http://www.calendarlive.com/music/cl-et-benefit2feb02,0,1166801.story?coll=cl-home-more-channels

2/07 concert at Gibson Amphitheater

Well, right before Christmas I was cruising around on the web, looking for upcoming concerts, and I spotted this winner headlining Jackson and Willie Nelson. My two favorite singer-songwriters sharing the same stage! Nirvana!

Anyway, I am also an amateur photographer and would love to take my camera. Went to the Gibson Theater website which cited a policy of no cameras; however, when I called, they said it was up to the performer and they wouldn't know until a week before the concert. Given the number of fan photos I've seen online of both performers, I find it hard to believe either objects. Has anyone had any problems taking a camera to Jackson's concerts? I have a digital camera that can take good low light photos without flash, and I don't have any of those huge telephoto lenses.

Hi Everybody,

I will be in LA for the concert with Willie, Jackson, and John. Hard to believe that I was at the first Willie Nelson 4th of July picnic at Dripping Springs, Texas in 1975. I was lucky enough to be in Austin just as the music scene was really getting started. However, I am going to see Jackson for this LA concert. I was in Santa Barbara in December for his acoustic set with David Lindley. Wow! I decided I wanted to get out of the cold in Utah and l was so happy to see that Jackson would be in LA. It is a quick trip for me, and I am looking forward to it. I will be getting to meet some new friends while I am there. Thanks for the website, Russ!

Dear reader,

I am a great fan of Jackson Browne and I'm trying to see as many concerts of him as possible when he is playing in Holland.

I saw a concert of him that he did together with David Lindley in Amsterdam. As far as I know it was after the release of Looking East. Between the songs Two of me, two of us and Mercury Blues he plays a song that is a cover. Unfortunately I could not hear well enough the title of that song and the name of the artist who wrote that song. I hope somebody is able to inform me about that information.

With very kind regards and thanks in advance.

Jackson and his band were in fine form last night in Universal City, CA, apparently having gotten together by hook or by crook. JB said he was very happy to be back with his guys, his band, saying that a couple of them were in the middle of some other tours and may have had to call in sick in order to attend this event (This all actually surprised me because I thought, based on some comments on this site, that Jackson was in the studio recording... assumingly with his band) and they didn't disappoint. But we all know how generous Jackson is and has been with his time, energy and efforts whenever there's a cause, and this time it was for Give Love, Give Life, an effort by John Trudell to create awareness of gynecological cancers in women and efforts we can make to battle this disease.

JB and his band played 9-10 songs in their 1/3 of the show and I must say, after having seen JB probably 20-25 times since '81, I was quite impressed with how tight the band sounded and, of course, Jackson was in fine voice and great spirits as well. Each song, only a couple of which were from what I'd call his 'Top Ten', was full of energy, feeling and tempo. I've never been too good at remembering the set list, but here's what I recall (someone else out there please add what I may have missed?), not necessarily in order:

A Child in These Hills
The Barricades of Heaven
The Naked Ride Home
Fountain of Sorrow
Boulevard (not certain they played this one)
For a Dancer
That Girl Could Sing
Lives in the Balance
Rebel Jesus

It's always a pleasure to see the man live, performing his wonderfully crafted tunes, whether by himself, with David Lindley, or his band. He just seems to be able to consistently deliver the goods. I've had the opportunity to attend several of shows the last couple of years on his solo-acoustic tour which were excellent, but to see and hear him again with this band was really a treat - to me - a powerful infusion and distribution of energy. Jeff Young was particularly effective as backup singer and keyboardist. I also thought Val McCallum stood out on electric guitar. Mark Goldenberg-guitar, Mauricio Lewak-drums and Kevin McCormick-bass were all solid as usual.

I'm in great anticipation of JB's next release and hope it comes soon, although I'm not holding my breath. I just feel the need to hear what's been on his mind these last few years. I guess he's become a kind of life-line for me, having been indoctrinated by my older brothers with Jackson's music from the age of 8 when I was just learning the drums and piano at home here in San Fernando Valley (Laurel Cyn), not far from where a lot of these 60's-70's performers (Eagles, CSNY, JB, JT) were hanging out. I'm hoping for a record from JB that is not unlike The Naked Ride Home where he was able to put together a number of tunes from each 'category', some love, some political, some relational, some fun, some rock. Obviously, we're in a time in our world when it wouldn't surprise if his output was heavy on the politics, and after having been through the late '80s when JB clearly turned away from the more rollicking, popular stuff to more serious political genre, he could do the same this time around. He did come through that period with much of his fan base still in place, although possibly somewhat disappointed and even despondent, many (including myself) hoped for a return to his 'old stuff, self?', and then we were rewarded with I'm Alive. I would, at this time, certainly understand and welcome a record from him that was similar to Lives in the Balance or World in Motion.

One of my greatest thrills was shaking hands with Jackson and getting a pat on the back for wearing a 'nice shirt' (the popular green one with him sitting on the tree limb from his '02 tour) just prior to another benefit concert in Santa Monica, this one for Artists For The Arts - an effort to retain music programs in the public schools. I'd never felt so tongue-tied, with nothing to say, just standing there in front of one of the all-time great singer/songwriters of this or any other generation. As others have mentioned, JB is the genuine article, unusually personable and sincere.

Let the music keep our spirits high...

The Give Love Give Life benefit #3 was held at the Gibson Amphitheater and was organized by John Trudell and the late Marcheline Bertrand. The theater is non-descript but even seats midstage and about 2/3 back felt close enough and the videoscreens let you see closer yet. The sound seemed very good.

Jackson was 2nd on the bill with John Trudell and Willie Nelson but I'll detail his set first. He seemed to have "only" 3 guitars racked up and a 4th tuned to hand off. A keyboard was up front as well. He played with his band minus Catherine Russell and plus someone named ? Alvarado. The set was 8 songs and about 50 minutes.

Song 1--"A Child In These Hills" on what might have been a koa wood guitar (very dark with striping). His voice cracked a little in the 1st line but was strong the rest of the show. It seemed a good song choice for a venue nestled on and by hills.

Song 2-"Barricades Of Heaven" on a blonde guitar without pick guard. Introduced as a song "about growing up in Southern California" or "trying to grow up" regardless of the location. He sounded almost short of breath when introducing it at first after finishing the 1st song but sang well and had enough energy for "stomping feet" later. Again, the venue seemed to have chosen the song with its reference to the hills although I know JB often plays this song.

Song 3--"Fountain Of Sorrow" played on keyboard with that lightly touching playing style. It was preceeded by talking about seeing photos of the amphitheater downstairs when it was still outdoors--"I love this place"--and introducing the song as one from that era. Sitting at the keyboard seems to really bring on the dancing feet.

Song 4--"The Naked Ride Home" on a blonde guitar with pick guard (3 songs 3 guitars so far). It was preceeded by saying "I love LA---even though I live here". And how the LA freeway system inspired the song. This is where guitarist #4 (Alvarado?) was added.

Song 5--"That Girl Could Sing" on the keyboard ("the same key. Who planned this set?"). The intro talk was a bit rambling but included info that "John asked for it for Marcheline" but "we don't really know this song"...."when I write them they stay written"..."this is going to be fun". He then declared "I love my band" and spoke about "subverting other people's tours (won't name names) " to get his band for the show. He went on to say "people got sick" and it "all came together" except for Russell. Then he asked if he should count off and they launched into an error-free version complete with really stomping right foot. Jeff Young did a nice job of echoing JB and when the song ended Jackson was smiling and clapping for the band.

Song 6--"For A Dancer" on keyboard alone on stage. "Another song for Marcheline". A nearby attendee sang along but the scattered calls for Willie during John's set didn't repeat. I was again struck by how much effort JB seems to put into his singing as you watch his facial and body expressions.

Song 7--A quick water break and the band returns for "Lives In the Balance" on a sunburst guitar (#4 for 4th guitar song) with fairly dark color. "My son asked me to start singing (this song) again a few years ago".

Song 8--"I Am a Patriot" on his electric guitar with that grill on the bottom. Dedicated to both John and Willie. JB was bouncing a bit on stage and introduced his band. He also commented that "without a reggae beat it's country". He seemed to stub a toe when leaving with the band but no songs bungled!

No encores as the show seemed to be on a time schedule. But the band, in the fullest sense of the word, sounded great so let's hope for more! JB seemed to be enjoying it too.

Everything after this is fashion and John/Willie report for those who wish to avoid it.

Fashion report: dark jacket with navy button-down shirt untucked and gray loose pants with black shoes. Not much sleeve rolling. And no beard (haha).

John Trudell and band started the show with 8 "songs". Some mainly spoken and others with more melody/band singing/Quiltman chanting. None of them my favorites but all worthy of a listen.

Willie Nelson had a slightly longer set--probably just over an hour. The songs I recognized or which were named were Whiskey River (as what I think was the Texas flag was unfurled for a stage backdrop), Crazy, Workingman's Blues, Help Me Make It Through the Night, Me and Paul, "one for Waylon" Good-hearted Woman, Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain, Blue Skies, Georgia, Take All Of Me, Stardust Memories, Momma Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up..., Angel Flying Too Close To the Ground, On the Road Again, You Were Always On My Mind, and "just 2 more...a little late...we'll sing them fast" Superman, and You Don't Think I'm Funny Anymore. Willie played ONE GUITAR---that battered one---and seemed to enjoy exchanging headgear with the audience.

Forgive any mis-spellings/grammar errors/etc. I'm jet-lagged and bumped off a flight so stranded in SLC.

In reply to Wietze L. in Holland [see above], Jackson Browne performed three concerts with David Lindley during that particular tour in The Netherlands. I was there at Carrie Theatre, Amsterdam, 1st April 1997.

The song Wietze L. mentioned is called "Quarter of a man", written by Bob "Frizz" Fuller, which was featured in David Lindley's 1981 album "El Rayo-X".

I take the chance to thank you Russ for this website!

Best regards,

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