Jason Isbell Is Heading Into the Studio in December
“We are going to the studio in December. We are going to make some new music.”
This is what Jason Isbell promised during the closing night of his seven night residency at the Ryman Auditorium on Saturday, October 26th. Now a tradition in Nashville, Isbell has taken the stage of the Country Music Mother Church for multiple nights over the last few years, solidifying his position as an independent artist and Americana star accepted within the highest echelons of Music City.
“I have written some new songs. None of them mention Chick-Fil-A, so that’s cool,” Isbell also said, making reference to one of the songs on Kanye West’s new Gospel-inspired record, Jesus Is King. Isbell did write a song called “Overseas” which he sang at the Ryman that night, and is the first taste of what he might have in store.
It’s been a slightly more elongated release cycle for Jason Isbell and his last record The Nashville Sound. Where he took about two years in between his last four records, The Nashville Sound was released now 2 1/2 years ago and counting. The record won two Grammy Awards, two Americana Music Association awards, was even nominated for the CMA’s Album of the Year, which is something Americana fans thought they’d never see. It also landed Isbell a residency at the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017. Debuting at #1 in country upon its release, the album definitely had a major impact, so it’s not surprising he decided to rest on his laurels a little bit before heading back into the studio.
Though there is yet to be any confirmation, don’t be surprised of Jason Isbell once again reunites with producer Dave Cobb (which he’s hinted he’ll do again in the past), and record it once again at Nashville’s RCA Studio ‘A.’ Also expect his backing band “The 400 Unit” to not be far behind. If it’s similar to the recording sessions of The Nashville Sound, Isbell might keep fans up-to-date about the progress of the record through social media, and we could expect a release sometime in early to mid 2020. With the amount of major releases from big names in country and Americana in 2019, a new record from Isbell might be one of the marquee releases in what could be a lighter year for highly-anticipated records.
Stay tuned.
Strait Country 81
November 8, 2019 @ 11:27 am
I can already see this site and posters declaring it the greatest album ever.
ManBearPig
November 8, 2019 @ 11:35 am
Because it will be.
Trigger
November 8, 2019 @ 11:53 am
Well, the last album review I did for him ended up with a negative grade, so I wouldn’t be too quick to declare that.
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/album-review-jason-isbells-live-from-the-ryman/
The Dot
November 8, 2019 @ 2:54 pm
Now that I’ve seen him and the 400 Unit live at the Ryman, I understand your review. It took me a while to realize the power of the Mother Church and why Cobb should back slowly away from the controls.
sbach66
November 8, 2019 @ 5:05 pm
Quit obscuring the issue with facts.
sbach66
November 8, 2019 @ 5:19 pm
On another note, Trig, I hope you had a chance to read the Tennessean interview with Zac Brown yesterday and that you’ll have a piece on it.
It’s truly amazing, some of the things he said.
Amazing.
Trigger
November 8, 2019 @ 5:55 pm
I saw that …
Che
November 9, 2019 @ 6:55 am
Am I the only one that hated the sound quality on the “Nashville Sound” album?
The mix was terrible and it took away from the eloquence and gems found lyrically within Jason’s songs.
IMO the “Something More Than Free” album might be Jason’s “peak”, he needs to get back to the place that allowed him to reach the depths that he was able to attain with that record… and the sound is what out the cherry on top of it
“Chic-fil-a”… what does that even mean, as a consumer of his music; I can’t figure that statement out
Cool Lester Smooth
November 11, 2019 @ 3:59 am
See…I found SMTF’s sound/production absurdly antiseptic, with only a couple exceptions, to the point where it actively affected my enjoyment of the songs.
Strait Country 81
November 9, 2019 @ 1:46 pm
Yeah whatever.
He’s one of the most overrated that gets covered on here Whitey Morgan,Jason Boland,Mike and The Moonpies,Aaron Watson, Hellhound Glory,Dale Watson I’d rather listen to all them anyday.
Lewis
November 12, 2019 @ 12:18 pm
I wonder what you think about immigrants
Conrad Fisher
November 8, 2019 @ 11:51 am
I love Jason if I stay off Twitter but he is one snarky son of a gun and I think that’s lame.
Can’t wait for this record. I loved the last one.
Zebb
November 8, 2019 @ 1:15 pm
Love the guy’s music and in interviews but his twitter act is lame – and it isn’t the politics.
Huge fan but the last two albums I could largely take or leave with the exception of a few songs on each.
HayesCarll2323
November 8, 2019 @ 12:11 pm
Awesome! John Moreland and Jason Isbell in the same year! Trigger, didn’t you say that Mike in the Moonpies has two albums on deck, with one of them being Cheap Silver and Solid Country Gold? Should we expect another this year?
Benjamin
November 8, 2019 @ 12:21 pm
I think the Nashville Sound was quite possibly the best record of the year when it came out. I listened to it constantly, and only ever skipped 1 track. Great album and can’t wait to see what he has in store next, but I think he peaked with “If We Were Vampires” that song is jaw-droppingly good
Cap'n
November 8, 2019 @ 2:26 pm
Great news – hopefully he focuses his talents on writing about real life (which he is arguably the best in the business at doing) and not the largely fictitious world of politics ( a realm songwriters are rarely able to write about with any real impact, at least relatively speaking). He truly is one of the best out there at the former.
JM
November 10, 2019 @ 9:04 pm
I agree. The first 3 songs on “The Nashville Sound” are some of his best (with Tupelo being my favorite), but then the album is spotty from there. I actually agree with some (not all) of his political sentiments, but writing songs about them is just not where his talent lies.
I do think he should change his band name to Jason Isbell and the 400 feral hogs…
Brian
November 11, 2019 @ 7:47 am
As a fan of his guitar heroics, I’m hoping his purchase of that ’58 Les Paul brings him back to guitar driven rocking songs and less acoustic songs about how much he loves his wife. She’s great, but I get it. Plug in and crank it up.
Hefitz
November 12, 2019 @ 10:36 am
Just saw Jason night before last at the Joe Walsh “VETSAID” concert. He did a 7 song set that was stellar. He was invited by Joe because of his guitar skills. And he did not disappoint. That boy can flat play guitar. He made a ton of fans out of a bunch of old 70s rock and roll fans.
The show line up:
Brad Paisley
Sheryl Crow
Jason Isbell
ZZ Top
Doobie Brothers
Joe Walsh