Ep 13. Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit / Amanda Shires
- January 13, 2018
In the 13th episode of the 43rd season of Austin City Limits, viewers are treated to an unforgettable performance by Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, along with special guest Amanda Shires. The show opens with Amanda Shires performing her song "Harmless" accompanied by her husband, Jason Isbell playing guitar. The song is a gentle lullaby that showcases Shires’ ethereal voice and Isbell’s prowess on the guitar.
Next up, the band launches into "Hope the High Road" off their 2017 album, The Nashville Sound. The song is an anthemic call-to-arms, with Isbell singing, "Last year was a son of a bitch for nearly everyone we know / But I ain't fighting with you down in a ditch, I'll meet you up here on the road." The crowd is immediately onboard with the message, clapping along in unison.
The band also performs "White Man's World," which became an anthem for many in the wake of the 2016 election. Isbell's lyrics about privilege, power, and oppression, sung from the perspective of a white man, hit home as he sings passionately. Shires accompanies the group on fiddle, adding an emotional depth to the song that is difficult to match.
As the set progresses, the band's chemistry and musicianship are on full display. Guitar solos from Isbell and slide guitar from Sadler Vaden add to the Southern rock vibe that permeates their sound. The percussion of Chad Gamble and bass of Jimbo Hart create a solid foundation for the rest of the band to build upon.
One of the standout moments of the episode is when Amanda Shires takes center stage to perform "The Problem," a song off her 2018 album, To the Sunset. Shires showcases her impressive vocal range, hopping between a delicate falsetto and an angsty growl. The song is backed by the band, who add a muscle and depth to the track that the album version doesn't quite capture.
Shires and Isbell's voices blend together seamlessly on the duet "If We Were Vampires." The song is a tender meditation on mortality and love, with Isbell singing, "It's knowing that this can't go on forever / Likely one of us will have to spend some days alone." The duo creates a stirring moment that is both romantic and somber.
The band concludes their set with "Something More Than Free," off Isbell's 2015 album of the same name. The song is one of Isbell's most beloved tracks, a celebration of the little moments that make life meaningful. Isbell sings, "I don't need much of nothin' / I just need a little bit of everything," a sentiment that perfectly captures the feeling of contentment that permeates the track.
Overall, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit and Amanda Shires put on an incredibly powerful and moving performance on Austin City Limits. Between Isbell's expert guitar playing and emotive lyrics, Shires' haunting vocals, and the band's impeccable musicianship, it's no wonder that this episode is considered one of the best of the season. Whether you're a die-hard fan of the band, or just discovering them for the first time, this episode is not to be missed.
