It’s so personal, so intimate, that it’s almost awkward to see him lay himself so bare. But it’s so good. And honestly, I didn’t know a single song of his (excluding Drive-By Truckers stuff) which make this even more of an endorsement – I loved the new music (part of the doc is, essentially, a “making-of” shot in the studio as he records what will become the album, “Reunions.”
Director Sam Jones-must be unconditionally trusted, because Isbell reveals the not-so-great sides of himself and his process to the camera…with his wife sitting next to him for long stretches. She is also his bandmate and mother of their child, she’s the fiddle player Amanda Shires.
The doc is being sold as “In his own words,” and that’s mostly true, but there are irreplaceable contributions from Patterson Hood, Isbell takes fans on an unexpected journey through his musical evolution and creative process as he goes into the studio to record his album Reunions with the 400 Unit.
Most music nerds like me will watch just about any music doc, and this particular on and off series has batted a thousand so far. I’ll include some links from earlierirn the season. But don’t miss this one. I’m listening to the album now- I can’t stop.
Pemieres April 7th on HBO Max
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