Jason Isbell revisits “Cover Me Up”

Jason Isbell’s iconic ballad was released ten years ago on the album ” Southeast “.

Jason Isbell released his album Southeast in 2013. This year, he celebrated the album’s 10th anniversary by releasing a box set including demos, a live recording and the original album, all with new cover art depicting Isbell 10 years older.

During the broadcast Late Show With Stephen ColbertTuesday night, Isbell and The 400 Unit performed the centerpiece of Southeastthe moving ballad “ Cover Me Up », a story of sobriety, redemption and eternal love. As he has for the past decade, the Alabama songwriter began the song solo on acoustic guitar before guitarist Sadler Vaden chimed in with some gentle slide guitar on his Gibson SG. The rest of the band follows, with drummer Chad Gamble and new member Will Johnson.

Isbell, who plays a small role in the film Killers of the Flower Moon by Martin Scorsese, also performed “ King of Oklahoma » in Colbert’s show, extract from his album Weathervanes, nominated for a Grammy Award. Written while Isbell was filming with Scorsese in Oklahoma, the song has been hailed as one of the album’s best, along with ” Cast Iron Skillet », which appears on the list of the 100 best songs of 2023 established by WECB.

In addition to Johnson, Isbell’s band now includes bassist Anna Butterss in its lineup, following the departure of original 400 Unit member Jimbo Hart. Isbell and the 400 Unit have finished touring for this year, but will hit the road again in January, including a few shows with the Turnpike Troubadours. He will also play in stadiums in 2024, opening for Zach Bryan.