Looking for two tickets to Jackson's Christmas show in Asheville on Dec. 15, 2007. Please contact Dave or Kathy at 301 738-6592. Thanks!

Its a small world.......CSN are presently touring Australia ( only 2nd ever visit here downunder and last time was in 1991). Last night December 12 they played in my hometown Newcastle (2hrs drive north of Sydney) Great show with full backing band including David Crosbys son James Raymond on keyboards and on bass guitar was JACKSON'S bass player KEVIN MCCORMICK wearing his distinctive black beret. As soon as he walked on stage he looked familiar.

As one would expect Kevin was very solid throughout the show including a short bass solo in a long version of Wooden Ships. Stills on guitar was a highlight all night and Cros " voice is as strong as ever. Graham Nash introduced Kevin to the crowd as the bass guitarist "playing with us for the first time on this tour"

I always enjoy reading the reviews of concerts and wanted to contribute since I got to see Jackson last night. It was not at all what I expected (or hoped for), but since it has been years since I've had a chance to hear that voice live, it was an experience I was happy to have.

This concert was Warren Haynes' Christmas Jam which is in its 19th year as a benefit for Habitat for Humanity in the Asheville area, although I read that last year part of the money went to New Orleans to assist the Katrina victims. So, it was nice to know it was a concert with heart.

Jackson was listed as one of three headliners, along with Bruce Hornsby and Peter Frampton. I was anxious to see who would be first, second and third and was quite surprised when Jackson came out first. He sat at the piano and sang Rebel Jesus, which I had never heard live. I've been to alot of shows over the years and it's always a delight to hear new (to my ears) music.

The second song he introduced as "the only Christmas song that Bob Dylan wrote" and then launched into Desolation Row. Well, not being intimate with Dylan lyrics, I came home and googled that song and I must admit that I just don't get it. Perhaps it was a joke.

On the next song he was joined onstage by Wally Ingram who I know from the Browne/Raitt/Hornsby/Colvin/Lindley/Ingram tour from 1999 but also joined by others members of the Stockholm Syndrome (again, I had to google...this is Ingram's band). This group backed up Jackson on this AMAZING SONG which I had never heard and hoped it was something that might show up on the upcoming studio album. Because I don't know the song, I'll just call it "Roll Out the Drums of War". I found the lyrics online and he's obviously been singing this song around at the political benefits he has been doing. It was very passionate and has lyrics about "why is impeachment not on the table" which got the crowd cheering.

Bruce Hornsby joined him for The Next Voice You Hear and then Warren Haynes joined him for Lives in the Balance.

The final song in the set was Jackson and Warren and a girl singer. I think her name was Shelly Coleman. Jackson said she was a "friend of a friend and if he hadn't met her, he would have met her" or some such nonsense and kinda laughed. He was obviously having a good time. The three of them sang a song he introduced as one by Little Steven Van Zandt, "but you may known him as Sylvio from the Sopranos" and ended the set with I Am a Patriot.

Bruce Hornsby was next and in the middle of that set, he brought Jackson back out and they shared a story about the 1999 tour and an interview on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and how surprised Jay was to learn that Bruce had cowritten the Don Henley song End of the Innocence... and then Jackson and Bruce sang that song together.

After Bruce's set, Peter Frampton came on and I have to tell you, this was the highlight of the night for me. That man can flat tear up a guitar. I know I must have seen him live when I was a kid, but he plays such clean notes and obviously loves playing. It was a very short set, but alot of fun with old Frampton Comes Alive and Humble Pie tunes and the highlight of the set was a cover of George Harrison's While my Guitar Gently Weeps.

The 10 year old kid that I was sitting next to told me that last year's jam lasted until 4-ish and it was 1:30 a.m. when I left. The kid told me that next would be THE JAM with Warren Haynes and Government Mule but all the artists would most likely come back. Since I'm far from 10, I headed back to my hotel. I can't imagine Jackson in a jam with the rest of those guys, but who knows... maybe another reader on the site was there and stuck it out till the end.

Me? I'm back home and a long 2 day trip... happy to have seen JB... but left wanting more more more. I really hope that studio album you've been mentioning this year comes out. Cranked up Naked Ride Home on the way home, along with Saturate Before Using, Late for the Sky and the Pretender.... He really didn't get a chance to shine in the Jam Band setting and I'd love to be back in a concert hall really soon, with Jackson as the headliner.

I'm searching for info on a guitar I just purchased. Evidently, it's one of five that were crafted for Jackson, by Gibson, with an eye toward it possibly becoming his signature model. I think he has three of them and the other two were offered for sale through a couple of Gibson's five star dealers. I now own one of them. Being that it is a prototype, oddly enough, the factory seems to have scant info available on the specs for this instrument. I find that surprising, but have since learned that it's not that unusual. Anyway, I know that the guitar is a version of a Roy Smeck Radio Grand. What I don't know is whether or not Jackson asked Gibson to modify any of the original 1934 specs to suit his playing style or if it is an exact copy of the '34. I'm fairly certain the under saddle pick up would've been Jackson's idea. This an amazing sounding guitar. It has an Adirondack Spruce top, Rosewood back/sides and Mahogany neck, gold Waverly open gear tuners and an AJ style slot through bridge . This thing just sings! I would love to be able to find someplace where I could read/learn more about why he chose this particular model for this venture (assuming it happens) and how, if at all, he may have tweaked it for his own purposes. I'm especially curious to know what strings he's got on his to get the most out of it. Any suggestions?

i also attended xmas jam and was glad to see jackson and he was given a polite reception by the crowd, i was thinking he seemed like he was suprised by the intensity of the sets before him. grace potter was awesome, as was stockholm syndrome, i agree, peter frampton blew me away. and the gm set was excellent. maybe a different setlist would be appropriate in that setting?? concert ended after 3am.

Hello Russ--as always, thanks for the great job on the website. This is off topic to be sure; but I think you will understand why I am posting it here.

When I heard that Dan Fogelberg had cancer a few years ago, it was a kick in the gut and when he passed away, I was reduced to tears. I spent so much of my youth immersed in his music and scratched the hell out of Captured Angel and Souvenirs--also grew to love his later things. He was an amazing musician who crafted such lovely melodies, simple and complex to match lyrics that were also simple and complex. Looking back over his body of work, he left a legacy and he leaves us now as the Leader of the Band.

Thanks and may God rest his soul and bless us all. Regards,

Hi Russ,

I was able to attend the last of 6 town hall meetings last night that featured Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne singing while stumping for John Edwards here in New Hampshire. It was an awesome evening filled with positive energy and hope for our future. They sang:

World in Motion
I am a Patriot
Angels from Montgomery
Thing Called Love

Now we can only hope John Edwards wins the NH primary on January 8th and then goes on to win the election!

Speaking of guitars (Roy D.'s message of December 2007) I recall hearing Jackson speak of his favorite guitar, the Roy Smeck (Hawaiian?) on a video, possibly the Going Home video. He doesn't go into alot of elaboration about it, but he does say a few things about why it's special to him, why he likes the sound, and possibly how he may have modified it. I can't remember the details, but it might be worth reviewing the video if indeed this passage is on the Going Home video. What am I saying? That video is ALWAYS worth getting reacquainted with! If it's not on that film, it might be on a PBS special he need around the same time as Going Home.