Jackson Browne - Fan Letters & Reviews
November 2002
For the enjoyment of my fellow JB fans, I've transcribed the Virgin Radio interview from 13th October, at last. It's at www.teddy-uk.net/misc/JB-virgin.htm if you want to link in to it or spread the word to the mailing lists. There's a few holes, but hopefully a more knowledgeable readers will let me know what the question marks should be and what the correct spellings are ;o)
The autumn of the singer/songwriters Jackson Browne: The Naked Ride Home
by Thomas Mueller
From www.swr3.de/startpage/musik/stars/cdtipps
Jackson Browne who has been Tom Petty's showpartner on a longer lasting US-tour is ahead of him when you compare the quality of their latest releases. Six years after the release of his last album the American who has been born at Heidelberg hands in another fine production by "The Naked Ride Home". Musical special guests like Keb' Mo or Marc Cohn and Bob Clearmountain at the mixer refine the songs. Jackson Browne (he wrote "Take It Easy" for the Eagles) has not lost any of his abilities as brilliant songwriter: excitingly arranged ballads like "Sergio Leone" or "For Taking The Trouble" form the acoustic contrast to the rocking and catchy tune of "The Night Inside Me". And, at last, there are some more good news: Jackson Browne intends to come to Germany to do a couple of shows in March 2002.
I am contacting you, as a devoted JB fan, to organize a "movement" to get Jb into the R&R hall of fame! Can you imagine what a atrocity that this is? I would like to set a time when we can organize a mass amount of people to send letters with substantial meaningful contents (i.e. fan letters, thoughts, memories of jackson) to them. please let me know what you think
sincerly,
craig - a devoted and devastated fan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
in the mean time..."let the (his) music keep our spirits high"
Webmaster's Reply:
Please take a look at the first entry of the OCTOBER 2000 Fan Letters. You'll see an article on this subject that was published in the Los Angeles Times and a dozen other publications around the U.S. -- Having authored that article, I obviously agree with your sentiment that Jackson Browne should have long ago been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I believe that their failure to do so, discredits the organization.
The best thing that Jackson's fans can do to help get Jackson into the R&RHoF is to write letters to newspapers and music publications. The more people that do this around the country, the better... You see, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is an institution, and you can't write letters to an institution -- few if any of the voting committee members are actually at the R&RHoF. The members of the nominating committee and those who vote in these things are spread all across the country. The only way to write to them -- where at least some would be sure to see it -- is in publications.
Anyone who released an album or single more than 25 years ago is ELIGIBLE to be nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Jackson became "eligible" for the first time in 1997. (Voting in one year is actually for the induction ceremony of the following year.) All the eligible artists of any note have their names put on a big list each year and a special nominating committee votes to narrow this list down to a smaller list. I'm under the impression that an artists has to make two cuts to get to the FINAL BALLOT of nominations. Those who vote on the final ballot are members of some kind of R&RHoF committee. People who are important in the music industry in one form or another. Big name critics, producers and industry moguls, for the most part. But others in the music industry as well. These people are spread out across the country.
If you know anyone in the music industry, find out if they have a vote or if they know anyone who does. Then give them a commercial for Jackson's music and the impact it has had on you personally. Make a tape of your favorite Jackson Browne songs and get it to them. (I'm not advocating bootlegging here; but you get the idea.) Also, the upcoming R&RHoF induction ceremony will get plenty of press. Articles are bound to appear in all sorts of newspapers and magazines around the world. WRITE A LETTER!!! Send a letter to the editor of any music publication you can think of. Send a letter to the editor of any newspaper that mentions the story in any way. Write in and say "JACKSON BROWNE SHOULD BE IN THE R&RHoF" And tell them what Jackson's music has meant to you personally and why. MAKE YOUR LETTERS PERSONAL -- they'll have more impact that way.
If your letter gets printed, it has a chance to be seen by someone who might actually have a vote. Even if your letter isn't printed, it is possible that someone at that publication has a vote and might still see it!!
Will this make any difference? I don't know. Will it help sway a few votes? I don't know. But one reasonable criteria for voting a musician into the R&RHoF has to be the influence that they have had. We fans are among the best representatives for the impact Jackson Browne's music has had on the world.
Russ
Just a note on the show in Tacoma Washington. Jackson was absolutely awesome as usual! He opened with Boulevard and closed with Running On Empty. In between was the beautiful music on his new album The Naked Ride Home sprinkled in with The Pretender and Culver Moon.
The superb talent of Jackson and his incredible band made the hour that they performed seem like minutes simply screaming by. An excellent evening of entertainment and yes Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were great but I was there for Jackson Browne!!!!
Thanks for your site and all the time you spend providing us with great information!
I just wanted to announce my delight at the news announced yesterday that Jackson has chosen to visit the West Coast of Oz when he tours next February. I waited patiently for the tour dates after Looking East was released in 96, only to hear that Perth was to be omitted. Having fallen in love with The Naked Ride Home I was hopeful but not optimistic that I'd get to see him this time.
I haven't had the new album out of the car CD player for a month. That mixture of melody, insight and melancholy strikes the same ol' chord that Song For Adam (the first JB song I ever heard) did when I heard in on radio some 30 years ago. The wait since 96 has been worth it.
Hi Russ,
Just wanted to take a minute and wish along the idea that I hope everyone got to see Jackson on Austin City limits. It really was a great show. I was lucky enough to see Jackson three times in the last two summers and I cannot wait until his American tour next summer. Although I was really bummed that he was overlooked again by The Rock' N Roll Hall of Fame, I am trying not to worry about it. The way I look at it is it is everybody else's loss that they do not see and appreciate Jackson Browne as much as I do. He is at the top of my Rock' N Roll Hall of Fame. I have introduced Jackson and his music to at least 10-15 people in the last year and I am happy to say that they all really appreciated his music and lyrics. As always, "Let the music keep our spirits high."
Hi Russ,
At long last!!! after 25 years of listening to his music Jackson Browne is touring in my home town, PERTH (we are the most remote city in the world and some 2 million people, for those who are unaware where we are). My question i have for anyone out there is that i would like to meet the man and perhaps secure an autograph (i dont think we are talking large crowds of people trying to do this). Any suggestions on how people have done this before and any things to look out for that i need to do would be most aprreciated.
Best regards,
I'm so upset! I attempted to record Jackson Browne on Austin City Limits last Saturday night and my VCR failed to record the audio. Is there anyone out there that recorded it that would be willing to sell a copy of it? PBS doesn't sell videos of Austin City Limits. Does anyone know if it's going to be rebroadcast? I really want to see this video!
Hi Russ! Would you mind posting this to the November section? My area didn't broadcast Jackson on Austin City Limits. Would anyone be willing to trade a copy of the video? I have lots of other videos and cds to trade. Thanks!
Woo-hoo! GREAT show last night at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin. Got there early hoping to hear Jackson's sound check, but they weren't opening doors yet.
Jackson's set list:
This band rocks so hard! All these shows of having only an hour to play has got them honed very sharp. I'd really love to see a show with Jackson headlining now, with some room to breathe and break out some more of those great songs.
Culver Moon isn't a fave of mine, but it's become a concert highlight, where the band gets to cut loose, and Man! do they cut loose.
My friend had never seen JB and was expecting it to be very laid back, and when the set ended he said, "I was not expecting to get my ass kicked like that!"
Tom was also great, and the Heartbreakers are a monster band. They debuted their cover of a George Harrison song, as Tom is getting ready to do the big Harrison tribute with Clapton, Dylan, etc.
Love Tom's new album, and it's a theme of his and Jackson's over the years to decry the shallowness of living for money, and to insist on the importance of the individual. It's beautiful to see these guys rocking this hard in their fifties.
Oh, and Jackson flubbed the first line of Running on Empty. He and Kevin shared a "huh?" kind of look, and Jackson laughed and said, "I can't believe I forgot the fucking words!", to uproarious applause and laughter. And the band never missed a beat. At the end of Jackson's set, everybody was on their feet, screaming (but no encore). This with a set of songs that skewed very new. He looks like he's having fun... maybe it won't be so long between albums!
Peace and poetry y'all.
I've been listening to music since Bill Haley and the Comets (I'm 56) and, finally, have found the ultimate artist. Previously I held the Byrds, U2, the Moodies, and Neil Young, as my ultimate favorites, but have been listening to Jackson Browne non-stop for 4 months and am still mesmerized. The lyrics, the slide guitar, everything is absolutely beyond belief. He is truly a genius. Thank God for Jackson Browne's music!
This is just a note that I hope Jackson will see. In the last few years I have gotten my 19 year old nephew into your music. We saw you twice on the acoustic tour in Easton, PA and Baltimore, MD. We have tickets to your show in Philadelphia on 12/3 and I just wanted to ask you to do For A Rocker. It is his favorite song and I would really appreciate it if you would perform it that night. He would be thrilled and he is a great kid. Thanks for your consideration.
Russ,
I am 19 years old and was Born while The Pretender was playing. My Dad has been a fan since day one. I have grown to love Mr. Browne's music and have grown to respect his opinions very much. You have put together a great web site and I am so glad that others share the appreciation for his music my father and I do. Only one thing and it's for Dave Marsh, the writer of the bio, and i had to write to you about it because it is my Father's biggest annoyances. Dave, we all know that Jackson Brownes Debut album was not called "Saturate before using", but was self titled "Jackson Browne". Sorry to end negatively, but i was often repremanded for calling it by the very often name you have given it in your bio, otherwise love it really great job.
Keep up the great job and thanks agin for the wonderful web site.
I'm looking for someone who recorded Jackson's Austin City Limits show. PBS in my area doesn't show Austin City Limits so I wasn't able to watch the show. I'm hoping someone has a video they could send me. If so, email me at jameslray@cs.com.
Thanks.
Webmaster's Reply:
Jackson Browne's appearance on Austin City Limits on PBS was taped on October 9th. Local broadcast dates and times will vary considerably. The initial broadcast date was November 16th, meaning that was the earliest date it would be shown anywhere... but in some places it won't be shown until December or January. Please check the PBS - Jackson Browne website for local PBS stations and details.
Dear Russ:
I just wanted to give everyone "heads up" on the Jackson Browne Austin City Limits show that was originally supposed to air on November 16th. In Denver, it was Chris Isaak instead(who is also great), but not as great as Mr. Jackson Browne! I have been looking for the show and finallly called PBS this am and was informed that it will air on December 22nd. So everyone in Denver that thought they missed the show, did not. Be sure to watch it I have heard is is great.
I have had the luxury of seeing the JB at least 20 times and the JB/Petty show 5 times now in the last three years. However, I wanted to comment on the last two shows especially. Jackson (and band) have added a new female background singer who is absolutely fabulous. I am sorry but I didn't catch her name. She has managed to bring back the long lost sounds of the Valerie Carter and Rosemary Butler days. She has pure class, style and grace as she is on the stage. She is very low key in the background but her voice is anything but low key. I am anxiously awaiting the solo tour now next Summer so I can hear her do The load out, You love the Thunder and other songs she will more than likely escalate into perfection. I was wondering if she may be from The Washington Prep-- anyone know?
Regards,
Webmaster's Reply:
Jackson Browne's band for the current tour is: Kevin McCormick (bass), Mark Goldenberg (lead guitars), Mauricio Lewak (drums), Jeff Young (keyboards and harmony vocals), Val McCallum (guitars) and Catherine Russell (harmony vocals).
I am ashamed to admit it but in the past many years I had lost track of JB. I was a huge fan during the early 70's thru early 80's. I saw him on the For Everyman Tour with Bonnie Raitt, also Running on Empty and Hold Out tours. Did he do a tour for the Late For the Sky album? If so I missed that one. Anyway, I caught him on Austin City Limits this past weekend and it evoked some powerful emotions I haven't felt in many years. God what a talent. I enjoyed the older songs but also love the new material and am the very proud owner of the new CD. Jennifer Gross has the voice of an angel and their harmonies are spine-tingling. What a fantastic rediscovery!
Unfortunately, I found out about the Jackson Browne appearance on Austin City Limits a bit too late and missed it. Did anyone out there tape it? I would really love to see it. I'll gladly pay for a duplicate copy, or if you just want to send me the original tape I'll make a copy and return your original to you. Contact me at: phenning@wi.rr.com. Thanks!!!
Russ;
Thanks much for the Jackson Brown web page. I've found it to be very informative and it's great to find out stuff about the music and the man.
Just wanted to let viewers know about the performance of Jackson Brown on Austin City Limits. I thought it was great. I've been listening to his music for about 30 years and am amazed at his writing ability. Anyway, I thought "Fountain of Sorrow" was the highlight, but "Culver Moon" was also great. Did anybody pick up on the small bit in the guitar solo from one of the songs in the Wizard of Oz in "Culver Moon?" Or was that Just My Imagination?
Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing Jackson and Tom Petty in concert in St. Paul, Minn. on December 9. Jackson Browne is a great writer and a great performer.
Thanks again for the web page.
Webmaster's Reply:
There is definitely a bit of "If I Only Had A Brain" from The Wizard of Oz mixed in during the "Culver Moon" jam. Jackson appeard as The Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz In Concert in 1996 and sang this song. Ever since then, the band has been inserting a bar or two of this song into the set... sort of an inside joke.
You can hear Jackson's version of "If I Only Had A Brain" on the Wizard Of Oz In Concert: Dreams Come True" benefit soundtrack from 1996. Jewel played the scarecrow and the soundtrack also includes a short duet of Jackson and Jewel singing "We're Off To See The Wizard"
There are also photos from the performace in the Photo Album pages of this website.
Russ