Sirens of the Ditch
Sirens of the Ditch was the first solo album released by singer-songwriter and former Drive-By Truckers lead guitarist, Jason Isbell. The album was released on July 10, 2007.
After leaving Drive-By Truckers amicably in 2007, Isbell released Sirens of the Ditch on New West Records. Sirens of the Ditch was recorded at FAME Studios, where among the musicians helping to record the album was Spooner Oldham, famous for his work with Aretha Franklin and Neil Young.[2] According to Washington Post writer Catherine Lewis, Sirens of the Ditch has "a more bluesy pop sound" than Isbell's work with Drive-By Truckers.[3] The first single from the album, "Brand New Kind of Actress," deals with the death of Lana Clarkson in Phil Spector's mansion.[4] Another single, "Dress Blues," concerns the death of Corporal Matthew Conley, a US Marine from Isbell's hometown who was killed in the Iraq War.[2] "Dress Blues" was also recorded by the Zac Brown Band, on their April 2015 release, Jekyll + Hyde.
Track listing
- "Brand New Kind of Actress" – 5:35
- "Down in a Hole" – 4:22
- "Try" – 4:52
- "Chicago Promenade" – 3:23
- "Dress Blues" – 4:11
- "Grown" – 3:46
- "Hurricanes and Hand Grenades" – 5:11
- "In a Razor Town" – 3:19
- "Shotgun Wedding" – 3:49
- "The Magician" – 4:20
- "The Devil Is My Running Mate" – 3:45
Personnel
- David Barbe- keyboards
- Mike Dillon- drums
- David Hood- bass guitar
- Patterson Hood- acoustic guitar, electric guitar
- Jason Isbell- banjo, bass guitar, dobro, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, Hammond organ, piano, lead vocals, background vocals, Wurlitzer
- Clay Leverett- background vocals
- Brad Morgan- drums
- John Neff- pedal steel guitar
- Sponner Oldham- Hammond organ
- Shonna Tucker- bass guitar, background vocals
References