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Home > Austin Music Source > Archives > 2009 > October > 30 > Entry
Live review: Drive-By Truckers at Stubb’s
OK, I’m passing through the final stage of grief and find myself at acceptance at Jason Isbell’s having left the Drive-By Truckers, what, 17 years ago?
Thursday night’s show at Stubb’s, from Mike Cooley’s “Gravity’s Gone” to the last moments of Lynyrd Skynyrd rave-up “Angels and Fuselage,” which finished the encore because absolutely nothing else could follow it, was as good a show as I’ve seen them do since their third guitarist-singer-songwriter went solo. The aught-nine version of the band is decidedly funkier — that Muscle Shoals influence is burbling to the surface more. And a new one that bassist Shonna Tucker sang (from a spring release to be called “The Big To-Do”) sounded positively Motown.
But at their core these guys are Southern-fried chroniclers of hard-luck characters — Uncle John, he ain’t been right since Vietnam — and cemetary groundskeepers pondering a leap into the abyss. Uplifting, no? Good thing they can seriously rock. Guitarist-singer-songwriter-loquacious talker Patterson Hood took a lot of leads last night and all three guitarists seemed hell-bent on making as much racket as possible, no matter whom else they were fighting for solo space. I never saw Lynyrd Skynrd but I sure saw Drive-By Truckers. And I will again. Like the man said: Let there be rock.
But next time, guys, please play “Carl Perkins’ Cadillac.” Don’t make me grovel; it demeans us both.
Comments
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By Jeff D
October 30, 2009 12:49 PM | Link to this
4th time I’ve seen these guys live, (2005 ACL, Dirt Underneath Tour at Antone’s, 2008 ACL pre-show at Emo’s), and they were scalding last night!!! The mix was a bit muddy towards the end, but that may have more to do with my spot, 5 feet back. John Neff is definitely stepping out from behind the pedal steel more, and what else can be said about Messrs. Hood and Cooley? I see Jason everytime he comes through town as well, and the way I look at it, having two great bands is better than one!
By TX
October 30, 2009 1:26 PM | Link to this
I feel you Patrick, but I think Isbell was married to the bass player and well…that is kinda hard to tour, record, promote with your ex.
Plus, I think is Isbell has a great thing going with the Muscle Shoals ‘The 400 Unit’. Just glad I got to see them all together in the past, I hope most of you did…