Jackson Browne - Fan Letters & Reviews
June 2002
Friends,
I have often enjoyed and benefited from your reviews and comments -- now I return the favor. Friday night Jackson was to play Louisville, Kentucky -- a mere 100 miles from my home in Cincinnati. I have seen every tour since 1978 Running on Empty. I didn't know if I could make this one. On Tuesday, my business schedule cleared. On Wednesday, a national ticket broker came through with first row, first balcony tickets for my wife and I. The short road trip was on.
We arrived in Louisville around 1:00, had lunch, and went to find and explore the venue. It was an upscale theatre in their Center for the performing arts, seating 2500 or so. I checked all the doors to the theatre (from the lobby, which was open), but all the doors were locked. I wanted to see 1) my seats 2) whatever action was going on in preparation of tonight's show. But alas, I couldn't gain entry. I decided to walk the exterior perimeter of the venue, a building in downtown Louisville. I quickly found his tour bus parked by the OPEN loading dock door. I went through the door, no one was there to stop me. I walked out onto the stage and stood beside his set of about 10 guitars still in their case. I looked out and saw our seats, and saw the sound guys sitting in the center of the seats, looking a little quizzically at me. Then I walked offstage and exited where I had entered. I told me wife what just happened.
In about 10 minutes, a roadie appeared out by the bus. I asked him what time the sound check was. He said 4:15-4:30. It was about 3:15. My wife and I decided to walk four blocks back to our hotel, get ready for the show, and return for the sound check. By the time we got 2 ¸ blocks, we decided that wasn't very smart. We'd have so little time back at the room, so we about faced and journeyed back to our destiny. This time, when we returned to the loading dock, we were joined by Lisa, Barb, and Stephanie (the bride to be and Jackson concert newbie). We chatted it up for a while, sharing stories, etc. I always find these moments to be amongst the best of the entire concert experience, and these three provided plenty of friendship as we waited. I told them about my trip onto the stage, and they too took the walk. My wife, Carie, and I joined them, only to quickly be met by someone asking us "Who are you?" I said, "Friends of Jackson's", which although true, didn't garner the required permission to remain.
Not only were we escorted out the loading dock door, but the MF shut the loading dock door so we wouldn't be able to hear the sound check.
At 4:30, as Jackson still hadn't arrived through this potential entrance, I figured he might have entered one of several other ways. I decided to leave in order to shower and prepare for the show. Barb asked us to stay a little while, another 15 minutes. I said "nah." She said come on, he'll come. I said "nah." She said come on and stay just 15 minutes. I said "5 minutes." It was fun.
5-7 minutes came and went, and so I said Carie and I are outta here. We walked down the loading dock ramp, to the street's sidewalk at the exact instant a cab pulled up next to me with "YOU KNOW WHO" in it. Since I was right there, he looked up, and I waved and smiled, and he did the same. I stepped back three steps to allow him a little space to conduct his business with the cabbie. Jackson pulled out a hundred from an envelope in his satchel, and the cabbie gave him some change. Then, it looked like Jackson gave him some tickets. There were about 10 fans in all behind me as he exited the cab. I said, "Welcome to Louisville, Jackson." He said thanks as I approached and shook his welcoming hand. The other fans did the same. One fellow whom I didn't meet, talked to Jackson about his newsletter, and asked Jackson if he had gotten the copy he had sent Jackson. Jackson said "yeah, I did." Then, Jackson asked him if he wanted Jackson to join the newsletter club and pay for a membership. Everyone laughed. This fan posed for a photo with Jackson and the newsletter -- I took an unattractive plastic bag from the guy's other hand to improve the photo for him (I am, afterall, a photographer 70 hours a week). Then I asked Jackson to pose for a shot with my wife and I that Lisa had kindly agreed to take for me. I held up the shot for a second while I got my shy wife into the shot as well, and Lisa got a GREAT shot of us with him. (She had a digital camera and so we saw it as soon as he left.) I asked him to play "The Fuse," and he kinda laughed, looked at me like I was crazy, and said "nah." I don't know why he would flat out reject it, maybe cause it's an acoustic show? Anyway, I also requested "My Opening Farewell".
Then, I asked him if he ever visit "his unofficial site, Russ's site". He said, Russ Paris, and I said yes. He said yes he does. I said, "you should post a message and blow all your fans' minds." He laughed and said "Nah, he didn't think so." I said come on, it'd be great. Then someone else asked him something. The guy with the newletter asked him a guess about the tuning of a guitar, and Jackson said something like he "used an E flat tuning on that one." The guy seemed to know what he was talking about, I sure didn't. Jackson said he was running late, and had to go. He had spent a good 8-10 minutes with the 10 of us, and posed for photos, and was really nice. He was kinda shy, and soft spoken, but he'd look you right in the eye, and couldn't be cooler, or nicer. He's looking great.
Ok, on to the concert. Sorry to report, actually very sorry to report--the first part of the show didn't go well. While Jackson was as friendly as I've ever seen him with a crowd, he wasn't hitting the notes, and seemed a little shy about really trying to hit those many high notes he has in his songs. Don't get me wrong, he nailed a lot of it, but it wasn't his best by far. Then, a mini-nightmare occurred on "Sky Blue and Black". He started the song, played to organ intro, and right when he was about to start signing, realized he was in the wrong key (as he told us). He stopped and started again. No big deal at all. He started again, got to the part where he starts singing, and about 3 lines into the song, he forgot the words and had to stop again. Still not a big deal. He told us that he's forgotten the words to that song many times before, but never in that exact spot. We all laughed. So, he starts it up again. At about the same spot, his voiced kinda cracked or something, causing him to stop again. He tried one more time, and started laughing when he got to the beginning and had to stop again. He said how bout if I try this one later. We all laughed, and said sure. However, he seemed upset and called it "a senior moment." I really think it bothered him.
I think he did another song ok (again not great, upsetting him even more I suspect). He said, "they want me to take an intermission, I'm going to go ahead take it after this next song (indicating a little earlier than planned.)" It was really early into the show, and I thought it was because he was upset with himself and his performance thus far. He seemed angry with himself. He did finish with a great version of "In the Shape of a Heart." I told my wife that maybe that would give him some momentum for the second portion. Intermission was unpleasant. I was bummed, and while I didn't speak to anyone else, there seemed to be a dampened spirit amongst the crowd. Carie and I spoke about the difficulty of playing by yourself, with no band, thus no support morally or musically. How you have to carry every note by yourself, or not, and how it's so noticeable if you don't. How many performers would not even attempt such an audacious undertaking. These aren't pleasant things to be speaking of at intermission. I was bummed, big time.
The second portion began with Jackson coming out and taking control of the show. At the beginning of the second half, he seemed determined, and the crowd stopped yelling requests as much. He hit the notes. He had the spirit, he was awesome. I mean, I have never seen him better. I don't know what happened at intermission, but I think he may have had a severe pep talk with himself, and he responded BIG TIME. He could not have been better, in any way. And it was a long second half. He nailed "Running on Empty". At one point, I shouted out "These Days" so loud from the balcony -- it stuck out so great and clear. You know how everyone shouts their requests at once, or they run together and he can't hear nothing much. Well, I'm a big guy, with a big voice, shouting down from the first row of the balcony, (most importantly) and happened to time it just right as no one else was shouting then. He looked up at me, shrugged his shoulders as he's prone to do, and went and got the guitar. He said how many people had recorded this next song, but he liked Greg Allman's the best, and he wished he had Greg's voice. He said he had signed rights to this next song for a movie, but that happens years before the movie ever comes out, and he'd forgetten all about it. He's saying "one day, I'm sitting in a movie, and this song starts up. I thought, ÔI used to play guitar like that'" -- we all died laughing. And he launched a great, up tempo version of These Days. Awesome Baby.
The concert was like "The Tale of Two Cities", or, in sportsspeak the tale of two halves. The first half the team can't make a basket -- the second half everything they throw up goes in. I've never seen anything like it. I was so proud of him as a person, and a professional, that he righted the ship and made it happen. That's the sign of a true pro -- sure, he's an awesome musician and songwriter, but this told you a ton about him as a person and professional. Awesome Jackson, awesome.
He only did one encore -- little Steven's "I am a Patriot." It was great, and emotionally moving.
I went out to the bus and waited for him 75 minutes, but he never showed. Of course, security said he already left, but they always say that. This time he had. Thanks goodness I had met him earlier in the day.
Thanks, Jackson, for the show, the years of beautiful music, and the personal inspiration you have provided to me. See you in Cincinnati this summer.
Hi Russ,
Hope you are doing well. I would first like to say that your website is wonderful and I commend all of your hard work.
My husband and I are very much looking foward to Jackson coming to Nashville on May 28th. It will be my 5th concert and his 6th. We are in our early 20's with our main hobby being concerts (both of us work on Music Row in Nashville) and we try to catch Jackson everytime he visits the South. I am enclosing an article that is very disturbing news to many of us. I would love it if you could post it so other fellow Jackson fans could read and express their opinion on the matter, being as Jackson is an idol to many of us in his environmental activism. A nuclear reactor in Athens Alabama, close to my home town of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, has been proposed (1.7 billion dollars) to be re-activiated. It has been shut down since 1985 doue to it's already past trouble and this is extremely haunting news to many people. I ask everybody to please get involved in voicing your opinion in regards to this. Every letter and e-mail will help. And last but not least, It would be great if somehow this got to Jackson and he mentioned his opinion to all of his many fans that will be at the concert in Nashville on May 28th, at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. His music brings people of all types together.....Artists, Doctors, Educators, Politicians....all of which will attend his show. Together, we can all fight this proposal and succeed.
Best Regards,
Board Votes to Restart Nuclear Reactor in Alabama
By DAVID FIRESTONE
ATLANTA, May 16 - The board of the Tennessee Valley Authority voted today to spend $1.7 billion to restart a troubled nuclear reactor at its Browns Ferry plant in northern Alabama, a decision that could produce the first substantial increase in the nation's nuclear-generating capacity in more than a decade.
The three reactors at Browns Ferry, on the Tennessee River near Athens, Ala., were shut down in 1985 after engineers discovered that they did not precisely match their blueprints. Even before then, the plant had a history of operating problems caused by a fire in 1975. After corrections were made, the authority restarted the second and third reactor units in 1991 and 1996.
The first reactor was left idle because its capacity was not needed, but board members said today that with electricity demand growing, they needed a generator that would not add to the region's air quality problems.
"We must balance the responsibility to provide power to meet future needs with our objectives of protecting the environment and continuing the trend of debt reduction," said Skila Harris, one of the authority's three board members, who was an assistant to former Vice President Al Gore. "Restarting Unit 1 will provide needed generating capacity without increasing air emissions."
The unanimous vote came over the objections of several area residents, who said the plant was insufficiently protected against a terrorist attack, and from environmental groups expressing concern about the reactor's design.
"They're taking an old nuclear reactor that has not operated for 17 years, and they're going to run it longer and harder than it was designed for," said Stephen Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, based in Knoxville, Tenn. "It originally had a design life of 40 years, which they want to extend for 20 years, and they want to force it to produce 1,300 megawatts when it was designed for 1,000. It's a prescription for a serious problem."
There has been no new construction of a nuclear plant since the Three Mile Island accident in 1979; the last nuclear plant to begin operation was the Tennessee Valley Authority's Watts Bar reactor in eastern Tennessee, which began full operation in 1996. The Bush administration, however, has expressed renewed interest in pursuing the technology, as have some large utilities.
An operating license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission would be required before the reactor could be restarted. No other approval is needed for the authority to prepare the plant for reopening. T.V.A. officials said they hoped to pay for the work from the annual revenues of the authority's system.
When the Browns Ferry plant was completed in 1977, it was the largest nuclear power plant in the world, the first to generate more than a billion watts of electricity. It uses boiling-water reactors, an older technology than the pressurized-water reactors that are in newer nuclear plants. The T.V.A. is not planning to change the fundamental design of the plant, leading some critics to suggest that it is spending too much money on antiquated technology.
"For the same amount of money, they could build a brand-new reactor that's safer and has a longer life," said David Lochbaum, a nuclear-safety engineer for the Union of Concerned Scientists, a group often opposed to nuclear-plant expansion. "It's like trying to dust off an eight-track tape player rather than buying a DVD system Ö they're not getting good value for their money."
No nuclear plant has ever been restarted after such a long period in mothballs, Mr. Lochbaum added.
Authority officials disagreed with that analysis. Gil Francis, a T.V.A. spokesman, said the authority had looked at every option available for meeting power demands by 2010 and concluded that it was less expensive and cleaner to restart the reactor than to build one, or to add to the authority's battery of coal, gas and hydroelectric plants.
"Every option had its pros and cons," Mr. Francis said. "Coal plants have emission issues and high capital costs; gas-fired plants have the volatility in the price of fuel. But considering the economies of scale of having the existing reactors nearby, we think restarting this reactor will return its investment in eight years of operation."
The upgraded plant, which would be ready for operation by 2006, would add the latest technology to the reactor, Mr. Francis said.
Most elected officials in the region support the T.V.A.'s action, which would create 2,400 jobs, and several union leaders gave their enthusiastic approval to the plan at today's hearing. Representative Zach Wamp, a Republican who represents the Chattanooga area, said it was hypocritical of environmental groups to oppose a generating technology that does not add to air pollution.
"There's a great debate in the Tennessee Valley over the degraded air quality in the Smokies and around the valley, and how much the T.V.A. plants contribute to it," Mr. Wamp said. "Well, clearly if you want cleaner air, the development of more nuclear reactors is the way to go, and Browns Ferry 1 is the logical place to start. You can't have it both ways."
Environmental leaders, however, said the problem of nuclear waste disposal had still not been resolved and suggested that the authority would be better off spending the $1.7 billion cleaning up the fossil-fuel plants that are now operating.
The T.V.A. is the nation's largest public producer of electricity, serving about 8.3 million people in seven states. About two-thirds of its power comes from 11 fossil-fuel plants, while most of the rest comes from three nuclear plants and 29 hydroelectric dams.
Hey Russ
Thanks for having this great website. I went to the Elmer, NJ show. This was during the early evening. When Jackson came out the light breeze started and he was just fantastic. Looking really, really good (maybe the best I've every seen him) He started with I'm alive and ended with I'm a Patriot. He played one of his new songs and it sounded like some of his older stuff. If this is a preview of his new album, I can't wait. Jackson was very calm and taking some time to talk to the crowd. He was so so good.
If you should get a chance to see him, I highly recommend it. He is good for your soul. Thanks,
Concert I attended only had XL T-shirts, which I got, but am wanting preferably Medium , possibly Large size. If you have one for sale, please email catmeow@bragg.bio.purdue.edu. Thanks.
Hi all... I hope all had a chance to see Jackson during his Spring solo/accoustic tour. I was lucky enough to see him twice, 2 weeks ago down in Baltimore, and again on his final date down at the Appel Farm Festival in Elmer, NJ. First of all it was a beautiful day (kinda on the warm side) and a beautiful setting for an outdoor concert, down in the farmlands of New Jersey. The folks at Appel Farm did a great job of organizing and running the festival. I sure hope they can get Jackson again next year, I would love to see there again.
Ok, on to the show. This won't be a blow-by-blow account of the show, just some of my personal highlights. The crowd was in a great mood and Jackson seemed to really be enjoying the "festivalness" and the chance of playing outside during the daylight. (Which kind of lent itself to songs througout the show) He opened with I'm Alive and followed with Looking into You and Jamaica Say you Will, all sung with a great voice. There might be a song or 2 that, if I am wrong about whether he played it, I was with my 5 year old daughter, so my 100% attention was not on the stage...sorry.
There was the "updated" version of Cocaine, which was refreshing to hear and the audience throughly enjoyed. Especially the last line where Jackson sings about "Wishing he had those last few thousand brain cells back" and then stumbling with that line to sort of give it full effect.
Jackson was very forth coming, with tales and comments in between songs, I think due the the feel of the event. He was enjoying the beautiful day, as well as the audience who was doing the same and the music being played. Even in the middle of Rosie, Jackson sort of stopped to comment about how strange it felt to him to be playing this song during the day and being able to see the faces in the audience and feeling "embarassed"
He said this song felt like something you should be singing about in the dark.
Then along came Song for Adam, which bought the audience to a hush, and beautifully performed. Your Bright Baby Blues followed sometime after, (one of my favorite songs) as I just sat and listened, with my daughter on my lap, getting lost in the moment. *One of the beautys of the day, as Jackson sings " I thought I flying like a bird, So far above my sorrow" I watched a solo black crow cutting thru the brillant blue sky...one of those "outdoor" factors that lends itself to Jackson performance*
Jackson did a very lively "Take It Easy" as the audience was fully into it and dancing. Even Jackson himself, leaped off his chair and played and sang and danced with the fans. He was throughly enjoying himself !!! And that flowed right into Lady of the Well, which I was just dying to hear but never got the chance at Baltimore.
The Pretender bought everyone to their feet and singing as Jackson did and incredible, heart-felt version. The encores brought Running on Empty....again, the day lent itself to this song as the sun was setting and the orange glow fell on the dancing audience and me with my daughter up on my shoulders, rocking to some great music. Again, Jackson feeling the full effect of an outdoor show and giving his fans a great performance. The last song of the show was of course "I am a Patriot", which I want to thank Jackson for including in most of his shows, as well as making it a closing tune. In these days, we all need to hear it, especially from a man who I feel truly loves his country and strives for us to appreciate and stand up for our freedoms as well as our rights.
Thank you Jackson, for doing this tour and giving me 2 chances to see you, especially since it had been 11 years since seeing you last. And in those 11 years becoming a bigger fan as your music has become more important to me and helping me through some of the roughest years of my life.
And thanks again for giving me the chance to take my sister to see you, because she turned me onto your music and it had been 20 years (?????? yikes) since she saw you last. And also a chance to take my 5 year old daughter to her first "concert" she loves singing JB along with me (esp. I'm the Cat..which he did not play :(..sorry honey) and she enjoyed the day.
Looking forward to the new album and if you get a chance to see Jackson over the summer on the Tom Petty tour, please do. It sounds like a great show!!
Thanks Russ, for posting the reviews and all the tour info....your efforts are greatly appreciated and enjoyed by many Jackson fans. :)
May 31 Louisville, KY . Let me start by saying that if not for your site which i check regularly i would not have known Jackson Brown was coming to town so thanks, Concert was awesome I am a long time fan and it was my first time, I took my 10 year old son and he knew a few of the songs also, he is a great down to earth man that you could sit and have a conversation with. A couple of his songs teared me up and I'm a red neck country boy from Kentucky. THANKS,
Hi Russ and Jackson Fans,
I had written a letter a couple of weeks back after attending Jackson's Rochester show. I am still on a high. Listening to Jackson, be it on record or in person, leaves me so awestruck, it takes me awhile to come back to earth. He is such a magician when it comes to putting feelings and thoughts into the perfect words for the moment, I truly believe their is no other like him. Jackson deserves his OWN hall of Fame, not to merely be in one with others. My husband and I will be sure to catch Jackson when he comes this way again, he is a treasure. Let all our spirits be kept high by Jackson's one and only voice, and from the heart lyrics only he can write. Love you forever Jackson.
I'm new at this "posting" stuff, so please bare with me. I'm a long time fan of Jackson, and have seen him too many times to count, or remember anyway! I went to see him at the State Theatre in Eason, PA, on May 15th. It was there I met "Roxie" and realized I'm not the only "die-hard" out there for him. The show was absolutely incredible. I think he must be some type of science project our government is running, because he looks absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! This gorgeous man does not age!!! He sounds incredible as well. Once before at the Tower Theater in Philly, I had met him after he did a show with Bonnie, where he spoke to a fairly large crowd. But this time I was lucky enough to meet him after the show in Easton with only Roxie and her children there. Of course I was so taken back by his beauty and the realization that my favorite poet was standing there I could barely speak. I so badly wanted to tell him how much I love his new songs and anxiously await the finished product, but more importantly I wanted to share with him that I have introduced some Romanian "orphans" and street kids to his music! I have been there twice this year doing some work with the kids living in the sewers and on the streets, but I know music is universal and touches the soul of all who listen with their hearts. These teenagers their made a deal to listen to "my stuff" if I'd listen to theirs. The funny thing is I came back with some pretty lousy Romanian Christmas carols. I guess the joke was on me. Anyway, I just thought it would be cool to let Jackson know that I will continue to share his heart and songs with all those I continue to come into contact with. I also went to the Apple Farm Festival in Elmer, N.J. to see him and just about died when I got right up in the first row to see him. It was so cool to see him out in the daylight on a beautiful sunny day. I so wanted to share my Romanian stories with him, but unfortunately my ride was not a "die-hard" and didn't want to wait around for him. Talk about huge disappointments! He was just so relaxed and his songs reached into my soul as they always do. He spoke for a moment about making an "eye" connection with people in the audience, and wanted us to know that it really does happen. I could only hope he realized that ours met, if only for a moment. Thank you Jackson for being the passionate human being you are, and keep on rockin'!!!!!! Love to have coffee and tell you about my Romanian stories someday!
I'll spare everyone with a lot of details of the show but there are a couple of things that bear mention...
1. this was at least the 20th time I have seen Jackson over the past 25 years and I can assure you that this is not a tour to be missed! 2. have to share one story from the show...during the talk of all the versions of Take It Easy, Jackson mentioned that there was a Chinese version and David Lindley had agreed to sing it if Jackson ever found a copy of it. Of course, Jackson said, "how would we know?" Anyway, if ANYBODY out there has this rarity, could you please send it to Jackson just so David would have to TRY and sing it? That would be a scream!
Here is the song list...25 total...only 1 new tune...just short of 3 hours including 15 min. break.
GO SEE THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the great site, Russ!
Hi ALl - I just saw the Appel Farm concert as well - posted some pics of it all on the e groups list -
Yes!!!!!! JB was looking healthier than ever and definetely glowing - it was so great to see :) and he was mentally healthy and alert as well - now i havent seen JB more than 5 times but I was quite surprised at his mention of A woman he was broken up with for 6 months, saw again after this time and feel for her again and that this song he had written for her wasnt deserved bascially more or less - Then he sang "In A Shape of a Heart" -
I loved as he looked around scanning the audience for familiar faces of the usual fans and even knew some by name calling out to them (I believe he referred to a becky) - i couldnt help feel but a tinge of jealousy for i had met him but once and was reluctant to be myself - he would have never known my name - yet the gratitude of his honoring these folks was implicite and made us all feel special...Special that in maybe one day W E also had the chance to reserve a tiny yet special and sacred space in his memory - Imaging that was just thrilling!
I could have sworn that he promised to sing Skies Blue N Black once it got Darker but as i waited and the encore was finished, i realized it was not coming - did i misunderstand?
The encore, the very last song of the show was "I am a Patriot", which was desperately felt and well chosen - i couldnt help but keep feeling how Light and Virtues would have been a perfect piece of the mosaic as well - As for the new song he shared, it was different and struck me as not really JB'ish and i felt this wonderful artist walking down a new path - broadening his horizons in a way that Johnny Depp did on his acting - The words were deep and beautifully arranged yet the voice was sung differnet;y and the tune was unique - and then and only then did i see everything come together - the healthy look, the glow , the new song - the man is very much alive, working on his soul and it shows - i cant but thank my god, for allowing his existence here on earth with us to enjoy - I know you fans understand and god bless -
I was fortunate to see Jackson Browne twice while he was on tour--in early May in Connecticut and Saturday in Elmer, NJ. (Although I live in NJ, I had no clue where Elmer was so I thought I'd better at least catch the Connecticut show!) He played a few of the same songs (Late For the Sky, Fountain of Sorrow, I'm Alive, Looking Into You, Rosie) at both concerts, but each was different. The concert in Elmer was more up beat. He chatted more with the audience and talked about different songs, memories, etc.--maybe because it was daylight and he said he couldn't remember the last time he played when he could see people's faces. He also seemed surprised that there could be such a beautiful day in NJ! I haven't seen Jackson Browne in concert in a few years, but I thought he was better than ever.
I have been a fan since 1977 and age 12 and have relentlessly hunted down every recording of anything Jackson has ever done with anybody. As a soldier during Desert Storm, I got in trouble for playing the song "Lives in the Balance" and had my "GD HIPPY WAR PROTEST TAPE" confiscated!
I never had the chance to see the man until the other night in a small venue, at age 37 I finally get to see Jackson Browne live.
As the owner of my own business which employees more than fifty people, I never thought I would take the time to write a fan letter, but here I am.
The show was so freakin awesome. It was personal, down to earth and the fans ranged in age from 15 to 65. During intermission my friend and I met some ladies outside who were probably in their early to mid twenties and they commented how down to earth Jackson was in his performance.
That Jackson Browne is just an everyday guy on a personal level really came through. I have been to fifty plus concerts in twenty years of going to such things, and by far, Jackson Browne, sitting alone on stage with a Gibson acoustic and a Yamaha keyboard before a crowd of 2,000 fans, was the best show I have been to yet. Well worth the money at twice the price.
Hey Jackson, if you read this..... Awesome man, just awesome...you just keep getting better.
We made a little family pilgrimage from Minneapolis, to see the Rochester show. We flew into New York City, picked up a cousin and drove to Rochester. We had front, left center tickets and it was such an intimate distance. Jackson was playful and almost flirtatious. It was the most fabulous tension. Toward the end my sister asked Jackson to play "The Pretender," for our dad. He seemed happy to do so. When we got back to the hotel, we called dad. He was choked up and blubbering. It made up for not being able to be there. My sister is the best.
The man I sat next to was great too. He was overjoyed that people in their twenties liked and knew all the music. He loved the show also, and said that he loved how Jackson could represent the blue collar man, despite the fact that he wasn't one. The man asked me if I had the chance, what would I say to Jackson? At the time I didn't have an answer. What do you say to someone when you have seen inside their huge brain and still don't know them. After I was home, I thought about it. I would want to ask Jackson what music he listens to, and perhaps, what he thinks of Dave Mathews?
The entire show was great. It euphoric and afterward could hardly remember what had happened (that is after only one glass of wine). It took every part of me to be still in my seat, smile and let him sing to me. Very few things fully live up to one's expectations and are everything you want them to be. Jackson Browne is one of them.
Hey Russ, I just have one thing to say to all these great accounts of this tour that I have been reading..... 'SURE WISHED I WAS THERE,' THANKS, ... for taking the time to submit letters, and of course thanks again always to you, Russ for the whole page... Will the new record be live??? Just wondering aloud... I am so going to purchase next CD as soon as it comes out (no matter how long it takes!) Best thoughts to all JB fans...
I'm very surprised Jackson is touring with Tom Petty again. Nothing against Tom Petty, but I enjoyed Jackson much more,on his own tour. I went to the Browne/Petty show in Saratoga last August. The show was only half to three quarters full for Jackson's opening act. There were a lot of young fans for Tom Petty and the Heartbrealkers, who went wild for Tom Petty and the heartbreakers.
I went to the shows in Rochester,and Clearwater. Everyone was wild for Jackson at those shows, as you have all read. Why is Jackson taking a "back seat", as an opening act,that will feature, mostly Tom Petty fans? After this last tour, everyone can see Jackson can carry his own show. Again,I have nothing against Petty, I 'm just a huge Jackson Browne fan, like most everyone who reads this page.
With his new album release scheduled for fall, I thought he would tour with his band at that time, promoting the new album. I agree with the dude who hoped there would be lots of "live" stuff on the new album. Anyway, I'm really happy for Jackson about this last solo tour. This was the best thing that could happen to him. He's back on a "upswing"....
I thought I was the only true Jackson Browne fan in the world!! Ha!!!! It great meeting all of you out there!!
Webmaster's Reply:
Obviously there is no real need for Jackson to tour as an opening act for Tom Petty. He does it because he wants to. He obviously enjoyed doing it last year. It's also an opportunity to expose more people to his music.
Jackson's new album is currently very tentatively scheduled for a late September release date. Jackson won't start touring in support of the album until it gets released. So this is a good chance to warm up with the band in anticipation of a larger upcoming tour.
Don't expect any "live" material on the new album. Jackson has said in interviews that he has eleven new studio tracks. This will be his first new studio album since February 1996!
One great way to meet other Jackson Browne Fans is on the Jackson Browne Internet Mailing List that is currently hosted by YahooGroups. More than 900 Jackson Browne fans from around the world subscribe to the email list at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jacksonbrowne. This is an "unmoderated" list with open membership.
To subscribe to the mailing list, just send a blank email to jacksonbrowne-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. You will receive a subscription confirmation message. Simply reply to this message and your subscription will be complete. You can post messages to the group by email or from the YahooGroups Web site. To send an email message to other group members, create an email and address it to jacksonbrowne@yahoogroups.com
Note: You can only post to groups you've joined, and only from email addresses registered with YahooGroups. If you misspell the name of a group, or attempt to send an email from an account other than the one you joined under, your message will not be delivered. If you receive a failure notice, check your email addresses and try again. Note: YahooGroups restricts messages to 1 megabyte in size to prevent abuse.
YahooGroups will send you a password when you first subscribe. SAVE IT! You can sign on to your account using this password and edit your profile, change your password, or change to the DIGEST VERSION of the list... which is highly recommended due to the volume of traffic on the list. (The DIGEST VERSION means that you'll get all the day's posts in one large email each day instead of dozens of separate emails each day.)
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Russ
Sorry so late my computer has been down. I was fortunate enough to be at Louisville on May 31st in the fourth row during Jackson's incredible show. It was absolutely incredible. If I could see Jackson perform once a month it would not be enough. He is so personable and genuine and everything about this 3 hour concert was outstanding. His voice was great and got better as the night went on, his stories were great, and I am glad that I was there. The 4 hour car drive was well worth it. I just heard last night that his tickets for Verizon in Indy go on sale on Saturday. I will get to see him 3 times in the last year, what a great year, even if two of them are opening for Tom Petty. Again just wanted to thank you for this web site and access on keeping tabs on Jackson. I cannot wait for the new album and hopefully this will be good timing for the Rock n Roll hall of fame, where he should be. Thanks,
Hello all,
I just wanted to take a few minutes to remark on the three shows I just saw. My girlfriend and I drove 2 hours from South Jersey to see the show in Easton, Pa. It was worth every hour on the road. We were able to get out a night without hubbies and kids, but "Boy did we pay for it the next day" We've both been huge JB fans since the seventies, and going out on a weeknight, getting home at 2:00 am, and trying to get up the next day for work was tough. I remember in our "Younger" years, I could do this with no problem. Now, back to the awesome show. We had really good seats in this georgous auditorium with great acousitcs. All the songs were performed to perfection(in my mind). Jackson messed up on the words of a couple songs, but that was ok(it proves he's human). We(the audience) are always there to help him with the words when he forgets. We all know all the words to most of his songs. The one song I missed was "Here come those tears again" Yes, it was me yelling to play it. Sorry, everybody, it's my all time favorite. At one point Jackson finally said " I can't play "here comes those tears again", but I didn't catch the reason why. Did anybody else hear why? Our show was shorter than some of the Northern East coast tours. He cme on at 8:15, took a 15 minute break, then played until exactly 11:00 pm. Kind of bummed he only did one song in the encore. It was "I am a Patriot" .Back in to the car for hte long drive home, jamming to Jackson during the long turnpike drive.
The Easton tour was so magical, I had to try to get a ticket for the Baltimore show. I clicked on ticketmaster, and "walah", seats were available. I called several of my friends to take the trek with me, but everybody had plans. All those darn kid and family things getting in the way. I wasn't letting it stop me, so I made the 1hr 45 minute drive myself. My seat was not as good. I was up in the balcony, but the theatre was just as awesome. Jackson played several songs in Baltimore he didn't play in Easton. The audience kept calling out for songs, but he had a hard time hearing what everybody was saying. He joked about the acousitcs not so good from the stage side. Since everybody kept yelling, and he couldn't hear them anyway, somebody finally said "Play whatever you want", which he did, and everybody loved. He came on at 8:15 again, took a 15 minute intermission, and played until about 11:00. I scooted out of there a little early, since I was by myself, and a bit imtimidated by the parking garage. He was playing I am a Patriot at the time(which I heard in Easton). Did he play anything else after that?
Now, onto the highlight of my life! I went to the Appel Farms show in Southern New Jersey. I knew I wasn't going to get good seats, since it was 4:30 when I reached the farm. I was walking into the festival, when my boyfriend turned to me and nonchalantly said " hey Mare, look Jackson". I thought he meant a picture or poster or something, but there about 10 feet from me was Jackson Browne in the flesh.He was just standing there talking to some people. I've never been that close up to him in person. I started shaking all over, saying "oh my god, oh my god" I couldn't speak or move or anything. I became a blubbering idiot. A 40 year old groupie. I wanted to walk up to him and say something, but I couldn't even speak. I was shaking so bad!!.What was I supposed to say? I've been a fan for 30 years!! We just stood there and stared at him for about five minutes. Of course, I didn't have my camera!! My boyfriend kept saying, don't do anything stupid, like start gushing over him. Then we walked away, and got to an area so we could sit down. We were really far away from the stage, but it didn't matter. Just seeing Jackson made my whole day. We just sat on our blanket, and enjoyed the music. I didn't have to see him. I had really good seats at the last two shows, so this show was just an added bonus. The show was really good like the others, but it wasn't quite as long. The crowd was really nice, and mellow. Jackson kept commenting on how it was nice to do a show during the daylight. He was saying how he was seeing so many familiar faces. A lot of people started leaving during Jackson's performance, but they looked like the people who had been there all day. . There were a lot of families there, since children were free. You could tell that the parents were the fans, and the kids just went along for the ride. Now I keep hoping Jackson adds some more dates to the Tom Petty show, so maybe I can get one more chance to see him this summer.
A fan forever
Dear Russ:
I just wanted to pass along my thanks to all of Jackson's fans who traveled from far and near to attend the Appel Farm Festival on June 1, 2002. It was a great day that culminated with a fabulous and intimate performance. We are extremely grateful to Jackson Browne's management including Cree Clover and Donald Miller, as well as the great people at CAA -- Sue Berger and Carole Kinzel who worked with us to make this appearance possible.
All of us at Appel Farm were honored to present such a distinguished artist and hope we will have an opportunity to welcome him again in Elmer, New Jersey.
Sincerely,
First of all, thank you for this great web page. It is very interesting and informative. I feel like I know Jackson a little better having browsedÊthis site.
Secondly, I'd like to thank Jackson himself for just being who he is. I saw him in Pompano Beach recently, on his acoustic tour, and was totally blown away by the performance. It was so natural for him to hop from guitar to keyboard singing songs on a whim, no set list, just the audience's requests. In between songs, he was so personable and even amusing at times. While the things he said made me laugh, his songs have touched my heart. I can relate to so many of them, and so many have sentimental value to me. I will cherish his music forever. Thank you Jackson Browne.
Sincerely,
Here are my reviews on the Nashville show from the latest Jackson tour. If they are too long, you don't have to post them, but if you think they might be of interest on the review page, here they are.
PART 1
Hi Browne-head friends, I am dog-tired but on cloud nine because I made it to Nashville and it was the time of my life. I know I was actually meant to go. Everything went smooth as silk. I have so much I want to say that I would like to write it in parts. This is part one. I know, you are shaking your head...I see a long post. Yeah, so that's why three parts. But you know I won't even know if you delete it all. It's okay with me but many people have already e-mailed me personally to tell all so here goes.
I was so worried about myself. I just couldn't seem to get over the Greensboro concert. I just wanted a little more of that something fine. So I set my sights on Nashville; really no more than wishful thinking. But there was a pull and things just started falling into place. I think I was calling all the positive energy to me to get to this concert. I mean, all the signs were there. I don't believe in coincidence. It all came together with purpose and intent. But not without a lot of soul searching and anxiety at first.
I finally headed out on Tuesday morning from my mountain home in NC with a 6 hour trip ahead of me, alone and unsure. It had all come together so quickly and I had literally thrown stuff in the car, swung by the bank, and called everybody on the way out of town, including my husband.
I also just didn't feel at peace with going alone. I have traveled a lot and a lot of it alone but I was headed off to a place I have never been to meet up with people who were just e-mail names with no ticket and no place to stay that was certain. But Jeff and BJ are angels. Truly, they are. For they took me under their loving wings and made it all possible. And I do mean all!
As I was driving the first hour, I began to cry. I called everybody again; I guess to see if they would think I had finally lost my mind. They all assured me I was doing the right thing. Then right when I was beginning to actually consider turning around I saw a sign "Jackson street" and guys, I laughed aloud! I knew I was on the right road. As I made me way west, I listened to all Jackson boots and right when I saw the first sign for Nashville, he sang the lines 'and the distance leads me farther on' and I just kept on trucking down the road with a silly grin on my face. I had the windows down, the music blaring, sky roof open to a gorgeous blue sky and was singing at the top of my lungs. I was waving at people and they were smiling back. I was going to see Jackson!
I made it to my exit where I was to meet Jeff from the list. He had my ticket. About 9th or 10th row he said. Okay with me. It was a good seat and it was mine. He kept saying that on the phone. 'It's yours if you want it. I want a list member to have it'. That would be me! I pulled off the road and smuggly looked at the clock. 2:00! That was the exact time we had arranged to meet and here I was! But then I remembered the time change and I was an hour early. But it was great news to gain an hour going to see Jackson. More time to savor the moments.
Jeff met me; took me to his lovely home; introduced me to his great wife, baby boy Jackson, friends. And even made me a new boot for the road which was timely. I had literally worn out the 12 in the CD player. Jeff also warned me to be thinking about what I wanted to say when I met Jackson because he assured me I was going to meet him that night. Oh my God! That's all I had managed the first time I met him face to face. I could definitely improve on that!
I got to Nashville, found the TPAC, found my roomie BJ and freshened up for Jackson. I needed it. I was a mess and after the freshening I'm sure I wasn't much better. BJ and I chatted like old friends.
We got to the center about an hour early and mingled with some great list members (Debbie and Barb) and even had stimulating conversations that didn't even involve Jackson; well some of them didn't. And then it was time for the magic to begin.
I did have great seats. The center was lovely and there were his guitars and piano and the old faithful chair. The stage looked more formal than Gboro with the red velvet curtains and the different lightings. And the familiar items on stage looked like family members. He really had made it to Nashville after all. It seems when he is out of my sight, I kinda assume he's just there hanging out where I last saw him. I met some great people sitting around me who didn't even know about the list! And one of them had seen Jackson 28 times. List material, I thought, and jotted the address for her. She had brought her teenage daughter who was so nice but I knew wasn't as thrilled as we were to be there. Mine would have been doing a lot of eye rolling. You know that look, don't you?
He came out about 10 minutes late with red silk shirt, black pants, and actual business looking dress shoes. They kinda shocked me. I expected Berkinstocks. But he looked wonderful and his hair was a little longer than Gboro and the lighting on stage was perfect.
You will all be surprised to hear that the first song he did 'I'm Alive' ! But after that, even though I knew the songs by heart and even knew the words he would say and the stories he would tell, it was like the first time. He awed me. He put me under his spell. I sat there smiling at him like an idiot. I think I must look like a proud mother to others around me. I know I must appear obnoxious, nodding, smiling, mouthing every word, and scribbling notes on a pad. And then all that drooling. What a mess!
Set list:
And he was gone all too soon.
Okay, that's the basics. The great stuff will be Part 2. Can you tell I fancy that I am a writer???? The Nashville Jackson Browne novel by Jan Graham!
Thanks for listening,
PART 2:
Hey, I'm really alive. Last night I crashed and have just awoken to a beautiful summer day in the mountains of NC. And Jackson is 1000 miles away but for once it feels okay. More on Nashville...
The stage of this center really added to Jackson's concert for me. The rich red velvet curtains that matched his shirt, the soft spots that searched out every shine of his hair, the different soft colored lights in the background for different songs and music tempos. Beautiful. There was a great light guy there who knew Jackson's music and moods. And Jackson was situated right up close to the edge of the stage. There was definitely connection with the audience. Our own BJ had front row center, the best seat in the house and she deserved it. She could have reached out and touched those big ole shoes of his.
The odd part of the concert is that Jackson did not ever say that he had thrown away the set list and was just taking requests. That set a very different tone for the entire show. After he had played the first song, it was still and quiet in the audience as everyone seemed to be waiting without even breathing to see what he would choose to do next. He played Farther On. People still sat patiently. He played Barricades. Not much of any audience noise. He kinda put his hand over his eyes and peered out just to see if there was an audience out there! Seems people were really Jackson fans. Just wanted to hear every little syllable and chord. Even me who will call a song in a minute when invited to, didn't. It did not last but it was so pleasant.
Without being pelted with requests, Jackson played the World Love Wants to See song. It was beautiful. He talked of his girlfriend who had never listened to his music except when her father's girlfriend had played it in the house when she was growing up and he seemed delighted about that...saying later that was how it should be.
Later the crowd kinda woke up and realized that he would play their requests. Jackson mentioned that people liked to try to call the most obscure songs they could at a concert and someone to my right back called out some song that I don't think I have ever heard of and he said "Like that! Hi Jeff." And I think he said, please let me know if I heard wrong, "That's Jeff McEuen from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Did you know I used to play with the NGDB?" Was Jeff there? I don't know.
Someone said, "We love your hair." And Jackson laughed and said and I paraphrase something like it doesn't matter how well you sing or write songs as long as you have a good ass. People laughed and then he thanked the caller for liking his hair and said that it was turning white on this tour and the next time we saw him it might be completely white. I don't think so. I tried to picture him with white hair. I couldn't. Then someone called "I love your ass!" Okay, that will probably stay the same. Later Jackson said that he had looked in the mirror and he thought he looked like a dried up peach and that he wanted to get outside more but hadn't had a chance with this tour. (This wasn't during the show.) He looked healthy to me.
Jackson mentioned as Jeff has already posted that he felt intimidated to play in Nashville, Music City USA and that one in every three people could play guitar there. He said he had once gone to see Dolly Parton in concert and that she had told a little about herself and her roots during the concert. He commented that he thought that was pretty neat as country music singers seemed to know that your roots were as important as your music. Again I paraphrase. That's what I heard. So then he said, "I'm Jackson Browne and I'll be your entertainment for the night." Classic.
Jackson was chatty. I like him to be unless I fear that he will talk so much I'll miss out on some great songs. He told that he was doing this tour to get away from his home for awhile as he was raising his 11 year old nephew and had to get him to school, etc. He said once during some dialoge, "I don't know why I'm telling you guys this."
Before he played Something Fine, he talked about how Amsterdam was now the place to go since things weren't real safe in Morroco. He said that he kept seeing the roll of undeveloped film in the ashtray of his house and finally had it developed and there was his son, Ethan, in Amsterdam in with a friend, bong in hand, etc and Jackson posed for us like Ethan looked in the picture. Great look!
My night was indeed charmed! People seemed to come up to me, strangers, to just chat. I have always had people do this as I have never really met a stranger but this was like wierd. Some young guy, my daughter's age, came up to me and asked if I knew if the show was being taped. Why would I know? But we had a great conversation about Jackson and some other musicians and exchanged e-mails since he wanted to know Jackson sites, etc.
Oddly enough, there were many empty seats in front of me on several different rows. I decided after intermission to warm one of those seats because I didn't want Jackson to see the empty seats up close to him! Honestly, groups of five or six seats empty in several rows. And when I called for tickets, Second tier was the best they could offer. Guess people just couldn't make it...Anyway, I moved up and a guy with kinda a Jackson hair style sat beside me as he upgraded his seat. He said he was a muscian in Nashville, piano player, Jamie Slater, who plays Elton, Billy Joel and wanted to check out Jackson's piano playing and songs. We both lamented that Jackson didn't play a Baby Grand. I just can't get beyond that. I know that the TPAC had one he could have used. I want that bad! I like the effect of a real piano. But any way, I warned him that I was a die-hard fan and wouldn't be talking during the songs and so after each one he would very quietly ask me what it was, which album, who was it written for. It was fun to be his tour guide to turning him on to Jackson. When Jackson told the story of Fountain of Sorrow he asked who he was talking about and I told him Joni. He was so surprised. Then I mentioned his first wife and the suicide and he didn't know. When For a Dancer was played, he said that is a great song, what album is it on, and I just couldn't believe someone could be alive in this world and have not heard the absolute greatest single album in the world, LFTS. He said he was going to look into buying it the next day. I did notice that most of Jackson's songs are slow and he seemed a little antsy. When Jackson started TIEZ, he perked up and said 'But this is an Eagle's song' and I filled him in. We shared mints, binoculars, and comments and it made the show fun. But during the songs, I was still totally Jackson's and forgot he was even sitting there. When Jackson did I Am A Patriot, this guy said that is a super song and I shared about Lil Steven, etc. My mind went blank about which album this song is on. I knew the other recordings on the album but couldn't remember which name to tell him. He'll find his way to Jackson I am sure.
Someone called out some song that Jackson didn't think he could do. I don't remember which one. He said that the night before he had been asked to do You Love the Thunder and that he had barely made it through. Someone kinda yelled 'yeah' and he said 'so you were there?' He said that David Lindley always said that the one thing about music was that it was supposed to sound good.
I told you that someone called out for him to play his favorite song and he started 'Freebird'. I am not a fan but I know that it is a joke amongst entertainers because there is always someone in the audience who will call it, especially in the south. In Greensboro, someone called for Whipping Post. Yeah, you're in the deep south, baby. Allman Brothers land. But Jackson ended up doing Don't you want to be there? and I was spellbound.
As the show was nearing its end, Jackson thanked us for being such a warm and nurturing audience. Many people laughed. Poor guy, he was totally confused why that was funny and so was I. I heard him later ask someone why that was funny. I didn't catch their response. But the audience was warm and nurturing. You could have heard a pin drop through most of his songs...honestly.
One funny. He was playing The Pretender and after the first verse he said, 'I'm playing this in the wrong key.' He changed keys and continued on with the second verse. Later he said he knew he couldn't reach the notes in the key he was in and realized he was playing in the wrong one. He handles these things with such grace and anything he does, the audience totally forgives him any small 'failures' and doesn't confront him with them.
When Jackson came out for his one and only encore, sniff sniff, someone called out LFTS. He said, 'Didn't I do that? Are you sure?' He and I were so shocked he didn't do that song.
Gotta stop because you think by now I'll never stop. But more later. Saving the best for last.
PART 3:
Hi constant and patient readers and friends,
Okay, I promise. This is the last installment of the Jackson novel. It is unauthorized by Jackson so keep it a secret.
The show was over. But I couldn't be sad. I had a tag hanging around my neck from a nice list member that said I could go backstage after the show! I have never done this. I was walking in a dream. I wished Jamie Slater, the guys next to me during the concert, much success as a musician and told him I would be listening for him when he was famous. Such a great guy. I headed over to the right side of the stage where Tom Campbell was beginning to direct traffic backstage. I was so nervous. Just being in Tom's presence thrilled me. He is kinda a hero of mine, a true legend of using music for raising awareness of some super causes and issues. He looked just like his pics with the neat braid in his grey curly hair. He is great at what he does. Personal and friendly but direct and to the point.
I walked through those door and was transported into a large waiting room that was freezing cold. I guess fans seem to get too hot and might pass out when they meet Jackson. It could happen to the best of us, me, so it was probably good that it was like a freezer in there. There was a lovely reception table of some delightful sweets but I just couldn't eat. I tried. I got chocolate on my shirt. I drank some water and it drooled down my shirt.
Tom got up and told us the rules. I know alot of you know all of this but this is for those like me who have never gone through this. 'No autographs because then Jackson's head is always down signing and you won't get to look into his eyes which is what I know each of you wants to do.' Yeah, that's right. Who needs an autograph? I wanted to look into his eyes. You know, just to see what color they really are. LOL. He asked who had a camera and since mine was visably hanging around my neck, I raised my hand. I was one of the only ones to raise my hand. He kinda seemed to chastise me because we obviously really weren't supposed to bring them but then it was just amazing that everybody produced a camera when they got close to Jackson. The deal with the cameras is that you can't take pictures while Jackson is talking to other people etc. and when you have your chance, Tom takes your camera and takes the picture. That made sense to me too. Then Tom said, 'Okay I think Jackson is probably finished toweling off and I'm going to go get him and bring him down.' Okay, I was dying. I sat down with BJ and tried to be good while waiting for him to enter that door.
He did. And he had on his black leather coat and his big banker's shoes. They didn't look like size 17 to me. And he is only about 5'8" to me. BJ kept saying so too and not a centimeter more!
We were such a well-behaved group. I didn't fall at his feet weeping or grab him or anything. We all just moved closer to him. Tom turned around and grabbed my arm and said go introduce yourself to Jackson. I was the first one! I went over and he looked at me and I said, "I have been waiting 30 years to look into your eyes!" Okay, I know. Not the best opening. But it was better than "Oh my God!" from previous meeting. And sorry Roxie, but I didn't tell him who he was! (I love that by the way). He just stood there smiling slightly and let me look into his eyes. I mean what could he say to that except just let me look. Not much of a lead in for conversation. His eyes are the 'kind and deep' color. I don't even remember the color. They are just kind and they see only you when they are focused on you. And he was. But I think they are brown but change with lighting and shirt color because I could fancy some gray and some blue and some green in them. My daughter has those kind of eyes. Then I just stood there. So Tom knew he should rescue me and he offered to take our picture. Jackson put his arm around me (heart beat beat beat!) and we smiled for the camera and then the photographer with Jackson took us too. And I was finished way too soon with my Jackson moment.
I just couldn't be cool like BJ who talked to Jackson just like he was an old friend. I'll let her tell what they talked about. She did get the inside scoop. And then I just couldn't go sit down while he greeted the others gathered there. So I just stood looking and listening to him as he chatted. He really does have an amazing way of looking into each person's eyes and having a real conversation with them. He doesn't look away or at someone else. He totally focuses on you for the few minutes you have with him. He talked of the books he is reading (Independence Day by Peter???) and his nephew, girlfriend, etc. Once he asked why we all laughed about the warm and nurturing audience and I don't know what was responded. He talked of Imagination which he can't seem to finish and how it just took off from Dr. My Eyes so naturally.
When list friends Jeff et.al. had their moment they invited me to be in their picture with Jackson. And even after that, I still hovered around. I did get to talk to Tom some...I asked to have a picture made with him but he wouldn't let me. Said he was Buddist and couldn't do it??? Anyway, everyone had talked to him and I looked at Tom and said "Please let me have one more moment with Jackson" and Tom, probably noting the desperation in my voice, just nodded his head. I walked up to him and asked the very stupidest thing...did he get a letter passed to him backstage at the Greensboro concert from me. Like he would remember that! But that letter said it all. And I wanted to know. He said 'I get a lot of letters.' I like a fool said 'you do?' Yeah, I am the only one who has ever written him a letter! I felt like Chris Farley SNL on the talk show...'you remember when??? Stupid, Stupid, Stupid.' Then he looked me in the eye and said "What did it say?" I couldn't remember all of a sudden. But I blurted out, 'It wasn't a love letter, it was an admiration and gratitude letter. It said that you were my hero because of your political stand on issues. You are a poet. You are a prophet.' He just smiled a little like an indulgent parent. I couldn't speak, my mouth felt like cotton so he offered me his hand and said it was nice to hear that and I think I said, 'how about a hug?' and he two-armed hugged me and I hugged him back and I kissed him on his sweet cheek and I really believe he did the same to me. The moment of a life time! As we walked to where a crowd was waiting to take Jackson's picture with the Gilda group, I told him I was a teacher and used his music in my classroom and he stopped and said that that was so neat. I told him I always use How Long because it made my students think. He seemed so genuinely pleased.
Then he posed for pictures and I asked Tom if I could snap some of those pics and he let me. I think I carried that a bit far because I shot one and Tom gave me a stern look. Okay, you can't blame a girl for trying.
Everyone was leaving the room. I just couldn't. I mean, he was still in there talking. Finally, when I was convinced he was leaving too I was persuaded out. As BJ and Jeff and Tracey and all of us went out into the balmy night, there was a handful of people waiting around his bus. My heart truly went out to them. I knew that feeling so well. And I also realized why Jackson doesn't want to meet and greet people at the bus. I am sure after the show and then the reception, he is so tired. It made me appreciate the fact that he took the time to shake our hands at Greensboro at the bus. I realize now it was probably the last thing he wanted to do. But he did and looked us each in the eye and even allowed a picture.
What do I say? I have tried to recall each moment in my mind and it seems just like a dream that I am desperately trying to hold onto but seems to be floating away. But what I carry with me is his easy smile and the ability he has to center on the person he is talking to and totally become absorbed in what they are saying, male or female. He is truly there for the fans. He was in good humor. He even seemed to be enjoying himself. He was perfect. But you know, all good things gotta come to an end. The thrills do have to fade before they come around again. Come around again soon, Jackson. We're your family and we love you.
Let the music keep your spirits high,
Hi Russ. I'm hoping someone will post a review of Jackson's concert at Ruth Eckerd in Clearwater on Saturday May 25th. I checked your site in early May and found that he would be in town. When I called there were like 4 single seats left. I should have checked your site sooner!!! What a bummer.... but I bought one of the tickets way in the back anyway. I wasn't going to let an acoustical concert go by!! Anyway I ended up missing the show. My Mom had unexpected complications from cardiac surgery and I had to fly out of state that day. It's been 2 years since I've seen him solo and acoustical. So if anyone out there was at Ruth Eckerd - I'm dying to know about the concert.
I wasn't able to see Jackson Browne in concert this Spring as he toured the east. It was my vacation week and being with my child and grandchildren in an area he was not playing, was my top priority. If they had been close to where he was holding a concert, I would have taken them.
I have been a fan of JB since 1974. Long time! I truly understand what he means by "Senior moments".
I have enjoyed following the tour by reading the fan concert reviews, on this site, after each scheduled show. It has been insightful, educational, entertaining, and sometimes disturbing.
The first time I waited near the bus, after a concert, I met some truly nice people who admired, respected, stood in awe of, and a few who were "in love" with Jackson Browne. It was a wonderful experience I repeated the same pattern for three additional concerts over several years, until the night when I saw how we were draining him. Asking too much of him. He has had the courage to bare his soul in public through his songs and that should be enough for us.
I don't understand the women who were angry during the first part of the tour when JB wouldn't come out to greet them. All he owed them was the wonderful performance he gave on stage. The disturbing part, believing that he is a prophet. He is a poetical lyricist, musician, political activist, and a man. A generous man with his fans and the concerts he plays to support the causes he believes in.
I can understand why he guards his privacy as strongly as he does. It must be difficult to have a stable, romantic relationship when so many women want to be his next lady, always fawning over him when they get the chance.
I will always be grateful that Jackson Browne decided to make music his career, but you won't see me by the bus. I choose to leave the man in peace.
Thank you Russ for this wonderful site. It is definitely the best fan site on the web. I'll keep reading.
Russ,
Do you or anybody else in the JB community have any idea where I can get a Jackson Browne concert t-shirt? I bought one at his recent show in Pompano, and to my dismay, I discovered two holes under the arms. It is the "I'm Alive" white shirt. What I want to do is buy one I can wear around, and keep my original one for sentimental value. (Wearing that shirt is literally wearing my heart on my sleeve. The picture on it and all the lyrics to that CD portray my feelings so much.) Anyway, thanks for any help you can provide.
Sincerely,
Webmaster's Reply:
This is one of the most common questions sent my way. There is no place that I know of where people can curently purchase Jackson Browne concert T-shirts, except (of course) at his concerts.
HOWEVER, I hear that there are tentative plans to make these shirts available at some point in the near future, from Jackson Browne's official Web site at www.jacksonbrowne.com.
At the moment, I've heard no timetable as to when this might happen, but I think it's a great idea and I know that LOTS of us fans will jump on such an opportunity. If anyone else out there knows of a place that sells Jackson Browne T-shirts, please write in and let us know!
Russ
That would be great if we could get Jackson's tour shirts and even the "classic" shirts" thru Jackson's official site. (C'mon, how hard can that be to set up?)
The only other alternative I've seen for getting Jackson tour shirts is thru EBAY. I have seen a few of them there and all I can say is, they look great but as far as being "authentic tour shirts" - buyer beware. Even if you don't mind if it's the real deal or not, it is, I think, your only other option.
*Quick question - Will Jackson be doing the Solo/Acoustic stuff or will he have some sort of band backing him on the Tom Petty shows this summer??? Just curious.
Have a great day!! :)
Webmaster's Reply:
Jackson Browne will tour with Tom Petty in August 2002. Sixteen shows between August 6th and September 1st. For these shows, Jackson will perform with his band: Mark Goldenberg on guitar, Mauricio "Fritz" Leewak on drums, Kevin McCormick on bass, Jeff Young on keyboards, and Jennifer Gross on backing vocals. Please see the Tour Information section of this site for dates and locations.
I am a 38 year old single white female who resides in Newport, Rhode Island. I have been a pretty decent JB fan since seeing him in July 1994. it was the best concert I had ever been to. and I have been to a few-- like Billy Joel 6 times and everyone from Neil Diamond to Reo Speedwagon twice to Art Garfunkel in l998 who I actually met and shook hands with and got an autograph from. anyway, I saw JB one other time in Auguest 1998 when he played with Bonnie Raitt and freinds. it was a really good concert but it rained and I was out on the lawn and JB only ssang 7 songs. ha. put at least I got a "Next Voice you Hear" t-shirt. Jackson Browne t-shirts are a little difficult to find I think. anyway, I have been dying to see JB again, and was hoping he might even play the Providence Performing AARts center sometime which he had played in Feb. 1994, but I didn't get to go to that concert but saw him later that summer. anyway, this past Easter Sunday, March 31st, happened to be my 38th birthday and I was out with some old friends in the eveniing and we were talking about concerts we hqad gone to and I was saying the only concert I might have wanted to go tyo last year was Tom Petty and Jackson Browne and my friend was saying he went to that, I said what, I love Jackson Browne, then he tells me JB is playing tat the Providence Peerforminhg Arts Center in May./ Now I am really freaking out!!!!!!! this was like my birthday present from God. ha ha. I also found out tickets had just gon on sale the day before, so I was absolutely thrilled, I called the place, and they said the computer is down, call back in a half hour, then I called again, call back in hour, called again, said computer is still down but could take my name and infor mations and credit card number, I said I wanted the best available seats, and wanted something toward the middle of the stage, I knew it was solo acoustic and he was just jgoing to stand there and not move for 2 hours or whatever. I also said I might want balcony I didn't want a tall person in ffront of me on the floor they said they were up to the 28th row. anyway later that night they called and left me a message they had to fronyt fo row center balcony seats for me. I was really sp psyched!!!!!!!
next I hads to figure out who to go with=== my boyfriend at the time didn't want to----well that's another story. lets just cut to the chase, I ending up meeting my friends husband in Providence for the concert, I don't have a car so had to take a bus up but that was no problem. I met my friends husband no problem our seats were great plus I had 8 power binoculars, I wanted to see every wrinkle on JBs 53 year old face. ha ha well---the concert was excellent I loved it. I couldn't believe I was there. I kept telling myself, well, Susan, you got your wish here you are at a Jackson Browne concert at the PPAC/ I was saying that to myself because abouta year and a half earlier I had been to see "grease" at the PPAC amd I remember thinking as I walked around the lobby during the intermission"I wish this was a Jacskon Browne concert" well--- I guess God heard my prayer. ha ha ha ha. I also have been saying for a long time that I am going to marry JB----I know that is a little bit out thre-- ha ha----but was wondereing how I would meet him I thought maybe the Newport Folk Festival I live right here in Newport and also I wrote a letter to the editor I guess I Aug. 99 suggesting they get JB to play there--Im still hoping they will--this year they have got Bob Dylan--yuck--but he is way before my time even JB is a little bit anyway----the concert was really good--he was doing all these really old songs and unless you were a diehard fan like myself and had all twelve of his albums and knew all the songs on them the only songs you would probably recognize were doctor my eyes (which has never been my favorite jb songs) and the pretender (which has always been my favorite popular jb song) well--
the concert finally got over at ll:15 (it was 3 hours including intermission) and everyone left the auditorioum. but these two girls were sitting next to me, and I was talking to them earlier and one had seen JB like 13 times or something and met him,. well---I said I want to meet him---I had brought a camera and stuff to autograph cause I was convinced I would meet him. well----there was a little crowd by side of stage and the girls said that is for people wiyth backstage passes, I walked right down there, they said do you have a backstage b-pass, I said no, they said I could go outside, so I did and usure enought, there was a big silver bus, and a small crowd of people, and some bodyguards and a door. amd tjese people kept coming out of the door, but not JB. I was right at the front of the crowd of people. I was like the cheerleader. I was telling everyone that JB's real name is Clyde. actually, I had a plan during the concert to scream out "i love you clyde" I guess I'm gland IU never got the nerve to do it, it's kinda mean and most people don't even know that's his real first name. some in the crowd did. we started singsling some of his songs. we were waiting and waiting it was getting later and later, my lsslast but back to Newport was at l a.m. it was 12, 12:30, I was gettinhg really nervours I would ,miss my bus back to Newport, but I did have a Visa on me and thought I could get a motel room in providence, but I really didn't want to, I was praying and praying, someone had come out and said he wasn't going to do autographs, well, i didn't care I wanted pictures to prove I was really thre.
I had my did disposable camera all ready, and guess what, God heard my prayers again, because about 12:37 a.m., who walks out the door, my first thought was " "that's him????" he looked shorter than I thought, he looked tired anbd old. I took a total or 5 pics, 2 full lengths, and 3 more close ups of him shaking hands with people in front of me, I could have shaken his hand if I triend, but I was too bust, taking pics and winding film on my disposable camera, so he just shook hands and said hello to us, that was it. he went into the bus, I ran to catch my bus withg fifteen minu8tes to spare. the next day I got my pics developed and was very happy with them. it was very cool to see him up that close amd get pics. ireally like his voice and songs. he's just a man who happens to sing for a living. he is not god after all ( I didn't think he was) i think i've babbled enoguh this is not even my computer, it's my brother in laws. hope everyone in cyberspace enjoys my story, and if Mr. Browne himself ever reads this, are you interested in a 38 years old, never married, no children Catholic woman, who loves you and your music?????? also I play the piano, and can play a few of your songs, plus I write some songs (but I can't really sings--sorry) I am looking forward very much to meeting JB at the Newpor Folk Festival, and this time I will shake his hand and talk to hi and get a picture of me next to him that is if he doesn't falling iinstantly in love with me when he sees me and sees I have the eyes he's been looking for in that song "the late show" (my favorite jb song by the way)
I've been a Jackson Browne fan for 23 years and seen him numerous times including this acoustic show. It was definitely an interesting experience, especially since I was trying to ignoreÊmy two boys fussing throughout most of the show. It was great to hear some of the slower acoustic songs which he doesn't typically perform in band shows including Looking Into You, Bright Baby Blues, Song for Adam, and one of my all time favorites, Fountain of Sorrow. It's too bad I was sitting mid-field as Jackson indicated he would honor requests; I would have loved to hear Farther On, Sleep's Dark and Silent Gate, Red Neck Friend, or anything from Hold Out.ÊAll in all, it was great to hear Jackson Browne is still rocking!