Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit at Ravinia: Finding new music a decade later…again

About five years ago, a friend called to see if I would like to attend a concert with him. When he told me it was Jason Isbell, I begged off by telling me I wasn’t much on country music. He laughed and shook his head.

“You don’t know much about him, do you?”

BUSTED!!

“I’m surprised because this guy is right up your musical alley. You love Americana music and especially big guitars. Go check him out and get back to me about the concert.”

I didn’t immediately go check him out. I also didn’t go to that concert. But, a few years later, I heard a few songs I liked. Next came a PBS Austin City Limits show that I loved. And then, last year he released “Weathervanes”, one of my favorite albums of 2023. With that, I’m all-in on this guy—seventeen years after he released his first solo album.

What else is new? This wouldn’t be the first time this has occurred. There’s Wilco, St. Vincent, Sleater-Kinney, She and Him and even Taylor Swift. Look, it’s hard to find new music. Real-life responsibilities get in the way. I may be late, but I get there—eventually.

So that brings us to Sunday night, in Highland Park.

What a brilliant show this dude and his talented band put on. It ranged from Alternative and Americana music to some intense guitar-centric songs with a bit of country mixed in—hey, what do you expect from someone with his roots in Alabama. The highlights of the night included “King of Oklahoma and “Strawberry Woman” at the beginning of his set and then closing strong with some dueling guitars that reminded you of Duane Allman and Dickey Betts in the early Allman Brothers days on “This Ain’t It.” By the way, all three songs come from his “Weathervane” album. If you haven’t heard it, check it out, I highly recommend it.

So, the five-year delay to see an Isbell concert was well worth the wait. And what did I learn—try to keep an open mind and occasionally listen to a friend. Maybe you’ll unexpectedly and surprisingly find something you’ll like—I did in Jason Isbell.