Jackson strolled onto the London Palladium stage around 8.05pm. The shirt was black with thin grey or silver vertical lines about 3-4" apart. I'd say it was the grey cords again but it could have been blue jeans. As he sat down on his chair and picked up a guitar he was fiddling with the ear piece in his left ear. He took a little while to get into his first song.

The first half:

Barricades - he seemed a little uncomfortable through this, and all became clear at the end of it. He wasn't getting any sound in his left ear, and he explained that they weren't hearing aids in his ears, they were monitors. He said he might need memory aids before he needs hearing aids. He couldn't get the sound in his left ear to work so one of his crew came on from the right and Jackson told us his name was RJ. While RJ was trying to sort out the sound problem Jackson sat back a little in his chair and sang "RJ will come" to the tune of Our Day Will Come. Truly charming!! We got a beaming smile from Jackson when he told us that RJ had "fixed it".

Never Stop - after this there were calls for Ready Or Not and For A Dancer. Jackson said he would play them both, but he explained at some length that he didn't play Ready Or Not for many years, because he didn't like the last verse, and that it just wasn't true. He said an English band had recorded the song without the last verse, and that version had got him playing it again. He said he'd written Ready Or Not when his son was on the way, that he was trying to write in order to figure out what was going on. He said it was his son's 31st birthday tomorrow and that he still didn't think he'd figured out what was going on I forget whether it was after the first or second song when he made some comments about the reception he received with he arrived on stage wasn't as warm as usual. Could it have been that it was but he couldn't tell because he wasn't getting any sound in his left ear??? That didn't seem to occur to him! He said he knew there was lots of entertainment on offer in London, and that it was like LA in that way. He described such audiences using the F word, in jest I think! Then he smiled and raised his right arm in a sort of enveloping wave and said "but they're my people".

Ready Or Not - perfect!!! After this a woman called out that he'd left out the washing machine, and he said it was better without the washing machine!

For A Dancer

Something Fine - the longest version I've ever heard, with a great deal of guitar playing. Very nice indeed!

These Days - there had been a number of requests, then he responded to this one immediately.

Here Come Those Tears Again - another request, and he explained that it started out as a country song, and that's the way he had to play it. A great version!

For Everyman - a request

Lives In The Balance

For America - rocking again! Then there were more requests but he told us he was going to play "this song" and then take an intermission. I felt sure he was shaping up for My Stunning Mystery Companion, but it was me who was about to be stunned.

All Good Things - absolutely word perfect, and beyond doubt the high point of the show for me. The first half ended at 9.05pm, and the "15 minute" intermission was 25.

The second half:

He selected his guitar and then changed it as he responded to a request. Just after he'd changed his guitar a woman near the front called for The Night Inside Me. He said, with mock frustration, that that was the song he had been about to play before he changed his guitar.

The Times You've Come - very, very special indeed

The Night Inside Me - he was distracted by the flash photography during this one and said after it that he was going to ask in the friendliest way he could for there please to be no flash photography while he was singing. He was not happy, and said he was just going to do what he felt like singing.

The Pretender - an earlier request

Your Bright Baby Blues

For Taking The Trouble - he told us how this had started out as big rock song and how Keb Mo had changed it completely.

Late For The Sky - a request

Farther On - another request. After this he had been about to play Looking East, but when the call came for Doctor My Eyes he said it was one that he had to play right way in case it was the only song that person knew. He didn't want them to have to sit through his more obscure songs when they were only waiting for DME. When he got to his keyboard he said he'd play a medley of his "hit" (no S on it!).

Doctor My Eyes - he lost the words a few times, but he rocked! He went right into.....

About My Imagination - this was the longest version I've ever heard, and was *very* soulful, simply wonderful!! Several times he leaned back from the keyboard with his left hand off it. His hand was loosely cupped with his thumb in the air and he was gesturing behind him as he was singing. He was just *totally* into this song, and it was a real highlight of the show for me. After it there were a number of calls and some discussion from Jackson because he couldn't hear what was being called out. It might have been here when he referred to a man who had been calling out wanting Stay played right away because he had to leave before the end to catch his train. Jackson said he didn't even play Stay at the end, and had he understood correctly about having to leave for a train? When he knew that he had got it right he said he thought he had, but he just couldn't believe it. I'm not sure that all of this discussion was entirely good natured. He said he was going to play the song he had been planning to play because he really wanted to play that guitar. For quite a while he seemed to be getting started on Looking East, then he suddenly decided that he didn't want to play that song, he had just wanted to play that guitar! So he responded to a request.

Fountain Of Sorrow - very creative again. Then he returned to his guitar and told a long story about watching the recent TV show about the UK Rock Hall of Fame. I'm not quite sure how this developed into a story about how he couldn't send his paisley trousers to the laundry because then they'd know he had paisley trousers!!! I believe he was joking about owning such an item of clothing, but maybe we'll see them on stage sometime soon!!! ;-)

Running On Empty - he had fun with this one.

Encores:

Sky Blue And Black - stunning!

Take It Easy - before this he told us about all the different versions again. He didn't ask for any help in singing it, but he did mouth for the "ooohs" and didn't get them. So he said with a smile, that he knew this was too sophisticated a town for us to "oooh" and proceeded to do them himself until he got some company. He told us off for clapping off beat, and then demonstrated the correct beat with a head movement to either side and a sort of clucking noise. The clapping got louder, and on the beat. After a while he stood up, stepped towards the front of the stage and just played along on guitar for a while.

Our Lady Of The Well

It was all over just before 11pm. Certainly a very fine show but it had it's highs and lows. A few times Jackson shielded his eyes against the stage lights, so I don't think he could see much, if anything of the audience, and he was certainly having trouble hearing a lot of the things that were called out. I'm sure contributed to things not always going completely smoothly.

It was great to meet a few list members after the show. I'll be thinking of all of our US members as you go to the polls tomorrow,

Sue's splendid review of Jackson's second show in Manchester accurately captures the spirit of another very enjoyable night.

I'd agree that Sunday's show probably had the edge, principally for the sublime second half.

However, can I just say that the highlight of tonight's performance for me was the rendition of the peerless Sky Blue And Black. The fact that JB played this song in response to a shouted request for it from my wife left me with a wonderful and indelible memory. Oh, and my wife was rather pleased too!

So, two performances in Manchester. 52 songs performed. Only 11 songs duplicated. Quality.

Any chance of a live album from this tour?

Regards.

Was anyone else as disappointed as I was that this broadcast showed next to nothing of Jackson Browne? As politically active as he has been throughout his life, I don't understand why he was used so ineffectively in this program. Of course, it was Springsteen's show ( and I am a Springteen fan) but Jackson has a lot to say (and sing) that is very relevant to our times. Too bad.

However, I also saw him at the L.A. County Fair in September and he was so great!!! His voice was in perfect form and he seemed relaxed and related to the fair-crowd really well. My only complaint has nothing to do with Jackson and everything to do with the Fair! What a mess getting in and settled! It took the crowd a few songs to really settle down and get into the concert, but when they did, it was Magic, as usual.

Thanks for the great web-site!

If the Glasgow concert was excellent this one defied superlatives. Having seen such a magnificent artist twice in six days I am totally exhilarated. How does Jackson do it? An ever changing set list, exemplary playing and that great voice. Not to mention the bright, witty repartee. Jackson gives so much my admiration remains total.

The set was substantially different from that played in Glasgow last Wednesday.

Here's the set list from London (Monday 1 November):

(p) = piano

Barricades of Heaven
Never Stop
Ready Or Not (p)
For A Dancer (p)
Something Fine
These Days
Here Come those Tears Again
For Everyman
Lives In The Balance
For America
All Good Things

The Times You 've Come
The Night Inside Me
The Pretender (p)
Your Bright Baby Blues
For Taking The Trouble
Late For The Sky (p)
Farther On (p)
Doctor My Eyes (p)
About My Imagination (p)
Fountain Of Sorrow (p)
Running On Empty

Sky Blue And Black (p)
Take It Easy
Our Lady Of The Well

If you haven't got tickets for the remaining shows on this tour - TRY - it will be worth it. For me it will be a long wait until the Birmingham show.

Hi Russ!

First of all I want to thank you for your excellent web-site and all the work you have been developing! Thanks to that I have experienced one the best evenings of all my life, attending for the first time to a Jackson Browne concert! Yes, I was there, on 1/11/2004, at the London Palladium. As a Portuguese fan of JB, I told you a few weeks ago that I never saw JB performing live before. How careless I was, considering that Jackson had performed a few times in Europe through last years, and that would allow me to do what I have done now: take a plane, spend the weekend in London, see the concert and returning home, happy, the following day.

For me and my wife it was fantastic, as we do adore JB, and I know I am not able to compare this show with other performances, as most of other lucky fans and regular reviewers of this section do. So it is redundant to write down the set list because some others already did it. Nevertheless, I want to share with you some impressions of the show.

The Venue - It was my first visit to the London Palladium, and I had bought my pair of tickets by internet 3 months before, assuming I could get seats near the stage, but they only got me places in the Upper Circle. However the view was o.k. and the sound too, and with the help of my inseparable binocles I was succeded to see JB quite well. But there were some seats empty in the room, which really surprised me, because being London an huge town, the place should be sold out! Then I remembered what we say back home in these occasions: "God gave nuts to the ones without teeth" - direct translation from the portuguese!

The Audience - It is obvious that the majority of JB fans are not far from his own age, but the great look and cool air that Jackson keeps in his body and composure make us feel, when listening to his music, as we did in the past, so I would expect some more enthousiasm from some people around me. What I really didn't understand was the fact that some people were drinking red wine in plastic glasses around my seat, and I can tell you, by the smell, and knowing some about wines ( after all I live in Portugal), that was not the type I would reccomend ( neither drinking wine in a plastic recipient).

The Concert - What can I say about a dream that came true? It is possible that some of the most experienced fans may have seen different shows, better or not than this one. For me it was unique and so special as it is our first love! Jackson's voice is still the same and the acoustic performance of his different guitars ( he had 14 on the stage) and the piano were splendid, specially when he played my all time favourites as the songs from "Late for the Sky", " Pretender" and "For Everyman" albums.

Anyway, the medley "Doctor My Eyes/About My Imagination" and the three songs played at the encore were also sublime moments of this magnificent show!

JB began the concert at 20h05m, played about one hour until 21h05m, made an intermission of about 25 minutes, and played an extraordinary second half until (almost) 23h00. We got 2 hours and an half of the best we can listen to, nowadays!

During the interval, when I was buying a nice t-shirt facing the front sleeve of JB's first record ( sometimes known as "Saturate Before Using"), a guy next to me was hesitating about buying the only JB dvd available on the market ( "Going Home"), which I obviously saw dozens of times, and I just told him: "look, if you consider yourself a fan of JB, you must have it, no matter how!". Well, he bought it immediately!

From now on I will keep watching for more dates in Europe, specially if Jackson will come to perform in Spain, because seeing him playing in Portugal is still another dream.

Thanks again, and keep this site alive!

Monday evening, rushing home from work and getting ready to get up to the West End in order to see the first of the London shows!

The Palladium Theatre was a slightly bigger theatre than the one at York - I reckon it seats about 2000 people. As far as I could see from our forth row seats, the theatre was about full. I'm not sure how much of this I'll remember because I seem to have found myself sitting at the show with a migraine for most of the night, and unfortunately, I don't remember half of it. :-( Why did that have to happen at a Jackson concert?? No fair! I could hardly concentrate most of the time, I was feeling so ill, and I nearly had to leave at one point, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Anyway, we spotted the Radio 2 DJ Johnnie Walker in the bar before we went in. He was the DJ who interviewed Jackson on Radio 2 last week, and he mentioned the show and some of what Jackson said last night on his show today.

I took my friend Lisa to see this concert with me this time. She's not a big fan (yet!) but has been listening to the CDs. Amazingly, our seats were right next to Maria and Frank's, so we sat together and had a bit of a chat before and after the show! It was nice to finally meet you Maria, and have a chance to talk - mainly about politics as I remember...!

The show started promptly at 8:00pm. Jackson was wearing the black shirt with feint lines/stripes and I think they were beige trousers. He was in a remarkably good mood, although I didn't think his voice was as good as it was in York. I didn't think the sound was that good either, and it didn't help that I had a headache already. The first song he did was Barricades of Heaven. The antics of the evening started after this song when he was fiddling with his earpiece. He explained that he had these ear pieces in to hear better, but couldn't hear anything in his left ear. He also stressed that it wasn't a hearing aid - well, not yet! He said he could have done with a memory aid though! The audience thought this was funny! He still couldn't get it working right, so called out for 'RJ' who came onstage to applause. Jackson did a funny singing of 'RJ' which was also funny. They got the problem sorted. someone in the front row made the joke, "Doctor my ears..." which Jackson heard and picked up on!

Jackson was being quite chatty at this point, sitting with a guitar. He told the audience that he thought we in London hadn't given him the same type of welcome that he had received elsewhere in Britain, and that we were like Los Angeles, where there is a lot of choice of entertainment so people weren't so enthusiastic. The crowd started to warm up a bit to this comment and welcome him properly, but Jackson, still messing about on the guitar, suddenly exclaimed that were were 'jaded, f***ing people!' which I was quite taken aback by, but the crowd thought it was funny. He said that was all right that we were jaded, because, "you're my people!" with a smile and a hand on his heart as he stood up and took another guitar. I told you he was in a jovial mood! ;)

His next song was Never Stop, which I thought he did particularly well. This wasn't a request, but he did explain that he didn't have a setlist tonight and played just about what he wanted. Someone asked for a new song, and he explained that he doesn't have any really new songs that were ready to show us yet, but he had a really old song he could do. Jackson explained that it was a song where he doesn't sing the last verse anymore. He asked us the date (1 Nov) and explained that his oldest son was going to be 31 tomorrow (happy birthday Ethan!) and he had written this song before Ethan came along. He said he didn't know what was going on at the time, so wrote and wrote and wrote and even 31 years later, he still doesn't understand what was going on! he explained again that the person he wrote it for didn't like the last verse, but now that he'd started singing it again he just left that verse out, and that it wasn't all that true anyway. It was, of course, Ready or Not. Someone had requested this. At the end of the song, someone shouted out, "it's better without the washing machine!"

The next song was, i think, another request. For A Dancer. Still a great song, and sung beautifully. Jackson was obviously in a mellow mood because he went into Jamaica Say You Will. I like this song a lot! Someone asked for "Here Come Those Tears Again" but Jackson said he would do that later. The next song was These Days. It was now that we heard Here Come Those Tears Again, and Jackson explained that this was the country version. It was written with someone on their 83rd birthday, in Paris, and then explained it was an old mother-in-law. He went into quite a lot of detail on the history of this song, explaining that she had a crush on Kris Kristofferson and Waylon and thought that the country version would get their attention! I'd never heard the country version before, and it was pretty good.

As Jackson sat with the guitar, someone called out for "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" which is the musical that usually plays at this theatre. He heard the request, but had to admit that he had never really seen the film, and couldn't get the title right. He said he couldn't believe that the book was written by Ian Fleming. "Who wrote the James Bond stuff?" which everyone said was Ian Fleming, "The same guy who wrote Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?" which we all replied, "yes!" He tried to make the connection of James Bond and 'bang bang' but it didn't really work!

A request came for For Everyman, and I think it was here that he explained about how he played certain songs as soon as he heard a request for them. He was at the piano for this one, and it sounded damn good! After the song, he said he had heard calls for Vote for Change, and explained about the shows he'd been doing in the US. He went into a bit more length about the letters in the Guardian where the editors had asked for the British public to write to undecided Americans giving their opinion on who they should vote for. If you haven't seen the opinions that were printed, then you should have a look, because they're rather strong! Jackson said it was bad enough that when Californians voice their political opinion, but he couldn't believe the vitriol at some of these Americans writing back to the English. He was amazed, as most of us in Britain were, at how aggressive and nasty the replies were. Entertaining though! Jackson said he saw in another paper how the world would vote in a Bush/Kerry contest, and said that there were only 2 countries - Poland and Nigeria who voted Bush - all the others were blue for Kerry! He let us into the idea he had had that as America and the American President had such power over the world, that maybe the world should have a vote as to who the President should be. He said he was met with a stunned glaze when he suggested this, but it's a thought I'd had myself. He said how people were voting for ANYONE different instead of these corporate animals. He had some other names for them too, but it was lost in the round of applause he received!

The next 3 songs were all at the guitar. I don't think there was any dialogue other than to say that he was going to take a 15 minute intermission (yeah right!) but we heard Lives In The Balance, For America then All Good Things, which he said was a request.

*****

The first song he did after intermission was Times You've Come on guitar. Someone asked for Pretender, and he explained he now suspended the 'Pretender rule' (does he mean playing it at the end?) because he thought that some people would come to the show only knowing his better known songs, and he didn't want them to have to wait til the end of the show to hear the songs they know! He seemed to have somewhat a plan as to what he wanted to play at this point. He then did Night Inside Me, which was great, although he got quite a few lines wrong, and looked ever-so-slightly cute when he got them wrong! Still sitting with a guitar, he changed patter slightly and asked "ever so politely" (his words) for people not to use flash photography while he was singing, as some people were. It was a very gracious way of asking so, but it was even funnier when he went on and said it was because as the flash went off, he was wondering, 'now do they want me to look like this...?' and he went ahead and posed for different shots that he was imagining they might want of him! We thought it was funny! After this, he proclaimed he was going to play some that he felt like playing, and we heard The Pretender. I think this was after someone shouted out 'play what you want!' He said that he was the one who decided what he played in the end, even if we did call out!

The next song was a favourite of mine; Bright Baby Blues. It sounded great, as always. It was on slide guitar, which he seemed to take a while to get into and comfortable with. He was also a bit clumsy with the slide piece, and hit the side of the guitar with it a few times which made an awful noise! Still at the guitar, he explained that the next song was written several times as a rock song, but then he asked Keb'mo to come in and play guitar on it. It was Keb's idea to slow it down and 'turn everything else down except me' and the result was a song about 'putting your life back together.' Only then did he introduce it as For Taking The Trouble, another of the newer songs I'm getting into and rather like now. Another request prompted Late For The Sky, which Jackson really belted out and was probably the best song of the evening, IMHO. This was, as ever, on piano.

I liked the next song too, and it's the only song that's been rattling around in my head all day; Farther On. Then there was some dialogue from an audience member who was trying to say to Jackson to play 'Stay' because he had to leave the show to get the last train back to Harlow. Jackson really couldn't hear what the man was saying, so someone else shouted it out, but then JB couldn't understand the logic - "o I get this right? You have to leave to get the last train home?" He went on to say something like, "and here, in the land of diplomacy..." but I don't think even Jackson knew how that sentence should end; he wasn't impressed by the 'last train home' comment!

People were asking for what he called the 'absurd' songs next so he said he would do a medley. We heard Doctor My Eyes and About My Imagination. At this point, I really wasn't feeling well, so I've lost some of the banter in the show. Oh how I'd love to relive that moment again, perhaps in an audio format or similar ;-) but Jackson was, as far as I could tell, trying to make a connection between one song and another. Requests were coming forward, but he said he really wanted to play this guitar. He mentioned the 'last train home' conversation again, said he didn't know if it was a joke, as this was the land of Monty Python... so you can't be sure! He heard a few more requests, but said they weren't songs he wanted to hear right now, and went into Fountain of Sorrow, great rendition.

A funny thing happened here. As he stood up to change guitar or something, he suddenly raised his hand to his forehead and looked up to the balcony audience, took a moment, then explained that it happens whenever he is on tour - the shyness had overcome him and he realised that although he wasn't shy, he suddenly came to realise the enormity of all the people coming out here just to see him. He said that the emotion had overcome him. He chatted a bit more here, and explained that he was watching TV last night and saw the Hall of Fame programme that was running on British TV and said it was a good show, and admitted that he'd voted. He seemed alien to the concept that you can just phone up and vote for who you thought was the best act of music history.Despite being asked, he didn't say who he'd voted for though, I don't think. He also mentioned that he had been given a book on George Martin that he was looking at before the show, so I guess he must have been relating the area of London we were in with the sixties because he said a member of the crew had come into the dressing room and seen his paisley trousers drying (and explained that he had to let them dry there because you wouldn't want to let it get out that you wore paisley trousers!) and had mentioned to him that Carnaby Street was just around the corner from the theatre. I'm not sure what the point of him telling that story was, but it was intriguing to ponder on his train of thought. He went into the last song here, Running On Empty.

*****

Only encore, and he played Sky Blue and Black, which was an earlier request. It did sound great, and from what I can remember from my migraine-induced haze, he did a lot of solo piano stuff on this song. Maybe he was lost in thought on this song?

At the guitar again, he explained that the next song was not _his_ most favourite song, but he did write it. He didn't play it for a long while, 'cause the Eagles needed the money' (some of Jackson's comments were so tongue-in-cheek!) but said, "Don't stop me if you've heard this before because I never tire of telling this..." and went onto explain how the song had become so famous and was translated into so many languages. He told the story of the Chinese version and how David Lindley had said he'd learn the Chinese version if they ever found a copy, but that they had seen a translation when they wanted copywrite (another t-i-cheek comment was that China was the nation of piracy, so who knows why they asked for copywrite!). He told the story of the Spanish version where the translation says, 'I'm looking for a lover who is non religious, dangerous, and willing to eat me as if a lobster in pink sauce!" The British audience laughed! Ha ha ha ha ha!

As Jackson was playing Take It Easy, he stood up to do the 'oooohs' which the _British audience_ didn't take to very well, despite Jackson trying to encourage them, but he was still in a good mood, and went onto Our Lady Of The Well.

There were no more encores after that, and the show ended about 10:45. I think this is probably the best show I've ever heard of Jackson, despite the bad sound quality, IMHO. I've never seen him in such a good mood. As Maria pointed out, we do get to see him at 2 different shows - one before the election, and one after. It will be interesting to be able to compare the two, and see what else he comes up with.

I just want Jackson to know I have listend to his work for 30 years. I have NEVER sent any fan mail in my life. But today as the world seems very very dark I got out Lives in the Balance and it is helping me through. I am taping for other friends that are struggeling in this new and freightening nation we seem to have.

Russ,

Here's a review of Jackson's first London performance - courtesy of his self-confessed favourite UK newspaper, The Guardian:

Jackson Browne
The Palladium, London
Rating: three stars (out of a possible five)

Adam Sweeting

Published: Wednesday, 3rd November 2004

There's a new CD retrospective of Jackson Browne's career, and this marathon one-man show was an equally thorough voyage around his catalogue. Without ever creating the aura that surrounds Joni Mitchell or Neil Young - maybe he should have been born Canadian - Browne has stuck to his task to become one of the most credible of the 70s singer-songwriters.

Nonetheless, playing solo for the best part of three hours is a big task even for such a seasoned campaigner, albeit one armed with 14 acoustic guitars and an electric piano. Browne's indecision over which instrument and which song to play next has become part of the act, as has his apparent willingness to play songs yelled out at him by an irritating minority of the crowd. It was only late in the proceedings that Browne confessed that he only sings the ones he planned to sing anyway. These included most of the ones you'd expect. Late for the Sky, For a Dancer and Farther On were delivered somewhat sepulchrally from the piano, while Browne had a go on the slide guitar for Your Bright Baby Blues and sang Ready or Not minus its last verse, which he now accepts was "sh*t".

As the show wore on, the absence of a band and some vocal harmonies began to grate, especially since many songs shared a similar feel and tempo. Hence, pieces given a fresh twist worked best, like a folky version of These Days and a country and western overhaul of Here Come Those Tears Again. This was the day before the US elections, and a couple of Jackson's political pieces tingled with particular urgency. For America rang out like the Liberty Bell, while Lives in the Balance never sounded more barbed - "when the government lies to the people, and the country is drifting to war". He's a convincing ambassador for the other America that we're in danger of losing sight of.

Regards.

Dear Russ,

My wife, my son and I went to the London Palladium concert on Monday (1st November) and the Portsmouth one on Tuesday - we all agreed that the Portsmouth evening was a far better occasion, probably because of the audience.

We waited behind after the concer and managed to have a brief chat with Jackson. I mentioned that I had seen him in 1975 at Wembley Stadium when he appeared as a surprise guest with The Eagles for a couple of numbers. The Eagles were a support act, the headliners being the Beach Boys and Elton John. Jackson said he couldn't remember playing with The Eagles and was I sure he went on stage.

As far as I recall, The Eagles were interviewed on the radio the day before the concert and said that they had a mystery guest lined up. I am absolutely certain that Jackson Browne appeared on stage with The Eagles at Wembley - can anyone confirm this?

Regards

Russ - We love your site,

My Wife & I have always loved Jackson Browne & we appreciate the effort made by him & others to MAKE A CHANGE!

Where do we go from here? We have seen Jackson in Perth, WA, Australia twice over the last two years & always feel SO GOOD after his concerts, keep playing Jackson - hopefully see you soon again in Australia. We were in the pond!

Dear Russ/News Reviews page

That was a very interesting review of the November 1st Concert... particularly as I was there too and felt a little uneasy when JB appeared to be unhappy with the reception he got on coming on stage. How wrong could he be! What a pity if it was the strong lights and the dodgy earpiece that separated him from the warmth and love there was around the auditorium!

But he seemed a little 'rattled' generally by something that night - perhaps the 'low budget' set indeed. For £38.50 + £5 booking fee, from our D3/4 seats we could barely see him due to the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang apron and necessity of mounting the PA in front of that. The people next to us in Seats 1 and 2 actually left (probably to get their money back, or to buy tickets for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which perhaps they thought they'd bought tickets for!.

My plea: "Please, Jackson, you touch us deeply with your music, your lyrics and your honest performance, most of us on Monday have spent years and years listening to your music and words and are just sometimes perhaps a little awed be being in the same room as you!!" At least by the end of the show I think he realised he'd perhaps not been appreciative enough of the fact that at least 80% of that audience probably had every record he's ever recorded, can sing virtually every song and not only respect his views on politics and life but just generally love him to bits!

To wind up, I am still staggered by JB's ability to perform a set of that length, playing keyboards and (particularly) guitar with such accomplishment, to deliver such powerful vocals, with both such heart and such delicacy at times. He strips himself bare sometimes and it's indeed a gift for us, the audience (if being reduced to an emotional wreck after Late for The Sky and Farther On sung back to back like they were on Monday (followed shortly after by Sky Blue and Black) can be considered a gift - oh well I think it is anyway!).

'Let the music keep our spirits high'

Ringsted, Denmark 04.11.04

What a fantastic evening with JB, he was awesome.

This was the day after the election in the US. He told us how disappointed he was - that we probably felt the same, and we did - giving him loud applause. He sang like an angel all night - played 28 songs and stayed on stage 2h 45 min.

Thank you Jackson for a stunning performance - we love you.

This is the setlist:

The barricades of heaven
For everyman
Looking east
For america
Late for the sky
Your bright baby blues
The pretender
Here come those tears again
Roland the headless thompson gunner ( Zevon )
Running on empty
Lives in the balance
Before the deluge
Song for Adam
Too many angels
I am a patriot
Sergio Leone
For a dancer
Redemption song
Love needs a heart
These days
The naked ride home
Call it a loan
Rosie
Don't you want to be there
Take it easy
Our lady of the well
Sky blue and black
My stunning mystery compannion

I've been trying to find information about the Crossroads show with Jackson Browne and Tim McGraw scheduled to air this month but can't find any listing. Does anyone know when the show will air?

Hi. This is the BAERUM KULTURHUS, Sandvika, Norway setlist.

1. The barricades of heaven
2. For everyman
3. Jamaica Say You Will
4. Looking Into You
5. These Days
6. Looking East
7. Rosie
8. Lives In The Balance
9. For America
10. I Am A Patriot
11. Late For The Sky
12. Farther On
13. Your Bright Baby Blues
14. Doctor My Eyes/
15. /About My Imagination
16. Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner
17. Mutineer
18. The Pretender
19. Too Many Angles
20. In The Shape Of A Heart
21. Lawless Avenue
22. For A Dancer
23. Sleeps Dark And Silent Gate
24. Never Stop
25. Take It Easy
26. Our Lady Of The Welll
27. Rock Me On The Water
28. Call It A Loan
29. Running On Empty
30. Before The Deluge

Best wishes

First of all, thanks a million Russ for the work you put into this site, please know that it is appreciated!

This was the fourth or fifth time I saw JB live and it was by far the best show. Man I'd wish he'd go on performing like this forever, it just doesn't get any better. He played Cirkus in Stockholm which is an old, beautfiul theatre, just perfect for an event like this. He said he'd probably played there before (must have been a long time ago, nothing I can remeber). He seemed really comfortable the whole evening, often smiling and laughing, didn't talk a whole lot, but he mentioned the "Vote for change"-tour, got a lot of applause for that, the audience thanked him for trying. He also told us the "Take it easy"-story with all the different versions (sang a bit of the spanish one). There were also some notes on the history of some songs. I think he probably got around to play most of the requests that were called out during the three hour show.

JB got great reviews in Swedens 2 major newspapers (4 out of 5 in both), both reviewers saying it was the show of the year (then you might wonder why he only got 4 out of 5????)

I'm gonna list he songs I can recall (in no particular order):

The road (Danny O'Keefe)
Lawyers in love (after much hollering from a guy in one of the front rows JB finally agreed to play it, although he wasn't sure there really was a song in there without a band backing him up)
The barricades of heaven
For everyman
Looking east
For america
Late for the sky
Your bright baby blues(so beautiful with the slide, I wept like a baby)
The pretender
Roland the headless thompson gunner ( Zevon )
Running on empty
Lives in the balance
Too many angels
I am a patriot (Steve van Zandt)
For a dancer ( first time I got chance to hear it live, it's gotta be the most wonderful song ever written)
These days
The naked ride home
Call it a loan
Rosie
Take it easy
Our lady of the well
Farther on

I've probably left out a few, but I was too caught up in the show to try and remember each and every song.

It was a truly magical evening, one that I'll remember for the rest of my life. I really hope JB knows how much he touches the hearts and souls of people all around the world. To me he's the greatest singer/poet ever.

Peace and love,

Hello everyone,

here is the setlist of the second of only two concerts given in Germany in Berlin and Hamburg (again as in 2003). The Schauspielhaus is a theater and was a very nice place for the solo acoustic show. Jackson came out at 20:00.

(again (p) for the keyboard and otherwise it was one of the 14 guitars)

1. For Everyman - Afterwards he asked for not to use flash lights because it makes him forget the words. He said that he has no setlist and the audience started requesting songs. Very often throughout the night he immediately played the requested ones and sometimes he did them later on.
2. Song For Adam - Afterwards he talked about some little red lights he saw in the audience and that people should not use recorders or recording cameras. He just wants to have control but he is not as mad about it as David and Ry. Then he did a verse of Tokyo Bootlegger Man which Ry wrote for David (on the Twango Bango III album). It was funny.
3. For A Dancer (p)
4. Shaky Town - Before he started this he talked about Danny Kortchmar whom he met lately in New York and who wrote this song.
5. Before The Deluge (p)
6. Lives In The Balance - Before this he said that he would do some songs he frequently played in the last months.
7. I Am A Patriot - This was dedicated to the many Kerry voters.
8. For America - Somewhere here somebody asked for Lawyers in love. He replied that he had no solo arrangement for that and that it would be requested nowhere else, perhaps, apart from Germany. In the USA people would not understand that one. Someone asked for 'You asshole you' and he could play it for G. Bush. He replied he would not play a song for Bush and furthermore that song is a nice one and it is about sex and it is not possible to combine those two things! Again very funny. Somewhat earlier also Hold On, Hold Out (one of my favorites, too) was requested and he recognized that request. He made a comment I did not really understand apart from that it is a song about breaking up.
9. Man Of Constant Sorrow
10. Call It A Loan - He mentioned that this was written with David, who is also somewhere on the road at the moment doing solo concerts and that the last time they played together was during the 2003 European tour when they met in Italy. (I was very near shouting: Please do it again in Germany, but I did not. Actually, I asked David after his concert 2003 in Hannover if there would be a chance for that!)
11. Looking Into You
Intermission 15 minutes
12. I'm alive
13. In The Shape Of A Heart
14. Hasten Down The Wind (p) - Before this he mentioned that he would like to do a Zevon song. He had a really amazing voice on this.
15. Late For The Sky (p) I think somewhere here there were several requests, maybe for Farther On and for Fountain Of Sorrow and he asked for a decision which one would be wanted more and than he began with the next.
16. Farther On (p)
17. Never Stop - He said he would do one more covering the same object (not his exact words, but mine!) but then not more of that.
18. I'm The Cat
19. Your Bright Baby Blues (slide)
20. I Thought I Was A Child (p) He stopped after the first verse and restarted after drinking some water.
21. The Pretender (p)
22. My Stunning Mystery Companion - In advance of this, someone asked for another song (I am not sure what it was) for his girlfriend and Jackson replied ok I do one for your girlfriend but it is also for my girlfriend but you can use it for yours! There was also the talk about the word 'girlfriend' which may not be appropriate after ten years. He said in the beginning she did not want to be married, which was a good thing because he didn't want to be married, too. Very nice. Also the story about his friend's first year of marriage after 16 years dating.
23. Running On Empty
Encore:
24. Sky Blue And Black (p)
25. Take It Easy - He introduced this by saying that the Eagles made this very popular everywhere in the world and asked if there is a German version. A quite long talk about all the versions, especially the chinese and spanish ones.
26. Our Lady Of The Well - The show ended at 22:45 and he left us saying that he would come again!

It was a very special night and he really seemed to be in really good spirits. I support all the people who would like him to bring out a live CD with these solo acoustic versions. The 'goose bumps effect' of so many songs is even amplified. For me it was the perfect thing to get into the right mood for my first journey to California (San Diego for a scientific conference and L.A.) starting exactly one week after this wonderful concert.

Hi! I've recently discovered your excellent website.

I have a spare ticket for the Jackson Browne concert at Birmingham Symphony Hall on Monday 15th November which I'm giving away if I can find a good home for it. As well as sending you this message I've also emailed several people who had contrbuted concert reviews to the website.

If you know anyone who would be interested please pass on my email address.

Apologies if you feel this message is out of order, but I don't want to waste a ticket for the brilliant JB if I can find someone who'd appreciate it.

Thanks

Hi there. I've never before submitted fan mail like this..so here's my first and last.

Just a short update from Baerum Kulturhus, Sandvika, Norway (just outside Oslo) last night November 10.

Capacity crowd of appr. 500. Lucky us!

Jackson entered the stage at 7:30 and "Barricades of Heaven " was the opener on a beautiful vintage Gibson...probably from the 1930s. After the first song he said that was the only song he had planned to do, that he had no set list and asked the audience for requests. "It'll be just like at my home.." . The requests kept coming and he went on to play for more than 3 hours.+ a short intermission. I started out trying to keep track of songs but lost interest in the paperwork as I got more and more amased by the incredible performance.

He changed between gitars and el.piano as the requests kept coming. He also did two of Warren Zevons songs on the piano. Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner (as Roland supposedly was Norwegian) and Mutineer. He said he needed to practise the Roland song a bit more ...(he doesn't really need to as far as I'm concerned.)

During "Lawless Avenues" he forgot/mixed up the Spanish parts and just started over 3 or 4 times. This only gave the show even more warmth and good wibes.

He also gave a brief "State of the Union Adress" from The Divided States of America after the election...to much applause.

Having been one of the organisers of the Norwegian Wood Festival in Oslo,Norway since 1992 I've seen a lot of shows.(www.norwegianwood.no) and I've seen Jackson Browne a number of times..the first being in San Jose in 1977 with Jimmy Buffett and Warren Zevon. Nothing matches the magic of last night. I still can't believe it.

If you have a chance to see this tour...don't hesitate.

Take care,

as a jb fan for over 30 years, I just wanted to thank you for your tremendous website. I just got a computer (believe it or not), so I'm learning how to use it. keep up the great work.
Submitted by: alfaella@yahoo.com

Hello!

I know you have the set-list from Ragnar Andersen, but here is a little more information about the concert n Sandvika, just outside Oslo november 10. 2004.

The setlist was:

1. The barricades of heaven
2. For everyman
3. Jamaica Say You Will
4. Looking Into You
5. These Days
6. Looking East
7. Rosie
8. Lives In The Balance
9. For America
10. I Am A Patriot
11. Late For The Sky

12. Farther On
13. Your Bright Baby Blues
14. Doctor My Eyes/
15. /About My Imagination
16. Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner
17. Mutineer
18. The Pretender
19. Too Many Angles
20. In The Shape Of A Heart
21. Lawless Avenue
22. For A Dancer
23. Sleeps Dark And Silent Gate
24. Never Stop
25. Take It Easy
26. Our Lady Of The Well
27. Rock Me On The Water
28. Call It A Loan
29. Running On Empty
30. Before The Deluge

30 songs in 3 hours was really impressing. The show started a little problematic. Jackson played wrong om Barricades and had some problems with For everyman and had to start all over again. His voice was not clear either an my wife thought he had pnemounia. I also felt he was not really well becaus he played very safe with the first 5 song among his really well known favourrites among the fans. It really started to loosen up on Looking into you. Jackson told a long story about this house. After that he did a stunning version of Looking East. Tehn Rosie and he took three songs form the Vote for change Tour. Jackson told about howsad he was after the elections and Called USA for The divided states... .

After the intermission He was really in the mood and played from our wishes. Very good Roland and he really wanted to play another Zevon song. I called for Mutineer and got it. Too many angels and Lawless avenue was done very well. Before the deluge ended the show and the eveneng was complete.

1st. set
The Barricades of Heaven
For Everyman
Lives in the Balance
For America
I Am a Patriot
Love Needs a Heart
Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner (Warren Zevon)
Rosie
Farther On
Your Bright Baby Blues
Lawyers in Love
Song For Adam
Fountain of Sorrow

2nd set
These Days
Naked Ride Home
Looking East
Take It Easy
Our Lady of the Well
Never Stop
The Pretender
For a Dancer
For Taking the Trouble
Too Many Angels
Sleep's Dark and Silent Gate
The Road
Running on Empty

Encore:
Call it a Loan
Late for the Sky

Don't want to repeat all the previous superlatives from all the other shows so let's just say it was a fantastic evening!

Jackson was on good form after a couple of days relaxing with relatives in Norway. He laughed easily at times and it is just great to see him enjoying his performance alone on the stage (except for those 14 guitars of course !)

A plus for Symphony Hall too - the acoustics are superb. When he played here in March last year he had problems with the sound - (though it didn't affect the audience) - no such problem on this occasion.

Look forward to the next time....

The set list - different again of course....

Barricades of Heaven
For Everyman
Looking East
Looking into You
Song for Adam
Never Stop
Take this Rain
Rosie
Your Bright Baby Blues
Sky Blue and Black

Night Inside Me
Enough of the Night
These Days
Lives in the Balance
ForAmerica
For a Dancer
Fountain of Sorrow
The Late Show
Roland the headless Thomson Gunner (Zevon)
Shape of a Heart
The Pretender

Linda Paloma
Running on Empty

I don't know how to start on this one because it was only over a few hours ago, and it's going to take me weeks, months, hopefully never, to come down from this very special evening with Jackson Browne.

Trying to bring at least part of myself back to planet earth for a while.........The first set began around 7.35 (7.30 scheduled start). Jackson strolled on from the right of the stage from our view and was wearing a plain black shirt and blue jeans that were turned up at the bottom. I'd not seen the shirt or the jeans before at the shows I've seen in England.

The first set:

Barricades - he thanked us for coming to his show before he began

For Everyman - this was the first one that made me feel that Jackson was *really* feeling the music tonight. From time to time he was head bowed over his guitar, hair swaying as he played, just totally into what he was playing.

Looking East - a real favourite of mine, especially acoustically. I can't be objective about this one because I'm smiling the moment I see him pick up that guitar. On this tour he's only used it for this song, though I'm sure he'll surprise me one day by playing another song on it. I hope not. For me, this song was played more powerfully and inventively tonight than I've ever heard before.

Looking Into You - after this one he said this show felt very different to his other shows in the UK, but he wouldn't say because he didn't want to make us self-conscious. A few people seemed to gather that he was referring to the total lack of requests up to this point, so a few songs were then called out. However, if my memory serves me correctly (which it often doesn't!), at the earlier shows in the UK Jackson had said something about not having a set list very early on in the show. This time he didn't say that. Anyway, the requests came after his subtle (?) comment, and he responded to the first one that came from a long way to back.

Song For Adam

Never Stop - he went right into this one, saying he'd play a newer song. After this one he selected another guitar, and I had a mad moment. My only excuse, and I admit it's a very poor one, is that I felt he was wanting requests, so I'd call for one.......

Take This Rain - you'll have to depend on other reports about this one because no part of me is capable. Whatever Jackson might remember or say, I can tell you for sure that this is only the second time that I have ever called for this song during a show, and this is the *only* time Jackson has played it when I have called for it. Devastatingly special is about the best description I can muster.

Rosie - a request, I think, though I don't remember much of this apart from Jackson suddenly pulling out his right earpiece during it, and leaving it hanging on his shirt until after this song, when he then tucked it inside his shirt instead of putting it back in his ear. Don't ask me!!!??

Your Bright Baby Blues

Sky Blue And Black - maybe just me, but there were a lot of calls for songs before this one, Late For The Sky being one of them. It is my impression that Jackson usually favours a call for LFTS. This time he didn't, and this was a very fine end to the first set.

The intermission was about 20 minutes, and thank you so much to the people sitting near me who thanked me so whole-heartedly for my call for Take This Rain. It meant a lot to me too......the song, and that others cared so much about hearing it.

The second set:

The Night Inside Me

Enough Of The Night - somebody sitting very close to me might confess to calling for this. I hope she does because I dearly love this song, and this was very, very special.

These Days - lots of requests before this, but a voice sang "These Days" from way back. Jackson made a comment about maybe he'd better play this right away, but we shouldn't think that requests that were sung would necessarily get priority.

Lives In The Balance - a request that Jackson was very happy to attend to right away. As ever in England lately, this song got the longest and loudest applause.

For America - Jackson's choice, and just my personal opinion, but I felt that he felt just a little apologetic about needing to play it after the previous song. I hope I'm wrong. I can't imagine ever getting tired of hearing this song. I confess that I have heard the previous song too many times, and I've never had the passion for it that I have for this one.

For A Dancer - a request, and it took me back to the Hammersmith Odeon in '86 when I felt that I couldn't possibly leave that show until Jackson played this song. He did play it then, and I hope that it meant at least as much to the person who called for it tonight as it did to me then.

Fountain Of Sorrow - another request, and it is my opinion that Jackson's piano solo on this is a million times better than Scott Thurston's during the band tour in the UK in '96. This time Jackson hit such a bumb note along the way that there wasn't only a grimace, there was also an exclamation of horror about it. Even so, it was just lovely and special. What followed was totally, completely and absolutely beyond anything I could ever have imagined hearing EVER ....

THE LATE SHOW - this is not my story to tell, but we do have a list member here in the UK who *must* tell this story. MINDBLOWINGLY AWESOME. As if this wasn't enough, Jackson then responded to calls for a "Zevon song" with many suggestions he seemed to choose to ignore before he chose......

Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner - oh goodness Jackson had fun with this. He seemed to think it was us who were fun, but it seemed to me that Jackson really was having fun in Birmingham. I don't think it had much to do with us at all.

In The Shape Of A Heart - a request from earlier. I love to hear it any time, but it did seem to be a bit of strange turn to me after the fun with Roland, never mind the fun with the door closing sounds and motions during THE LATE SHOW.

The Pretender - can anybody remember even one "say it" during this? I can't, and I always look and listen for the "say it" part. If there was a "say it" during The Pretender I didn't hear it. No surprise.....THE LATE SHOW still had me in a place I've never been to before.

The encores:

Linda Paloma - many requests for this, and it did seem to me that Jackson was particularly happy to play it because his friend Carlos from Cuba will be here in the UK with him soon. Jackson's guitar playing on this always stuns me. He held the long notes too.

Running On Empty - how is it that everybody in the UK finds a way to stay in their seats when Jackson plays this??? I just don't know!!

Just my opinion, as ever, but I think we all should have been rocking in the aisles long before the end of this show in Birmingham. It was very, very special and I don't want to come down from it for a very long time.

WOW! Just like in Manchester......what a difference 24 hours can make in the same venue! Did anybody go to both Glasgow shows? Was it the same there?

This 2nd night in the very beautiful (visually and acoustically) Symphony Hall began just a couple of minutes after the 7.30pm scheduled start. From my 2nd row seat it was hard to tell, but I'm hoping that the hall wasn't as empty as it felt. It was certainly very quiet in there, with a lot of empty seats, including all but 2 seats in the front row in the first half, before people moved into them during the intermission. Jackson was wearing the striped shirt that he wore on the first night in Manchester, and I think it was the grey cords.

First set:

Barricades - for the first time on this tour I wasn't sure that Jackson's voice was as strong as he wanted it to be. Probably I was wrong because I didn't feel that on any of the other songs.

Something Fine - the longest guitar intro I think I've ever heard. Nothing wrong with that, though! ;-) It was interspersed with one or two good humoured comments about the people who were arriving late.

The Naked Ride Home

For Taking The Trouble

Don't You Want To Be There - my request, the first sound from the audience apart from the clapping between songs. I didn't know if I was doing the right thing or not. Hopefully I did because Jackson responded right away and after this there were many other calls. I love this song! You'd never guess! ;-) Every song after this one in the first set was a request, so I hope that indicates that he still wants requests instead of the set list he hasn't got, even though he's not been saying that in Birmingham.

Farther On - this call was from a long way back, and Jackson needed a lot of help from others before he knew what the call was. He clearly wanted to know.

Before The Deluge - a bit of a rare treat on this tour, and powerful as ever. In common with many other songs tonight, there were extended musical interludes. I love them! This was a real high point of the first set for me.

Too Many Angels - a lot of requests before this one, but this one was repeated. Jackson said he didn't want us thinking that he'd respond to the most insistent requests but, on this occasion he did anyway!

Rock Me On The Water - he rocked!! Very special.

The Rebel Jesus - before this he asked us if we knew how many shopping days before Christmas, and got suitable groans. This was a treat for me because I've not heard it in concert for a very long time.

Intermission - around 25 minutes

Second set:

For Everyman - a lot of requests before this and Jackson seemed tempted to change his mind and respond to the call for Rosie. Then he decided that he'd get to that later. This song hit me hard tonight.

My Opening Farewell - I was away to a different place with this one, and I haven't got the words to take you there.

I'm The Cat - I believe Jackson said he felt it was time for a happy song. Sadly this song was disrupted along the way when Jackson became bothered by cameras again. I'm with him on that subject.

Your Bright Baby Blues - I think I was still away in that place where My Opening Farewell took me. I have never been fond of Jackson's slide playing on this song in recent years, but what I recall most about this one tonight was that I was suddenly overwhelmed with thoughts about how totally awesome this actually was to be sitting here so very close to Jackson, watching and hearing him right there in front of me singing lines like "take my hand and lead me through the hole in your garden wall and pull me through". How many times through the years have I listened to songs like this alone in my room, years before I ever knew another living soul who'd even heard of Jackson Browne, let alone dared to dream of intimate concerts like this all these years on???! Oh my goodness, how lucky are we??? I've probably been more guilty than most about not appreciating that fully. I hope I never do that again.

In The Shape Of A Heart - devastating

Lives In The Balance - a request that completely changed the mood, IMO. Maybe that was a good thing though, because Jackson spoke out at some length about his feelings about the election results. I felt that he needed to do that, and I probably needed to hear it too.

All Good Things - I felt sure this was going to be For America, which I would have loved to hear, but this beautiful surprise was.......ummm....beautiful!

Black And White - a request, and perfection for me, and apparently for Jackson too because he said what a good idea it was after he'd got quite a long way into the piano intro of Sky Blue And Black before deciding that he didn't want to play it. In the other world I seemed to be in during the second set Black And White would have been the only song I wanted to hear at this point. Bless the man who called for it.

The Pretender - HOW did this happen so soon??? :-((((((

Running On Empty - and then this????? How was that true that this show was nearly over?? Never mind "nearly" over, it was over apart from the encores!

The encores:

Rosie - Jackson was seated with a guitar before a call for Rosie reminded him that he hadn't got to this one earlier. Before he played it we were treated to a very long story about the true story behind this song and how it all came about. I have heard most of this story before, but it's the way he tells stories like these that make them sound brand new each time.

My Stunning Mystery Companion - a long version with guitar playing that reminded me of the very special version we heard on the band tour last year.

I haven't even tried to keep track, but I'd guess that there are those amongst us who can document my impression that this show had fewer songs than any of the others on this tour. For sure, IMO, it wasn't anywhere close to the 'once in a lifetime' show I was blessed to witness in Birmingham last night. But, you know what? As my shows on this tour come to an end (just London left for me now) the over-riding feeling I have tonight is that I'm so very fortunate to have found Jackson Browne's music way back in '72. When I try to think of it in the way that it came to me during the show tonight, it really is *impossible* to even start to comprehend how much it's beyond words to know that I'm able to sit in the same room and hear Jackson sing his songs to me, whatever he sings, or however long or short the show is.

First time ever seeing Jackson Browne. Met him before his concert spoke about being on stage with Christy Moore in Liverpool 23/10/2004 and forgetting his words!! The 2 hours+ Jackson played was absolutely amazing. Spellbinding, can't wait to see him again. As Christy Moore says in his autobiography "I like the substance of Jackson's work he strikes me as being the genuine article". I agree.

BSO is a magnificent venue, set amidst the restored canals of Birmingham's industrial past. The hall seats 2266 and it was full for the first night on Sunday, less so for this show. What with latecomers after an opening "Barricades of Heaven" Jackson thought it reminded him of the Paradox coffee bar era when he started out. Of course, he meant the relaxed atmosphere, not the grandness of the hall, with its 60 foot velvet drapes covering the orchestra stage. In this easy-going mood, Jackson played a great set, and though his voice was struggling this far into the tour, he conjured a whole range of sounds from those 14 guitars, harmonics and resonant bass notes mixing with slide technique on "Bright Baby Blues".

Not heard much so far was a fine "Naked Ride Home", transformed from a five lane Californian highway to a gently lilting country song. As if the BSO was his living room, Jackson played the moody "Don't You Want to be There" on piano, followed by "Farther On" and "Before the Deluge" before switching back to guitar for a more recent song, as he put, "Too Many Angels", which he played and sang beautifully.

The topicality of the election had passed, but Jackson took another theme to close the first half with, shopping days till Christmas, and left us with "The Rebel Jesus".

Twenty minutes later and back onstage we were into "Everyman", which sounds very fresh on the new "Best of" CD. In "My Opening Farewell" Jackson featured some great harmonics on the guitar, and then decided on a cheerful song, which was "I'm the Cat". Midway through he had a mild word with a persistent camera flasher in the stalls, but as ever, did so very politely. A couple of classics led into Jackson's take on the election and the suspicions of vote rigging before a still necessary "Lives in the Balance" - not a new song, not a new situation - as Jackson put it. He's still angry that Kerry should have conceded so soon, and isn't ready for the healing yet.

About to play "Sky Blue and Black", Jackson changed his mind and picked up on a call for "Black and White", which made sense. Staying on the keyboard, he took his leave with "The Pretender" and "Running on Empty", and thanked Birmingham (which he admitted to being unable to pronounce the English way).

For the encore, we heard the story behind "Rosie", the unlucky subject of which is the Nashville monitor mixer used on that tour, who lost out to the more direct approach of the drummer when it came to winning the girl. A final reminder of Jackson's own girl friend (a term he still can't find a better alternative for) in "My Stunning Mystery Companion" and he was off into the wings, and we were off into the raw night air. A case of the road and the sky colliding.

Set list

Barricades of Heaven (guitar)
Something Fine (guitar)
Naked Ride Home (guitar)
For Taking the Trouble (piano)
Don't You Want to be There (piano)
Farther On (piano)
Before the Deluge (piano)
Too Many Angels (guitar)
Rock Me on the Water (piano)
The Rebel Jesus (piano)

Interval

Everyman (guitar)
My Opening Farewell (guitar)
I'm the Cat (guitar)
Bright Baby Blues (slide guitar)
Shape of a Heart (guitar)
Lives in the Balance (guitar)
All Good Things (guitar)
Black and White (piano)
The Pretender (piano)
Running on Empty (piano)

Encore

Rosie (piano)
My Stunning Mystery Companion (guitar)

Can't really type but I have to let you know that as a veteran of about 39 British Jackson gigs, last night in Bristol, from not a particularly good seat, he was just about as good as it gets. The special guest was Carlos the Cuban he has written about before who had arrived birectly by car from Heathrow and came on stage to sing a love song to Havana which Jackson translated to music. It was astounding and the Bristol audience were fantastic.

This was one of my top 3 shows ever and after being mildly disappointed at the London Palladium despite 2nd row seats it renewed my faith in the best live singer for all sorts of reasons. I hope someone posts a set list which I didnt note down. There were many highlights and this was a stupendous show that was rapturously received and Jackson obviously hughly enjoyed the whole evening.

To close I used to write articles for Brian Leahy's lamented Late for the Sky mag, so hello to old friends. Russ you do a great job. I'd be lost without your superb efforts, so many heartfelt thank yous to you.

It sounds like I missed out here. I'd written to Jackson to ask if he would play "The Late Show" (my favourite of all time) at Birmingham on Monday, as I'd never heard him do it live. Unfortunately I couldn't get to the Sunday show. I also asked whether it would be difficult to play as he'd need a car door on stage (listen to it on CD if you don't understand!)

Well, it sounds like he didn't read my letter carefully enough, if this was my request that he did on Sunday - sounds too much of a co-incidence otherwise. I was so gutted when I read Sue's review all about this, car doors and everything, and I wasn't there. So I've still never heard it live.

I thought Sunday was great in parts but he seemed to be really struggling with his voice in the first half, although it got stronger later. Lots of chat though, and good to hear the Rosie story. I still don't think most people there knew what it was actually about though. I reckon the hall was abit over half full, nobody in the top tiers (the Symphony Hall goes up for ever.) And it did seem a short show. Maybe I was a bit disappouinted he didn't play my request - if only I'd known what happened the previous night. But I'd probably have been too disappointed to enjoy it.

Oh well, that's life. Still so wonderful to listen to all those beautiful songs live.

I am a JB fan since the early seventies when I graduated from college. He is the only performer I have continued to follow out of all the artists of that time and of all that have come and gone since then. His music has continued to keep my spirits high through some pretty rough times. I continue to travel a lot of miles to see him perform when time allows. I look forward to his return to the states and to future concerts in my area.

I am also a strong Christian conservative and Republican and believer in our capalist system, and I support the current administration. Agreed, George Bush is not the best possible representative of the party, but his policies and the people he puts in important places are the best for this country.

Just thought Jackson would like to know his appeal crosses all the political spectrum. Also would like for him to know that a lot of us would prefer that Jackson leave his politics out of his concerts and refrain from personal attacks on the leaders of our country. I'm sure Jackson and a lot of his other fans think I deserve it, but I dont pay to see his concerts to be insulted, I pay to hear his music.

Keep up the good work, Jackson, and hurry back to the states. Looking forward to more concerts in the southeast, and bring the band with you!

And something else, just had my first grandchild, and his name is Jackson Baxter, think I'm gonna call him JB.

Hi Russ: I just wanted to let you and other fans know about another interview that is on the bbc. This was with Johnny Walker and it is just over 20 mins. long. Jackson plays live and talks about his career. Go to the web site and then go to archives, then Johnny Walker-more shows. The interview was at the beginning of his european tour. The site is at www.bbc.co.uk/radio2. You already alerted us to the 2 part series and this is something new.

It has also been great reading the recent concert reviews, glad to hear Jackson has been in fine form. When I read about the songs he has been playing I am sometimes suprized at the variety. I havn't been to a solo acoustic show but I definetly hope to get to one!!! We live near Niagara Falls in Canada, and I hope Jackson will come to a city near our border next spring or summer. Too bad Cananda is not one of his stops.

We are getting impatient for his Running on Empty DVD-A!!! Any news Russ?

Thanks for a great site.

A very warm welcome for Jackson in Bristol. Certainly a more intimate venue than some - the request calls started early tonight. He seemed pleased people were calling for his more "obscure songs" and responded warmly to what was obviously a huge bunch of true fans out there in the audience.

He was delighted to tell us that his Cuban friend Carlos Varela was on his way to Bristol from Heathrow (we were hoping he wasn't stuck in the same jam on the M4 that some of us had been in earlier...!) Anyway Carlos did arrive and played Habanema - Jackson read the translation of the verses - very moving.

He followed this with Nino - commenting that his Spanish wasn't up to his friend's and then lost the words!

Take It Easy for the final song had the audience singing along - it had been called for early on but he said there were so few cheerful songs he needed to save it up.

The final encore was Fountain of Sorrow. Although only one song it was sung with such passion it was quite overwhelming. A truly memorable evening.

In response to Terry's request, here's my version of the set list - though I was away on another planet for part of the evening and Pat tells me I missed For Taking the Trouble.... so can anyone correct it ?

Barricades of Heaven
Man of Constant Sorrow
Running on Empty
Looking Into You
Bright Baby Blues
For a Dancer
The Times You've Come
Ready or Not
Sleeps Dark and Silent Gate
Call it a Loan

For Everyman
Lives in the Balance
For America
I am a Patriot
Carlos Varela - Habanema
Nino
Song for Adam
Farther On
Too Many Angels
Late for the Sky
Stunning Mystery Companion
Sky Blue and Black
Take it Easy

Fountain of Sorrow

Well, the tour is finally at an end and what a tour it has been. My wife Cheryl and I have been lucky enough (time and finances permitting) to get to five of the shows on the tour, starting in York, then first night at Manchester, Nottingham, first night at Birmingham and rounding it all off with a trip to Dublin.

I think we are both of the opinion that, while Jackson with the band is always a memorable experience, the solo acoustic shows are where he really comes into his own. Has there ever been a more gracious artist than Jackson. He has seemed so relaxed on this tour, lovely interaction with the audiences, and some real highlights as far as the songs are concerned.

It is also reassuring to know that his music reaches and touches all ages. We were accompanied to the Manchester and Nottingham shows by our 18 year old son Tom and 16 year old daughter Emma. Tom had seen him with us at Birmingham on the 2003 band tour, where he had been hoping beyond hope to see Jackson play Sky Blue. So what did he play, yes you've guessed it.

On this tour, whilst Tom was hoping for Sky Blue again, having started to learn guitar himself he was looking for These Days and Barricades of Heaven, so he was pretty chuffed with the two shows he saw as he got both of those. Emma has a slightly different lean on a favourite song, Somebody's Baby, so what did Jackson pull out of the hat at Nottingham......not even requested, so how surprised and pleased was she to hear that played!

Other highlights have to be The Only Child at Nottingham and The Late Show at Birmingham, complete with closing door effects and a bit of 'role play' by Jackson. And Cheryl's all time favourite song Before the Deluge, which we had always somehow contrived to miss, finally made its appearance in Manchester, and then again in Dublin.

The final piece of icing on the cake was getting to meet Jackson outside the Olympia Theatre at what was then about 1.00 in the morning on possibly one of the coldest nights of the year so far. Various constraints (long drives home, work next day etc.) had always prevented us from waiting afterwards to catch a glimpse or a word, but this time it was just the two of us, no time constraints, the promise of a lie in the next morning and we thought "This is the time".

It is so good to know that, when you finally get to meet a 'hero' in person, they are exactly as you always hoped they would be, not that there was ever really any doubt where Jackson is concerned. His tour manager, whose name I'm afraid I don't know but who was also the model of courtesy, had said that Jackson doesn't sign as he likes to be able to look at people when he's talking to them, rather than the usual 'head-down' approach that tends to occur in such situations.

When he appeared Cheryl took his hand to hold it (she said afterwards that she just didn't have the nerve to plant a smacker on his cheek, but wished now that she had!) and Jackson exclaimed how cold her hands were, enveloped her hands with his and gave them a rub to warm them up. I thought she was going to explode! Once she had said what she wanted to say, he posed for a photo, which is now hanging on the wall in the study at home, with a smaller framed version on the shelf where Cheryl works, attracting various comments from colleagues!

Nice to spend some time and chat to the merry little band of fans who stuck around so long, Elizabeth and her husband, Roberta and Massimo from Italy, Michael and friend from Ireland, who I hope received the photo I e-mailed to them after Michael's camera chose exactly the wrong moment to 'die', and the young American lad with the photo from California whose name we never did find out!

If Roberta or Elizabeth read this and would like me to e-mail the photo I took of them and Cheryl with Carlos Varella, just get in touch.

The question now is, will we see Jackson in the UK again.

One final thing, does anyone know what happened to the Trading Page link from the main site.

I just came back from the concert Jackson Browne gave in Denhaag Holland. And it was great.

I went whit my husband and sister in law.We had the best seats in the hall, front rowe and in the middel.

Jackson was very relaxt. He made jokes and told story's.It lookt like he was having a very good time him self to

I don't have an exact list of the songs he playt , but the songs i enjoyt most where ,the pretender, sky bleu and black, my stunning mystery compagnon, the naked ride home, farther on. He playt from 20.15 until 23.10. His voice sounded a bit lower then i know from the cd's ,but so beautyful.

Wrigt now it is 2.15 in the morning and i am reliving the concert again.I have been waiting for this concert for months and was everything i hoped for and more.

Jackson Browne has made sutch a big inpression on the tree of us.

This smile is going to be on my face for at least a coppel of weeks.

Love

Firstly, for those of us that were at The Palladium for the previous show, wasn't it a different atmosphere this time? Jackson certainly had a warm welcome, and the crowd were better behaved too!

I sat with Maria and Frank, almost exactly the same seats, 4th row. Jackson didn't seem to have the same amount of energy as the last time, but I think the crowd drew a bit more life out of him from the onset. There was certainly a lot of respect for him tonight. I didn't think his voice was as good as it was before, but he didn't let it get in the way of a great show.

His first song was Barricades of Heaven. There was next to no calling out of songs, and Jackson didn't explain the 'no setlist' rule. There was also a lot of flash photography throughout the show but he didn't comment on that either. He went straight into Looking Into You. Sitting at the guitar, Jackson explained that he had been walking around town (The Palladium is in the main shopping district of London) and looking at people's faces. He then explained that he was actually looking for a suitcase, but he was looking at people's faces as well! I think a request prompted For Taking The Trouble, which I thought was a particularly good rendition.

After this song, and with Jackson still at the guitar, someone called out for Looking Into You. Jackson acknowledged this and said, "you just got here right? 'Cause we just did that one, like 1 song ago!" Jackson also promised to give him a coupon for later on! Without being prompted, Jackson went straight into Bright Baby Blues. I think this was one of the songs that seemed to have slightly different lyrics, and one of the songs that hypnotised me on the night. One of my favourites too! A request brought us Sky Blue and Black after that.

We heard a request for Rosie by someone high up on the balcony. Jackson thought for a second, then explained that he usually attached something to the voice of a person calling for a request. In the case of Rosie, he said it was a 'desperate song' and usually called out by a guy. Occasionally though, it was a woman who called for it, which he thought quite amusing! We heard a beautiful rendition. I think it was another request that brought us For Everyman.

At this point, Jackson went into a long introduction of his 'Cuban friend' Carlos (sorry, can't remember his last name). Jackson explained that they met last December and were meant to meet up in March but the US government cancelled his visa (and a comment about Bush needing the vote in Florida, as if electronic voting hadn't done that) Jackson was looking for somewhere that he and Carlos could both meet, and they came up with England - and Holland. It seems Carlos had been traveling with him for about a week or so. It was a very warm welcome, Carlos came out to do a song called Havana, in Spanish, with Jackson reading the English translation. Nice song, just not my thing. As Maria said, it was a bit abstract!

Carlos stayed out for only 1 song, so we heard a requested version of I Am A Patriot, which JB introduced as a Little Steven song. The political theme was continued when we heard Lives In The Balance, which took us into the intermission.

*************

Another request took us to For A Dancer, which again, was wonderful. Another request was for Running On Empty, which a lot of people were joining in with. Then we heard Looking East. Despite the political songs, we didn't hear much about the elections in the US, which always amazes me because it's obviously something close to his heart, but doesn't interfere with his shows too much.

Jackson was at the piano again when he explained about how it doesn't matter what order the songs were played in. People from the balcony were calling out which prompted him to ask if they could hear OK, and he went on to say that the crew he has were the best crew he's ever had, and had to set up in record time today, without even a soundcheck to allow him to walk around London all day. He said they were sweating bullets the first couple of songs! We heard then Shape Of A Heart, which was the other song that sent me into a trance last night. The look on Jackson's face made me think he had been transported back to when he wrote it. It was strangely refreshing.

A few more requests came, and Jackson decided to play Naked Ride Home, calling it one of his newer songs. I'm sure this was one of the songs that had different lyrics to it - maybe someone can tell me later! :-) Jackson explained here that he sometimes feels a compulsion to "catch up" on some of the songs that we'd been calling out, but then said he realised he didn't have to! He explained about the next song being a traditional song, written by a minister, which was a guitar piece you had to learn if you hung out in the particular guitar store he hung out in. He did explain that he would have to sing the rehab version though! We heard a very nice rendition of Cocaine, and everyone liked the humour in it too!! I was glad to hear this one, because I'm not sure if I've ever heard it live before, but it was excellent!

Someone called out for Doctor My Eyes, but Jackson said, "You don't want to hear that - really??" The audience did, so we heard it!! We all joined in on this song too! I think it was here that he was having trouble with his ear piece, and someone did the 'Doctor my Ears' joke again. Jackson asked how many of us had been here last time - and a great deal were! He asked us what _we_ wanted to hear, and everyone asked for Doctor My Eyes again. "Hang on," realised Jackson, "was I wearing this shirt last time?" He was actually, the black shirt with the red and purple/blue stripes. "I asked my man if this shirt was OK, and he must have figured I didn't have time to change, because he just moved me onto the stage - I do have more than 1 of these shirts!!" More people were calling out for requests but he couldn't hear if it was Late for the Sky or the Late Show. "Which was it?" So we heard the Late Show!! He had to play with the piano to get the right sounds, but I think this was the first time I'd ever heard it, complete with the 'Hey!' and the doors slamming, which made it sound more true to the record, and I was impressed by the effort Jackson had put into the one song. It was not surprising that Jackson got a standing ovation after this song.

We went into a few more JB classics then, with Before the Deluge and Fountain of Sorrow - another favourite of mine. This is a song that always catches the audience up into a spell whenever he plays it live, and tonight was no exception.

We could tell the evening was coming to a close and Jackson told us he had really enjoyed tonight - this is where we all feel, "don't let it end!!" The last song before the encore was one he said had been made famous by The Eagles, and was written with Glenn Frey. He said he had recently heard the German version, and the Finnish version that was all about drinking. The Chinese version was out there, but they didn't know if they actually had a tape of it, because the song doesn't have to have the same melody!! Someone asked for the Spanish version, and he went into a quick rendition of 'Tu Tranquilo' which actually sounded quite good! We heard the English version of Take It Easy, which was complete with audience participation of the 'ooohs' - we were very proud of ourselves when Jackson listened to us and said that we were 'really good!'

Jackson left for the first time after TIE, but the crowd were on their feet, asking for more! He came out and sat at the guitar, listening to requests. Someone asked for The Load Out and he said he couldn't really do that one, but said that this tour had been 'pretty cushy' and told the story about the man who had to leave early at the last London concert because he had to catch a train - he was in the audience again tonight and sitting right in front of me! He took another request and did Late For The Sky. Excellent.

He came out for one more encore - he had to really because not only did he have a standing ovation, but the audience were stamping their feet to bring him out again - it was an amazing atmosphere. Jackson sat at his guitar chair and was trying to talk to someone off stage to find out about how many more songs he could do. He held one finger up to ask "one more?" which it seems was all he could do. He talked a bit about the next song being for his girlfriend, but you couldn't really call her a girlfriend after so long, but he liked the the title that he found in an English magazine. You know the story! He did mention that he was going to see her tomorrow, which might have been the reason he was in such a good mood! We heard Stunning Mystery Companion, which I'm sure had a different arrangement, and the song he had said he would play for Maria when she met him before the show... :-)

That was the end of the evening, a little early, but a much better show than the last one we saw.

Why do they all have to end so early??

If I think of anymore details, I'll post them later... I think Maria will agree with me that we both have PCD - Post Concert Depression.

Fab evening, fab course of shows.

Hi Russ,

For your beautiful JB site a review of the Times. This concert got 4 stars out of 5. Yesterday I've seen the show in the Hague and this show was absolutely amazing. With Venice and Carlos Farrel(?). Wednesday was good but on thursday it was fantastic. Maybe I will write something more the next couple of days.

Jackson Browne
Nick Kelly at the Olympia, Dublin

FROM blue-eyed balladeer to thinking man's troubadour, Jackson Browne has always been happy to mix the personal with the political.

Having recently participated in the Vote for Change tour in the United States ‹ a series of all-star concerts held in the swing states to bolster support for John Kerry ‹ Browne was obviously still a bit despondent that his efforts had been in vain. He even prefaced the song Looking East with a quote from Stalin: "It doesn't matter how many people vote in elections, but who counts them."

Indeed, Lives in the Balance, about the foreign policy of the Reagan Administration, which Browne wrote nearly 20 years ago, sounded even more urgent and relevant today: "There are children at the cannons/ There is blood on the wire," he sang with conviction. A cover of Little Steven's I Am a Patriot continued the theme.

That said, it would be wrong to think that the concert was some sullen protest rally. Using no fewer than 14 acoustic guitars, this solo show was an intense and jubilant journey through the purple passages of Browne's back pages ‹ the tour itself timed to complement the release this year of a double album of his greatest hits.

So his early days spent hanging out with the Eagles in sun-kissed Los Angeles in the 1970s were evoked in Take it Easy, while his current partner was serenaded on My Stunning Mystery Companion from his most recent studio album, The Naked Ride Home.

Indeed, running to nearly two and a half hours, the show felt more like a love-in: there were even bouquets of flowers thrust on stage by female admirers. Such devotion is inspired not just by Browne's good looks, although at 56 he retains those finely chiselled cheekbones, the silky shoulder-length hair and slender frame.

But it's not just the man; his music has endured as well. Age has not tarnished the likes of Farther On and For Everyman, or the rich, honeyed voice that sings them.

A trio of songs from his classic 1976 album The Pretender gave me the goosebumps: Your Bright Baby Blues, the piano-led Sleep's Dark and Silent Gate and The Pretender were particular highlights, revealing Browne as a deeply sensitive and honest chronicler of difficult, complex and often painful emotions who explores areas other songwriters wouldn't dare.

The bittersweet nature of Browne's songwriting reaches its apotheosis with Sky Blue and Black, which appeared during one of the encores. With a poetic turn of phrase worthy of Dylan or Van Morrison, Browne loses the girl but gains artistic immortality.

This review appeared in some editions yesterday

Kind regards,

Hi,

I would like to tell that I've been seeing the concert in the Hague.It was GREAT.I hoped he would play the old songs and my dreams came true! From the beginning untill the end I enjoyed his performance very much.Amazing how he can keep the audiance amused with his (about) 13 (!) guitars and a piano.his voice is still great.

The song he did with Carlos Varela from Cuba was a real nice one.And after the break Venice joined him too.Well I enjoyed it very much and I know for sure that I will be there when he is visiting holland again !!!!!!!

I hope it won't take long!!

There are some very nice photos from the November 25th concert with Jackson Browne and Venice posted at:

www.venicetalk.com