Last night, Drive-By Truckers reunited with one-time member Jason Isbell during their performance slot on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The televised staging found the band back together again in support of their pivotal 2003 album, The Definitive Decoration Day, which was recently remixed and remastered as an expanded box set collectible. During the appearance on Colbert, the group reprised their track, “Hell No, I Ain’t Happy.”

Notably, Isbells’ return made sense for the occasion, considering his own band history and debut status on The Definitive Decoration Day, the first Drive-By Truckers’ LP he contributed to, having previously joined the band on the road and in support of their third studio collection, 2001’s Southern Rock Opera. The guitarist would go on to help with ensuing albums, The Dirty South (2004) and A Blessing and a Curse (2006), before ending his tenure in 2007. 

The revised The Definitive Decoration Day collection includes a remix of the original 2003 set, remastered by sound engineer Greg Calbi, and featuring band standards “Sink Hole,” “Marry Me,” “My Sweet Annette,” in addition to Isbell’s first contributions to the band, “Outfit,” and “Decoration Day.” Also included is a bonus double live album, Heathens Live at Flicker Bar, Athens, GA – June 20, 2002. 

“​​Although we have always remained friends with Jason, and honestly he and I are closer now than ever, this is our first ‘announced’ appearance together in nearly 20 years. I consider Decoration Day to be our masterpiece, and he was such an integral part of that album that it’s wonderful that he’s able to join us in celebrating this release. Colbert has always been our favorite, so we are really psyched to be on his show again, with our previous appearance being the week of the election in 2016. This is a rare treat for us (and you),” Patterson Hood commented via press release ahead of last night’s appearances on Colbert. 

Watch the performance below.