Jason Isbell - Elephant

It is rare to find a perfect album with no weak tracks, but for me, one great example is 2013's  "Southeastern" by Jason Isbell. A collection of acutely observed songs, tackling big issues with empathy and pathos.

I had been barely aware of his previous group "Drive-by Truckers", but it took a rave review in Uncut magazine to alert me to the magnificence of his 4th solo studio album. Recorded at a  time of change,  as he had just come out rehab for alcohol issues, and would soon marry fellow musician / fiddler Amanda Shires. So he dispensed with most of his normal hard-rocking backing group 400 Unit, as he felt this song cycle  would be more acoustic and reflective.

The album don't shy away from difficult subjects with vignettes of sexual abuse ("Yvette"), addiction  ("Cover Me Up") or even a serial killer ("Live Oak"), mining his own experiences or writer's gift. It could be deeply depressing in other hands, but Isbell allows chinks of light with  love songs for Shires, and light arrangements, with guest spots for Shires' fiddle or Kim Richey's backing vocals.

Certainly the most moving moment  is "Elephant",  a heart-wrenching elegy for a long term friend dying from  with cancer. His role of Andy, has a checkered past, but steps up to help. Easing her through her terminal decline, sharing drinks, jokes, joints, and country songs. The unnamed friend was sassy, but is fading quickly ("She don't have the spirit for that now"), so they keep avoiding the elephant in the room.

Isbell doesn't waste a word, evoking distressing scenes, with an eye for detail, such as sweeping her hair from the floor.  It is a fictional story, but he stated it was based on an Alabama bar, where he noticed regulars would disappear.

 

He concludes with the sombre "No one dies with dignity", and there shouldn't be a dry eye left.  The contemplative feel is provided by sparse acoustic guitar and piano, with his cool baritone vocals.

I could have easily chosen any track from "Southeatern", but "Elephant" is the centrepiece, a moving and impressive depiction.

Hear Now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHJhyrrUTgc

Hear Next -  "Southeastern" is the best Jason Isbell album, but " Something More Than Free" isn't too far behind.

** The book of "Song from a Quarantine" is now available  on all Amazon sites in paperback and ebook formats.