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Fan Letters & Reviews June 2008 CONCERT REVIEW: May 31, 2008 at Santa Monica High School's Barnum Hall, in Santa Monica, CA Performers--Venice, Jackson Browne, Heart, student musicians and choirs, guest musicians. Jackson Browne's "set"--Barricades of Heaven (solo guitar) In The Shape Of A Heart (solo guitar) as a song which was requested and as a dedication to his "heroines" Heart. Late For The Sky (piano with Kipp Lennon) Lives In The Balance (guitar with guest guitarists and a former band member/now Santa Monica HS principal on panpipe) The Next Voice You Hear (guitar with student jazzband) which was one of many highlights for me as I enjoyed watching Mr. Browne pointing to various students to have them solo (did I hear a Pink Panther movie theme sneak in?), his liberal applause for them, and seeing smiles and perhaps encouraging words exhanged as well. Something Fine (guitar with Heart--Nancy Wilson played mandolin). This song was during Heart's set and Mr. Browne was teased about "playing hard to get" when his reappearance on stage was briefly delayed. Domino (guitar with Venice and student band) Running On Empty (guitar with Venice, student band, school choir) Take It Easy (guitar with Venice, student orchestra, school choir) Venice and Heart both had solo sets way too full of energy (leading to dancing instead of remembering things) to note all the songs but highlights included Venice's "One Quiet Day" and their medley of "Superstition/Fame/It's Only Rock and Roll" complete with Jagger impersonation. Heart had us dancing in our seats to "Crazy On You" (at least that's the title I remember--apologies if the rocking was to one of their other many hits) Submitted by: voodoo@rushmore.com CONCERT REVIEW: June 1, 2008 at Sycamore Grove Park in Los Angeles, CA for the 3rd Annual Lummis Day Festival of Northeast Los Angeles A beautiful LA day under the trees in a neighborhood park with a small stage/bandshell for a day of free dance, comedy, and music. And a nearly perfect setlist complete with the added excitement of a full backing band and singers. Mr. Browne offered memories of his youth in the neighborhood and did some songs he said were inspired by and/or written in the neighborhood. He opened with "Boulevard" and although the festival was located in the "avenues", the song's themes can apply to many streets and cities. Mr. Browne personalized the lyrics by naming local boulevards in surrounding neighborhoods. Next up was "The Pretender" with more street scenes and a real-life firetruck siren racing down Figueroa during his lines about "where the sirens sing....". "Somebody's Baby" followed and lightened the mood lyrically while still offering a line about street life ("guys on the corner stand back...."). Sticking with the local theme, Mr. Browne next did "Lawless Avenues" and then enlarged the themes of violence both local and distant with "Lives In The Balance". Both songs seem to reflect back on the hard times commented on in "Boulevard". My area of the audience which contained diverse ages and races seemed particularly energized by "Lives" with everyone asking what the song's title was and which album it is on. This seeming setlist within a setlist concluded with "The Next Voice You Hear" which encourages perserverance despite troubles surrounding you/concerning you. His backing band and singers which included Craig Doerge (piano), Bob Glaub (bass), Mauricio Lewak (drums), Chavonne Morris (singer), and Alethea Mills (singer) were given individual moments to shine during this song. The second "half" of the set offered the crowd, many of whom may not have known anything about Mr. Browne's music, some "hits" and some easy to dance to rockers in the form of "Redneck Friend", "Running On Empty", "Doctor My Eyes", "The Load-Out/Stay" ("Charles Lummis don't mind"), and "Take It Easy". Although Mr. Lummis didn't mind if we stayed, we were told the fire marshall did mind and he/she took the blame for the lack of a second encore. Granted, a full "local" set might have included "Walking Slow" and "Looking Into You" but this set kept people on their feet and kept them listening. Thank you, Mr. Browne, for the chance to hear so many favorites and to dance the night away. I suspect some new fans were won. Submitted by: voodoo@rushmore.com GENERAL FAN COMMENTS: Was spending time with my daughter and granddaughter today and my daughter--who grew up listening to JB--said I heard a Jackson Browne song on the radio today--it was something about a mystery companion--it was really good mom. Do you have a copy? I do have a copy and as of tomorrow--her birthday--she will too-- It's good to share the things that have meant so much with the next generation--especially JB songs. Thanks again for the site Russell. Submitted by: dmjohnson@bazzirk.com (Donna in Austin) GENERAL FAN COMMENTS: Russ, I am a more or less lifelong fan of Jackson and now aged 54.I live in York, England, and by the reading of some of some fan's letters, I am very lucky to have been able to see JB on numerous occasions in both large and small venues in the UK over the years. I play and sing myself in various bands but at home my repetoire is all JB. I am delighted that my three girls, now all grown and fled, are all musicians and have JB songs as major parts of their set lists. Not too surprising seeing as they have lived with my interests over the years. I think I am probably a bit obsessive about JB's music and definitely recognise his skill in writing about what he has been through. It has been a major contribution to living my own life. Too bad there is no portal(as there is with other artists) for Jackson to read what his fans want to say to him. In fact, it is incongruous with the way that many people think of him. Anyway, I am determined to go to the US to see him . No tour dates yet but when announced I intend to be at one. Well done for keeping the site going....at least we can talk among ourselves. Greetings to all fans from sunny England. Submitted by: gford657@aol.com (Graham) GENERAL FAN COMMENTS: Hello, I have been a fan of Jackon Browne for as long as I can remember. My favorite song is One of These Days, he is so talented. He has a sadness about him that is real and it comes through in his music. Submitted by: trinkkeller@sbcglobal.net (Jamie T.) Go To Jackson Browne Fan Letters and Reviews from July 2008 RETURN to Jackson Browne Fan Letters Page RETURN to Jackson Browne Home Page |