Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day!

I usually make a point to stay in on this holiday - to make a home-cooked meal and watch a movie and skip the crowded fine dining experience. This year is different - SB and I splurged a month or two ago and bought tickets to WITS, a live public radio show that features comedy and music acts in an improv environment. Tonight's show features a favorite comedian of ours - Marc Maron, and the musical performer is Jason Isbell, a country-americana artist (formerly of the Drive-By Truckers).

Marc Maron

I am excited about this show because it is such an interesting format. Comedians have their shtick, musicians their songs, but the improv format will be an opportunity to see these folks in a whole new way. We know Marc Maron as well as we know ourselves as a result of listening to his twice-weekly podcasts for years and seeing him live, his comedy specials, his TV show - so it'll be particularly fun to see him in this new context.

Jason Isbell is new to us - we've heard a bit about him and generally like him, though I wouldn't call him the lyricist of the century. That being said, some of his lyrics are pretty poetic and, in my opinion, country music as a genre has always conveyed more powerful emotions than insights. This seems like the case for Jason Isbell, too - he's got a lot of heart and a great voice. His wife will also be in the show tonight, as she is part of his band and will be accompanying him on violin.

Here's a little sample: