Poor old Richard Manuel. Not content with him being dead, songwriters keep rubbing it in by writing songs about how dead he is:
Richard Manuel is dead
Richard Manuel is dead
There are probably more, but you get the point. At least Elton John didn’t name a kid after him, so there’s that.
Danko/Manuel is obviously Isbell’s tribute to Richard Manuel and Rick Danko—the latter also dead—of The Band. Jason wrote this during his tenure as one of the three writer-vocalist-guitarists in the mighty Drive By Truckers. That band were, and remain, a Southern Rock behemoth, but I guess that along the way, Jason felt a need to spread his wings, personally and professionally.
Jason opted out of the rock n’ roll lifestyle…
I ain’t living like I should
A little rest might do me good
…instead finding love and happiness sharing a nice big house in Nashville with the magnificent Amanda Shires, a beautiful baby girl named Mercy, and one of the most expensive guitars on the planet. And honing his art to become arguably the very finest living songwriter. But I’m repeating myself.
You can’t begrudge a man his sobriety, success and happiness, not least when he’s evidently worked so damn hard for it. But I can’t help missing the angry, sweaty, bloated, loud Jason giving it blood sweat and tears, if not more bodily fluids, on some of the earlier stuff.
Can you hear that singing, sounds like gold?
Maybe I can hear poor Richard from the grave
Singin’ where to reap and when to sow
When you found another home you have to leave
I’ve opted for this version, from a super-rare EP recorded live at Twist & Shout Records in Denver back in 2007, as it seems to hit a sweet spot between those two eras.
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| Artist: | Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit |
|---|---|
| Album: | Live at Twist & Shout 11.16.07 |
| Writer: | Jason Isbell |
| Producer: | Ian Hlatky |
| Released: | 2008; New West Records |
Isbell was kicked out of DBT in 2007. He was a bad enough drunk that the other Truckers (no strangers to hard living on tours back then) felt compelled to send him on his way, knowing he was the band’s shiniest most gifted talent, both as a songwriter and guitar player.
Jason cleaned up his act about 4 years after his firing, with at least two solid solo records in the can. Then his career-altering, now classic “Southwestern” record happened. And the Grammys started coming. Amanda Shires, who married him during that time — they are divorced now — probably saved his life. Isbell has maintained his sobriety for nearly 15 years. And good or great songs continue to tumble out of him.