Jackson Browne - Fan Letters & Reviews
November 2000
Hello fans, I have a request. I have been looking for piano sheet music to the song Alive In The World and have had no luck. Does anyone have a copy they would be willing to send me? I would even settle for the guitar sheet music to try and adapt it to piano. I have the Deluxe Anthology and I'm Alive sheet music that I would be willing to trade if anyone could help me out. Thanks!!
I am interested in talking to fans anywhere about jackson. I am male and live in the uk
what an incredible performance! sunday afternoon at about 1 pm, jackson walked on stage with black jeans and a dark green shirt, looking as good as ever. he started the show withÊ"i'm alive" and quickly went through his usual other firstÊ3 songs: "in the shape of a heart", "barricades of heaven", and "looking into you". that was enjoyable enough, but after that we were in for nearlyÊ3 more hoursÊof jackson at his best, taking requests from the audience. jackson was in the best of spirits and talking to the audience and tellingÊhumorousÊstories about the songs he performed. every time i see jackson in concert (5 to 10 times a year), i wonder how he will be able to top the last show, but he always does. my favorite show has always been the ojai show he did 3 years ago, but this one was even better. the $100 that i paid to getÊsecond row seats was worth every penny! the set (not necessarily in this order):
Oringally submitted to the Jackson Browne Mailing List. Reprinted with permission.
Well, hi folks-
What a GREAT day I had in Ojai!
I had arranged to pick-up at 'will-cal' the one ticket that Catherine had offered to me, and I was going to ask Tom C. or Debbie Meister from Avocado for a complimentary pass for my friend once we arrived in Ojai. Anyway, my friend was late in arriving to pick me up, so we didn't arrive at the venue until 1:30-the concert started at 1:00. When I went to will call, I asked for the ticket that Catherine had left with them in my name, and they said that no one had left any ticket in my name. Well, at that point, I asked if Debbie M. from Avocado was available so that I might have a word with her. The gentleman then said, "oh, YOU'RE the one who these tickets are for, and said that they were left by someone from Avocado for me. He also said that they were C.O.D.! I Told him that money was a problem/issue at this time, so I would still need to speak with Debbie. At this point, he said "no, I'll just go ahead and give them to you and we can work it out later (in other words, 'don't worry about it'!).
The real shocker came as I took a seat on the lawn, where I THOUGHT I was supposed to be....The tickets that I was 'given' were for FIFTH-ROW-CENTER!! "Good" seats, huh, kids?! And excellent ones for a review of the show, which follows. Bear with me, it's my first written review of anything other than a 'bok report' back in high school.
Jackson began performing benefit concerts for "The Happy Valley School" a number of years ago while his nephew was a student there. The school is a small private school in Ojai, CA. that offers a quality curriculum, and puts a high priority on scholorship, as does "our guy" Jackson. This year, jackson's concert is part of a 'series' of performances by various artists who all collectively lend their talents in support of the school's scholorship fund.
Due to our late arrival, we missed at least two songs, I'm certain, but the setlist follows. I have included occasional remarks that might give you a good idea what the show was like.
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3. Looking into you.
4.For a dancer (which he performed beautifully, as sual, but more 'laid back' than ever, reflecting how comfortable he was at Libby Bowl).
5. Barricades of heaven
6. Fountain of sorrow (with a prelude of dialogue telling that he had written this song for a girl he once dated-then he commented on how difficult it was back then to ask for "a date", and that he still can't quite figure out how to do it!. He then added that in retrospect, it was probably "better than she deserved"!) (LOL)
7. Bright baby blues' (sweet, and also very 'laid back')
8. Lives in the balance
9. Song for Adam (he told us a little about his friend Adam Saiylor, and how he was the only one among 'the gang' who actually MADE IT to India....but, he didn't return......)
10. Farther On
11. World in motion (choosing to play his 'Roy' guitar for the song, explaining to us how much he loved that guitar, and that it is " a guitar that NOBODY wants to have, because of it's "thick neck". It was originally meant to be played while horizontal to the floor using a slide bar. Interesting input...there apparently were a number of guitar efficianados' present today. I also noted that he REALLY had FUN performing this song, adding to his usual 'right-foot stomping to the beat' the occasional foot sweep to the rear, almost dancing as he played. To ME, the song never sounded better!!)
(20 miniute intermission)
...I must comment that the amphitheater at Lbby Park ("Libby Bowl") has great acoustical properties for an outside venue, and is situated in a lush park with many large oak trees. The sky was clear-blue today, and the temp. was @70 degrees with a faint, constant breeze. (sorry about that-those with the cold weather, I mean!!) Now, back to the show......
12. For everyman (I never tire hearing the accoustical version of this!!)
13.Late 4 the sky
14. Rock me on the water
THEN...it was time for him to present us with a NEW SONG!** (yeah, WOW!). He told us that it was SO, SO, close to being finished, that it was like a bead necklace that was missing but one bead{sim} and without that piece, the song, like the bracelet cant quite come together....and said that if should he forget a line while he was singing it, that he would just sing"something-something-something" and we would know what was happenin'!!! He's a RIOT at times, isn't he?)
15.** Better off without her (I THINK that's what it SHOULD be called, he didn't say!)
16. The next voice you hear (Featuring, on piano, his friend Ricardo Muno {MOON-yo} who has a 'flamenco' heritage, and is an up-and-coming talent from Seville, Spain. A VERY talented young man, and they really had FUN playing together....this song, also, has TRULY never sounded better I.M.H.O).
17. I am a Patriot
18. "Leeenda paloma : - )
19. Shy blue and black
20. The pretender (with more feeling and depth than I can recall from any past live performances).
Jackson then left the stage, butt of course returned for the much sought after 'encore', choosing to perform a song that he "...wasn't quite sure how appropriate that it would be as an encore....
21. Rosie (at one point during the song, he giggled , and told us how FUNNY it was to watch our reactions to the song and it's words.!)
Jackson ended the show with....
22. "Take it easy (with that right foot a-kick-swingin' to the rear like I mentioned before...really great to see him so relaxed and comfortable with the audience) segueing into
23. Our lady of the well.
That's all, folks! It was absolutely wonderful.....and to think, I only had to travel 24 miles, ROUND TRIP, instead of 1300 miles!! I'm just grateful to have experienced it!
This is less a fan letter than an attempt to spread the word of something I know many fans of Jackson's sensitive lyrics and humanitarian spirit will want to know about. The UN has set up a site where you can make a real difference to starving people, children with AIDS, women with breast cancer, and other worthy causes simply by clicking on a button. Please post this link on your site and let people know about this awesome opportunity to make a difference.
http://www.thehungersite.com/
Jackson Browne has been added to the lineup for a benefit for "FolkScene" on November 28, in West Hollywood, CA at the Troubadour . Other performers include Peter Case, Dan Crary, Judy Henske with Craig Doerge, "King of California", Jim Lauderdale, Lowen & Navarro, Katy Moffatt, Van Dyke Parks, and Joel Rafael Band. For ticket information, go to www.folkscene.com.
PLEASE HELP SUPPORT "FOLKSCENE"!!! (Take a look at http://acousticmusic.net/folkscene for more details on this project.)