooooo underrated... the best guitar player in that band and one of the best of his generation.... It kills me that he rarely gets recognition for his guitar playing....
Jack William Ketterer he’s the full package. Amazing voice. Amazing songwriting. Amazing playing.
@@carsonthompson8637 Although you can't leave Sonny Landreth out a "best slide players" convo. Very different style than Derek. Check him out and find a live vid so you can see his technique which is crazy. Recommend "Congo Square." There's a live version with him & Derek playing it together. Amazing!
I've never been able to watch someone's face as they discover Jason for the first time. I'm crying.
Me too.
Yup, that got to me too. Glad you love his stuff!
My reaction is identical to his…
Jason Isbell's songwriting is next to none. He's incredible. I used to get furious about people doting over Morgan Wallen's cover and not knowing it was an Isbell song until I heard Jason talk about hearing someone else keeping his song alive. Changed my perspective a little. Jason leaves a part of his soul in every note. This is the universal language that attracts me directly to songwriters and further from the churned out pop industry pandering crew.
I've always felt the same way about his song Dress Blues. Most people seem to think its a Zac Brown song as they have heard their cover, not knowing Jason actually wrote it.
It’s an astonishingly beautiful song, and obviously the original song will always be a masterpiece, but I honestly think that Morgan’s cover is still almost as good just because of the pain you can hear in is voice showing how much he feels the soul of the song and the heart in the lyrics.
I love that after Wallens flirtation with racism, Isbell decided to donate all his royalties from Wallens cover to the NAACP
@@rmac7441 But Zac Brown replaces "Hollywood war" with some other nonsense, and totally changes the meaning of the song. Jason didn't use any names, but he did request other artists avoid changing the lyrics in his songs when cover them.
I know this is 3 years old and you've learned a lot more about JI and the 400 Unit since this vid came out, but I am literally sitting here with damp eyes and covered in goose pimples watching you discover this man and this group for the 1st time. I KNOW you're life has been changed immensely in these past 3 years just having them in your head and life. Thanks for this!
Love Jason Isbell! Listen to “If We we’re Vampires.” You’ll cry.
Can't second this enough if you loved the songwriting on this!
Or "Elephant"...
Aboit 80% of isbell's songs will make you cry if you pay enough attention lol
Cried. BOOM: th-cam.com/video/Tv_x76IXMrU/w-d-xo.html
Sent this song to my husband to listen to. Incredible
Jason Isbell has the guitar chops, writing and has a great voice. He’s got it all man. He’s my guitar hero! He’s an incredible slide player as well. He’s got it man. He’s got it.
Wait til you find out that the fiddle player IS his wife
The song is ABOUT her!!
Dammit, I wanted to tell him!
Amanda Shires. He’s best served to remember her name because as brilliant as Jason is, she is NOT in his shadow. Got her own thing for sure
Her name is Amanda Shires ffs, not Jason's wife
@@annmarie3573 unfortunately, it's not about Amanda. The song is about a crime and recovery. Go to Jason's twitter. He finally told us the meaning last year...
Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) Tweeted:
The narrator in Cover Me Up is a crime there I’ve said it twitter.com/JasonIsbell/status/1177691167288377346?s=20
Jason Isbell is Legit, better than anything they play on current pop, rock, or country mainstream radio.
Jason is awesome. Also, give Zach Bryan a listen, he's legit too!
Jason Isbell wrote this song for his wife, whom is the backup singer and fiddle player, after dealing with alcohol addiction. You should listen to more of his songs like Live Oak, Elephant, and If we were Vampires. He is one of the best songwriters of our generation. He did a lot of writing when he was with the Drive By Trucker.
This.
That^
This and that.
BOOM: th-cam.com/video/Tv_x76IXMrU/w-d-xo.html
I was looking for this comment. They went into different rooms to write a song and when he was done he knew he couldn't sing it to her yet because it would give away that he was in love with her. The story & the raw soul behind every bit of this song is untouchable. No one does it like Jason Isbell.
Jason Isbell is one of the best song writers in a generation. His interviews are authentic and well worth an hour or two in TH-cam. He’s also a strong with the strings which you will appreciate.
Sadler Vaden is the guy playing the slide, The 400 Unit is a great band. You could do Jason's entire Southeastern album, specifically Elephant. Been lucky to see them too may times to count and they have never disappointed.
Agreed
Absolutely
Im a firm believer that Isbell is the greatest singer/song writer of all time. I heard a cover of this on the radio the other day by Morgan waylon? Maybe. It broke my heart when i looked it up on youtube and his version had more views than Isbell. This man gets no love, well mainstream love. He so overlooked, it hurts me.
@@fedorbitch The masses don't know him but those songwriter checks sure do and the 4 Grammy's Jason has won has the correct name on it.
Agreed.
Jason Isbell's Southeastern album is one that absolutely deserves a full, uninterrupted listen to from start to finish. I hope you can find some time to do that.
it's a true masterpiece
I recently did this for the first time, and wow. . . Incredible!
I was up in the mountains of Colorado and didn't have any cell service, but I had recently been introduced to a song of his and had looked it up on my Spotify before I left and for some reason it downloaded the album to my phone without my knowledge. But I figured I had really liked the song I'd heard, so decided to see what else he had while I was laying down taking a break. I had only planned on laying down for 15-20 minutes but I just couldn't stop listening as every song was just incredible!!! I probably listened to the whole album 10-15 times that week and a bunch more since I got home! I would argue he may be the best songwriter storyteller of his generation!
Isbell is easily one of the top two or three song writers of this generation.
I’d say it’s somewhere just between him and Tyler Childers
@@CrashTestingAudio Tyler is amazing but i gotta say Jason is the greatest living writer.
I like to interpret the line "I know you're enough to use me for good" as a double entendre where "for good" means both "the rest of our lives" and the act of "doing good". It can mean that he knows she can be the person who "covers him up" in an intimacy sense for the rest of their lives, AND it can mean that he knows that she can motivate him to be a better man and to "do good" in the world. Jason Isbell is absolutely fantastic. I love diving into all his lyrics. My favorite songwriter. Thanks for doing this video!
To me, it means that when you use me, you’re using me for me and who i am, what i am. Not for what you want but for us. You won’t shame me for your use, but you’ll make me shine for your use. It’s the ultimate concession. She sees him for him. And that’s the one thing she won’t betray.
Isbell has become one of my favorite artists over the past few years. He paints pictures with his lyrics that most songwriters could only dream of. This one in particular is quite a decleration. Thanks for this
You can’t talk about Jason Isbell without mentioning “Decoration Day”, one of the best story songs - you HAVE to do it ...and if you wanna cry on camera, listen do “elephant” by Isbell
Isbell will rip your guts out with his lyrics. Codeine, Songs that She Sang in the Shower, Elephant are all brutal listens if you pay attention.
So happy someone else said "Songs She Sang in the Shower" it's my favorite Isbell in a sea of amazing songs.
I know this is an old comment, but I gotta warn people about Elephant. That's a hard song to listen to.
Elephant will rip your heart out. You're in the room.
@@paulfreet elephant kills me. I am 38 with a lump and a high risk of breast cancer and have had an appt for weeks to get it checked out (I go Monday… doctors… it’s the soonest I could get)… the song randomly came on the other day and just fucking obliterated me. I’m sure I’ll be fine, but he sure gets in your feels like nobody I know. Few are aware he went back to college after Drive By Truckers to actually improve his writing. He’s dedicated.
@@DiZoSoMom Godspeed
This is really cool to watch another guitar player's reaction to Isbell for the first time. This song was my introduction.
Check out the story behind the song.
Imagine taking a Richard Thompson level songwriter and player, and essentially a Johnny meeting his June with a band of the level of the Heartbreakers in terms of feel and ability.
Go deep in listening to him. You won't regret it.
You nailed it!!
I’ve paused the video at 6:56 to say thank you Michael for helping us find new music. I’ve never of Jason Isbell and thankful that now I have.
Please go fall down the Isbell rabbit hole!
Michael: "I do not know who this person is."
Me, an Isbell fan: Oh boy, this is gonna be gooooood!
Yeah- took me three months to play a different channel. When I found him
Listen to the live version of goddamn lonely love if you wanna see Isbell on the slide
And if you want to cry lulz like so many Isbell penned tunes. In the best way.
"Live From Alabama" IMHO is the greatest live album of my life and the version of "GODDAMN LONELY LOVE" with the horns is absolutely ridiculous in how good it is !!!
Eric Anderson Aahhh don’t spoil the horns, I still remember what it felt like the first time I heard the bridge
Or the outro on Children of Children
th-cam.com/video/ELqCeLV1GCo/w-d-xo.html
Oh yes. Please do listen to that
I've seen Jason Isbell 5 times I believe and every time he plays Cover Me Up when he gets loud in the chorus lines I get goose bumps and tear up from the power in that voice and the lyrics. I had to learn that song on guitar, so I did. I'm so glad you honored this suggestion and I got to see someone react similar to the way I did. Humbling song for sure.
Oh man Jason is incredible. What a great rabbit whole to be going down for you.
With each new Isbell song you discover, you are just blown away with the authenticity of his lyrics. His voice and guitar playing are on point as well making him the holy trinity of musicians.
Sadler Vaden is playing the slide,and believe it or not Jason is even better on the slide! Amanda is his wife and the inspiration behind the song! 400 unit are one tight band,and they cover a lot of classic rock in their live shows,Pure Genius!
Its amazing he did the standard acoustic on this, only because he might be the best slide guitarist I've ever seen, ever. Go see his work in the Drive by Truckers and some 400 unit recordings and tell me I'm wrong
This may legitimately be my first time ever commenting on a video, but watching someone discover Isbell for the first time makes me so emotional. I love your channel regardless, but I especially love when I find one where you've never heard of an artist I love. It is the closest thing you can have to experience discovering them for yourself. Keep it up!
Like others have said, Jason is one of (if not the) best lyricist out there. He doesn’t just sing a song-he tells you a story and you fall into it, every time. It’s not lyrics-it’s scenes from someone’s life you’re witnessing. Something More Than Free; Yvette; Only Children; Alabama Pines... his world is a deep, deep hole to fall into, but it’s worth it.
Dude. Totally. I’m on it.
Since hearing Jason Isbell for the first time about 3 years ago (this very song), I occasionally search “reactions to Jason Isbell” just so I can watch people discover his genius. Never gets old!
Watching you watch the genius of Jason Isbell is just great ....
Have come to Mr Isbell in just the last couple of months. He has pierced my heart.
Have been a huge fan of Jason for years since he was in the band Drive By Truckers! He is pure Americana with his songs and lyrics. Words of purity. His songs have always just spoke to me. Highly recommend anything he has done or will ever do.
This was wonderful, Michael. As a longtime fan of Jason’s and a big fan of yours as well, it was touching to watch your very heartfelt reaction to a song I know so well and that means so much to me personally. I hope you do more of Jason’s songs as you keep doing those videos. Both Jason and his band mate Sadler Vaden are killer guitar players!
Check out him doing “Live Oak” his songwriting is mesmerizing
Amen. Think that’s my other favorite. “Great Lakes freighter”
One of my favorites as well. It’s just superb story telling through music.
His murder ballad
“This guy is speaking to my life” you have no idea man...Jason’s lyrics touch the core on a whole different level. He is such a one of a kind artist. Children of Children, Dress Blues, Live Oak & of course Elephant are staples in my various “favorite songs” playlist.
Isbell is a lyrical and musical genius. His last five albums, including the newly released Reunions, are all stone cold classics. He has written at least 50 truly great songs in the last decade. Listen to it all...your life will be changed. He will go down as one of the greatest songwriters ever by the time he is done.
This was the same song that introduced me to Jason Isbell. Love your analysis. What an amazing songwriter.
Please do more Jason Isbell. He's an incredible guitarist, played for years with the Drive By Truckers before going solo and writing his own music with The 400 Unit (The band you see here). Some of my favorite lyrics are Streetlights, Dress Blues, and Speed Trap Town, though you seriously can't go wrong with anything this guy has released, especially the entire Southeastern album.
Streetlights! Legit right there.
@@smoothplezing Agreed. Most pre-southeastern stuff is overlooked but there are some gems back there
I am a huge isbell fan and I have watched this video three times now and it still makes me happy to see raw reaction of Jason
My god Isbell...cuts to the core. Genius songwriting and a phenomenal singer. So glad you chose this. If you didn’t know, his wife (Amanda Shires) is on fiddle. And Sadler Vaden is on slide. Great player.
What a kick to see someone discover Jason Isbell and be gob-smacked like I was when I heard his work after his recovery. I loved his work with drive-by truckers, but his post recovery work is unmatched. Singing, song writing and a great guitarist as well. Thank God for his wife, who rescued him for us.
So glad to see you found Mr. Isbell and the phenomenal 400 unit. Looking forward to seeing many more reaction videos of his stuff - and envy you finding his stuff for the first time. Read a bit of his history, and it all makes sense. Hear him do an interview, and you see where the lyrics come from - the man is killer smart.
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ON IT! THANKS!
@@Guitargate Oh, and he is a huge gearhead, too. th-cam.com/video/zLMsC6PitsQ/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/-j1BwYw7sXA/w-d-xo.html
watching you react to Jason Isbell reminds me of 2003 when I first saw him in DBT and it was obvious the talent he has for story telling and guitar playing. He was a young gunslinger living fast and playing hard. Now he is a master of his craft and a beautiful human being full of honesty and vulnerability and truth. Changed my life he did
Welcome to the world of lyrical genius that is Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. I love watching people discover them for the first time. Your life will never be the same!
One of the best songwriters out there. Hits you straight to the core
I love this guy so much I went and seen him two weeks in a row. Killer guitarist, blew me away. DO MORE!!!
If I could like this a few hundred times I would! I remember when I first heard isbell… and I wish I could relive that time and time again for the first time like he is in this video!
Jason Isbell's stuff has always been good, but his last four studio albums have been stellar and are well worth the listen. Thanks for the review, it was fun to see your reaction.
I’m so enjoying watching you hear Jason for the first time. I keep rewatching this video. I hope that I had the same looks on my face first time I heard him. This was the first song I heard too.
Goddamn Lonely Love live is killerrrr by him! Talk about a song that’ll tear your heart out!
Jason Isbell is one of the best song writers ever! He’s also a great guitarist & singer, love watching your reaction to musicians i love!
You won't stop listening to Jason. He's present day Dylan/Boss lyricist and equal to today's best guitarists i.e. Haynes, Mayer etc. Check out one of his latest Gems "Overseas". Isbell (pronounced Is-Bull) is in a class by himself.
Discovering Jason Isbell is quite literally life changing. Immaculate song writing that never disappoints. Prepare to cry. Lol.
Please do more Jason Isbell. Elephant, Yvette, Live Oak, Speed Trap Town. Those are some of my favorites and they hit hard. Like HARD. H A R D.
I saw them in a bar, with about 111 other folks, about 8 years ago. It was awe-inspiring.
Lucky you!
It's really beautiful to see someone discover Isbell for the very first time. We've all been there.
I’m so glad you covered Jason Isbell! Watch his Tiny Desk concert. He is solid!!!
I come back to this video often. Love the song and your reaction to it. Some people have the ability to feel it more than others. It is awesome to see someone feel music the same way you do.
Best songwriter in the game right now.
I've seen Jason a number of times and you MUST go see him. One of the most authentic performers I've ever seen. Nothing contrived, I believe everything is the best way I can describe his shows. When he says thank you to the audience you know he means it, seriously!
What I love about this video is it allowed me to listen to this song again for the first time and enjoy your emotional connection to it. Powerful is how I describe his writing. I unashamedly cried watching this video. Thank You!
Jason Isbell is quite possibly one of the best songwriters and lyricists in the business. There is such a vast catalogue of his you need to explore.
I love ‘Dreamsicle’ , ‘Chaos and Clothes’, ‘letting her go’, and you absolutely need to hear ‘Tupelo’
Your pure joy and appreciation for music is a joy to watch. It's child like wonder. I love it.
"This dudes songs..." was what I said when I first heard Jason and sent his songs to my wife. His stories bring me to tears. Maybe I just feel music too much, but I love it.
Not one to jump in the comments, but damn it’s nice to meet some Jason Isbell fans! First heard this song on a rainy Sunday, driving around with my college roommate while visiting him in Nashville.
In fact, he cued up the album Southeastern and said, “I think you’ll like this guy.”
It’s not often I’m speechless, but when it was over I didn’t say a word. I just hit the back button and we listened again.
It so happens you posted this gem the day I joined the GuitarGate family.
Keep up the amazing work, Michael.
Jason Isbell would be widely considered a top 5 songwriter if he was around when Bob Dylan was big
He would. He's an artist a bit out of his time, but that makes him extra special
Although, back then people would realise he took a lot of this song from Norwegian Wood, by the Beatles.
Your face while hearing those lyrics is how my soul feels! 💗 This is a true song about redemption and the power of love!
Jason is a former member of Drive By Truckers and one the best songwriters working. As others have mentioned, his Southeastern album is full of songs like this that touch your soul. The fiddle player is his wife, Amanda Shires. The slide is being played by Sadler Vaden. Jason is a heck of a slide player too. He doesn't show it in this song but he's a force on the guitar.
I love this video. seeing someone discover the magic of jason isbell for the first time is beautiful
Isbell is the best songwriter of our generation! Enjoy
Totally agree! His lyrics play over and over in my head!
I could watch you react to this a hundred times (probably been ten so far). The way you connect with it on every level is a joy to see.
Love the bit about your family! Anyone who's been through some shit can and will relate 100%. That slide hits you right in the soul. Band is wicked good, Keep truckin brother. Awesome yet again
Watching his face you can watch his mind form thoughts. The pure joy on your face and genuine surprise at every second of this is EXACTLY what music is about.
Jason speaks to anyone who will listen to his lyrics. No one does it better.
Jason Isbell is great and I love the way you are discovering him through this song!!
come on! i can not belive you didn't know Jason... he is killer! great songwriter, killer singer, and ever better guitar player with a deep personal background. TOP CLASS!
Watching you discover and immediately love Jason Isbell was so awesome and relatable. I had those same feelings. Welcome to the greatest living songwriter club, brother.
Such a heartfelt reaction to an amazing artist. Jason Isbell is the preeminent songwriter of our generation. Consider giving Elephant and Goddamn Lonely Love a listen as well, they won't disappoint.
This is my all-time favorite song. When I heard it for the first time it hit me the same way it just hit you. Your explanation of the song was spot on. Thanks for helping show more people the beauty of this song! Great video once again
Jason Isbell is this generations Bob Dylan. You should check out If we were Vampires off of the Nashville Sound Album.
I also recommend Only Children
I had this same reaction the first time I heard this song. It blew my mind. Heard it a month ago for first time and I can’t listen to enough versions. The one his does with boys from Truckers acoustic show they just released is phenomenal
You’d love his song Speed Trap Town. His lyrics are just mind blowing.
My favourite artist of all time. His lyrics are pure poetry, he’s a killer player, his wife is an exceptional player as well and he just seems like a lovely guy too.
Jason touches me with every song lyric. (As you probably know, he wrote the song for his wife, Amanda Shires, the fiddle player.)
6:30 mark. You felt what I felt the first time. I can see it in your face. And it was a powerful moment for me.
One of the greatest love songs ever written and one of the absolute best songwriters of the last decade+. Glad to see him make the page!
He plays a MEAN geetar too if you ever wanted to dig deeper. He's sat in with Widespread Panic a few times as a strictly axe man and managed to hold his own next to Jimmy Herring so.. that should say everything.
To see that song connect to you internally was a gift in itself . You could see In Your face that you were moved by this song and it made me watch it over and over . This is a great song . Probably one of the best songs in music ever .
Michael, you’ve turned me on to some great artists. I can’t believe that you’re not familiar with Jason Isbell and his brilliant wife Amanda Shires!! Check out her new female supergroup The Highwomen
Love coming to this video AFTER watching you break down the Highwomen's performance of The Chain where you're clearly a huge fan of them a couple years later. Jason Isbell is a revelation, and very cool to watch yours! I'm a huge fan of this series!
Slide guitar is Sadler Vaden, I believe.
That is correct.
I just LOVED how I watched this artist ( whom I’ve loved for years) touch Michael it a way I think he touches us ALL..!! Great stuff
Watching him discover Jason Isbell makes me wish I could hear Jason for the first time again
Thank you for doing these.
You have introduced me to so many new artist the last 12 months.
This song just hit me in a place I didn't even know I could feel things
“If We Were Vampires”, “Elephant”, or “Yvette” are also killer tracks by this guy, great video man!
Yvette is super underrated, because I think its so dark and not a romantic song, but a song about multiple dimensions of ruined southern childhood
Song about your spouse dying, about a friend dying of cancer, and of someone being abused and murdering the abuser.... couldn't be a happier selection of songs
Simeon Teitelbaum couldn’t agree more
Jack William Ketterer I agree, not a very happy selection. But from a songwriting standpoint, they’re all genius
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I get so much joy watching your face as your hear something that touches your soul!
PLEASE more Jason Isbell!!!!
The way you watch videos is just how I wish someone would watch and discuss them with me. So much fun. Thank you.