what a delight this show was! i have a mental list of my favorite Jackson Browne concerts and this one is in the top 3 (along with Ojai, CA in 1997 and Lancaster, CA, of all places, in 2000). this concert was a benefit show for the local county supervisor, gail marshall - no on recall. the ultra conservative, oil industry serving, bigoted sheriff of Santa Barbara County is attempting to exploit the horrible events of 9/11 to promote his divisive agenda and to replace gail marshall in her seat as County Supervisor. anyway, the show was excellent and the cause was again a good one. the show began with "farther on". after the first song, jackson informed us that he had no set list, because he never stuck to them anyway - "they (set lists) were just used as training wheels anyway, to give you confidence", he said. at which point, the audience began to yell out requests. someone yelled "sky blue and black" and jackson said ok. unfortunately, he couldn't remember the second verse. he completely botched the song, but was very witty as he did so and was quickly forgiven. shortly thereafter, he brought david crosby on stage to sing along on "jamaica say you will". jackson was in the best of spirits and sang some songs that i've never heard him do in concert before (and i've been to many of his shows). he also did some songs that were arranged differently than they usually are on stage, such as "these days" on acoustic guitar instead of piano. he did a couple of new songs which sounded very promising (when is the new record ever going to be released??). when "walking slow" was shouted out by someone, i didn't think he would actually do the song, but he did. jackson rocks! i've never heard him do that song live, let alone solo and acoustic - wonderful! the first half of the show was jackson solo and acoustic. he took a 15 minute intermission and returned to the stage with mark goldenberg on guitar, fritz lewak on drums, and kevin mccormick on bass. the second half of the show was with (almost) full band and incredible. it was a quite treat to get to see him solo and acoustic and with band all in one show - the best of both worlds. he also did a couple more new songs during the second half of the show. jackson outdid himself once again. what an entertainer! what a musician! three hours of jackson all to ourselves! i'm still high from last night! it was $40 very well spent. the set follows (i may have forgotten a song or two), though the chronology is probably off:

Hi Everyone,

Wow....I don't think I can stress that enough...Wow!!! I've seen Jackson several times since 1974, but I don't think I've ever enjoyed one of his concerts more than I did last night at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. It was a benefit to raise funds to fight the recall effort against Santa Barbara County Supervisor Gail Marshall, in whose district Jackson resides.

It was billed as a solo acoustic concert, but it turned out to be that and much, much more. As I made my way to a front row seat (unbelievable luck) I discovered that I was sitting in front of Jackson's piano. I also noticed the drum setup, bass and additional guitars and came to the quick conclusion that this may not be an entirely solo evening.

It started out that way though. After being introduced by Ms. Marshall, Jackson took his seat at the piano and launched into "Farther On." He followed that with "Sky Blue and Black" which was beautiful and amusing as, for the life of him, Jackson could not remember the lyrics. "I should do this song at least once every six months whether I want to or not." Next came a new song, I think, and I have no idea what the title of it is ("The World Loves What It Wants to See"?)

Next came a big thrill as David Crosby joined Jackson onstage for a stunning rendition of "Jamaica Say You Will." It was only wonderful. Six songs later came the intermission. Jackson's band (Mark Goldenberg, Mauricio Lewak and Kevin McCormick) joined him for the second part of the show and the first encore. The evening concluded with Jackson's solo of "Alive in the World."

There were too many indelible moments to mention, but one of my favorites came while Jackson and the band were playing "In the Shape of a Heart." I was moving my head up and down to the music and I happened to look offstage right to see the Croz seated in a chair and matching me nod for nod.

And if all that wasn't enough I was blessed with another bit of good fortune. Looking through the program I saw that my old friend Steve Macfadyen was Jackson's production manager for the show. I saw Steve at the intermission and asked if he had any suggestions for getting Jackson to sign a "Late For the Sky" CD I brought. He said he'd get it signed for me. I waited a few minutes after the show concluded and out came Steve with the signature. A perfect end to the perfect evening.

This is the set list as close as I could get. There were new songs I don't the the titles of and I have, undoubtedly made some mistakes. But here goes:

Farther On, Sky Blue and Black, World Loves What it Wants to See, Jamaica Say You Will, Rock Me on the Water, Too Many Angels, Walking Slow, These Days, Crow on the Cradle, Two of Me, Two of You.

Intermission

Naked Ride Home, Don't You Want to be There, Barricades of Heaven, In the Shape of a Heart, I'm Alive, The Next Voice You Hear, Bright Baby Blues, The Pretender, I Am a Patriot.

First Encore - Doctor My Eyes. Second Encore - Alive in the World.

I've never heard Jackson in better voice. It was a truly wonderful evening and I was surrounded by people who appreciate Jackson as much as I do. Who could ask for anything more?

All the Best,

Extra tix for sale for Jackson's benefit show Feb. 27th in Redwood City at the Fox Theatre. Contact greeby_2000@yahoo.com for more info.