Music events on the Friday night of a long weekend in Toronto can be a bit of a crap shoot. Many, many people leave town for cottage country, leaving those of us behind to seek out our weekend's entertainment. Given this challenge and environment, I cannot tell you how thrilled I was to attend the Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires show at a packed Lee's Palace in Toronto. The large crowd was rewarded with a first rate, professional, outstanding show from a group of the most gifted artists and musicians that are on the road today.
Jason Isbell, along with his stellar band the 400 Unit, are riding an incredible wave these days. Isbell has always been a compelling artist, writing and performing some of the most thought provoking songs in music. Touring in support of his recently released album Southeastern (Southeastern Records/Thirty Tigers) (which is outstanding, by the way) Isbell and the 400 Unit are at the top of their game. Opening up with "Flying Over Water", Isbell and the band showcased their talent for nearly 2 hours and held the crowd in the palm of their hands the entire time.
Paying homage to his previous life as a member of the Drive-By Truckers, Isbell turned in a stellar performance of "Decoration Day", followed by the haunting "Tour of Duty", a tale of a soldiers return home. "Tour of Duty" is a song that is relevant in any era, and is ample evidence of Isbell's outstanding songwriting. "Heart on a String", a track from his 2011 release "Here We Rest" invoked visions of the great Delbert McClinton with its blues groove and Isbell's husky vocal delivery. "Stockholm", a hard driving track that appears on Southeastern received a great reaction from the crowd, while "Codeine" produced the evening's first singalong and could very well be Isbell's signature song.
Next up were performances of three Southeastern tunes that make this album a must have. "Different Days", the incredibly written "Elephant", and the beautiful "Travelling Alone" with the lovely Amanda Shires-Isbell harmonizing. An Isbell show would not be complete without performing "Alabama Pines", the 2012 Americana Music Association Song of the Year. It was back to the Trucker days with a performance of "Outfit" to close out their main set. The crowd would not be denied an encore on this evening, as Isbell and the 400 Unit returned for a 3 song finale that included a tribute to legendary Canadian group The Band, with "Danko/Manuel", a song written by Isbell and recorded while a member of the Drive-By Truckers. From there a final preview of Southeastern with "Super 8", and a blistering cover of the Rolling Stones "Can You Hear Me Knockin'?" that would make Mick and Keith awfully proud.
Opening the night on a much softer, yet no less brilliant note was Amanda Shires. Touring to support her just released album Down Fell the Doves (Lightning Rod), an album which will be reviewed here in the coming days, Ms. Shires was the perfect opener to the evening's festivities. Performing solo with only her ukulele as accompaniment, Shires held the crowd captive with her beautiful vocals and haunting lyrics. It was an admirable performance highlighted by the cleverly written "When You Need a Train It Never Comes", the gorgeous "The Garden (What A Mess)" and the show-stopping "Wasted and Rollin'", the latter two appearing on Down Fell the Doves. Ms. Shires pulled double-duty on this night performing her own show, then taking her spot in the 400 Unit accompanying new husband Jason Isbell during his set.
In viewing this performance it is clear that Jason Isbell has a new focus, as compared to the last review I had in this space. He has quite publicly undergone two major lifestyle changes that to me, have helped shape him in to one of if not the top male act in Americana today. Amanda Shires continues to rise. The creativity and talent that this young lady brings to the stage every night cannot be measured. Together, they appear to be pushing and encouraging each other to new career heights that are only now being realized. If Americana has a power couple, that couple is Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires. Spend time at the show and you'll see what I mean.
The tour continues on August 9 in Wilkes-Barre, PA at the Kirby Center; August 10 in New York City at Lincoln Center Out of Doors (Free Show); on August 11 in Baltimore, MD at Baltimore Soundstage; and August 17 in Nashville, TN at the Ryman Auditorium with Caitlyn Rose opening. Amanda Shires has performances in Nashville at Grimey's Records on August 14; in Austin, TX at Waterloo Records on August 18; and back in Nashville at The High Watt on August 23. Check out Jason and Amanda's web sites for more tour information.
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