Jason Isbell live at Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA review

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As a seasoned music enthusiast with over three decades of concert-going under my belt, I can confidently say that Jason Isbell and his 400 Unit delivered an unforgettable performance at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center. The blend of old favorites and fresh tunes from the latest album, Weathervanes, was a testament to Isbell’s versatility as a songwriter and performer.

Last Tuesday at the Cleveland show, I, as part of Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, really dug deep into our latest album, “Weathervanes,” released in 2023. Nearly half of the 18-song setlist, including five out of the first seven tracks, were from this Grammy-winning masterpiece. However, things took a slight twist for us during the concert the next night, where we performed in front of around 7,000 fans at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center in Vienna, Virginia.

It’s possible we should have picked up on something unusual when “Wichita Lineman” by Glen Campbell was the intro song for Jason Isbell’s performance on Wednesday. However, it seems like a red herring because Isbell has been using this song throughout his tour. Yet, Jason Isbell enjoys keeping things unpredictable, and luckily, he has an impressive repertoire to choose from when he decides to mix things up.

8 out of the first 10 songs he performed on Wednesday were tracks from his earlier albums, either sung by Jason Isbell himself or by his band, The 400 Unit. He kicked off the show with a song from “Weathervanes,” and true to form, it was a deeply moving and potentially contentious song – a tribute to his late friend Justin Townes Earle called “When We Were Close.” This song, which stirred controversy after Earle’s overdose death in 2020, is as powerful emotionally as anything Isbell has ever written, and it was the opening number for his performance.

Jason Isbell draws from vast catalog to put on a great show at Wolf Trap

After that, he transitioned to some classic tunes, including “Stockholm” and “Flying Over Water”. These songs showcased the evening’s initial fiery guitar solos. There were many more to come.

Isbell took his acoustic guitar in hand, while the new bass player for the 400 Unit, Amanda Butterss (who stepped in for Jimbo Hart last year), switched to a standup bass. They played “Strawberry Woman,” a more melodious tune from Weathervanes, which retained an undercurrent of sadness and loss despite its sweetness.

This marks Isbell’s first tour since his bandmate Amanda Shire, who he acknowledges as the one instrumental in helping him achieve sobriety over a decade ago, filed for divorce. Listening to a tune like “Strawberry Woman” makes one contemplate how time passes and songs, much like relationships, evolve and change.

In no time, Isbell would be back with his electrified guitar, bringing a high-powered rendition of “Super 8,” another cherished tune boasting an exhilarating second guitar solo. Following this, he played several more self-composed solos, such as the enchanting “Live Oak,” where he initially performed alone and was later accompanied by his band, and the intense “Overseas,” which was enhanced by a lighting display that illuminated the stage in vivid red hues.

But he wasn’t done with Weathervanes by a long shot. When it returned, it was with a titanic version of “Miles,” featuring multiple false endings, extended codas, and sensational guitar work from both Isbell and his longtime bandmate Sadler Vaden.

Afterwards, he wrapped up his primary performance with a sequence of four timeless hits – his most famous tune “If We Were Vampires,” my personal preference “24 Frames,” the Stones-esque “This Ain’t It” from Weathervanes, and the introspective “Cover Me Up.” The latter drew the loudest cheer of the evening when Isbell sang, “I sobered up and vowed to quit that substance, forever this time.

To wrap up their performance, the band chose to play a cover they had only done that evening – “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure. This unexpected choice brought joy to a fan nearby who exclaimed, “That’s one of my favorite songs, and I never imagined Jason Isbell would perform it.” As the night wore on, they ended with a powerful duo from Weathervanes. The poignant melancholy of “Cast Iron Skillet” and the furious rage of “King of Oklahoma,” which allowed Isbell, Vaden, and the entire 400 Unit to unleash their energy well into the night.

Isbell, known for his outspoken political views during performances – including a recent gig at the Democratic National Convention – focused solely on expressing gratitude to the audience and complimenting his bandmates during this event. Derry deBorja’s accordion infused several songs with a distinct Americana feel when he wasn’t playing keyboards, while Chad Gamble’s drums provided an energetic rhythm in “The Life You Chose” and exhibited a raw, primordial beat in “Cover Me Up.” Meanwhile, Will Johnson primarily remained inconspicuous at the back, adapting to the needs of each song by playing various instruments.

Isbell highly commended Alejandro Escovedo as well, who is the renowned Austin rocker known for his blend of grunge, punk, and blues music, celebrating a half-century in the industry. Escovedo led a three-member group performing tracks from his latest album, “Echo Dancing,” released in 2024, that creatively reimagines older tunes into fresh, unique experiences.

From an eerie apocalyptic version of “Sacramento & Polk,” complete with severely distorted vocals, to the heavy jangle of “Break This Time,” Escoveda made old songs seem amazingly fresh. He only broke from the music to address the crowd once, to quote Pete Seeger‘s line about how “music is going to save our planet” before recognizing the victims of 9/11 (the show was on 9/11) with the big piano ballad “Sensitive Boys.”

Altogether, it was an extraordinary evening that offered a blend of looking back and moving forward. With artists as talented as Isbell and Escoveda, there’s a rich archive of classic tunes to choose from, combined with a constant desire to tackle fresh endeavors. This unique mix resulted in a captivating musical experience.

The tour proceeds northward into Canada, then turns south again just in time for Isbell to spend eight days at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium in October. These performances will lead to his upcoming album – Live From the Ryman, Vol 2, which is scheduled for release by the end of this year.

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2024-09-12 17:00