Jason Isbell: Classic Or Dud?

I dug the Georgia Bluecovers album.

xpost i like the song just fine, but it doesn't fit on the album. totally messes with the flow/vibe.

pretty wide discrepancies even within such a fairly uniform catalogue. i'd say:

Southeastern B+
More Than Free A-
Nashville Sound C+
Reunions B
Weathervanes A-

Hate giving SCM air (and the guy's editorializing in this piece is fucking awful), but there's something interesting in here about Justin Townes Earle's widow and daughter's objections to "When We Were Close".

https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/jason-isbell-criticized-by-justin-townes-earles-widow-for-song/

Here's Jenn Marie Earle's statement, if you don't want to give SCM or Insta clicks:

He could have chosen any other song.

Also, on top of this, he is profiting off of it which I don’t think I need to go into why I have such strong negative feelings about that.

Since that time, I, as well as others have reached out to him personally, in an emotional plea to try to make him understand the trauma it has forced on our daughter (she has asked to hear it and it has lead to moments that I can’t bear to share), something she will deal with for the rest of her life. He has not responded, and then made the aforementioned statement, making it clear that he understands there are living, breathing victims. One of which is our innocent daughter.

Also, I want to take this opportunity to thank the many people all around the world that have shared their tribute songs to Justin with us. There have been such beautiful, heart-felt songs created in his honor, so we know the difference between what Jason wrote and what a real tribute looks like, because none of the others have kept us up at night or sent our daughter into tears. He did not have to write this song, it did not have to exist, but if he really felt that it was necessary, a heads up beforehand would have been greatly appreciated. Also, even though he has finally acknowledged that there are “victims,” he has still not so much as texted me an apology and I just can’t wrap my head around why someone wouldn’t extend that simple and small act of kindness. We deserve that at the very least. We’ve been through the unimaginable and certainly didn’t need this on top of it, but an apology would have been some sort of consolation at least.

– Jenn Marie Earle

Wait, bad c'np. Here's the whole thing:

Thoughts on a “tribute song” and suggestions as to what should be considered.

We understand that Jason Isbell’s song “When We Were Close” may have not been intended to be a tribute song, per se, but I (Jenn Marie Earle, Justin’s widow) want to offer my thoughts on what I feel, personally – since both myself, and mine and Justin’s daughter, Etta, were both mentioned/referenced in the song – it is our right to share our insight and feelings about it. I also feel that, as the keeper and protector of Justin’s legacy, that it is my responsibility.

During an interview this week, Jason shared why he wrote the song (this is, to our knowledge the first time he has addressed it publicly). Here is what he said: “When We Were Close, that song was one of those where I had to say, how many victims [will there be] if I tell the truth, how many victims if I don’t. And then you make that choice. You know, because the song has to exist, you know I don’t know why but I decided on that a long time ago because that’s what I do, that’s who I am. So you know, usually if you tell the truth, you make less victims than if you don’t.”

Being the said “victims” he is speaking of, I felt that in response, it is time to share my feelings on this song, the impact it has had on us, and why we had such a strong, visceral, and extremely painful reaction to it that has continued now, almost a year later since it’s release last June.

If you are not familiar, here are the specific lyrics to the song that were the most painful (for obvious reasons):

“I saw a picture of you laughing with your child, and I hope she will remember how you smiled. But she probably wasn’t old enough, the night somebody sold you stuff that left you on the bathroom tiles. Got a picture of you dying in my mind with some ghosts you couldn’t bear to leave behind…It’s not up to me to forgive you for the nights that your love had to live through, now you’ll never need to look me in the eye.”

It is important to me for everyone to understand, that Justin and Jason were estranged (after a difficult falling out) for years before he died. Jason stating that the song “had to exist” seems very inappropriate and hard to comprehend from my viewpoint when you take that into account. Especially mentioning our daughter (a complete gut punch, something Justin would have no doubt been extremely upset about)…and then immediately following Etta’s mention with grotesque graphic details of his death that 1. were absolutely unnecessary 2. were not released to the public (and the details were incorrect) 3. that it is not “his truth” to share, being completely removed from the situation for years up to Justin’s death. It was really no one’s right except for mine, which I did share immediately following the dreadful news, at a time when I could barely think, much less handle the public, but I knew it had to be done. For his fans, and as a warning to others so that he did not pass in vain.

I did not receive a compassionate warning ahead of the song’s release (we found out about the song, when this page was tagged in posts about it the day it came out). While it’s not mandatory that he give me a heads up, considering it’s about my husband and mentions myself, and especially my daughter, it would have been a respectful thing to do, so that we weren’t completely blown apart when we heard it as it was celebrated as a new release.

Soon after, he was made aware that the song was extremely painful (an absolute trauma trigger) and we hoped the message was taken to heart (although he did not acknowledge it) and we hoped to move on and try to forget about it. However, we learned (due to being tagged in posts, etc) that he was opening most shows with it, and then to our complete shock he chose it as the song to play on Jimmy Kimmel on the first show back after the writer’s strike, undoubtedly to a massive audience – putting the song front and center. ‹That was one of the most painful moments following, because it was clear then that he did not care that this song was traumatizing to Justin’s loved ones and was actually pushing the song above all of the others on the album. He could have chosen any other song.

Also, on top of this, he is profiting off of it which I don’t think I need to go into why I have such strong negative feelings about that.

Since that time, I, as well as others have reached out to him personally, in an emotional plea to try to make him understand the trauma it has forced on our daughter (she has asked to hear it and it has lead to moments that I can’t bear to share), something she will deal with for the rest of her life. He has not responded, and then made the aforementioned statement, making it clear that he understands there are living, breathing victims. One of which is our innocent daughter.

Also, I want to take this opportunity to thank the many people all around the world that have shared their tribute songs to Justin with us. There have been such beautiful, heart-felt songs created in his honor, so we know the difference between what Jason wrote and what a real tribute looks like, because none of the others have kept us up at night or sent our daughter into tears. He did not have to write this song, it did not have to exist, but if he really felt that it was necessary, a heads up beforehand would have been greatly appreciated. Also, even though he has finally acknowledged that there are “victims,” he has still not so much as texted me an apology and I just can’t wrap my head around why someone wouldn’t extend that simple and small act of kindness. We deserve that at the very least. We’ve been through the unimaginable and certainly didn’t need this on top of it, but an apology would have been some sort of consolation at least.

– Jenn Marie Earle

Saw that. The Saving Country guy is constantly ripping on Isbell, especially for his politics, so I don't trust his motives. But if you look at the comments, the father of Earle's widow keeps chiming in like a right wing crank, too. It's weird, the song isn't that objectionable, imo, and she only seems to have a problem with ... him not giving her a head's up? Which is weird if true; he reportedly contacted the subject of "White Beretta" to make sure it was OK. I wonder why? For all we know there's a reason Isbell didn't run it by her, and I don't necessarily trust her motives, either. At the least it's pretty manipulative to bring up her daughter's feelings, since reading through that her daughter is *six*. There's no way that kid would have heard this song, or even known it existed, had mom not played it (and/or played it up) for her.

At the least it's pretty manipulative to bring up her daughter's feelings, since reading through that her daughter is *six*.

More manipulative than Isbell mentioning the daughter in the song?

Well, it's a song, and most songs are in a sense manipulative. But it doesn't mention anyone by name, and it's not mean or unsympathetic, imo. Setting aside the Streisand Effect of her statement, I'm a little unclear what her problem is. That the song was written at all? That he performs the song? That she wasn't warned that the song was coming? That he is "profiting" off of it? That it makes her daughter upset? That he hasn't apologized to her? (For what?) All of the above? Her story is heartbreaking, but I don't think the subject is at all off limits or in poor taste.

ok

I saw a picture of you laughing with your child
And I hope she will remember how you smiled
But she probably wasn't old enough, the night somebody sold your stuff
That left you on the bathroom tiles

idk seems a little tone-deaf, and presumptive of a kid's thoughts and memories. probably should have just written about the man himself and left the daughter out of it. her motives seem strictly parental.

Before I read many other people's take on this - which have largely aligned with Josh's - my gut reaction was that this was shittily handled by Jason. Yes, he is entitled to his own grief and processing, but I guess I feel like he comes after JTE's wife and daughter on the priority list (which I admit is not a fair way of looking at it). At the very least, he should've reached out to her and let her know about the song.

His quote "the song has to exist" doesn't sit well with me. Maybe it has to exist, but it doesn't necessarily have to exist on a Jason Isbell album.

But I see the other sides of this, too.

Def don't see it as manipulative of the widow to bring up her kid's feelings, though, no matter the kid's age.

i try to imagine if i was in her position, him writing about how she probably won't remember her dad's smile...i mean, that would certainly hurt and not in the "what a moving song" way.

I absolutely understand where she is coming from, both as a person and as a parent. I can only imagine the pain they have gone and will continue to go through. But I'm not sure anyone should be in a position to tell anyone else what or who they can or can't write about, and none of it can change the tragic end of JTE's life.

All true!

I don't think the widow said that Isbell was not allowed to write about JTE. But keep having arguments with straw people.

I'm not arguing with anyone. It's a hard song to listen to, but I'm not sure it's worse than, say, the Drive-By Truckers song about the same subject. I guess their song doesn't mention his kid, which is for sure pretty low hanging fruit, as far a songwriting goes. It sounds like she wanted or wants him to reach out, I don't know why he didn't (assuming he didn't).

That's the tough part of this for me. The fact that he didn't reach out - perhaps because of his falling out with her husband? - doesn't square with a lot of the things he says publicly that sound really good.

Like, I read somewhere that he ran it by Steve Earle. If he ran it by Steve Earle, then *not* running it by the widow feels like a purposeful slight, doesn't it?

Purposeful slight is a bad choice of words. Could be "feels egregious" ... idk, I just don't know why you run it by the dad and not the widow, who is mentioned (along with her child) in the lyrics.

That's one of the more restrained posts I've read at SCM.

It may very well have been a purposeful slight. I don't think any of us know the nature of their relationship, Jason and Jenn, but there is definitely a lot of bad blood and dirty laundry out there. The alleged impetus for the dissolution of Jason and Justin's friendship for sure was pretty weird.

“the trauma it has forced on our daughter” seems like a questionably heavy onus to put on the song and Isbell.

"the song has to exist"

jesus christ what an insufferable blowhard this guy is

All the twitter comments on this are basically:

a) It's a good song. Why she mad?
b) She must be a shitty mom if she lets her kid know about this song
c) You can't tell an artist what they can or can't write about

Justin and Jason were estranged (after a difficult falling out) for years before he died.

Does anyone know anything about this? I didn't know they had a falling out and was sorry to see that.

But if you look at the comments, the father of Earle's widow keeps chiming in like a right wing crank, too.

― Josh in Chicago, Monday, April 15, 2024 11:00 AM (two hours ago) bookmarkflaglink

That comment about how Jason "rode Justin's coat tails" was awfully weird and...wrong. I saw them play together in ~2010 and JT opened for JI and the 400 Unit. They seemed like buds back then, which again, disappointing to hear it's come to this.

According to Isbell they fell out after JTE broke up with a girlfriend, who was working as part of Isbell's road crew. JTE asked Isbell to fire her and he refused.

BTW, noticed that Amanda is playing a few shows with Jason in a couple of weeks. That seems amicable, unless they start kicking each other like Richard and Linda.

All the twitter comments on this are basically:

a) It's a good song. Why she mad?
b) She must be a shitty mom if she lets her kid know about this song
c) You can't tell an artist what they can or can't write about

Jason's fans are largely 35 to 65-year-old white dudes (and definitely some women) who (a) are 100% convinced they finally discovered someone who is making "real" music when they discovered him (or Sturgill, depending on who their portal was), (b) have zero problem talking down to anyone who disagrees with them and (c) will defend him to the death, regardless of what he's doing or saying.

This whole genre has injected a dose of music snobbery into an entire generation of people who would otherwise be listening to, idk, bro country or OneRepublic.

I get why Isbell might rub some people the wrong way, but the people I see get most mad at him are the "shut up and sing" types that bristle at his politics online (which incudes the Saving Country dude). I'm honestly not sure he's done much in the past several years that's otherwise warranted defending.

damn it is HELLA insensitive of him to bring the kid into this and to do so in a song he has centered commercially? I find it absolutely criticism-worthy but not censorship-worthy. Makes me super sad for the kid :( Like things aren't hard enough for her.

She will be dealing with people projecting things on her and talking about her dad for the rest of her life as it is, even without a song.

The kid is six, there is no way she was asking to hear the new Jason Isbell album cut about her dad, one of several (including that one from the Truckers). Her mom, for some reason, played it for her, and I guess likely explained it to her as well. Like you said, she will be dealing with a lot of things for the rest of her life, and this song may be one of them, but the reason she is dealing with it *now* is apparently because it was brought to her attention by her mom.

I'm sorry, but have you ever tried keeping a six year old from knowing about something that your entire family is talking about? It's impossible unless you are the only person they're in contact with. Stop shaming this mother. Jesus.

I don't think it's so far-fetched that a child from a musical family could be aware that there's a song about her (departed) father, and she would want to her it. Yes, her mother could have simply said "No, not now, maybe when you're older..." but at the same time it's harder to avoid exposure to something like that, particularly since Isbell and his people are spotlighting the track, it's getting airplay (on SiriusXM anyway), he's playing it on TV etc. so maybe she thought she had to get it over with.

why would you shield your child from this, it just makes it more enticing. Whether or not the child asked about it, the child will know about it eventually. may as well be hearing it from the mom directly

As a parent myself, I feel like you just don't bring someone else's kid into something (i.e., mention them in a song in a context like that). Just feels like common sense to me – it's not your place. I see Isbell has a daughter himself, so I guess his instincts are different... it surprises me though.

As a parent myself, there are plenty of things I did not share with my kids when they were young. Conversations, decisions, conflicts, opinions. We all make these choices. There is often no right or wrong choice. This song, other songs, many of them will be hard for his daughter to hear, and none of them will likely be as hard as losing her dad. I can't even imagine, so you're right, I shouldn't say anything about the mom's choices.

morrisp otm
I still think objecting to him writing about someone else's six year old (especially in a song about her father's untimely death) is a valid criticism -- whether her mom handled it poorly is another issue. (She did, but that is not my objection)

And listen, you know that if there is an issue with someone's daughter being exploited, I will suddenly appear and start objecting. That's my DNA for better or worse.

Curious, the song/album has been out for almost a year, did any reviews suggest that song was problematic? I'd not thought about it until this week, had any of you?

Lol tbh I don't listen to Jason Isbell, so no.
If I had known the song existed, I would say the same thing I said.

I clicked on this thread initially because of his teeth and stayed bc ?? My friend is really into him and I wanted to know more? IDK

xp Same here…

So ... yeah, Streisand effect!

what is your point?

No point, just observing that afaict no one was criticizing this song, afaict, until that Saving Country article blew up a year after it came out. Not saying the song is above criticism! The criticism is *totally* valid, which is why I'm surprised to only see this much discussion now.

Better late than never. Your posts felt dismissive and I appreciate you agreeing the criticism is valid.

Jenn Marie Earle didn't speak out until now because (as she pointed out in her initial statement) the song is having a moment now (opening his shows, airplay, high-profile TV appearance that garnered a lot of press) which she felt she needed to address.