Jackson Browne - Fan Letters & Reviews
June 2001
Hi Russ, first, let me say that you have a great website; thanks for everything you to maintain it! As a former webmaster for a sports team website, I know how much work it is to keep up.
I just returned from seeing Jackson Browne in concert at the Songbird Benefit, June 1, 2001 at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, Washington. (http://www.songbird.org/concerts/concert_index.htm)
The concert included sets by Danny O'Keefe, Keb' Mo', Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt. Since this site is about Jackson Browne, and since my primary interest is Jackson Browne, I'll focus this review on his performances from tonight.
Set list and comments follow, to the best I can remember them (if anyone sees any songs I left out, of if you can fill in any blanks, please e-mail Russ!).
(G) = Guitar, (P) = Piano.
Jackson entered to a relatively low-key audience wearing jeans and a smart looking dark gray collared shirt, untucked. The first two songs in his set resembled his acoustic set in Olympia, WA last year.
1) I'm Alive (G)
Jackson's voice sounded great!
After "I'm Alive", in a short intro story to the next song, Jackson told us that two weeks ago he was in Seattle for a date... went to a museum and out to eat, and then back to L.A. the next day. I was a little surprised to hear him talk about his personal life, about his date.
2) Barricades of Heaven (G)
My wife's favorite song. I love this song. My favorite version is the one he did in VH1 Storytellers, where he included a verse that didn't make it into the final studio version, about a friend of his who was shot and killed when he attempted to rob a liquor store. Tonight's version didn't include this verse, he played it straight ahead. But that brings me to the next two songs, that were unfinished songs he is working on now!
Short intro to next song, Jackson said he was going to play a song he'd never played for anyone before, a new song! (YES!)
3) A new song. (P)
Although Jackson didn't say the title of it, I assume it is "Don't You Want to be There", given the chorus lyrics that repeat that phrase.
This new song, at least tonight's solo piano version, reminded me a little of "Rock me on the Water" with a slight gospel feel to it.
It's hard to evaluate a song only hearing it once, but the lyrics didn't strike me as being all that interesting. I found the lyrics to be a little bit predictable... (rhyming "fly" with "sky"... this is from the man who once rhymed "World" with "Unfurled"? Of course, he's also the same man who brought us the vapid lyrics of "Somebody's Baby", lol. Sorry, couldn't resist. While on that topic, a historical tidbit: Jackson told me in 1983 after a concert at Colt State Park, in R.I. that was cancelled when the stage rigging collapsed before the show, "Somebody's Baby isn't such a great song, if you don't mind me saying.")
Anyway... back to this song, which is not at all like Somebody's Baby, don't get me wrong. I find most of JB's lyrics incredible. This one just didn't call to me. But I did like the song well enough. Maybe it will grow on me, and maybe it is still far from being fully developed or completed.
3) Another new song (G)
Jackson didn't tell us the title of this song, and I couldn't figure out the name of it from the lyrics. It was an up-tempo pop sounding song that kinda reminded me a little of "Chasing you Into the Light" from the World in Motion album. I liked it, it was catchy.
Jackson told us that song was far from finished and that it sounded a lot different with the band.
Jackson commented that while Bonnie Raitt is done with her new album, it seems like he's just getting started on his. (I like how he called it an "album", not a CD or disc.) How long has it been since his last studio album? I would rather wait and hear something that is a masterpiece, than have him rush out anything that isn;t ready or brilliant. But looking forward to some new material, Jackson!
4) The Road (with Danny O'Keefe). (G)
Danny O'Keefe wrote this song, which is on "Running on Empty. I've seen Jackson play like a 20 times since the first show I saw with him in summer 1980 at the old Boston Garden... and I think this is the first time I've heard him play "The Road" in concert. This was awesome!!! It brought back memories of listening to Running on Empty album during my high school days way back when. Sounded P-E-R-F-E-C-T! Jackson and Danny traded off on vocals. For me, this one made the show, because it was so different than any other time I've seen Jackson, and it was special to see him perform it with Danny O'Keefe.
5) Songbird (I think that was the title) by Jack Tempchin. (G)
Jackson introduced this song as being written by Jack Tempchin, who also wrote Peaceful Easy Feeling and some other songs for The Eagles. (His website is at tempchin.com if you are interested in more about him).
This was a beautiful song, and very appropriate for the evening. I liked this because it was so different than all the other shows I've seen Jackson perform.
6) Your Bright Baby Blues (G) with Bonnie Raitt.
Jackson introduced this song by saying something like, "I know what you're thinking... he thinks he can play slide guitar, with Bonnie and Keb Moe in the house?" And he went on to say that playing slide is like surfing to him... he doesn't do either particularly well, but he loves them both about more than anything.
Bonnie Raitt's harmony vocals were stunning on this song.
7) World in Motion (G) with Bonnie Raitt and Keb' Mo'.
Keb sang the opening verse.
BTW, if you're not familiar with his work (and I wasn't), Keb' Mo' is awesome!
This song had a sharp edge on it with the three of them playing guitar. Sounded killer.
From what I recall, that concluded Jackson's set. He was followed by Bonnie Raitt, who promised Jackson would be back later.
During Bonnie's set, Jackson played on the following songs:
* My Opening Farewell (G)
One of my favorite Jackson Browne songs, from his first album. Bonnie sang lead vocals and Jackson played guitar and sang harmony vocals. This was wonderful!
* Thing Called Love (G)
Jackson played guitar on this rave up, the sole electric sounding song in the set with Bonnie on electric guitar. This song is written by John Hiatt... John Hiatt has got to be one of my most favorite artists (after Jackson Browne, of course). Check out his official website at www.johnhiatt.com/index.htm.
Memo to Jackson: I sure wish your official website were updated as frequently and with as much personality as John Hiatt's (hint, hint: tour notes, MP3s from the shows, digital photos of fans that John takes at the shows from the state; and Steve Nicks' official site NicksFix.com which is awesome. (Hey, at least you do better than Don Henley, jeez, his official site is horrible. Sorry Don.)
* Angel from Montgomery (G)
Lead vocal by Bonnie Raitt, with Jackson singing what seemed to be an impromptu verse... that had him looking very sheepish, and had Bonnie Raitt and the audience laughing at him:
"When I was a young girl I had me a cowboy, wa'n't much to look at, just a free ramblin' man. But that was a long time, and no matter how I try, the years just flow by like a broken-down dam."
This song reminded me of when I saw Jackson perform with Shawn Colvin, Bruce Hornsby and Bonnie Raitt two years ago. But in a much more intimate setting at the Paramount than at the Gorge.
* One more song (G) don't know the name if it, might be "Well, Well, Well".
Danny O'Keefe led this one that closed the show. O'Keefe said its about the water on the island he lives on... being poisoned by nitrates seeping into the soil from a cow farm, and now he has to drink bottled water.
An appropriate song to end the evening with given the purpose of the night as a benefit for the Songbird Foundation.
###
Net net: I really enjoyed this show tonight. Was SO happy to hear two new Jackson Browne songs! Can't wait for the album to come out.
Wish I could catch Jackson on the East Coast with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers this summer... for those of you lucky enough to catch those, please write to Russ... and tell us all about the new songs he plays!!
That's all from Seattle from tonight. Feel free to e-mail me at dbeckoff@yahoo.com if you want to chit chat about Jackson Browne's music.
I left for New York a couple hours early because it was the day of the "Blizzard of The Century" and I didn't know what to expect. At about 3:30 or so I was hanging around at the side door of the Beacon Theatre ( I see alot of shows there and have gotten to know the guys that work there). Anyway I happen to be looking down 75th street and a cab stops, a guy gets out , grabs two guitars and starts walking up the block. As he gets closer I say Holy Sh*t look at this my man Jackson. There were only about 7 or 8 people hanging around and they were there to meet Keith Richards (who showed up a little while later) and Jackson walks right up to me like he knew me or something and says How you doing man? I said ok man you need some help with those guitars? he said no I got it. Would love to have gotten a picture with him or an autograph but he was loaded down. Two guitars and a knapsack over his shoulder. As the for the music that night Jackson and Keb' Mo's duet of World In Motion was incredible. He could of sang Mary had a little lamb and it would of been fine with me. Rock on Jackson.
it seems as if jackson browne has been a part of my life,for all time, since the first album to the last cd. i was in the crowd at his shows, how many i don't know, but i was always wanting one more song, and he usally gave it evend at the last show i saw in cincinnati.
he is just about as good as it gets.
HI,
I'm hoping Jackson reads this I am a big fan for many years (I'm 43) I'm going to be seeing you in Scranton PA on 6-27 I cant wait. I'm getting married in Oct. and we picked your beautiful song "Sky Blue and Black" for our wedding song I finally picked up our engagement ring andÊI know this sounds mushy but I would Love to give it to her with you performing Sky. It would make our lives . I know how busy you must be but please try to slip this wonderful song into your set.
Best wishes
Last fall I attended a most magical concert in Ojai, California the Happy Valley Benefit Concert at Libbey Bowl park. I was visiting my daughter in LA from WV. I drove up from LA that morning and so enjoyed the journey as I got closer to Ojai I kept ooing and ahing over the scenery while humming and singing along with JB on my stereo. It was fantastic!!! I knew it could only get better, I was not disappointed. I found a parking place right next to the park and met a delightful older couple who provided that space just for me.
I went to the entrance to pick up my ticket all the while checking out the backstage area but it wasn't accessible like 4 years previous in Cleveland where i met Jackson, chatted briefly, and gave him a present. This time i also had a present wrapped again in a bandana. I picked up ticket turned and there was a aging hippie(so goes I) with a stage pass around his neck.
I asked if he might see Jackson and he replied " I hope so I his road manager" he took the present. I saw him 20 minutes after the show started and he smiled and said my present was on Jackson's dressing table! What a perfect setting...the afternoon was so peaceful and mellow...people smiling continually including me. This was Jackson and guitar and piano...acoustic. the sound system and amphitheater were excellent. I long for an album made from this concert.
I made some wonderful friends that day and enjoyed the music of a man who feels life deeply. Thank you once again, Jackson, for giving of yourself to others.
Hello There,
My Husband and I have been at several Jackson Browne's shows, this show clearly was not his! The crowd was extremely ignorant to the fact that there was a performer on stage, let alone an icon ! That ticked me off for a few breif moments! Jackson, in my opinion was not into the crowd either! He did not seem too happy about something, or maybe just was tired! I really felt bad because the crowd around me (70%) talked thru every song, and tried to over the music. Get my drift? I really hope he is gearing up for a tour on his own, his fans really love the words, music and performer. What can I say, He is a great person to talk to and has done alot over the years for many charities and for the planet! We do(fans) love Him in Scranton/Wilkes Barre! Some of the songs are as follows:Boulevard, Fountain Of Sorrow, I'm Alive, Barricades Of Heaven, Dr My Eyes, Next Voice U Hear, Baby How Long, World In Motion, Miles Away, Maybe 1 or 2 more, not sure!
He had Mauricio Lewak, Kevin McCormick, Scott Thurston and I believe he said Rosemary Butler, not sure people in front were too loud couldn't hear. The sound in th place wasn't very good! It sounded like they were singing in a can, Maybe it was me? Anyway, We enjoyed it, and again Thank You Jackson for coming to Scranton/Wilkes Barre! Come back! Thank U , Buddah( Great Seats)! We tried 2 find u to personally say "THANK YOU'"! COULD NOT FIND YOU, SORRY!.. FANS IN SCRANTON..........."CHIN DON'" 2 U
Last night my wife and I attended JB concert at Montage Mt. in Scranton and I could tell from the partying in the parking lot and the tunes from the car stereos that Tom Petty was the guy most people came to see. Suffice it to say thatÊI was outnumbered by about 100 to 1. But that just goes to show that no matter what venue Jackson may play in, the true fans go to see him even if he's opening for a more popular star.
His material was upbeat and the band sounded tight. His voice was on target and he chose songs that factored well into the guitar oriented blast that Tom was to unleash. But his second choice "Fountain of Sorrow" was something I'd been aching for, for some time. I'm glad he maintained his sound and didn't try to compete with the Tom Petty style.
I don't keep song sets but I remember "Boulevard", "Barricades of Heaven" and "I'm Alive" as sparking the crowd and myself as I haven't heard these before, live. (It seems JB hasn't had a real East Coast trip in a while.) Encore included "Running on Empty" and "Doctor My Eyes" which the Petty fans recognized and gave a respectful recognition. My thirst has been quenched but I regret that I didn't have the opportunity to see him in his acoustic tour of last year.
I would be remiss if I did not say that Tom Petty blew the doors off the house. He hadn't been out in a couple of years and the million dollar smile on his face said "It's good to be back" longÊbefore he sang "Its good to be King."
All in all I'm satisfied with the show. My wife, April is a huge Petty fan as I am JB. She celebrated my aweÊas I gazed at my favorite songwriter and I celebrated her passion as Tom rocked theÊnight. But we are both celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary on Aug. 7. and this was just a part of the great summer we have planned.ÊIf Tom and Jackson need a place to crash and take some R and R in a small town where nobody would know them, we'd be happy toÊaccommodate.
Submitted by: ericomm@email.msn.com (Eric)
As always, thanks for all of your hard work on your great site .... saw JB last night, so here's a quick review for you ... Jackson looked great, smiled alot and appeared to be having fun last night in his opening set at Camden, although I note that he wasn't particularly talkative... I have no idea whether he came out with Tom Petty later in the evening (as he did with Bonnie a couple of years back) because I left after Jackson's set to get a jump on the long drive I had ahead of me... we'll see what other reviewers say about that (then I'll know whether to make sure I stay for Petty at upcoming shows... I'm sure he was great, but I'm getting too old to stay out all night when I have to get up for work in morning.... :-) ) I do note that I checked the Petty site and his set list says nothing about Jackson joining him on any songs and there were no JB songs in his set .... JB's band was a stripped down version of his longtime outfit ... Fritz Lewak on drums, Kevin McCormick on bass, Mark Goldenberg on guitar and Jennifer Gross on backing vocals.
I just saw Jackson Browne last night at the concert in Camden, New Jersey. It was wonderful to see and hear Jackson Browne again. Jackson Browne sounded great! I bought the tickets when I heard Jackson Browne was added to the Tom Petty show (I am more of a JBowne fan than a TPetty fan).
Jackson, please do your own tour soon!
(Loyal fan since 1974 - starting from Jackson's shows at the Main Point in Bryn Mawr, PA - I am also a supporter his environmental & political issues)
p.s. I do not think JB is getting enough PR with the TPetty tour.
I went to the Tom Petty & Jackson Browne concert Thursday night. I got there an hour early and planted myself center stage right in the front most part of the lawn. Jackson Browne came out first (obviously) and played ten songs opening with Boulevard. It is always hard for the opening act because people are milling about, arriving late, partying etc..But JB won them over with a great version of The Pretender and his last four songs the crowd was really into it. In fact for the last two songs Somebody's Baby and Running on Empty the crowd was on their feet dancing, giving JB a standing O and demanding an encore (which was never to come). Jackson looked surprisngly good (young) for 53 and he still wears his hair the same way he's been wearing it since he was "21 in 69".
At about 9:30 TomÊPetty and the Heatbreakers came out and opened with Runnin' Down a Dream. As this is a 25th anniversary tour with no new album out, the thrilled, very loud, singing, dancing audience at the Tweeter centre got into hit after hit from TP. I'm sure every song was a favorite for someone in the crowd, but my personal favorites were Mary Janes's Last Dance, It's Good to be King, Even the Losers and The Waiting and of course the encore Free Fallin' and American Girl. You just have got to love the amazing guitar work by Mike Campbell as he interacts with TP effortlessly which comes from years of playing together.
During the last 10 years, Tom Petty has really learned to play to the crowd, and he was in top formÊThursday night with his famous singing a line/audienceÊimitates segments and his choice lines to the crowd. TP seemed genuinely happy to be there and was very appreciative to the crowd. At almost midnight the show ended and a jam packed Tweeter centre, drenched in sweat, slowly happily went home.
My two complaints. IÊdidn't like TP's beard. It made himÊlook much older than 50. But I guess that's up to TP and his new wife,
My other complaint was that Jackson Browne didn't come out to do a song with Tom Petty. When bands travel together it isÊalways a fan highlight to see the two lead men play together if only for one song. Oh well.
The Scranton show was great. Jackson Browne didn't do a typical "opening act" show. He was received quite well. It was evident there were many of his fans amongst the Petty fans. I was in the center section, row "N". Most of the seats around me were filled with attentive and anxious listeners. He was scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. but was delayed until approximately 7:50 p.m.
Set list:
There was no intimate chatting between songs like the acoustic shows that have been the norm lately. The only talking he did was to say it was a pleasure to be on the road and on the same stage with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. It was a "good ole-with band" rocking performance. He played for just over one hour including the encore. He apparently stuck around to watch and listen to Petty whom he called his "favorite band" for awhile because we didn't see his bus leaving until almost the end of Petty's performance. I was so hoping that maybe he would come back on stage with Petty, but I couldn't imagine what song they would do together.
Petty's performance was outstanding. His band rocked. The drummer was one of the best I've heard. The backstage and lights were also wonderful. I wouldn't hesitate to see him again. I've been a longtime casual fan of him and the Heartbreakers.
I hope everyone that catches this show enjoys!!