Skip to content
Sirens Of The Ditch, the 2007 solo debut from accomplished guitarist/songwriter Jason Isbell, formerly of Drive By Truckers, is reissued with 4 unreleased tracks from the original recording sessions and now clocks in at 15 songs. The album's mystical quality can be partially attributed to the FAME recording studio (Aretha Franklin, Duane Allman, Otis Redding) in Isbell's hometown of Muscle Shoals, AL where it was recorded. "A lot of old soul musicians came through here in the late '60s and '70s and helped define the Muscle Shoals sound," the lifelong Alabamian explains, "so that influence was always in my environment, but on this record I really tried to capture that."
Sirens Of The Ditch is a diverse collection that incorporates elements of rock, blues and soul music into a heartfelt mix of songs that favor piano and pedal steel over buzzing guitars – although, don't worry, there's a fair share of overdriven amps as well. Co-produced by Isbell and Patterson Hood (DBT), it features Isbell singing lead vocals and playing guitar throughout, joined by Shonna Tucker (formerly of DBT) on bass and Brad Morgan (DBT) on drums. Several musicians pop in for cameos as well including Spooner Oldham and David Hood (Patterson s father) on "Down In A Hole," John Neff (formerly of DBT) on "Dress Blues" and Patterson himself guests on "Shotgun Wedding."