**Official Drive-By Truckers Thread**

[AlexK79]

Originally Posted by recentlyJTR41

Thanks for the replies. Just was curious what everyone thought. I was listening to The Big To-Do and wasn't blown away and was wondering what everyone else thought.

Maybe I'm just so in love with SRO, Decoration Day, and The Dirty South that I don't judge the other ones as fairly Pizza Deliverance is on my top 5 with those as well.

Decoration Day might be the most beautiful album they've produced but SRO might be my favorite because the concept. Raw, but polished. Extremely honest and it's relatable. Most of DBT is relatable being from the South but that's a whole other discussion.

I mean, those are basically everyone's top 3 in some order for a reason! They're literally perfect records and, IMO, the single best 3-album run by any band during this century.

[recentlyJTR41]

Originally Posted by AlexK79

I mean, those are basically everyone's top 3 in some order for a reason! They're literally perfect records and, IMO, the single best 3-album run by any band during this century.

I knew I wasn't alone!

[jayman414]

I almost put The Fine Print in my top five. I absolutely love that album. I think The Great Car Dealers War is one of Patterson's best written songs. I'd pay to see a movie based off that song.

[recentlyJTR41]

You know when you hear a song and you know it's great but it doesn't 100% process in your brain and finally realize how genius and beautiful it actually is? Well that just happened to me with Cover Me Up. Christ, Isbell is a rare talent. Right there with Cooley and Hood but different.

[justinandimcool]

Ha, that's actually one of the Isbell songs I actually liked right away. I've probably watched 50 different vids of it on youtube. One of those career defining songs

[justinandimcool]

DBT songs I didn't realize I liked until the past year:

Sandwiches for the Road
Goode's Field Road
Opening Act (top 10 played on Spotify in 2017 and is definitely in my Hood top 10 all time, always used to skip it)


That's the thing about Hood, his songs don't always hit you in the face right away, but maybe in a few years it will

[AlexK79]

Totally agree on Cover Me Up. First listen of Southeastern right away I was like 'Damn, Jason went to another level here.'

Goode's Field Road was another one that took awhile to dig in for me too, but when it clicked it became a favorite. I love the live version on 'It's Great To Be Alive' with Patterson's rap in the middle.

Fine Print totally has some gems. The version of Uncle Frank on there is IMO the better version and one of my favorite DBT songs ever.

They just announced that Jason is doing two small solo acoustic shows at a little theater literally 10 mins from my house on Feb 27-28, really hoping I can score tix.

[recentlyJTR41]

Originally Posted by justinandimcool

Ha, that's actually one of the Isbell songs I actually liked right away. I've probably watched 50 different vids of it on youtube. One of those career defining songs

I iked it before it just didn't click until recently. Listened to it about 5 times last night. The Zac Brown version on Spotify is pretty good too

[AlexK79]

Just snagged tickets for Isbell solo acoustic on Feb 28th. Can't wait.

[AlexK79]

BTW if anyone in the Chicago area wanted to hit either of those solo acoustic shows, looks like as of this moment there are still tix left in the presale. Code is WXRT. VIP sold out but GA remain. (I think the entire place is seated, just first come, first served.)

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/93xrt-s...ts-42284466979
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/93xrt-s...ts-42296569177

[mja271]

The DBT beer I was talking about drops tomorrow. Art by Wes Freed. I'm going to do my best to grab a four pack or two, can't make any promises since I have a hectic day scheduled. If I'm able to grab it I'll PM those who responded earlier about setting up a shipment.

https://twitter.com/HHillsBeer/statu...38514740948994

[AlexK79]

Originally Posted by mja271

The DBT beer I was talking about drops tomorrow. Art by Wes Freed. I'm going to do my best to grab a four pack or two, can't make any promises since I have a hectic day scheduled. If I'm able to grab it I'll PM those who responded earlier about setting up a shipment.

https://twitter.com/HHillsBeer/statu...38514740948994

I saw the artwork on FB the other day, super cool. Thanks so much for trying to grab those! If you're able I can pay you for one, or do a trade for something local from up here.

[AlexK79]

Setlist from Heathens Homecoming Night 1 at the 40 Watt, damn!

2/15/2018 Night 1

Guns of Umpqua (w/ "thoughts and prayers" intro)
Where the Devil Don't Stay
Sink Hole
A Ghost to Most
Tornadoes
Sounds Better in the Song
Heathens
Zip City
Dead Drunk & Naked
Guitar Man Upstairs
Ronnie and Neil
Surrender Under Protest
Lookout Mountain
Women Without Whiskey
Late for Church (w/ Adam Howell)
Wife Beater (w/ Adam Howell)
Filthy and Fried
Hanging On
Made Up English Oceans
Too Much Sex
Birthday Boy
The Perilous Night
Ramon Casiano
Puttin' People on the Moon
Shut Up and Get Yo Ass on the Plane
Grand Canyon

[mposey34]

just came here to post that they broke out Late For Church with Adam

may end up having to buy this show if they make it next year's DVD

[justinandimcool]

Late for Church are u fuckin kidding I would've fainted

Also plus 30 points for Too Much Sex

[SpartanPhish87]

I was at Isbell's Ithaca show and finally caught my first Elephant. I have to say there's a huge difference in the potency of that song when it's just Jason and Derry vs. when it's Jason, Derry and Amanda. That was fucking powerful. So glad Amanda could be there for that show. She's a critical part of that band IMO. Great show.

[SpartanPhish87]

Originally Posted by recentlyJTR41

You know when you hear a song and you know it's great but it doesn't 100% process in your brain and finally realize how genius and beautiful it actually is? Well that just happened to me with Cover Me Up. Christ, Isbell is a rare talent. Right there with Cooley and Hood but different.

He has a lot of songs like that.

If We Were Vampires blew me away on first listen, but it somehow grows even better with each listen.

Danko/Manuel is another one like that for me.

[recentlyJTR41]

Originally Posted by AlexK79

Setlist from Heathens Homecoming Night 1 at the 40 Watt, damn!

2/15/2018 Night 1

Guns of Umpqua (w/ "thoughts and prayers" intro)
Where the Devil Don't Stay
Sink Hole
A Ghost to Most
Tornadoes
Sounds Better in the Song
Heathens
Zip City
Dead Drunk & Naked
Guitar Man Upstairs
Ronnie and Neil
Surrender Under Protest
Lookout Mountain
Women Without Whiskey
Late for Church (w/ Adam Howell)
Wife Beater (w/ Adam Howell)
Filthy and Fried
Hanging On
Made Up English Oceans
Too Much Sex
Birthday Boy
The Perilous Night
Ramon Casiano
Puttin' People on the Moon
Shut Up and Get Yo Ass on the Plane
Grand Canyon

I'm such an idiot for not trying to make these shows. That is a killer fucking set.

Originally Posted by SpartanPhish87

He has a lot of songs like that.

If We Were Vampires blew me away on first listen, but it somehow grows even better with each listen.

Danko/Manuel is another one like that for me.

Dank/Manuel was an awesome first listen because I'm a big The Band fan and I'm obsessed with Rick Danko.

[recentlyJTR41]

Here's 2/15/18: http://relisten.net/drive-by-truckers/2018/2/15

[Cobo]

All three shows are up on relisten.net and archive.org, go and get 'em!

Night one is my favorite set of the three but there are strong song selections throughout the weekend. Can't wait until the Chicago rock shows!

[AlexK79]

Saw Isbell's solo acoustic show on Wednesday night at the Tivoli Theater and man he was just incredible. Great venue, great sound, and they asked everyone to keep their cell phones away during the entire show (and surprisingly everyone complied!) so it was a great atmosphere. Really loved seeing him this way. I'll probably catch hell for saying this but, I was worried his wife would be with him and was glad she wasn't. She's really talented, don't get me wrong, but I'm not a fan of how she's basically part of every single thing he does musically now. It was nice that it was just him and a guitar.

He was really funny and told some great stories, including several things from his DBT days. He told a great one about how Decoration Day was pretty much the first song he wrote while he was in the band while they were on tour supporting SRO. He said he hadn't yet adjusted to "sleeping on floors" so tended to be the first guy awake, and one morning he wrote the song. The next guy to wake up was the bass player at the time (Earl Hicks) who was not a morning person and super grumpy. Jason was super excited to play the song for him and he said "I don't like it. I don't think it really fits for our band," and went back to sleep. The next guy to wake was Patterson Hood, who told Jason he loved the song and then he knew he was on to something.

As with most quiet shows of this nature, there were of course a small handful of dipshits in the crowd who couldn't resist trying to make the show all about themselves by yelling out stupid shit while he was talking or playing. He had a hilarious exchange with one couple near the front. When he played 'Last of My Kind' they attempted (horribly) to clap along when he got to the line 'Everybody clapping on the 1 and the 3.' When the song was over, he joked that he knew when he wrote that song that every time he played it that some guy would start clapping. The lady screamed out "AND A WOMAN!!" Jason goes "Ohh, sorry. I figured it'd must have been a guy to do something that obnoxious."

Setlist:

Something More Than Free
Anxiety
Decoration Day
If We Were Vampires
Last of My Kind
Different Days
Something To Love
Alabama Pines
Elephant
Please Be With Me (Scott Boyer cover)
White Man's World
24 Frames
Dress Blues
If It Takes A Lifetime
Speed Trap Town

Encore:
Cover Me Up
Outfit

I know our Jason (jayman414) was at both nights of the shows - sets were definitely different each night although there were several songs repeated. Guess he closed the main set on Tuesday night with a cover of Patterson's 'The Assassin' which I bet was really cool.

[mposey34]

Originally Posted by AlexK79

Setlist:

Something More Than Free
Anxiety
Decoration Day
If We Were Vampires
Last of My Kind
Different Days
Something To Love
Alabama Pines
Elephant
Please Be With Me (Scott Boyer cover)
White Man's World
24 Frames
Dress Blues
If It Takes A Lifetime
Speed Trap Town

Encore:
Cover Me Up
Outfit

I know our Jason (jayman414) was at both nights of the shows - sets were definitely different each night although there were several songs repeated. Guess he closed the main set on Tuesday night with a cover of Patterson's 'The Assassin' which I bet was really cool.

that's a fantastic set, and I'd do some really stupid shit to hear him play Assassin again. I don't think I have a good recording of that one.

[AlexK79]

Originally Posted by mposey34

that's a fantastic set, and I'd do some really stupid shit to hear him play Assassin again. I don't think I have a good recording of that one.

I wasn't even aware that he's played that before - I only know the version on Patterson's 'Killers and Stars' record.

[mposey34]

Originally Posted by AlexK79

I wasn't even aware that he's played that before - I only know the version on Patterson's 'Killers and Stars' record.

There are several videos on youtube. I prefer his version much more than Patterson's.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuTpukTTGDU

[AlexK79]

Originally Posted by mposey34

There are several videos on youtube. I prefer his version much more than Patterson's.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuTpukTTGDU

This is an absolutely killer video! I'm glad Jason is sober and doing so well now, but I do kinda miss when the performances were this raw and ragged.

[justinandimcool]

Man I would pay an obscene amount of money for a Jason solo show

Controversial side note, been watching a lot of the unit clips on YouTube and it's really striking how much I dislike Amanda on there, the one unit show I saw last year was without Amanda and it was absolutely glorious

[SpartanPhish87]

Originally Posted by justinandimcool

Man I would pay an obscene amount of money for a Jason solo show

Controversial side note, been watching a lot of the unit clips on YouTube and it's really striking how much I dislike Amanda on there, the one unit show I saw last year was without Amanda and it was absolutely glorious

Man, I have got to disagree strongly with this take. Amanda adds a lot. The harmonies are instantly better, with due respect to Jimbo and Sadler who hold it down pretty well. I love her contributions to tunes like Something More Than Free, White Man's World, and Elephant. Elephant is just a different animal with her, Jason and Derry than it is with Jason and Derry.

[AlexK79]

Originally Posted by justinandimcool

Man I would pay an obscene amount of money for a Jason solo show

Controversial side note, been watching a lot of the unit clips on YouTube and it's really striking how much I dislike Amanda on there, the one unit show I saw last year was without Amanda and it was absolutely glorious

I'm kinda glad I'm not the only one that thinks this. Like I mentioned, I was worried that the solo show last week would actually end up being him and Amanda together and was relieved that it wasn't.

It's not that she isn't supremely talented, but it's getting to the point now where he's shoe-horning her into everything he does. Hey, how about Amanda to replace Boyd in DMB?!

[mja271]

I love what she does on some songs, but live really only need her on the songs she has a big impact on. Saw 2 shows without her and overall they were better than the show I saw with her. Just felt like more of a rock show with the 400 Unit alone up there. I never really missed her during those shows, and when she was there I thought she stood out negatively in a few moments. She definitely shines on a lot of the slower ballads though and adds some nice harmonies.

[jayman414]

Like Alex mentioned, I was at the Tuesday night solo show at the Tivoli and Jason was great that night as well. The highlight for me was easily hearing Jason play Assassin again. I first saw Jason back when I was in college and he was still playing Assassin somewhat regularly and I was hoping he would bust it out for this show. He was pretty funny with his stories in between songs. After he playing White Man's World he commented how it doesn't get a big applause in every show due to location. When he sees a lot of people use that song as a bathroom break, he almost always goes into Outfit afterwards, because the same people screaming for Outfit are the ones who don't get White Man's World and leave during the song.

Here is the set from the 2.27.18 show:

Last of My Kind
Traveling Alone
24 Frames (crowd went wild for this)
Different Days
Tour of Duty
Hope the High Road
White Man's World
Alabama Pines
Elephant
Chaos and Clothes
Children of Children
Speed Trap Town
Tupelo
Cover Me Up
Goddamn Lonely Love
The Assassin

Encore
Relatively Easy
If We Were Vampires

I was really hoping a song like Streetlights would come out for this show or maybe even In a Razor Town, but he is still sticking with his more recent work--all of which is great--but I do miss that old tunes sometimes. I could hear Cover Me Up and If We Were Vampires at every show and be happy, those two songs are incredibly powerful and even on his own, they deliver. Jason continues to be one of the best songwriters out there today and I am shocked more people still have not heard of him. After Southeastern, I wasn't sure he could tap into that level of greatness so quickly and I couldn't have been more wrong. These last two have superb. Southeastern and Nashville Sound are 1 and 1A for me in his collection.

I'll add to the Amanda conversation really quick. I personally think she adds far more than she takes away. After seeing the band enough times with and without her, I don't think they are truly that much more rocking when she isn't there. The video of them performing Whipping Post last year at Summerfest is about as rocking as they will get and she was there. I also have a sweet spot for their relationship and think they are adorable together, which probably factors into my thoughts on her presence at shows.