Does anyone know where the Acoustic album was recorded? It does not say on my sleeve notes. Other countries may be different. It has me intrigued when he says, "Congratulations for being voted the best country ( or is it city ? ) in the world in which to live. I could hazard a guess but I would like to know for sure.

I saw Jackson for the first time last night ( Wed 22 March ) at Sheffield, UK & he was brilliant.

Thank you,

Best regards,

Sheffield City Hall 29th March 2006.

We made the trip to Sheffield over Snake Pass, a winding and steep road over the 'backbone of England.' We arrived just in time to park the car and go straight into the hall, a newly refurbished and impressive building. We sat a few rows from the front, in the centre, directly opposite the centre of the stage.

The intercom urged people to take their seats as the performance was about to start and there was no support. However many were still arriving and the start was delayed by around 15 minutes.

Jackson, David and their friend from Spain (Tito or Tino?) walked on stage to rapturous applause. They sat down, tuned up ('the temperature must have changed in here!') and went straight into 'I'm Alive.' I felt Jackson in particular was a little tense (maybe the delay).

It was apparent straight away that the acoustics in the hall were superb. I have seen Jackson live with and without a band several times and this was the best sound I have heard. I think they were quite glad to get through the first song, and Jackson seemed more relaxed. He remarked that he didn't believe he had been to Sheffield before and mentioned how good it was to be playing with his good friend and their new acquaintance, who had played with them in Spain so they'd kept him with them.

The next song was 'Call it a Loan.' Jackson introduced it as a song he and David had written together. 'Too many Angels' followed. Jackson introduced it as 'a song about a house, or rather a room with a lot, well far too many angels in it' ( as is it clearly about a great deal more that that I felt he might still have been a little nervous. One of the instruments had been out of tune on one of the previous songs and the audience (as he was to remark later) were very quiet. )

Jackson moved to the keyboard for a version of 'The pretender'. David had been alternating between guitar, slide guitar and a twelve string 'lute' type instrument. 'Oud'?

Jackson introduced the next song as 'about 200 years old, I think....well that's what Crosby says and he's a lot older than me' He mentioned he'd learned it at the time of the campaign for nuclear disarmament and I think he added that his son also plays it now. David played violin for this and Crow in the Cradle was the first moment of true magic in the evening, their playing was intuitive and perfectly balanced. The emotion and atmosphere produced by the combination of the violin/guitar/percussion are breathtaking.

Jackson clearly felt happy after this and when introducing Lives in the Balance he explained that the 'Islamic people have a tendency to put the Al of Allah before many words ....as in Alandolusia in Spain. So it followed that the instrument like the one David was attempting to tune was called a lute ...or al lute. Short-necked plucked lute of the Arab world, whose name derives from al-'ud ('the lute'). Known both from documentation and through oral tradition, it is considered the king, sultan, or emir of musical instruments, 'the most perfect of those invented by the philosophers' (Ikhwan al-Safa'; Rasa'il [Letters](1957), i, 202). David was still having trouble with the twelve stringed instrument and mentioned wryly that the thing had twelve strings and that 'every one of them could decide to go out of tune while you were playing ....while you were waiting to play .....' Jackson asked him if he'd feel better if he let a few of his strings go out of tune as well.

Lives in the Balance followed, with an intro that it was about his countries involvement in Central America.

Leading into 'For Everyman' Jackson remarked that 'we know someone who lives in this town, Martin Simpson lives here.........oh yes he does. He's possible one of the best guitarists I have ever heard. But he's playing in Manchester tonight. So --- that's how it goes if you're a musician..You've got a gig.' Martin Simpson is a splendid guitarist, who attracts more hero worship than any musician on the British folk circuit." -Colin Randall, London Daily Telegraph

David's shirt came in for some attention. (Although quite conservative, white with a black pattern, Jackson felt it had been worn for too long and might benefit from cleaning fluid.) Jackson and the percussionist were dressed in identical blue jeans and plain long-sleeved navy shirts.

Two of David's songs followed. The first from David's album 'about a car......all the best songs are about cars.' And the next El Rayo Ex as one that had been written for him. It was in some sort of Spanish ( they bantered about several different kinds of Spanish ) but mentioned that no-one who speaks Spanish seems to think so. Jackson said he's tried to translate some of it ...one part was about a scorpion. He repeated the phrase and got a nonplussed look from the Spanish guy. 'Anyway', he went on you don't need to know the language to appreciate the song.' They played it and received huge applause. The song was quirky, up-beat and pure fun. Jackson put a great deal of effort into playing and singing harmonies and looked to be having a great time.

David returned to the violin for These Days whish was very well received and another high point of the evening, only surpassed by an inspiring version of Late for the Sky.

At some point in the proceedings someone right in front of the stage asked for a request and he said he knew it and he'd may be play it later. He went on to say how well known the percussionist was in his country, having played in a punk band and being able to play drums and guitars as well. 'A one of the kind, like David, but may be not quite as much as a one of a kind as David.'

They played Barricades of Heaven.

Looking into the 'quiet' audience, by shading his eyes and scanning round, he seemed to be hinting that he was not quite sure what was going on. He mentioned that they had just watched a DVD 'The League of Gentlemen' on the bus. They clearly thought it was great. Sharing one of the jokes in the sketches he mentioned 'we're not local' and 'we were intending on leaving here afterwards.' This caused a lot of laughter and various responses from the audience with other catch phrases from the film.( such as Pappa Lazarou's razor like 'hello Dave') This DVD is a great example of British comedy and far better that the 'Little Britain' which is more popular.

Perhaps wondering if he might have taken the connection between the comic but very black parody of life in an extremely strange Welsh village and the unusual quietness of the audience a little too far ,he mentioned again how quiet the audience were, but said it was OK, ...nice ...kind of reflective....may be connected with the wonderful hall. He mentioned how impressive the dome was. Later he remarked that the last time he was over in the UK he could respond to requests because he was on his own, but ( indicating the huge array of instruments on stage ) 'there has to be some sort of plan otherwise things gallop away across the Tundra.......'

They played Take it Easy, (with lots of audience participation ....clapping and whooping). Waiting to begin the only requested song of the evening, 'Jamaica say you will' Jackson passed the time whilst tuning up by saying how much he liked the brick buildings he'd seen in Sheffield. He liked brick buildings having happy memories of growing up in one. He liked just getting to places and walking around to see where people lived, but he had not had time to do that this time. The song had not been rehearsed, but was played well, with only a slight hesitation near the beginning. Throughout the evening Jackson only made one slight error on lyrics, leaving one line out of a song and smiling as perhaps he (and we) realised that it still made perfect sense.

From this point the audience got a bit noisier and several requests were shouted. He was quick to reply that he hadn't meant them to do that.

Running on Empty gave a few of the audience a change to clap along again.

The three players left the stage to a sanding ovation. They returned, and Jackson asked David to play 'Man Boobs', David replied that 'you only want me to play that so you can take a pee.' Jackson left the stage while David played a fairly long version of the song, introducing it as a song he had to write as instructed by the spirit of John Lee Hooker who had appeared to him in his bathroom when he was looking in horror at his chest. If he wrote the song them he might loose the boobs. (The song reflected on the damage done by a love of fried food and whisky)

Jackson retuned for a version of Love is Kind and Stay, interwoven with each other with the same chord structures running though both. David did a little falsetto in both songs and this was very well received. One was when Jackson invited him to show how he might 'call his lover,' Following this one or both of them said 'that works!' Another standing ovation, they seemed moved by this, and they retuned again.

Despite loud calls for 'For a Dancer 'or 'The Fuse' they played and finished with 'Looking East'. (It wouldn't have been my choice, but they had given over two hours of excellence) Before leaving Jackson shook the hands of a couple in front of the stage and put his arms around his two fellow performers whilst bowing.

When we left the hall we drove past several hundred university students, stretching over 2 miles. They were all heading to town dressed as school children (probably a free midweek club event). I wondered if Jackson and friends would see this and what they would make of it.

Overall: The best sound I've heard. Excellent venue. Some of my all-time favourites in the set, played superbly. Wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Glasgow 28/03/06 setlist (i think).

I'm Alive
Call it a Loan
Too Many Angels
The Pretender
Crow in the Cradle
Lives in the Balance
For Everyman
Mercury Blues
El Rayo-X
These Days
Late for the Sky
For Taking the Trouble
Barricades of Heaven
Before the Deluge
Linda Paloma
Take it Easy
Running on Empty
Love is Strange
Stay
Looking East

Hello Russ, I love your website and it's my fist place to visit everytime I go online.When the concerts were listed back at the end of 2005 it was Bristol or Barcelona for me. I chose Barcelona as its a beautiful city and I wanted to see Jackson in a different country.The concert took place at the magnificent Palau de la Musica which is just a short walk from the famous Las Ramblas.During the concert Jackson said it had been a dream of his to play at the Palau de la Musica since he first visited Barcelona. The concert started at around 9.10 and continued without any break until around 11.20. Jackson and David were joined for all the concert by Tino di Graaldo. Also they were joined by Luz Casal, Kiko Veneno, Carlos Nunez, 2 other males and a female who sang these days and backing vocals on stay. This was my 7th time going to see Jackson and I must say that it was the most wonderful concert I've ever attended. I did not know any of the spansh musicians that Jackson introduced as "My Good Friend". Perhaps some of your spansh guests may fill you in as to who they are as I'm from Ireland and I had not heard of any of them.

The Set List Of The Concert:
I'm alive
Call it a loan
Too many angels
The pretender
Your bright baby blues
Late for the sky
The crow on the Cradle
Lives in the balance
For everyman
Mercury blues
El rayo-x
Tu tranquillo [Spanish version of Take it easy]
The barricades of heaven
These days
Running on empty

1st Encore
Love is strange/Stay

2nd Encore
The next voice you hear

For the next voice you hear Jackson was joined by all his good friends. This would be a great concert to be released on dvd.Any plans for the like to happen? There was a T V camera at the door of the concert hall. Keep up the great work Russ.

I've been beaten to posting a review of the concert in Glasgow on 28th of March but would like to add my bit anyway - such a wonderful night deserves acclaim.

I first saw Jackson Browne in 1976 when David Lindley was part of the band line up (and Warren Zevon played support!). Now concerts at the Royal Concert Hall seem like a family event, attending with my husband and son. But the rest of the family were there too. The lady in the circle, who always proclaims her love for Jackson in the most ardent Glaswegian. The guy with the tragic romance, who by now should be seeking closure, but instead calls for Linda Paloma. Jackson of course obliges! And after, in the huddle by the stage door I'm sure I recognise more than one face as we chat and decide to give it a few minutes more before we head for home. The trio emerged smiling and relaxed and chatted with us like more old friends.

But it's the music that is the real old friend - so many favourites beautifully executed and each one sounding like something new. It's hard to single out the best bits, but for me it had to be "Before the Deluge". I remember reaching for a hankie when Jackson exhorted us to, "let the music keep our spirits high", in 1976 and there I was, grovelling in my bag again all these years later. There was fun too in the relaxed style of the trio and reassurance, that in a crazy world David can still do falsetto on "Stay".

Jackson quoted David, "The thing about music is it's supposed to sound good." Well don't worry guys-it did!

Here's the set list:

1. I'm alive
2. Call it a loan
3. Too many angels
4. Pretender
5. Crow in the Cradle (Sidney Carter)
6. Lives in the balance
7. Everyman
8. Mercury 49 (David Lindley / El Rayo X)
9. in Spanish (David Lindley / El Rayo X)
10. These days
11. Late for the Sky
12. For taking the trouble
13. Barricades of Heaven
14. Before the Deluge
15. Linda Paloma
16. Take it easy
17. Running on Empty
Encore #1: medley - 'Love is Strange' / Stay (with DL falsetto & audience participation)
Encore #2: Looking East

The last time I saw Jackson on stage with David Lindley was at the long-gone Apollo in Glasgow in December 1976, so it was a rare treat to hear them together again, with Tino on percussion. I've seen Jackson solo on three occasions: Cambridge Folk Festival and twice in Glasgow. Each time I felt that he could have done with a bit of Dave's fiddle and slide playing to fill some of the spaces; more on the guitar songs than the piano songs.

That was no more on true than on "Late for the Sky"; probably the best live version of the song I have ever heard, and the fiddle on "Barricades of Heaven" lifted it to another level. I thought David's oud had a wonderful, haunting sound, and that was the first time I've ever seen a bouzouki played fingerstyle.

But the evening wasn't just about great songs and dazzling musicianship; it was great to see these two friends still playing together, and evidently enjoying themselves, after all these years.

Like David G, I'd have loved to have heard them do "For a Dancer", but the late great Sydney Carter's "Crow on the Cradle" made up for that.

I hope we see a not-so-solo Live Acoustic vol. 2 from this tour.

Russ, when I first discovered the internet, years ago, one of the first sites I found was this one. Thanks for keeping it going all this time.

Hello Russ!

This Wednesday I went to see Jackson Browne at Sheffield City Hall, UK. Although I've loved his music since I was a spotty student, this was the first time I've been to a live performance. Believe you me - it won't be the last!

The performance began with 'I'm alive', which perhaps would have been better later in the show, when the accoustics were better adjusted, and the percussion not so intrusive. However Jackson's voice is as good now as it was decades ago, and David Lindley added the fire! Jackson wondered halfway through the show why we, the audience were so quiet. I think it was partly because, in this little known but beautiful auditorium, we knew we were in the presence of a legend, and also because, with JB the lyrics are so meaningful that you feel you have to hang on to every word! The man's warmth and sicerity shone out of him, and at 'Too many Angels' a woman seated behind me began quietly sobbing. He can certainly touch the human condition. I now know that so well - the first song of his I ever heard was 'Doctor my eyes', that was about 30 years ago when I was a teenager, but now I've been blind for about 7 years, so I've a special place for those lyrics. But they were not in the show, thank goodness, or I would have cried too. But most of the emphasis was uplifting, with David adding the humour - 'When a guy has boobs' giving us all a good laugh. There were I think 3 encores, with audience participation! Indeed, I and the fella sitting next to me , who I didn't know from Adam,were singing our big hearts out!

It was a show that has made me feel happy for days afterwards, I wish I had been able to still see. When I asked what Jackson looked like now,I got the reply 'Not bad for a bloke who's had the same hairstyle for 35 years'! I don't care - I still think the world of him!

Thank you so much for allowing all us fans to express our thoughts.

Love

Hi Russ,

I never made it to Spain - tickets for Madrid were sold in person only and Barcelona went on sale too late to plan the time off. Thanks for bearing with me!! Here's my "two cents":

"TAKIN' IT TO THE STATES"??!!

Not to be confused with the Doobie Brothers' hit of similar name, this is what I'm suspecting, after hearing some comments made after the show in London last week - that Jackson and Mr. Dave will be booking some acoustic performances to satisfy our exceptional taste in music here in the good ol' US of A!! Although I'm not sure when, I believe we should collectively hope and pray for this until it becomes official, BECAUSE SHOWS LIKE THESE ARE NOT TO BE MISSED UNLESS YOU'RE ON YOUR DEATH BED AND THEY CAN'T FIT IT THROUGH THE DOORS OF THE VENUE!! In all seriousness, for fear that they might not be touring the U.S. with their acoustic show, I made the necessary arrangements for a "pilgrimage" from New York to London, in order to enjoy the Bristol and London shows, which, of course, we did - IMMENSELY!!

We've already read many convincing reviews about the arguably incomparable nature of these shows, and I'd personally hoped for and awaited them for seventeen years, since Jackson and Mr. Dave played a three song acoustic set at Radio City Music Hall in 1989, as part of a performance with the full band (I was unaware of the 1997 European acoustic tour). Over the years, I've enjoyed several of Mr. Dave's and Jackson's solo acoustic shows; many shows with the whole band; some with Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, Keb' Mo', and others; the "Storytellers" taping, during which I literally sat at the piano opposite Jackson (yes, it was that intimate!); and even an acoustic show with a similar format to the current ones, which featured Jackson with Scott Thurston and Deb Dobkin - all told, twenty-two shows over twenty years, including several from the front row; and while they were each very enjoyable and memorable for varying reasons, last week's London show with Jackson, Mr. Dave, and Tino DiGeraldo on percussion was, BY FAR, my all-time favorite!! (Tino didn't make it to the Bristol show). And it was all about the song and instrument selections and the arrangements by this heavenly trio. So my "review" will simply include the set list and instruments that Jackson and Mr. Dave played on each song, so that you may imagine how magnificent each rendition was, if you weren't able to attend, and, perhaps, relive it in your mind, if you were (Jackson's instrument will be listed first):

LONDON 3/26/06

I'm Alive (guitar/ lap steel)
Call it a Loan (guitar/ bouzouki)
Too Many Angels (guitar/ oud)
The Pretender (piano/ guitar)
The Crow on the Cradle (guitar/ fiddle)
Lives in the Balance (guitar/ oud)
For Everyman (guitar/ guitar)
Mercury Blues (guitar/ lap steel)
El Rayo-X (guitar/ guitar)
These Days (guitar/ fiddle)
Late for the Sky (piano/ guitar)
Barricades of Heaven (guitar/ fiddle)
For Taking the Trouble (guitar/ bouzouki)
Take it Easy (guitar/ fiddle)
Running on Empty (guitar/ lap steel)
Carmelita (guitar/ guitar)
Love is Strange/ Stay (guitar/ lap steel)
Looking East (guitar/ oud)

Finally, if the they do tour the U.S., as much as it may make my getting great seats more difficult, I wholeheartedly encourage you to not miss those performances!!! Thank you Jackson, thank you Mr. Dave, and muchas gracias Tino!

I went to see Jackson Browne and David Lindley in Bristol and London. It was also a treat to see David Lindley play - he was pure magic!

It was also great to meet and spend time with others who appreciate Jackson Browne's music as much as I do. I have loved his music since the early 70's and am still amazed at his poetry and his passion.

I managed to get a few pictures during the concert in Bristol and met him after the show. I'm the smiling woman in pink!

Here is a link to the photos in case anyone is interested.

http://shelleyspictures.fotopic.net/c913176.html

Thanks for a great site, Russ.

hi russ,

here's a tale of woe. for the whole uk jackson/david tour i was already booked into theatres with either my jimmy greaves show or i was at the nec wiyh the 1966 world cup winning soccer team. i hadn,t seen david lindley with jackson since 1976. i bought poor tickets for london in case i could find anyway to get there. in the final analysis i decided i'd risk huge contractual problems and left the nec gig at 4pm to travel 100 miles to the drury lane show. in the meanwhile i sold my tickets in the upper circle at fasce value and as much as it went against the grain, i paid over $400 for 2 forth row seats. the m40 motorway had a fatality and we got stuck without moving for 3 hours. we got into the show as el-rayo-x was concluding. i can't remember a time in my life when i had felt so low about anything.

the first song i heard was these days with lindley on fiddle. it took on a whole new life and i found myself sitting in the dark, shivering at the sheer beauty of what i was hearing, with tears of pure emotion and frustation pouring down uncontrollably, they continued into the most magical rendition of late for the sky and then i gained a modicum of control and decided to forget the frustration and the rest of this beautiful music washed over me. i had forgotten how much of a perfect foil david lindley is for jackson. i've seen incredible shows and better shows in terms of length and musical selection through the years, but never has anybody else been so perfect together. let the music keep your spirits high,'thanks as ever for the best site on the net

We are originally from Scotland but now live in Spain.

As it was our wedding anniversary on this date we thought we would go to the Barcelona concert.

Having been to Jackson Browne concerts in Glasgow, we thought they couldn't be beaten, but this was amazing! His spoken Spanish is about the same as ours so luckily we understood what he was saying between songs.

Imagine our surprise when he appeared from a car while we were waiting to collect our tickets at the theatre.......... He saw the look on my face and came over to say hello, and thanked us for coming. We were a little taken aback and could only manage to say how much we were looking forward to the evening.

Please come back to Spain soon!!!

Just a note to say that the jazz singer Ian Shaw, who is currently touring the UK is doing a cover version of For a Dancer in his set. He does in memory of his father and, unusual for Ian, sings it without any comic asisdes. It was beautifully poignant. I'd advise people to go and see him even if he wasn't doing this cover. His current album is a set of Joni Mitchell songs and is well worth hearing.

I have been blessed with being able to see Jackson 3 times in just over 4 years! Last night again I was lucky enough to work my way to the front row at the "blues and roots" festival here in Freo (West Australia). That was the good news! The bad news was it was (in my opinion) a rather "flat and agitated" Jackson that I saw. He was on stage for his allotted time of roughly 1hr 15 mins. He was constantly looking over to the sound guy, not happy about the sound obviously! Very little if any banter with the crowd at all. Whats more he seemed to mis judge the crowd somewhat. The crowd had been there "all day" and by the time Jackson was due on they were really ready for some up-tempo music, more so than the rather laid back music that was forthcoming.

I know it wasn't with a full band or anything, but, just thought the song selection, obvioulsy pre planned was off the mark. Not sure if he had an idea what sort of "mood" the crowd was in, or if he had been informed as to the "type of festival it was" but as I said it didn't seem to work to me. Maybe he may have been jet lagged or whatever, BUT he wasn't a happy chappy from what I observed. As an example the crowd was just getting in to the mood with STAY, and singing along when the song ended, without much "oomph" at all. Luckily I have seen him twice before recently, and maybe he just had a "bad day at the office", which happens to us all.

Maybe next time eh!

Cheers

Hi Russ,

I wanted to share this photo with you.

It was taken outside the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Enjoy!!

I started listening to Jackson Browne way back in the early 80s and then lost touch until I was recently given a copy of the Acoustic Album Vol 1, its great, one of my favourites now, I particularly like "These Days" and being a struggling guitar player myself I was wondering if anyone has the tablature (finger style) as I would like to learn.

Thanks and regards

I agree with most of Nick Manning's recent review of Jackson's gig at the Fremantle Blues and Roots Festival, but I don't think the problem was Jackson's choice of material.

I walked away glad that I went (despite my 17 year old daughter's anger at not being able to attend because no-one under 18 was able to go due to alcohol being available) but felt somewhat flat afterwards in comparison to the elation that followed his 2 excellent gigs in Perth in 2003 and 2004. Jackson made a special mention of his sound guys during the concert which surprised me because the sound and the set up was a real mess, distracting all 3 performers throughout the set. The requirement that each act set up in 30 minutes and perform strictly within designated time parameters compromised the sound - there was no proper sound check and the concert was delayed while the crew tried to fix a problem with the mix or a lead or something. It seems it wasn't ever fixed.

I have never seen Jackson less engaged with the crowd, but that might also have had something to do with the noise coming from the many people up the back more interested in having a drink and a chat than listening intently to the performance. There was about 10,000 people at this Festival, many of whom had clearly been drinking since early in the afternoon and I did have major doubts that this was an appropriate environment for Jackson or his fans. As it transpired it clearly wasn't. I was filled with foreboding earlier in the evening when I watched a great Keb Mo performance being marred by young drunken idiots more concerned with being seen and heard than listening to and appreciating a great artist. My fears weren't totally realised, as many of the drunks had passed out or were elsewhere waiting for other acts to start when Jackson's set started, but neither were they groundless.

I don't want to be critical of someone whom I've admired and followed for over 30 years but I was so looking forward to seeing Jackson with David Lindley and the outcome was a real bummer. Perth is a relative backwater so I guess we've been fortunate in the extreme to see Jackson 3 times in 3 years. Hopefully it will be 4 times in 4 years but next time we'll not have the many distractions that marred Saturday's performance.

Hi Russ,

I don't know whether this is the first review from Jackson Browne's Aussie tour (April 2006) but after seeing him last night at Sydney's Enmore Theatre and loving it, I felt I had to write about it. It is now the following day and I am still playing his "The Very Best Of" CD.

There were just the three on stage, Jackson, David (Lindley) and a Cuban called Luis [Conte] and they kicked off the night with "I'm Alive" which set the mood for the evening. Jackson and David were in a playful mood and even though I have been to all of Jackson's concerts here in Sydney since 1978, I have never experienced ever before such a talkative Jackson. He told us how he had been part of a 'Sydney family' (referring to his former Aussie wife, no doubt and of course his son though no names were ever mentioned as such) some of whom were present in the audience that night and to whom he acknowledged with a quick, "hi, Lyle". He told us his Sydney family now live in Melbourne, including his son. He recounted how he and his son were walking down a busy Melbourne street one night when a passer-by asked him, "hey, are you gay?" In a good humoured way Jackson was telling us how he was wearing a white leather jacket at the time and in great disbelief at such a question, his son replied, 'hey, he's my dad!"

The next song was "Call It A Loan", one of my favourites which Jackson co-wrote with David and he told us that he wasn't sure who David wrote it for but he had written it for "a Sydney girl." It was beautiful rendition of the song and one I have never heard him sing before in any of his previous concerts here in Sydney. Jackson then systematically worked his way through the list of songs below though I noticed he omitted "The Pretender" and "Before The Deluge" from last night's concert which was a bit of a disappointment. He kept us amused though by interspersing every now and then between songs with humorous playful chatter and banter between us, the audience, himself, David and Luis. At one time as Jackson picked up yet another of his many guitars lining his side of the stage, he told us of how he had found a great guitar shop opposite the hotel where he was staying in Coogee (a beach-side suburb in the East of Sydney). In this shop he had seen a guitar which he couldn't take his eyes off and which he wanted to buy but decided to leave it. To his regret later when he returned to the shop to buy this guitar it had already been sold to someone else. David then added, "You should have bought it".

Jackson then told us that whilst waiting at Sydney Airport he started chatting to a guy who recognised him and this guy happened to be a guitar enthusiast as well. This guy spoke to Jackson about the great guitars at another particular Sydney store, one that Jackson had wanted to pay a visit but didn't end up doing so. More regrets, Jackson mused. He also talked of how David, Luis and he had just played at a music festival in Perth, Western Australia and that it was great they could hear themselves now because at the music festival they had to compete with reggae bands and other accompanying noises whilst trying to perform. Jackson also remarked how when he arrived in Sydney from Melbourne, he felt he had 'come home'. This brought much applause from his Sydney fans.

All in all it was another great concert of Jackson's, one I wouldn't have wanted to miss for anything. In my opinion, Sydney's Enmore Theatre was not the best place in which to hear such great music as this but as any die-hard fans would agree, it matters not in the long run where Jackson Browne plays as long as he does and we have the privilege of being able to hear and experience him. I am grateful I have been able to hear him play at other better venues such as The Sydney Opera House concert hall, Sydney's State Theatre and Sydney's Entertainment Centre over the past years since 1978.

The concert ended after more than two whole hours and after two encores to raptuous applause. A brilliant night, a brilliant concert!

I'm Alive
Call it a Loan
Too Many Angels
Crow in the Cradle
Lives in the Balance
For Everyman
Mercury Blues
El Rayo-X
These Days
Late for the Sky
For Taking the Trouble
Barricades of Heaven
Linda Paloma
Take it Easy
Running on Empty
Love is Strange
Stay
Looking East

Here's a very nice article about Jackson Browne that appeared in Melbourne's "The Age":

http://www.theage.com.au/news/music/things-that-matter/2006/04/10/1144521266516.html

Hi Russ

How are you? I was wondering if there was a way for us to find out who else played with Jackson in Barcelona in March?

Tks
Rgds

Well it is good Friday in Australia, I saw Jackson & David on Tuesday night. I have his best of cd playing at the moment because all the others are on Albums. I am still feeling sad it ended so quickly although I think he played for 2.5 hours. Will be going out to try to buy the acoustic Album didn't know it existed. I am still affected.

I have a son who has just gone to university for Spring Semester in San Jose, he is 18 and it was his birthday. So it was great to get a taste of California. It kind of made me feel he was very safe there and he is being treated to the time of his life by some great friends he has met. He also said to me one day out of the blue have you ever heard of Jackson Browne he sings a song called somebody's baby. I said are you joking and proceeded to show him everyone of his albums. He was sixteen. Anyway when I told him we were going on his birthday he replied (totally awesome) he is picking up the lingo.

Anyway Jackson said he had been to see his son in Melbourne and had flown back that day and it was great to fly into Sydney and it felt like home.

We were treated to a very personal intimate show. He said he really dug the Enmore way of life. Although I am from the Central Coast of NSW a very laid back beach culture where everyone has large spacious homes (1 hour north of Sydney). Enmore is great, very individual and artistic. I travelled down at 3.00pm my husband and I arrived at Enmore at 5.00pm for the 8.30 show, so went to the Enmore RSL club for dinner, what a cool RSL club. (We didn't want to be late!!!)

Anyway am waffling on a bit as miss my son.

He also said he had seen a guitar in a shop in Coogee where my mum lives but when he went back to buy it, it was gone, so if he likes I could keep looking for him as I go down every second weekend and see if they get another in.

Anyway I haven't been to a Jackson Browne concert since the 22nd November 1986 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre with being the pretender and all paying off the mortgage. I haven't surrendered though.

Well had the night of my life, He is a musical and lyrical genius and think he really enjoyed being out there able to hear and give just himself. His voice was perfect. But he really does some good rock and roll so hope he will be back with a full band again for a rock show.

He hasn't aged like the stones either wow have you seen those craters in their faces.

Anyway thank you Jackson & Co you move me.

Just before I get on to the concert I would like to comment on a previous post regarding Jackson's performance at the Freemantle Blues Festival.

The writer is quite correct in saying that Jackson was not happy that night. In Sydney he explained why.

During his Sydney show he asked the audience who had ever been to Western Australia. Only a few in the crowd answered that they had. Jackson then said that either it is a long way to go or else like him, most felt that there was no reason to go there. Apparently at the W.A. festival there was a stage back to back with the one Jackson was on. In a masterstroke of organisation there was a reggae band on that stage at the same time. The sound drifting from that stage seriously put Jackson, David and Louis Conte (on percussion) off their performance. Imagine trying to play Late For The Sky with a reggae band in the background. Jackson said that they enjoyed their time in W.A. and that the people were great but that someone was responsible and that they intend to find out who. David and Louis both nodded fervently in agreement. I suppose the bad news is if you are a J.B. fan living in Western Australia and hope to see him soon, don't hold your breath.

There were no problems like that at the Sydney show. Jackson was in fine voice, I have never heard him sing better. He was genuinely happy to be there and spoke at great length between songs. One amusing story he told was of leaving a restaurant the night before with his son. There were confronted in the street by two idiots who asked them accusingly if they were gay !!!. Jackson said his son replied in a shoked tone "NO, THATS MY DAD".

The set list was pretty much the same as for the recent European shows and ran for about 2 1/4 hours. David Lindley came out to the foyer after the show and spoke with those still there. We were all hoping that Jackson would come out too, but no such luck. He said he had family in the audience that night so I suppose he wanted to spend time with them. In summary, a really great night.

Distance travelled to attend - 1200kms
Cost of travel, tickets etc - $1000
Time spent travelling - 15 hours
Worth it? - Certainly
Do it again? - Tomorrow if possible

To Russ and Jackson Browne fans across the globe,

In Melbourne's best concert venue, Jackson was accompanied by David Lindley (multi coloured polyester shirt and the brightest blue socks you could picture) and supremo percussionist Luis Conte in two hours of wonderful musicianship. The trio played together as long time friends and it was so much more than the sum of three musicians playing. David Lindley was in sparkling form and the feel and texture of sounds from his array of stringed instruments was very moving. A warm and appreciative audience listened, at times clapped, sang along and called out for their favourite song from the extensive catalogue of America's finest singer songwriter.

The concert opened with the title track from one of the best albums of the nineties, I'm Alive, and this was followed by the only song that David and Jackson have co-written - Call It a Loan. Other highlights from the concert were These Days (which Jackson introduced as the first song that he and David played together), the Warren Zevon song Carmelita, Take It Easy (referred to as the Eagles song which is slightly understating the contribution of Jackson), The Barricades of Heaven, Looking East, El Rayo X, Something Fine and Running On Empty.

At the end of the concert I was very pleased to have had another opportunity to hear Jackson in another type of musical setting. Based on the standing ovations I felt that this was also the sentiment of the audience. How long before a DVD of recent solo, trio, with band performances, or combination of all three????

Thank you Russ for all of your efforts on the website and for a positive use of the web.

Hope all is well with you. Really enjoying the new and improved website. Wanted to share two items with fellow JB fans. Recently picked up the tribute to Nicolette Larson CD. Really enjoyed it and recommend it to hear Jackson, CSN, and others performing her songs together. Will be attending 2nd annual Steel Bridge Concert in Sturgeon Bay in Wisconsin in June. Just saw it posted on your website, Again, highly recommend it. Beautiful area, Great music, and a terrific cause. Thanks,

It seems I am always destined to travel far in order to see Jackson Browne in concert. 1986 was the last time I saw him in my home town of Adelaide. Of course, he's been there since then - it's just that I haven't!! So once again, I hopped on a plane and jetted off to fulfill more of my life's dreams...

It was a beautiful day in Melbourne (you may not always be that lucky there!) so we walked around a lot during the day taking in the sights. Of course, we went by the hall where Jackson would be playing to see if we could coincide with a sound check or something but apart from seeing the truck delivering their gear, alas, no 'people' were around.

We had a great dinner in a restaurant along the Southbank of the river and then strolled down to the hall. It's a beautiful place inside - great ambience. There is always a story to my concert going these days - and of course, here is another one. We sat in our seats - about 7 rows back from the front. Along comes another couple looking for their seats - guess which numbers were on their tickets? Yes! Same ones as ours! The usher comes along and takes all our tickets to see what she can do - I said to Rodney, if they want to move us closer, that will be just fine - but dare they try and seat me further away...

As it turned out they re-seated the other couple on the other side in about the same place, so hopefully they were happy as well.

When Jackson and company walked out on stage, I stood and applauded, as I always do. I was the _only_ one who stood up!! I knew then, this was going to be a difficult audience. Luis Conte joined Jackson and David on stage as their percussionist - what a nice surprise that was!

They began with "I'm Alive" - such a joy to hear this one - I haven't heard him play it for a while. Here's the list of songs played - they're not in order (except for first and last), just wrote them down as I remembered them afterwards.

I'm Alive
The Barricades of Heaven
Too Many Angels
The Pretender
For Everyman
Take It Easy
Running On Empty
Lives in the Balance
Crow on the Cradle
Something Fine
Carmelita - my personal favourite of the night - his voice was exquisite
Call it a Loan
For Taking the Trouble
These Days
El Rayo-X
Mercury Blues
Love is Strange / Stay
Looking East

Here is a given: I always enjoy seeing Jackson - no matter what - to watch him play, to hear his voice, to marvel at his lyrics all over again... he gets me everytime! But unfortunately not every concert captures the magic. With all the brilliance and talent on stage, the synergy was missing for many of the songs. There were exceptions - Barricades, Lives in the Balance, Crow on the Cradle, Carmelita, These Days, David's two songs, Too Many Angels and Looking East captured the magic of what these three together are capable of. But something just didn't quite work in the others - as I said the synergy just didn't spark. Part of that was the audience - they were incredibly quiet, barely interactive - which is great for listening, but they gave nothing back in between! Part of it was the lack of banter from the stage - they didn't really talk to each other a lot and only Jackson talked to the audience. It's hard to get connected if there's no back and forth happening. He commented finally about the quietness - wondering if there really was anyone out there! He thought maybe we had all been lulled into a state of melancholy (saying he knows what that is like because it happens to him with playing his songs sometimes too) - but then he laughed and said, "...but I just played Take it Easy and that's one of my happiest songs!!!" The audience rose to the occasion a little better after that and I think the guys on stage worked a little harder at it too. Jackson even asked the audience to sing part of Stay - I have never seen him encourage audience singing like that before. They did 2 encores - the most noise the audience made all night!! - thank goodness - I mean I just couldn't do it all on my own even though I tried!! I know it's nearing the end of their tour; I know they must be tired and homesick; I know that sparks don't always fly... I'm not complaining about the concert per se - I mean I loved every minute of it!! - but I feel upset for the guys on stage who work so hard to always put on a great performance but sometimes things fall a little flat. Art imitating life I guess!!

Here's a few anecdotes from the show:

Someone in the audience called for Something Fine - Jackson explained that he doesn't do requests for these shows because they haven't rehearsed all his songs - but he wanted to play that song for some reason, so he commented that he wanted to see what Luis would do for that number because it was one of his slowest songs of all. David, he assumed would just be able to play something that went with it... They played it - but Luis had the hardest time getting a beat going. Personally I think Jackson has been playing this song on his own for too long - he changed time in it so often - poor Luis had to keep stopping and changing too!! Jackson told the story afterwards of how when they were making a record with his band, on one recording he had to call Luis back in to the studio because on of his 'beats' was out of time. Luis wouldn't believe it and so came in and wanted to be shown exactly where it was. They ran the tape through with the clicker going and you know what they found? - Luis was EXACTLY on the beat and ALL the rest of the band were off!!!! Pretty amazing huh! (I'm betting Luis gave Jackson a hard time about his 'timing' in Something Fine, later that night too)

In speaking about David's wild wardrobe of polyester, Jackson mentioned that he had often tried to match David. He has actually bought some shirts to wear on stage but, in his words, "I just can't bring myself to put them on!!!" The shirt he was wearing had quite a strong pattern on it, even though it was in grey tones, and he said it had taken him many times of putting it on and then taking it off again, before he felt brave enough to keep it on - but he wanted to compete with David a little bit.

Before they sang El Rayo-X, Jackson was explaining how it was in Spanish-Mexican - and then trying to explain that it wasn't true to the language - kind of a bastardized version... until he realized he didn't need to explain much more because he was in Australia... and we wouldn't know the difference anyway!!!!!

After the show, we waited at the stage door for over an hour and a half to speak with Jackson and David. There was some sort of reception for them after the show so only the very determined stayed around waiting. Luckily the weather was very balmy, a big full moon shining down - and so I waited - I mean, what else would I do?

By the time they appeared only about 15 people were left there waiting. There were a couple of young boys (around 14 or 15 I am guessing) - I noticed them inside because they sat near us - no adult with them! When Jackson spoke to them, he had a very pleased but surprised look on his face. I was standing just behind them - he looked past them at me, I'm sure he was thinking I must be with them but I shook my head and shrugged my shoulders. They wanted the thank him but he of course said "No, thank _you_ for coming." They came back later to get his autograph on their tickets. David Lindley had already signed them and his signature had taken up nearly the whole ticket. Jackson laughed and said, whoever gets to sign first usually takes up as much room as they can!!

There was a young woman waiting on her own who had never met Jackson before. I waited for her to go up to him and witnessed their exchange - it was just delightful. She thanked him and then asked if she could shake his hand. He said, "Of course" and took her hand in his. She did this audible little sharp intake of breath and nearly lost it - then said all wobbly voiced, "Oh... I think I'm going to cry." Jackson looked over at me with this quizzical expression on his face like he was saying "Help - I never know what to do in these situations." She then asked for a photo and when he agreed, she turned and handed me her phone and asked if I would take the photo. I had no idea how to work one of those but she showed me and so I obliged. I think I got a good close up shot. Jackson looked at the result with her and seemed pleased - she looked at it and had the most extraordinary "I don't believe this is happening to me" look on her face. You know, you can't help but smile when you know exactly what she is feeling at that moment - most of us have been there - absolutely floating!

While waiting for Jackson we spoke with David. He talked about how beautiful the theatre was to play in and also about how quiet the audience had been. I said that sometimes we just want to hang onto every note that's played and every word that is spoken and so we listen very intently. He understood what I was saying but nevertheless we both agreed that it still makes it hard for the artist if they don't feel they are getting any feedback.

When I went up to speak with Jackson he looked as though he knew me - you know that kind of smile of recognition and nod of the head. I said I had last talked with him at San Jose, just before his last trip to Australia and Adelaide. Then I commented on his not including Adelaide this tour. He said he would have liked to have gone to Adelaide again, that he enjoys playing there, but unfortunately, he doesn't often have much say over where they play and he wishes he did.

I then asked him to tell me about playing at the Palau in Barcelona. It was incredible the change in him! His whole face took on this amazing dreamy, glowing look and he just smiled - lost in remembering. He said it was just a wonderful experience - and all his friends were there for it - and how much he had wanted to play there... just waxing lyrical for a while... I told him we had seen it before and we both spoke of how beautiful we thought the concert hall was. Rodney joined us then and when Jackson looked over at him Rodney told him how the last time they had spoken was in Austin, Texas at a rally. He smiled and said, "Ah, yes with Ralph Nader." Then he kind of got this questioning look on his face, and I could tell he was thinking what do these people do for a living and why are they all over the place? I meet them in Texas and California - they go to Barcelona and now they're here in Australia!!!!! Without him saying anything, just looking kind of amused, I told him that we had been living in the States and had just moved back here to live. I could see the puzzlement disappear from his face - probably relieved that we weren't some crazed fans stalking him around the world I'm sure.

We were the end of the line as far as fans went, so we kind of walked out to the minibus with him. It was really lovely to see him turn at the door and thank the people from the hall who were waiting to lock up. Such a gentleman, such diplomacy!! (I know, I know - in my eyes the man can do no wrong!)

We wished him a safe journey and a good time in Byron Bay and waved goodbye like old friends. One of these days I would really like to get to hug him goodbye like I would any other of my friends...

Hi Russ, just a note to say that Jackson Browne and David Lindley were superb last Monday night at the Byron Bay Blues Festival! They performed in front of a crowd of several thousand in the Mojo tent - the largest tent at the festival - and although it did not provide the intimacy of his last acoustic performance in 2004, of course, the music was brilliant and any chance to see Jackson on our shores is a treat.

Looking forward to his next Australian tour! Will keep watching your website for details!

Hi Jackson,

please, please, please, please etc. come with David Lindley for a few concerts to germany in the near of cologne!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Brothers and I, we are the biggest fans of Jackson Browne in Germany !!!!!!!!!!!!!

All the best....

Hi, I'm from Watertown, NY. I just went to the fan based web page, wow I thought I knew alot about him from listening to his music over the years, but there was alot I didn't know. I have been listening to Jackson Browne since I old enough to remember. My Dad was a Hippie well he still is. That's the music he listened to. I adopted my Dad's collection of records over the years and one of them is Running on Empty with the fold in perfect condition.

I never bought the Cd because I had something better, the record bought by my father 30 years ago. There was 1 thing not mentioned anywhere on the website, which kinda disturbs me a little because it's the best part and that is of him playing the Piano. It does not say anything about it anywhere. The song the Load Out is nothing, but his piano which is als why it's my favorite song. Anyways, I have always loved the music and evrything surrounding it, he is truly a gifted artist.

Your Fan,

I took these photos of Jackson Browne at the Byron Bay East Coast Blues and Roots Music Festival, Australia which was held this April 2006. I was very fortunate to have backstage passess which allowed me to meet him after the show. He played with David Lindley and a percussionist. His music was mainly pieces chosen from his 'Solo Acoustic' list.......such beautiful music! This night was the last night of the 5 day festival. Jackson later came on and sang with Michael Franti and Cat Empire for the finale. This was a spectacle.....unfortunately no pictures.

I have waited 30 years to see Jackson Browne. I have seen him twice...the first time at the 2004 Bluesfest. This year I got to meet him......what a blast!

Regards