Trying to categorize Jason Isbell's music will quickly feel like a fool's errand. Maybe that's why his new album, Something More Than Free, went to number one on three different charts: folk, country and rock.

Let's just make it easy and call him a storyteller, because he's a good one. Whether describing characters on the line between glory and tragedy, or delving into his own history of love, addiction and recovery, Isbell tells stories that make you think, and might make you cry.

Isbell and his wife Amanda Shires joined Shad for a performance and conversation, ahead of his Toronto show.

Left to right: Amanda Shires, Jason Isbell and Sadler Vaden perform in studio q. (Ashly July/CBC)

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