Jason Isbell - Blutt Symposium at Kelly Writers House
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ส.ค. 2024
- January 24, 2019 - Recorded in the Arts Cafe at Kelly Writers House.
In 2006, Mitchell and Margo Blutt generously established an annual symposium in songwriting at the Kelly Writers House. The purpose was clear-to bring eminent and lauded songwriters into the intimate space of the Arts Cafe for not just a performance, but a conversation about the work and the form.
For more information about the Blutt Singer-Songwriter Symposium: writing.upenn.e...
Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Tom Petty, and Jason Isbell are helping me navigate my 30’s and 40’s the same way Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, and Merle Haggard helped my dad navigate his 30’s and 40’s.
The greatest songwriter in America. (Period end of sentence!)
....Mic drop...walk off....
Saying "period" doesn't make the preceeding more true. I think that Jason is awesome, but your claim is not objectively verifiable. It's a matter of opinion.
@@TheVeek192 Well, of course it's only an opinion. Aren't I entitled to have an opinion? In this case, it's a very strong personal opinion, hence the use of the "period, end of sentence" at the end for emphasis.
In music, writing or playing an instrument, there is no "Best". Well, except for Jason Isbell of course. Jason is the best songwriter of this generation, maybe any generation ;-)
Maybe, but have you ever listened to John Moreland?
I discovered Jason’s music from a tweet. Really. Not even a tweet I read, but a tweet my wife told me about. It was political, but so extremely clever that it made me look him up on TH-cam. That was 7 years ago - Now I am such a fan of everything he writes. (I’m a songwriter for film/TV - to put things in perspective) Since becoming a true fan of Jason’s work, my own songwriting has evolved. I’ve been inspired to write songs from simply watching Jason’s interviews. This was brilliant. Wonderful questions. Such depth and knowledge. Thank you fore sharing this. 🙏
Love his music, but had to unfollow him and his wife so I could continue to listen to his music. Quite a dichotomy. Vampires makes me cry every time due to FIL having dimentia while my MIL is still a firecracker. Amazing song. IDC about you politics Jason. If you follow a musician or actor because of their politics you're on the wrong path and need form your own opinion. Oh and I've written countless novels, movies and songs.......
@@tdub88587 Yeah - I get that. I guess I didn’t clearly express myself. It wasn’t his politics, but rather the way he responded to someone on Twitter. He was eloquent and very “lyrical” in his response. I don’t look to musicians for political influence. It’s just that the man has a way with words. He uses metaphors so fluidly, which led me to his music. I hope that clears up my post. I hope you and your family have a wonderful 2024! 🙏
When ‘Vampires’ came out I went and read up on Jason’s education, and found he was an English Lit major. Which makes major sense to me. His language is so elegantly crafted, and on top of that his playing, his tone, his observational skills and his voice mark him as a major talent. IMHO of this generation there’s Jason and Sturgill Simpson and then daylight. Sadly Prine has gone, and Dylan won’t be far behind I fear, but the baton is in good hands....
I am just learning about JI since JP died. He was a friend of JP---if he has JP's seal of approval he's good by me! :-)
John Moreland is a must listen. I know folks say that about musicians but I speak the truth. All his songs are great but if ya actually look him up “Hang me in the Tulsa country stars” and/or “3:59” are the best bets to get one hooked. He’s a good buddy of Jason Isbell as well.
I was so unimpressed by the shallowness of plastic country contemporary music, I thought Sturgill Simpson was just another one of those scantily clad teenagers/ pool party/ drinking video songwriters. I had lumped him in with other names of the day, so I missed him, until the other day. I heard him singing with another performer, and immediately was sorry I had prejudged him.
Also, concerning Vampires, I missed the theme, the “ maybe time running out is a gift “, until Michael Palmisano pointed it out in a reaction. Part of the genius of JI’s craft is the hunting down of his wordplay, and layering. I’m one of those people who wants to know every lyric to songs I like. Lol, JI offers the best challenge of making you not just pay rapt attention to what he’s singing, but forces you to let the songs settle in your mind for awhile until their meanings finally emerge. I haven’t been so pleased and touched by a writer since Kristofferson.
Thank you for this session, including the questions and answers.
Well said. You capture my sentiments exactly
Wow, well said. Thank you.
I saw Jason live this past week. It touched me like no show ever has and left me in awe. He's the most talented musician I've ever seen, personally.
I also saw him this weekend in Chattanooga. I loved it. Great live performance.
Vampires isn't my favorite Isbell song, but I do love it. That said, Vampires is the song that absolutely destroys me every time I listen to it. I love how it makes me think of how much I love my wife, and I hate how it makes me think of the fact that one of us will go before the other. This is how great songs should move you.
Absolutely agree.
100%. Wrecks me every damn time.
Yep it and elephant are always tear jerkers for me
Wow it was exactly a year ago today, 1/24/20.i love this man, He is sofa king talented.
He is the best! Arguably ever
Besides Stapleton nobody comes even close
man... i literately got a portrait tattoo of Bradley coopers character from this movie because of maybe its time. Had never heard of Jason. 6 months later i find Jason and fall in love and learn all his songs. Then more months later, i see this and find out he wrote the fucking song. i am spinning right now
Michael Cameron glad that worked out 4 u
I first heard Jason back in 2013, I was sitting in my office. TIDAL plays new songs, and suddenly "Only Children" played. I actually froze, and time stopped. Been a fan ever since and play His songs on my Guitars, they warm my spine and my soul.
Jason is interesting to listen to. Handing out some good songwriting advice here. Great to hear him sing alone with his guitar in such an intimate setting.
Isbell is what I aspire to be as a songwriter. I do this so that I will never arrive. And therefore I will keep going.
Love this travis picking. Looks so easy but it takes years to seperate the thumb from the fingers...
2:34 Vampires
35:35 Alabama Pines
1:07:20 ( 1:08:34 ) Maybe it’s time (capo on 2nd)
Yup. But once you got it ya got it. Because of listening to/covering Elliott Smith/Bright Eyes when I was younger mostly, but still do, and then getting more into country/alt-country/americana music/covering it my style is funky. Def not as clean but i personally dig it
@@louieo.blevinsmusic4197 agree man!
I've seen comments from people who HATE Jason based on his "drunk years" on other videos. Even when he was plastered this guy was one of the best American singer-songwriters in years. He has only gotten better since sobering up. Haters, it's time to move on.
I actually loved his "drunk years"....especially since they coincided with mine. 😁 He is a phenomenal storyteller. Thru sobriety he shares with his audience a truth, depth and rawness most artists never truly share, but his talent has always been undeniable!
I am one of those who've come around, big time. Was a DBT fan but never gave Isbell a fair shot when he went solo, I stopped listening after 1 or 2 songs. Didn't pick it back up again until Nashville Sound. Boy, what a mistake.
This is incredible.
That Martin sounds amazing, Jason is one of the best around.
I think that's his signature Martin D-18. He made it 5 db louder than the original as far as I remember. Jason is maybe the best singer/songwriter/guitarist around. Amazing.
Norwegian Buddha That's about right. Removing the pick guard added about 5 dB in itself. And they used rear placed cross bracing placement (which is rather un-intuitive really, based on what is typically done). Also, the D18 has the mahogany back and sides (as opposed to the D28, D35, D40-series that have rosewood) which gives it a wonderfully balanced sound.
@@rowdyhoo thanks! That's really nice to know actually, for someone like me who's just studying being a tech.
@@rowdyhoo the d-18 is a gorgeous guitar. I didn’t know he had a signature one. My father gave me a Martin SWDGT when I decided to try my hand in songwriting a few years ago and I absolutely love it. I rlly like the d-15 as well. I don’t know much about guitar specs but I don’t use a pic. Gonna take the pic guard off the SWDGT and listen for the difference. Or just TH-cam how it would sound. lol.
@@louieo.blevinsmusic4197 How did the songwriting endeavor go?
How do all these folks watching sit that still??? Think I would be hollering quite a bit.
Amazing, thanks for uploading this!
love his music, LOVE the interview!!!
"Social Media is a minefield until you realize that none of the mines are active"-Jason Isbell.
What a fantastic observation. It's 100% true too. Whether you are a celebrity or a normal person, we all give way too much attention and authority and clout to social media (which includes TH-cam) but if you really take a step back you will realize----it does not matter at ALL.
Feeling so blessed to have a writer so amazing with words in my lifetime
If We Were Vampires, definitely my absolute favorite!!!
Vampires is my favorite of his. I first heard it a few months before my husband of 42 years passed away.
amazing musician, writer, dude.
That’s the best I’ve ever heard “ Alabama Pines” !! Great song!!!
How did I miss this?!! I live down the street, went to SP2 and LOVE Jason's songwriting. What an incredible series! Who is next?
When people say his songs are sad, I think they are packing a lot into that one word. Poignancy,touching, feeling the connection that comes when you hear someone has experienced the same emotion you have, or just the beauty of music or lyrics , are how JI songs feel to me, anyway.
Don't Worry...Be Happy.
That was excellent! So much admiration for this man and his art. Thank you. Shouldn't the date be January 24, 2019, not 2018?
You're right! Good catch.
God damn
Lovely version of Alabama Pines
Jason I wrote a song I think your voice and the power of your voice would would make it an amazing song
Jason’s amazing and this is a great program. The camera person must be a bored young person unfortunately, and needs to go into another line of work. Hold still, bud!
Nevertheless, what a treat to hear this guy talk about songwriting.
Might be a camera that's almost too heavy for the tripod they're using. Some of the footage is perfectly still but there's a bit of shake when they pan or adjust the zoom or focus. It takes practice to develop a light steady touch when you have to make those kinds of adjustments to a stationary camera. They aren't using autofocus and the focus is usually spot on, so I hope they won't take your suggestion.
Make sure you throw a few “umm’s” in there..
what? Zero soul, zero beat, zero, hook or melody ... only silver spoon affectation and pretense. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I’m sure there are some boy bands you can go listen to.