Brandy Clark, Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell last week
Oct 20, 2015 13:02:14 GMT -5
cloggercass, laughingmooseinn, and 1 more like this
Post by mandojeff on Oct 20, 2015 13:02:14 GMT -5
Well, I attended this concert last Thurs at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheatre.
I saw Brandy Clark in 2013 as her song Stripes was just breaking. She did a great job last week with a 4 pc band backing her. The mix needed more clarity in the lyrics. All three of these artists are wordcrafters and lean on the lyric, so they really need attention on the sound mix, particularly in a larger venue. At any rate, her voice is solid and her lyrics excellent. I wish more of the crowd had been there on time because they really missed out on a quickly evolving artist.
Sturgill Simspon. I've enjoyed Sturgill's music since first hearing High Top Mountain a few years ago. I've enjoyed it even when I didn't necessarily understand it- whether due to the lyrics being unintelligible or because they were over my head. At any rate, despite a lot of guitar shredding, the band stayed largely in tune and the mix was decent, though more vocal would've helped. If you go see Sturgill, do yourself a favor and study his first two projects in advance of the show. Otherwise he learning curve might knock you out of enjoying his set fully. He called Jason Isbell out for a rendition of Amarillo Highway which was a wonderful surprise. Video of that has surfaced online if you want to check it out.
Jason Isbell was the one that the crowd came to see. Isbell has played Tuscaloosa many times over the years, but this was the first time in the 7500 seat outdoor venue. Safe to say that he, the band and the crowd all had a grand time. Great to see Amanda Shires back on the road with him six weeks after the birth of Mercy Rose. The mix was much better for his set. Lyrics were crisp, the volume was up, but not distorted and subtleties cut through in their proper places. His voice has gained strength and confidence over the last couple of years. His set was a mix of songs from his various solo projects as well as a Drive By Truckers song or two.
Indeed, if there was a downside to the concert at all it was not from the stage. There was an awful lot of distraction in the audience. Not unusual, but irritating all the same. That's a gripe for another time. I'll try to post setlists on my website soon.
All things considered, I'd go see any one of the three again- particularly depending on the setting.
I saw Brandy Clark in 2013 as her song Stripes was just breaking. She did a great job last week with a 4 pc band backing her. The mix needed more clarity in the lyrics. All three of these artists are wordcrafters and lean on the lyric, so they really need attention on the sound mix, particularly in a larger venue. At any rate, her voice is solid and her lyrics excellent. I wish more of the crowd had been there on time because they really missed out on a quickly evolving artist.
Sturgill Simspon. I've enjoyed Sturgill's music since first hearing High Top Mountain a few years ago. I've enjoyed it even when I didn't necessarily understand it- whether due to the lyrics being unintelligible or because they were over my head. At any rate, despite a lot of guitar shredding, the band stayed largely in tune and the mix was decent, though more vocal would've helped. If you go see Sturgill, do yourself a favor and study his first two projects in advance of the show. Otherwise he learning curve might knock you out of enjoying his set fully. He called Jason Isbell out for a rendition of Amarillo Highway which was a wonderful surprise. Video of that has surfaced online if you want to check it out.
Jason Isbell was the one that the crowd came to see. Isbell has played Tuscaloosa many times over the years, but this was the first time in the 7500 seat outdoor venue. Safe to say that he, the band and the crowd all had a grand time. Great to see Amanda Shires back on the road with him six weeks after the birth of Mercy Rose. The mix was much better for his set. Lyrics were crisp, the volume was up, but not distorted and subtleties cut through in their proper places. His voice has gained strength and confidence over the last couple of years. His set was a mix of songs from his various solo projects as well as a Drive By Truckers song or two.
Indeed, if there was a downside to the concert at all it was not from the stage. There was an awful lot of distraction in the audience. Not unusual, but irritating all the same. That's a gripe for another time. I'll try to post setlists on my website soon.
All things considered, I'd go see any one of the three again- particularly depending on the setting.
....here 'tis;
