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Fan Letters & Reviews March 2011 CONCERT REVIEW: February 25, 2011 at Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, CA Jackson Browne At The Arlington by Bob Lefsetz (Feb 26, 2011): www.lefsetz.com/wordpress/index.php/archives/2011/02/26/jackson-browne-at-the-arlington Running On Empty by Bob Lefsetz (March 1, 2011): www.lefsetz.com/wordpress/index.php/archives/2011/03/01/running-on-empty/ Submitted by: your webmaster GENERAL FAN COMMENTS: Need Tickets Hi Russ, I am looking for good tickets to either the Pechanga or Long Beach concerts. Anyone who has tickets to sell can reach me at Carco2@aol.com Submitted by: Carco2@aol.com GENERAL FAN COMMENTS: hi russ, how goes it in your neck of the woods? here in northern california it is rain, rain and more rain this week. But my spirits haven't been dampened for going to jackson concerts and I attended 3 out of his 4 on this tour. santa cruz, santa barbara and last night santa rosa but my tour ends here at home in santa rosa. I looked at the letters posting on the fan site and was surprised to not see postings from these, or bakersfield, concerts. aren't people writing in their reviews anymore? maybe I will have to do the three i went to but with 3 in one week they are sort of all blending together!!! hope all is well for you and your family. thanks for the great website! "when we come to the place where the road and the sky collide, throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide" Submitted by: ccley90@hotmail.com (Cheryl)
CONCERT REVIEW: March 2, 2011 at Sacramento Community Center in Sacramento, CA Jackson made his way to Sacramento Wednesday March 2, 2011 by way of Santa Rosa the night before. I mention this because the nice lady I sat next to attended both shows, and gave an interesting perspective of how different each show was testifying to the fact the fans seem to drive the solo acoustic shows. Our evening was full of ballads, and she indicated the night before was more rock. It was a wonderful evening, and I decided to sit back and enjoy myself, so I didn't copiously write down each song so I could provide a complete play list. I can tell you he played "In the Shape of a Heart" because my new friend and I synchronized yelling it out, and Jackson said "okay" and promptly played it! A lot of old favorites were played, mixed in with some more obscure songs along with his new song on the plastic waste (It would be nice if the venues would clarify you can now bring in your own water container because they did have those Britta re-fill stations Jackson supports available.). A well rounded show with a great crowd that hopefully gave everyone there what they were hoping for. Except for the camera police, the Sacramento Community Theater was excellent for this type of concert. Times are a changing and so should the camera rules - I think those with nefarious intent of bootlegging will always get their recordings, so why not let those of us just seeking a personal memento capture it? Just saying. Thanks for the space Russ. Submitted by: johnboy87@sbcglobal.net (Janet D. aka DRanch) CONCERT REVIEW: March 1, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa, CA Listening to Jackson singing "running up 101" at the Wells Fargo Center in Santa Rosa - which is right on 101, the stage being maybe less than 100 yards from the freeway, I had to wonder, is there any venue closer to 101 where he has sung Running on Empty? Submitted by: rayson@sbcglobal.net (Tom R.) CONCERT REVIEW: March 2, 2011 at Sacramento Community Center in Sacramento, CA hello russ, first, of course, i want to thank you for this wonderful forum. i am not a blogger or anything fancy like that, and i still look here first. so, now on to the concert in sac on wed night. the words incredible, fantastic, superb, sublime, and perfect all fit this wonderful night. jackson was in fine form, at the top of his game i would say, and i have seen him over 30 times in the last 37 years. he was warm and engaging, seemed very serene. maybe because he is just getting started with this tour he was less jostled by people screaming out requests, and later admitted he was being "lazy" by letting the audience help with the playlist. below find the playlist, not in order, but remembered, maybe forgot a few, but think it's pretty complete. it was great to be close to the stage so as to pick up on all the mumbled comments, too. also, jackson was gracious to remind us of the great warren zevon, and did his tune, "don't let us get sick" especially well. i had never heard sky blue and black live before, and this was done so well, as were they all, we all just left the concert totally happy and blown away. we had seen a double full-arching rainbow earlier on the way to concert, and i guess that sums up how we traveled into jacksons space for his great show. thank you, jackson, for a night i will never forget. songs performed: farther on the pretender barricades of heaven looking east in the shape of a heart your bright baby blues jamaica say you will our lady of the well something fine these days looking into you take it easy late for the sky for everyman givin that heaven away sky blue and black plastic gryo song don't let get sick (wz) ready or not two of me, two of you for a dancer my stunning mystery companion going down to cuba running on empty Submitted by: caminoalp@att.net (Alison P.) SET LIST: March 4, 2011 at Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, AZ 1. Farther On 2. Ready or Not 3. The Barricades of Heaven 4. For Everyman 5. These Days 6. Don't Let Us Get Sick 7. Before the Deluge 8. Rosie 9. Cocaine (Rehab Version) 10. Giving That Heaven Away 11. Rock Me on the Water 12. Looking Into You 13. Your Bright Baby Blues 14. Time the Conqueror 15. Lawyers, Guns and Money 16. For a Dancer 17. The Pretender 18. Fountain of Sorrow 19. Going Down to Cuba 20. Lives in the Balance 21. In the Shape of a Heart 22. I Am a Patriot 23. Running on Empty 24. Take it Easy Submitted by: several different fans in attendance CONCERT REVIEW: March 5, 2011 at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA Here's a review from the Southwest River News Network Concert review: All alone, Jackson Browne delivers at Pechanga Theater www.swrnn.com/southwest-riverside/2011-03-05/ lifestyle/concert-review-all-alone-jackson-browne-delivers-at-pechanga-theater Submitted by: your webmaster LETTER TO JACKSON: Hi Russ My 'letter' to Jackson would merely be a request for him to tour our lovely country - when he gets a moment! I live in Cape Town, South Africa and would love, nay adore the chance to see him perform in a solo, acoustic concert. His music is simply utterly fabulous - with lyrics that carry a message [and are not vacuous] and a melody that plays on and on in one s head. Play it loud, play it soft - it doesn't matter - nothing else matters except the song. There - I've said it! Many, many thanks. Submitted by: jennib@smmi.sanlam.com (Jenni) GENERAL FAN COMMENTS: Hi I am a long time fan of Jackson's. I just recently watched Troubadors: Carole King & James Taylor. During the show, Jackson Browne was playing accoustic guitar singing Bob Dylan's "I want you". I was wondering if you know if Jackson ever played the whole song live and if he did, when was it. Thanks Submitted by: xxsandy63xx@aim.com (Chris)
CONCERT REVIEW: March 5, 2011 at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA March 5, Pechanga Great concert. My husband and I have seen Jackson many many times but this was the first acoustic concert and we enjoyed it very much and had great seats. There were 11 of us (9 that went to Middle and High School with Jackson). We were able to let him know we were there and got to say a quick hello. He seemed genuinely excited we were there although a little overwhelmed. All of us were more than thrilled. We all felt like we were back in the 60's just enjoying being together. Submitted by: bflorio@twsins.com (Brenda F.) LETTER TO JACKSON: I just purchased a copy of Going Home. I love it. I am a native of Cameroon in West Africa. I have been listening to Jackson since about 1974 when I was in middle school, in a small town called Kumba. (Jackson would have no idea where this is) Yes, Jackson, you have fans in Kumba, Cameroon, who love your music dearly. You are one of my favorite artists of all time. I now live in the New York metro area. I am sorry I have not been able to see you live. Just checked the schedule and there is nothing for the north east. I am also very shocked that I can find only one DVD of live performance---Going Home. Are there anymore and how can I get them? Please let me know. Thank you. Submitted by: NhuMenda@aol.com (Emmanuel A.)
CONCERT REVIEWS: Three shows! My wife and flew to LA and spent 9 days following the coast north to Santa Cruz to see Jackson's first show and then back south to Santa Barbara and finally Bakersfield. All 3 shows had a different feel but his music and lyrics continue to impress us no matter how many times we have seen him perform both solo and with his band. We are from south Louisiana and planned our vacation around the first 3 shows of his tour. California was as beautiful as expected and the fans were much more in tune with his music then shows we have seen in the south. We were fortunate to get the posters advertising the shows in Santa Barbara and Bakersfield but not the show in Santa Cruz. If anyone has the poster from the show in Santa Cruz, I would love to have one as a memento of this great trip. I can be reached at email address below. Peace, Submitted by: robertz@louisianahardwoods.com (Robert Z.) CONCERT REVIEW: March 9, 2011 at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza/Fred Kavli Theater in Thousand Oaks, CA Jackson Browne's solo acoustic show Wednesday night was at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. This is particularly close to where I live, so it was a pleasure to be seeing Jackson so close to home. I believe it was the third time I've seen him at this venue. The stage was set with 18 guitars and his electric keyboard. He came on stage unannounced and went straight to the keyboard for FARTHER ON and then went right into THE BIRDS OF ST. MARKS. He talked briefly about the fact that he had played in Long Beach the night before and that it had been a very spirited audience. (Up to this point, our audience had been rather on the quiet side.) Jackson left the keyboard and went to a guitar. He introduced the next song by saying that it was written about someone he met at the US Festival. (There were actually two US Festivals, one in Sept 1982 and one in May 1983 and he did not specify which one, but he said that he was not performing, just in the audience. These festivals were sponsored by Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computers.) The song was GIVING THAT HEAVEN AWAY. After Jackson finished his third song, he mentioned that there was no set list and pretty much encourage people to shout out requests. There were a bunch of shout-outs and that pretty much continued the rest of the evening between songs. Picking up another guitar, Jackson played THESE DAYS. He then talked about how he had driven to the concert in his new Chevy Volt and how much he liked it. He said something about it having 659 miles on it and only having gone through 1.9 gallons of gas. He said that he had owned a number of Chevys through the years and he particularly talked about a '69 Chevelle. He thought it would be cool if Chevy would come out with a new '69 Chevelle the way guitar companies sometimes will make an exact replica of a well known old guitar to sell to collectors. Picking up another guitar he played YOUR BRIGHT BABY BLUES. He introduced the next song by saying that he had written it for a movie and one that not many people saw, but that he had really been thinking about his son Ethan when he was writing it and that Ethan was in the audience so he wanted to play it. He did a very nice rendition of HERE from the movie Shrink. Going back to the keyboard he played LOOKING INTO YOU. He then took another guitar from the rack and told about writing this next song for his girlfriend. He mentioned that the song was really about figuring out what to call her after all these years. He mentioned that he sometimes referred to her as his wife especially in religious and Islamic countries. He also told about a time that she had travelled across the country to see him and then he had forgotten to play the song. Of course, he then played MY STUNNING MYSTERY COMPANION. Going back to the keyboard again he played ROSIE, but pointed out that the song was not about him. Staying at the keyboard, the next song was LATE FOR THE SKY which received a very nice ovation. He then talked about how this was a plastics free tour and that the next song was dedicated to those who cared about and were doing something to protect the Ocean. He talked about getting rid of plastics in his life and mentioned the particular difficulty of plastic shampoo bottles because for safety reasons you can't really find shampoo in glass bottles. He said he was thrilled when he found a shampoo that came in bar form, like soap, and how every time he used it, it made him happy. He then sang ROCK ME ON THE WATER. Intermission (about 25 minutes) Picking up a guitar, Jackson went right into FOR EVERYMAN. He interrupted the song at one point very briefly (continuing on guitar, but stopped singing) to scold someone for taking flash pictures and then continued and finished the song. After the song he said that he finds photography to be very distracting. He basically implied that it makes him self-conscious and that he wants to pose for the best shot, which interrupts his focus on the music. He concluded by saying that "photography was the opposite of music" which sounded profound at the time but doesn't really make sense to me in retrospect. I know he meant that they are not compatible to him. Going to the keyboard he played ALIVE IN THE WORLD. He then talked again about having played in Long Beach the night before and that he had played in Bakersfield a couple of weeks ago. He was still talking about being distracted at shows by what people in the audience sometimes do and gave an example of four people getting up to leave during one of his best known songs near the end of a show... and while singing the song he's trying to make up an excuse for them in his head (while performing) and decided that the only reason they would all get up was that they needed to get a room! That brought some laughs, but didn't stop people from continuing to get up and down, text, and take photos during the show. The two women next to me, after arriving late, talked throughout the show. A couple seats to the other side of us, a woman texted non-stop all night. I was surprised at the number of people who went in and out of the theater all night long. Sitting orchestra level, these tickets were $96 per person and it surprised me how many people would pay that and not really focus on the show. On guitar he played IN THE SHAPE OF A HEART and then picking up another guitar he played THE BARRICADES OF HEAVEN, both of which got very nice responses. Generally, it seems like people gravitate to the older songs, but these two seem to get as much reaction as the more vintage material. He introduced the next one by saying, "This is a really old song." He then played SING MY SONGS TO ME. Afterwards, as people shouted out more requests, he talked about how he tends to lean towards the requests for the songs he hasn't played in a while... which of course gave rise to lots of more requests including a loud one for Shakey Town which Jackson said he hadn't played in a very long time and wasn't sure he'd remember. So he picked up a guitar and started to play SHAKEY TOWN. He said, "I'm going to need help on this one" as he started picking out the chords and singing the beginning. He said that normally he wouldn't mind so much butchering one of his own songs, but that this song had been written by Danny Kortchmar, so he felt bad not getting it right. He tried to get through it and forgot some words. Help from the audience gave him a later part of the song and he said "there are two versus before that part" and he requested lyrics from backstage as he fumbled through most of the song. Then his guitar tech, Manny, brought out lyrics and he started the song over again, after asking Manny if he could borrow his glasses so he could see the lyrics! The audience loved his efforts on this. I should point out that, overall, Jackson seemed in a very relaxed mood throughout the night. He seemed to relax after the first couple of songs and seemed to be enjoying himself. The sound was excellent in the theater. Going back to the keyboard, he performed FOR A DANCER. Back to a guitar for CROW ON THE CRADLE, which was probably the highlight of the evening for me specifically because I thought his voice sounded particularly strong on this one. (Also, it's one of my wife's favorites and she was hoping he'd play it.) He said he hadn't played it in so long he wasn't even sure which guitar it would sound best on and for a moment it looked like he was going to switch guitars, but sat back down with the one he had. Keeping the same guitar he then played FAR FROM THE ARMS OF HUNGER. Going back to keyboard he played THE PRETENDER, which earned a standing ovation. As he went back to another guitar he thanked everyone for coming and told us that he had enjoyed the evening. We certainly enjoyed it too. He then played RUNNING ON EMPTY. Another standing ovation followed as Jackson left the stage. He came back and for his encore he played TAKE IT EASY. He introduced the song by saying that he had written it during the recording of his first album. He talked about how that first album had taken four months to record and that during a break he had taken a trip to Arizona and Utah. His car had broken down in Arizona and that's where he had started writing the song. He left his car there and had to go back later to get it. As soon as Take It Easy was finished the house lights came up. Jackson had to rush off to get to Tucson, Arizona for the next night's benefit concert. It was great seeing so many friends in the audience, as is always the case when Jackson performs in the Los Angeles area. Thank you Jackson for a great show. Submitted by: russ@jrp-graphics.com (Russ P., your webmaster) GENERAL FAN COMMENTS: Hi Russ--I saw a recent letter from a fan about Jackson Browne singing a Dylan song in the Troubadours DVD and your response about Dylan songs he has covered in official releases. I do recall some Dylan covers done in concerts as recently as this tour in Sacramento when fans were treated to him singing a bit of "She Belongs To Me" and in previous years his covering "Desolation Row". Submitted by: herdogirl@juno.com CONCERT REVIEW: March 9, 2011 at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza/Fred Kavli Theater in Thousand Oaks, CA I saw Jackson last night in Thousand Oaks for perhaps the 100th time in 37 years (seriously). He put on a great show and was very relaxed and chatty about his new Chevy Volt electric car, his girlfriend and his son Ethan who was in the audience. (He looks a lot his Dad, just huskier). Jackson again let the audience drive the set list and he included some very old tunes that I had not heard him do for many years. He did "Looking Into You" and "Rock Me on The Water" from his first album and it sounded amazing. He also included quite a few songs from Late For the Sky, the Pretender, For Everyman and Running on Empty. It was fantastic to hear these old songs and it brought back lots of good memories. He got a bit annoyed with all the cell phone photo takers in the first 10 rows and said so in the middle of a song. He requested that no more pictures be taken of him because he found it very, very distracting and the audience complied. He got a request to do Shaky Town and he pretty much forgot most of the words and asked for the audience's help. He was determined to get all the verses down in the right order and asked Manny Alvarez, his roadie, to bring him the lyrics on paper and then requested to borrow Manny's reading glasses! He played for 3 hours with a 15 minute intermission. Great night of music with JB. Submitted by: joleenann2002@yahoo.com CONCERT REVIEW: March 10, 2011 at Tucson Arena in Tucson, AZ Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding benefit concert. Review in the Arizona Daily Star: www.azstarnet.com/entertainment/music/ article_d8cd1922-163c-5820-9438-69adf6b49ee0.html Related interview with Jackson for Spinner.com: blog.beliefnet.com/popcultureroadtrip/2011/03/ for-everyman-in-tucson---my-interview-with-jackson-browne.html Submitted by: your webmaster CONCERT REVIEW: March 5, 2011 at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA What a great show at the Pechanga Casino and Resort! I loved every minute of Jackson's performance, especially when he sang "For a Dancer", my favorite song. Jackson is a natural poet and an unbelievable musical talent who touches my soul with every song he sings. He's certainly not perfect, though, but it's so endearing when he laughs at himself when he forgets some lyrics. What a treat to hear "Linda Paloma" and "Lawless Avenues", two songs he might prefer to sing with his band. Having traveled all the way from CT to see the show, I adore Jackson and was so glad he touched my heart once again. My only request: Jackson, please, please, please play just a little bit longer. I'm still smiling... and I'm already looking forward to seeing you on the east coast. Thanks for the wonderful night. Submitted by: steven.leslie@boehringer-ingelheim.com (Dorina L.)
GENERAL FAN COMMENTS: There is a nice article/interview with Jackson Browne in the March 24th Montreal Gazette at: www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/ Jackson+Browne+songwriting+upcoming+tour+Friday/4496247/story.html The same article/interview can also be found in the March 24th Edmonton Journal at: www.edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/ Jackson+Browne+songwriting+upcoming+tour+Friday/4496247/story.html#ixzz1HX9oyxXE Submitted by: your webmaster CONCERT REVIEW: March 25, 2011 at Save On Foods Centre in Victoria, BC, Canada "Browne wings it for appreciative crowd" in the Times Colonist: www.timescolonist.com/entertainment/ Browne+wings+appreciative+cro\wd/4509098/story.html Submitted by: your webmaster GENERAL COMMENTS: Tickets Needed Hi Russ, I am looking for 2 GOOD seats for Jackson's show April 6th at Hamilton, Ontario. Any body wants to sell them, please get a hold of me at yank7fan@verizon.net Thanks, Submitted by: yank7fan@verizon.net (Ron) GENERAL COMMENTS: 11 of Jackson's high school friends surprised him at the Pechanga concert and met him afterwards to greet and meet an old friend we loved so much as a friend in high school. Loved our time, although short, visiting with you Jackson. Love you, Submitted by: gaw1@cox.net (Barbara & Gary W.) CONCERT REVIEW: March 28, 2011 at Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton, AB, Canada "Browne treats fans to a show from the heart" in the Edmonton Journal: www.edmontonjournal.com/Browne+treats+fans+show+from+heart/4518534/story.html Submitted by: your webmaster GENERAL COMMENTS: Tickets Available Hi Russ, Another letter from a LOOOOOONG TIME fan of Jackson's - and your generous web site as well. Would you be so kind as to add the following to the letters section of your site? I have four tickets available for Ann Arbor, MI on April 20th, that I will not be using - as I will be seeing him the next night in Grand Rapids MI. The tickets are on the main floor, center section, Row BB. If anyone is interested, please contact me at RWylan@gmail.com. I will glady sell for my cost. Thank you, Submitted by: RWylan@gmail.com (Roger W.) GENERAL COMMENTS: There is an interesting blog by Jim Warren regarding Jackson Browne, "no nukes", and an old Running On Empty T-shirt. Definitely worth reading: www.nodepression.com/profiles/blogs/a-jackson-browne-concert Submitted by: your webmaster Go To Jackson Browne Fan Letters and Reviews from April 2011 RETURN to Jackson Browne Fan Letters Page RETURN to Jackson Browne Home Page |