Jackson Browne - Fan Letters & Reviews
May 1999
I caught Jackson and Bonnie at the Tower in Philadelphia last night. It was a very interesting show. Both performers abandoned their set lists and took requests. I've never seen Jackson so loose and talkative.
He opened with what has become the standard opener, I'm Alive, and after that did pretty much whatever was shouted out. Jackson had to stop a couple of times after flubbing lyrics, most notably during the Pretender but his demeanor more than made up for the error. It was like watching him play in your living room. Just hanging out and having fun.
Both performers are fired up about the Bruce, Shawn, Jackson and Bonnie tour. The set list is a little foggy but I'll give you what I remember. I'm Alive, Shape of a Heart, Black and White, Late for the Sky, Rosie, The Pretender, World in Motion (/w Bonnie), Opening Farewell (/w Bonnie), The Times You've Come (/w Bonnie).
I know I missed a couple but I've had every bit of two hours sleep. It was great to see Jackson not working from a set list.
Just returned several hours ago from a Jackson/Bonnie concert at the Tower Theater outside Philadelphia. We drove over 5 hours to get there and paid an OBSCENE amount for third row tickets but it was worthe every penny and mile!! It was a benefit concert for the Songbird Foundation. Totally acoustic show - just Jackson, Bonnie and her bass player (Hutch Hutchinson) I have been to every Jackson concert I could drive to for the past 24 years - and some I flew to - but this surpassed them all. The Bonnie/Jackson duets included "These Times You've Come", "Opening Farewell" and "Angel from Montgomery" - among others. Jackson did a solo set first - then Bonnie did several alone with her bassist. TO TOP ALL THIS OFF, we had passes to a private reception (80 people or so) after the concert where Jackson and Bonnie both milled around and chatted with us like we were their best friends, because we had paid so much for this "worthy" cause. UNBELIEVABLE!! (Now don't get me wrong, I like songbirds of Central America as much as the next girl, but they could have been having a benefit for serial killers, and I would have been right there for this experience)
Now, I've met him briefly before, but NOTHING like this. I am still in a combined state of shock and euphoria. He told us they are doing a one-month long tour together on the East Coast starting next month. (I still can't believe I can say that --HE told us!!!!)
Anyway, just thought the rest of the fans should get a first hand review of that concert. He's really improving wiht age - if that's even possible.
Caught Jackson Browne at the Tower in Philly. This concert was a huge dissappoint. Jackson chose ballad after ballad and did not display the musicianship needed to pull off a solo set. At least Bonnie used a tremendous bass player to help propel the set. jackson plodded through I'm Alive, Barricades of heavan, and chastised the audience for clapping during Rosie. Late for the Sky and The Pretender were terrific but not enough to save the set. jackson brought out Bonnie and played a tedious rendition of World in Motion which had little substance. Bummer. The show was a benefit for Shade Grown Coffee (the Songbird Foundation) Jackson and the audience could have used some caffiene of any variety. I was pumped for this to be great after his summer show a few years back was spectacular. Oh Well.
it was a wonderful show. definitely the funniest concert i've ever attended. i'm not all that familiar with bonnie's music either, but i found her set to be enjoyable. and she is 'sassy!!' jb was joking with her about whether or not she was going to keep embarassing the guys all night [jb, hutch, mike dean (roadie), and the guy at the sound board]. she certainly got her jabs in!
for me, the funniest moment was during 'rosie.' as he starts singing, you could hear some people starting to clap along. then all of the sudden he stops and say, 'this is a sad song...you really shouldn't be clapping.' everyone in the theater starts laughing. then he goes into this 30 second 'speech' about clapping along, and then about how when he toured scandinavia the people at his shows botched up while trying to clap along. it was hilarious!! after that, he immediatley picked up the song where he left off! he made a lot of funny comments during the night.
jb played for around an hour and then there was a 15 minute intermission. then bonnie came out and played for just over 1/2 hour before jackson joined her on stage.
I was at the Tower Theater show on May 2 and found it to be awesome as always. I was a little disappointed he didn't do a few more songs. Since it was acoustic, I thought he would do For Everyman but was in awe over Late for the Sky. One of the letters posted was not favorable of the concert which had me floored (they must not be a true JB fan).
I am grateful that you have the website that I look at a few times a week and I appreciate all the information on him you are willing to share. Thank you so much!
This was a benefit show for a local environmental group, Carolina Coastal Conservation League. It was in memory of Becky Hardee, an activist who both Jackson and Bonnie had known for about 20 years. She died of ovarian cancer in May of 1996. Jackson did an acoustic set, and played for about an hour. He opened with "I'm Alive", then "The Barricades of Heaven". He then sat down at the piano for "Black and White". He was extemely talkative, telling stories and sharing memories of Becky Hardee; it was clear he held a great deal of affection and admiration for her. "In the Shape of a Heart" was next, and got a GREAT crowd response. One gentleman in the audience kept yelling for "Running on Empty". At this point in the set, the man called out "Play some old rock-and-roll!" Jackson, without missing a beat, replied "See, if you'd been buying my records for the past 10 or 15 years, you'd KNOW these songs!" (The audience LOVED that!)
Next up was the "rehab" version of "Cocaine" which the audience enjoyed. He then brought out Hutch Hutchison on bass for "The Next Voice You Hear" and the hauntingly beautiful "Too Many Angels". Jackson returned to the piano for "For a Dancer". Next, Bonnie came out and provided acoustic guitar and vocal harmonies for "World in Motion". At that, Jackson said to the crowd "Thank you; I've enjoyed playing for you." Not as much as we enjoyed listening, Jackson! A great show! This was my first ever Jackson Browne concert; I drove 300 miles to be there. He doesn't come to this area often, and when he does, I usually hear about it a month too late! Special thanks to Russ for the info and a superb website!
Well, it was my first Jackson Browne concert. I am a 32 year old single female who drove 8 hours from Richmond, VA to Columbia, SC. My Jeep Wrangler endured an irreparable flat tire on the way. By the time I got to Columbia, I was fairly road weary and needed a well deserved shower! It was a memorial concert for the environmental activist Becky Hardee. Jackson & Bonnie both donated the proceeds of the concert to the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League. They apparently knew her well, and spoke of her very fondly throughout the show. It was one of those people that you are sorry you never got a chance to meet.
At 8:15, when Jackson quietly walked on stage in the dark and opened with "I'm Alive", everything I endured during the trip had dissipated. The set consisted of completely acoustic ballads...which was fine with me. He stated that most of his set would be "a quiet one". I think people thought he was kidding. From my view in the sixth row, he was absolutely awesome and quite humorous...particularly when he sang the last verse of the rehab version of Cocaine..."Well look at me now...sharp as a tack...except for those 40,000 brain cells I wouldn't mind having back..."
I was a bit dissapointed in the audience...it seemed to be more of a rock and roll crowd. There was too much milling around during his singing, a very intoxicated man insulted him from the rafters by requesting Jackson to "sing something (we) knew". Jackson kinda laughed and said "well, I guess you haven't bought any of my albums in the past 15 years". The retort was met with thunderous applause. I was also a bit disheartened when in the middle of "For a Dancer" someone's cell phone directly behind me started ringing.
Overall it seemed to be more of a Bonnie Raitt crowd. I did go to the reception afterward, and met Bonnie Raitt briefly and spoke to Hutch Hutchenson for quite some time. Both of them were very nice and very gracious. I was much too starstruck to speak to Jackson, and out of shyness and fear of saying something stupid, I did not say anything at all. He ackowledged me standing a bit off to the side and very warmly smiled and waved. That was enough for me...it really was. It certainly was worth the drive, the flat and the expense. Thanks for letting me sound off!
Set List
Again thanks for the info... it was an incredible night. It was a perfect place to see Jackson. It was small,intimate. The church itself was beautiful. Jackson was great! This is an approximate list. I may have missed a song or two.
He forget the words to Looking Into You and was very funny about it & happy that we could all help him out. He took requests & pretty much abandoned the set list. When someone asked for "rosie" he laughed & said no way would he play "Rosie" in a church. Bonnie was great as usual. Looking forward to that show this summer. Thanks again.
On May 5th, 1999 I attended Jackson Browne's benefit concert at The St. Ann Center for Restoration and the Arts, Inc. in Brooklyn Heights, New York. It was incredible! Though the ticket price was more than I ever thought I'd pay for a concert, it was worth every penny. His voice sounded great and he was so comfortable with the audience. He joked around like he was a stand-up comedian. I've been to many JB concerts and never heard him joke that much.
St. Ann's is a great place for a concert. Its a beautiful old church with plenty of stained-glass windows and you actually sit in pews. The audience was limited to about 550 people which gave the concert an intimate feeling. Bonnie Raitt came out to play a couple of songs and though she is wonderful, I couldn't wait for her to get off the stage because I just wanted to hear Jackson. I was moved to tears two times during the concert - during "For a Dancer" and "Sky Blue and Black". One of the many things I love about him is the passion with which he sings his songs though he's sang them countless times. Jackson played for about 100 minutes which flew by and all too soon the concert was over. I've been a fan for 20 years and I'm now introducing my 11 year old twin nieces to his music. Thanks, Jackson.
Russell: Thanks for the great website!
I hadn't been to a concert in so many years, but hearing that jb and bonnie raitt would be in my (relatively) small city, just motivated me. I'd never heard him in concert before & was just floored by his playing, his voice, his temperament, his peacefulness. Especially since, sad to say, the auditorium magnified the noisy drunks & that cell phone. I don't know what some of those folks came to hear, but Jackson's soul prevailed. What a gift he has for awakening people who need it!
Thanks for the fascinating web site....
My favorite type of show is "troubador" style. Just a singer/songwriter and his/her guitar or piano. Jackson Browne really delivered a fine display of writing capability, great guitar playing and passionate vocals. His voice was as clear as a bell. He really knows how to convey his emotions in a song both vocally and instrumentally.
I was fortunate enough to receive a ticket as a gift the morning of the concert. I have always liked and admired Jackson Browne and his music but this is the first time I have seen him in concert and I am glad that I was able to see him in such an intimate settting. I will be digging up all my Jackson Browne recordings and listening to them with new insight.
The New York crowd was very receptive and seemed captivated and mesmerized by Jackson's performances. As anyone can tell you, "if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere" and Jackson Browne shined here. Thank you Jackson Browne.
My sister and I are going to the concert on August 29 at Jones Beach. We were wondering if any other friends of Jackson Browne would be interested in a preshow get together. We understand that if we have 50 people or more, the production company for the event would cater a preshow dinner for a price. If anyone is interested in more info....they can e-mail me at this address.
If there are less than 50 people we could still gather and have a good time before the show!!!
We are also looking for information regarding a charity event for this particular date and venue.
Would love to hear from everyone!
Hi bk in 79/80 one of my girl friends/hus/worked with Jackson he tuned the guitars during the concerts well she had to go and get something fr/her hus/ and ask if I would go with her I said hell yes:JB was re:for a concert at the Burbank studio's And I could'nt belive it they let us in. In fact Jackson came up to us to see what we wanted/thank god he knew who she was and he said come on in and I'll naver forget it hey I was on the (rt side) of the stage I met some of the band at that time I was 17 and just thought boy is this my lucky nt:oh ya! Her husbands name was David Raelliy:not sure on the spelling,her name was Maddy.well thats about all I'm going to say if David's still doing the same thing I would like to find out if he's on line------ ,its been a long time so who knows he may not who Im it was over 18 yrs ago :) bye bye
PS :I m still a big fan of Jackson
I have been a Jackson Browne fan for the past 12 years. His music has gotten me through a lot of tough times and I cannot imagine what life would've been like without his words and music. He has the uncanny ability to craft his songs in such a way that the listener is able to make it his or her own, and immediately associate it with a personal experience. And the listener is left to ask, "How did he know?" This is truly "beauty in song."
On the off chance that Jackson himself occasionally visits this website or hears directly from those that do, I would like to make a request. I spared no expense and secured two $1,000 tickets to the New Year's Eve show with the Eagles at the Staples Center in LA. I am planning on proposing to my girlfriend on that very night and was wondering if Jackson could add "Jamaica, Say You Will" to the setlist. This song holds a special meaning for both of us, and would really complete the magic of the night. I hope to pop the question during the song, but I will of course need a lot of help to make that happen. I will take it as a sign... that maybe this request is heard and answered, or that the song just happened to be on the setlist anyway. Like many who post on this website, the songs of Jackson Browne truly make up the soundtrack to my life, and just as I was disheartened that "Running on Empty" was left off of the Forrest Gump soundtrack, I would be broken hearted if "Jamaica" was left off of mine.
So, I thank all of those Jackson Browne fans out there that feel a connection with his music, Russ for the great web site, and, most of all, Jackson Browne for continuing to touch the lives of so many in such a positive way. I can't think of a better way to ring in the new millennium. See you all there as we "sail until our waters have run dry."
On Bended Knee, San Francisco, CA
Hello Everybody,
When I read your letters I get green with envy. Here I'm sitting in Stockholm, Sweden and wishing I would have the chance to be in the U.SofA and to be able to see Jackson soon.
I haven't seen him since Jackson and David Lindley played at Konsethuset in early 97. I was devestated to find out he had made an accoutic solo gig during his Greatest Hits Promotion tour. I missed it and to think that he might have sung Sky Blue And Black. Because he hasn't played that song live in the last two conserts in 96 & 97 that I have attended.
I would like to make friends to mail to in the U.S. Maybe you have some interesting TV apperances or Radio Shows to share with me or maybe just keeping in touch through e-mail.
Love, Katarina