Singer, songwriter Isbell credits rehab for stronger, sharper work
When Jason Isbell walks on stage these days, fans are quite literally seeing a changed man.
In January 2012, Isbell went into rehab to kick an alcohol addiction that had been a regular part of his routine for years. He sees the results of that decision every night when he performs with his backing band, The 400 Unit.
Isbell will perform March 2 at the Benedum Center, Downtown.
“It's made a huge difference,” Isbell says of his sobriety. “First of all, I can hear myself. I know a lot of people don't realize this, but the first thing to go when you're drinking is your hearing.
“I feel like it's been really good for my voice. My voice is a lot stronger, a lot younger sounding than it was a few years ago. And I have little bit more stamina.”
Isbell's songwriting has hit new heights on the two albums he has made since rehab — 2013's “Southeastern” and “Something in July.
“Southeastern” was a watershed album for Isbell, who began his career in the Drive-By Truckers and wrote several standout songs (“Decoration Day,” “Never Gonna Change”) during his tenure in that band from 2001-07.
Isbell went solo with 2007's “Sirens of the Ditch.” He followed with “Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit” (2009) and “Here We Rest” (2011) — before “Southeastern” presented a different side to his music.
Instead of the hard-hitting, plugged-in, country-tinged rock of his first three albums, Isbell, for the most part, downshifted on “Southeastern” into more of a spare, often acoustic setting, with a collection of sharply drawn, often lovely songs.
Written in the aftermath of his decision to quit drinking — and as he was falling in love with his future wife, fellow musician Amanda Shires — the lyrics showed an unflinching honesty and provided a window into the damage his lifestyle had done and how he was finding life as a sober, recovering alcoholic.
“Southeastern” also cemented Isbell's reputation as one of music's most gifted songwriters, earning him three top awards last year from the Americana Music Association — artist, album and song of the year (“Cover Me Up”).
“Something More Than Free” sticks largely to the acoustic-leaning, laid-back sound of “Southeastern,” but lyrically, it suggests that Isbell, who had a baby girl with Shires in September, is in a decidedly better place than when he wrote his previous album.
“I just felt a lot more comfortable in my own skin,” Isbell says. “I think I'm finding these characters can be a little less desperate than they've been on records in the past.”
“Something More Than Free” has its share of songs that seem plenty personal, but more often, Isbell sounds like he's drawing from sources outside his life. But the finely detailed stories in songs like “Speed Trap Town” and the title track are full of emotions and lived-through truths that should resonate with most any listener.
Isbell and The 400 Unit will be playing about a half-dozen songs from “Something More Than Free,” several tunes from “Southeastern” and rounding out the set with songs from Isbell's previous works.
“I didn't know what to expect when we first started touring behind ‘Southeastern,' because you don't want to lull anybody to sleep or lose their attention,” he says. “But it's really been incredible how the crowds seem to be just as excited for the slow, sad songs as they are for the old rockers.”
Alan Sculley is a Tribune-Review contributing writer.
