Jackson Browne - Fan Letters & Reviews
October 2000

The following article appeared in the October 2, 2000 edition of the Los Angeles Times, Calendar Section, Page 3.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recently announced the nominees for its next class of inductees. Returning to the list from prior years are Aerosmith, Queen, Black Sabbath, Lou Reed, Steely Dan, The Flamingoes, Solomon Burke and Ritchie Valens. First-time nominations went to AC/DC, Patti Smith, Bob Seger, New York Dolls, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Brenda Lee.

Over the years, the Hall of Fame has done a credible job of recognizing some of the greatest performers and most influential pioneers in rock and roll. But for the past several years, as artists from the 1970s have become eligible, the nominating committee has continued to make one oversight that I am at a loss to understand. It's hard to even begin to recognize '70s rock and roll without acknowledging the profound influences of singer-songwriter Jackson Browne.

Browne's music was an essential part of the '70s singer-songwriter movement and an integral part of the "California Sound" that influenced so much of the music of the day. The Hall of Fame has already inducted such artists as The Eagles and Joni Mitchell. To honor them without recognizing Jackson Browne is like building a home and forgetting the foundation.

Browne's musical career of more than 30 years has reached the hearts and souls of millions of fans around the globe. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Browne's songs were recorded by artists such as Nico, Tom Rush, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Eagles, Bonnie Raitt, The Byrds and Greg Allman. He then began performing his own work and spent the rest of the decade selling millions of albums while performing endlessly. Hit singles such as "Doctor My Eyes," "Rock Me on the Water," "The Pretender," "The Load Out/Stay" and "Running on Empty" remain staples of rock and roll radio.

Browne started the 1980s with a No. 1 album in Hold Out, the hit singles "Boulevard" and "That Girl Could Sing" and followed up with the Top 10 hit "Somebody's Baby." In the 1990s he continued to release music that reached his fans at a deeply emotional level -- with songs such as "I'm Alive" and "Everywhere I Go" -- while still responding to a value system that shows true caring for the world around him with songs such as "Some Bridges" and "Alive in the World."

In the past 25 years, no rock and roll musician has done more benefit concerts or has worked harder against social injustice than Browne. With Bonnie Raitt, John Hall and Graham Nash, he founded Musicians United for Safe Energy, the anti-nuclear group that sponsored the No Nukes concerts of 1979 and continues to this day. He has been performing benefits since way before it became fashionable and continues to fight for social causes as part of his daily life.

So how can a panel of judges, knowing this history, not even put Browne on the Hall of Fame ballot? The voters have certainly embraced others with fewer hits: Their commendable decision to induct The Velvet Underground -- a group without a single Top 40 hit -- proves that. Certainly they couldn't be dismissing Jackson as more of a folk artist and social activist than a rock and roll musician; the induction of Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan demonstrates that these descriptions are not roadblocks to entry.

Browne's dozen albums and dozen Top 40 singles speak for themselves. He may always be best known for his '70s output, but the quality of his work -- his songwriting in particular -- has remained exemplary for more than three decades -- a claim very few other pop music artists can make. Rolling Stone named Lives in the Balance one of the Top 100 albums of the '80s, and music critic Dave Marsh has written that "Sky Blue and Black" (1993) is "one of the most beautiful love songs Browne -- or anyone else -- has ever written."

Indeed, his lyrics are among the most profound and insightful in all of rock and roll. Delivering his message in words that are both poetic and deeply meaningful, his songwriting talents have long since put him in the elite company of lyrical masters like Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan. It's time that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame acknowledge its oversight and give Jackson Browne a long overdue honor.

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Russ Paris runs a graphic design company in Oak Park, California. He is webmaster for a number of music-related websites, including one for the fans of Jackson Browne. In their spare time, he and his wife host a monthly house concert series in their living room.

(c) The Los Angeles Times; October 2, 2000

Having experienced what I considered to be the absolutely best Jackson Browne performance ever (solo acoustic tour, Richmond, Virginia, May 17, 2000) it was so wonderful to see Jackson, after months of almost nonstop appearances, come out and give a performance that was equally superb - Jackson again at his best! Jackson greeted everyone with his captivating smile and humble demeanor. He commented that with all the other musical events in the D.C. area taking place concurrently, this event did not receive much publicity. That was true (in fact, only one ad had been placed in the Washington Post prior to the day of the concert) and most unfortunate (the Theatre was not filled to capacity). However, Jackson took it in his stride, graciously thanked those of us who came out and proceeded to give us a performance that was beyond wonderful.

Jackson introduced the musicians that accompanied him: Mauricio Lewak on drums, Kevin McCormick on bass, Jeff Young on organ, and a lead guitar player (can't recall his name) that had been at the Kennedy Center the previous night. Jackson grinned as he commented on the Ôpartial' drum set that was provided for Mauricio (my 15 year old son's Pearl drum set put that one to shame) - however, with Mauricio's vivacity and incredible talent his accompaniment on the drums sounded great! Although the band had a set list from which to work Jackson did respond to some of the audience requests. He accompanied some songs with stories, but not as many nor as lengthy as he had related during his solo performances. Regardless, he was in touch with the audience and made us feel that he was there for us. Early in the show, while he was sitting at his keyboard Jackson spoke about the upcoming election. This benefit was to raise money for Ralph Nader's campaign. The general tone was that we all have to believe that our voices will be heard and that someday, maybe in the next election, the people's voice will be heard with the election of an independent candidate. Jackson looked directly into the audience and spoke poignantly. As he himself once said, one of the most personal things that an individual can share with others is their political beliefs. Jackson was relaxed, and seemed to be enjoying the moment (smiling often, interacting with the ban and with the audience). He sang some songs solo acoustically and others with the band. It was a nice mix. My friend and I were in the front row and it was just wonderful being so close to Jackson. There is just something so personal and so special when Jackson sings his songs........the way no one else can. He is so passionate about his music.....about the story he is telling or the message he is sending....that he seems to be experiencing that moment as he sings....and to be part of that moment is so incredible.

Jackson sang 24 songs including 2 for his encore. Each song throughout the evening was followed by loud cheers and applause with many people standing. Toward the end of the show a rush of people crowded the stage, clapping, dancing and having a great time. Jackson smiled, acknowledged our applause and acclalmations with a nod of his head and thanked us all for being there. He looked great and sounded great, as always. He sang these songs:

I have recently celebrated my 50th birthday and received tickets for the Verde Valley Benefit Performance in Sedona!!! I am so excited.......I can't think of a more worthwhile cause nor a more perfect venue for seeing Jackson.

Thanks, Russ, for your great website. Thanks, Jackson for 30 years of great music! Until next time.....ÔLet the music keep our spirits high'!

Hello.

I really enjoy your website.I am a longtime fan of Jackson Browne.I had the privilege of seeing him live a few years ago at The Finger Lakes Performing Arts Center in Upstate New York.I live in a suburb of Syracuse.I took my then 9 yr. old daughter along, she loved him.I didn't realize that the stage was set up in the way that you could walk down an aisle and be right in front.I would have brought a gift for Jackson and handed it to him if I had known.

In my opinion, there is noone that can touch Jackson when it comes to lyrical writing ability. He is truly a one of a kind gift to the world. I adore all of his songs but one that stands out for me is "For a Dancer". I could listen to that song a million times and I would still cry when I hear it. It is beyond beautiful and the message is so emotional.I have just about all of Jackson's "records". I totally adore him and put him on a pedastal so high, he is out of sight, not only for his wonderful gift of music to us, but for his humanitarian actions and deeds.He must be a wonderful person.I wish him all the best and for every happiness to come his way.I would love to see him live again.Jackson, please come to the Landmark Theatre in Syracuse, NY. You played there a few years back, I was out of town and unable to go.It is the only place for wonderful talent. By the way, Jackson looks so wonderful too, at least 15 years younger than he is.

A big P.S.Happy Birthday Jackson.I know your birthday is October 9th. You are a Libra just like me!All Librans are wonderful people!A fan forever.

Hello Russ,

Have not yet received any response to the email we posted to jacksonbrowne@Egroups.com requesting 2 tickets to Jackson's Oct.17/00 show. Could you please post the following to (your) JB Unofficial Home Page:

Looking for 2 tickets (10th row or better) to Jackson's Oct.17/00 show (w. D. Crosby and the Indigo Girls) in Chicago, Illinois.

Replies can be sent to: galbraith@mouse.ca

Thanks!

After reading Helen's letter from Melbourne I decided to be brave & also write...............

We also live in Melb. came here in ' 74 from Alameda Calif. where my kids Brian & Brigitte went to school. My daughter Brigitte [ who is the big 40 now ] is totally insane over Jackson............not only is he gorgeous, his voice & music is incredible.

We had his earlier songs from the early 70's, but hadn't really seen or heard much of him till we saw the "Going Home" video on T V, which was incredible,gave us such an insight into his life & music. We also saw it on cable a few weeks later.

We got most of Jackson's CD's & video from SANITY one of the record shops here, also ordered a couple from AMAZON, still have the gold disc "Late For The Sky", on order.

When I saw Helen Garth's letter I sent her an e-mail, now we are all so happy to have this wonderful gorgeous man in our lives. I wonder if Jackson has any idea how many beautiful intelligent women adore him.

Love reading all the Fan letters & concert reviews on Russ's site, what wouldn,t we give to be able to attend some of those concerts!!!!!!!! Wish we were still in the Bay area........

Loved reading the May letter about Jan & her two daughters, chasing after the Bus & the girls keeping J B there, till their Mom arrived [what wonderful girls]

I could go on & on but I'd better not..................

Let Jackson's music keep our sprits HIGH.........

Happy Birthday to Jackson, and to John (rest his soul) and to other great people, (to include Valerie Jo) from a fellow Libran (double), right-brained individual, with love and thanks. ....Wishing you balance, and harmony, and light, and continued creative flow...!

Hey Russ Great article in the LA Times.

This might be a bit early since the show isn't sold out yet but it will be soon. I have two tickets in Ojai. It so happens a friend of mine purchased tickets without my knowledge. Anyway they are in the terrace section on an aisle and I am selling them for face value. Anyone interested can contact me at ohkaykb@aol. Thanks

It's been awhile but I finally caught Jackson in concert and *finally* got to see him do a solo acoustic set at the Honor the Earth benefit show. It was far too short, but thoroughly enjoyable. Anyway, here's our review:

www.musicbox-online.com/hte10-00.html

I thought you might be interested in linking to it since you've done so in the past.

Take Care,

Just caught Jackson Browne in the gym here, on the Honor the Earth Tour with the Indigo Girls. He followed a woman who was the opening act, coming on with Emily and Amy to sing "Happy Birthday" to her and give her a cake. He sad he'd had a birthday on the road with this tour himself (10/9); he looked much younger than his years (52), in a plain black tee and jeans. he opened his set on an acoustic steel-string singing "For Everyman," then introduced "Barricades of Heaven" saying he grew up in Southern California.

Then he changed to a 12-string for "I'm Alive," then gave a long intro about playing in a college ("I never went to college") gym in Murfreesboro TN opening for the James Gang, at which time some jocks in the front row told him to go home, so he left the stage, only to coaxed back by the promoter ("some kid in a blazer") and an ovation. But he said the ovation didn't stop: "It was a sarcastic ovation." He played acoustic steel string for "In the Shape of a Heart" and went to the piano for "The Pretender."

He gave a long intro about writing a song for his Greatest Hits album at the request of a film company and his record company. It turned out it was a Sylvester Stallone movie: he then did "The Next Voice you Hear." He finished with "Take it Easy," on acoustic steel string, which he introduced saying he wrote it with his friend Glenn Frey, and that they had been in Winslow AZ this spring, where they saw the Standin' on a Corner Park, at 3 AM, "the loneliest place you ever saw," with a statue that he "had pleaded" not look like him, but it had his haircut.

Note: This review appears on David Crosby's Web site at www.crosbycpr.com and is reprinted here with permission of the author.

"Honor the Earth Tour 2000" concert in Minneapolis, Orpheum Theatre, Monday night, October 16th:

Performers were: Annie Humphrey, Shannon Curfman, David Crosby, Jackson Browne, Indigo Girls.

A special evening. My "date" is my ten-year-old son, who has never heard David play live but who certainly knows the music from living in this house with me. Honor the Earth seemed like a perfect concert to share with him. It was. If you are only interested in David's set, please scroll down. The evening as a whole was very powerful and I can't write about it in an isolated "David played these songs" mindset.

My son was equally enthusiastic about the two opening acts, Annie Humphrey, who sang her own songs and played keyboard, and Shannon Curfman, the young guitarist/singer from these parts who is getting a lot of national attention now. Shannon had a band with her, very good players. Both Annie and Shannon were gorgeous performers.

We also were treated to the Indigo Girls singing "Redemption Song" (perfect sing-along song and so fitting for this event) before we were introduced to the speakers for the Honor the Earth foundation, which was the sponsor of the concert. We saw a short film and then heard four speakers, each of whom was succinct and empowering in their message. Not only were we told "This has to change," but we were given action cards which we could fill out and drop off in the lobby to help these political actions along. Please visit the website at http://www.honorearth.com/tour2000/index.html for more details about the specific causes that were addressed. It was a very positive way to address these issues, for example, hearing directly from the native American people whom this nuclear waste storage would directly affect and hearing also how it affects all of us on Mother Earth. We are all responsible.

My son was very affected by the film and speakers. We left the concert after Jackson's set and before the Indigo Girls' set (and who knows what else was to come later), as it was already ten p.m. and a school night, but on our way out, we stopped in the lobby to talk with some more of the activists and to turn in our action cards. My son was empowered because even though he's only ten, his signature counts, his voice counts, and he was able to understand and support the causes. I enjoyed watching him read the action cards, sign them, and then discuss them with the man at the information table. We talked about it all the way home. My son spoke to me about how lots of times people have a cause and they say "This must be changed," but they don't have any concrete ideas for you about what you might do as one person. He liked being able to sign the action cards and turn them in. He also said he'd like to learn more about the nuclear waste problem.

This evening was about each of us individually and all of us collectively making a difference. In that sense, it was beautiful to see David on stage solo, then joining harmonies with Jackson...and maybe even at the end of the show, everyone sang together? I don't know, as we'd left by then, but that's how I picture it ending. I'd like to hear a review from someone who stayed for the whole evening.

David's Set:

David was introduced to a standing ovation and much excitement. It was different to see him play solo when we are becoming accustomed to the magics of CPR and CSNY of recent tours! He looked terrific in a white shirt and dark vest. David remarked to the crowd "I don't usually do this! I'm used to having my bands with me," and yet it was a remarkably dynamic performance. I soaked it up as if I were in acoustic Crosby heaven and did not keep a set list, but here is what I remember:

David's set included:

"Lee Shore" (a perfect opener)

A song I didn't know, beautiful (someone else can fill us in here!)

and these songs, though I'm not at all sure of the order:

"Kings Get Broken" (David told the audience it's a new song: "I think that's the title, see how decisive I am?"). It was very effective lyrically and musically.

"I'm gonna do somebody else's song. I rarely do that, but this is a great song by an amazing songwriter, and I like what it says." David plays a few bars of intro chords on the guitar, which really do not indicate the song to come, esp. since we know it's not a song David wrote...Quite a few people start applauding like they recognize the song, and David STOPS! Laughs, shakes his head, smiles, looks at the audience, says "Ah, c'mon, there's NO WAY you know what song I'm going to play!" and makes a few more comments about spotting the bulls**t or something (I dunno, David, DID you say that word?!), we all laugh, he starts in the guitar chords again and begins to sing Joni's "For Free" --

"I slept last night in a good hotel/ I went shopping today for jewels/ The wind rushed around in the dirty town/ And the children let out from the schools/ I was standing on a noisy corner waiting for the walking green/ Across the street he stood and he played real good/ On his clarinet, for free..."

NOW I clap because I love this song! I tell my son, "This was one of my favorite Joni Mitchell songs when I was a teenager." He knows many Joni songs from listening to me sing them with my dulcimer. He smiles to see how happy I seem about this song-- It gets a beautiful rendition by David (David, you adapted the line about "and two gentlemen escorting me to the halls" so seamlessly, I didn't even think about it). After the song, David talks a little bit about Joni. Tells the audience that "Joni and I have had our problems over the years, but there's no denying she's one of the greatest songwriters in the world, and I love to do her songs." Applause and agreement from audience.

I wonder to myself, how can it get any better than this? Listening to David in this beautiful space with such gorgeous acoustics, songs by Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne is coming out later...sigh! I think I am crying at this point but grinning ear to ear.

"A Song for Him" (David tells us it was written for Django, in a similar intro to the one he gives on the live CPR CD. People are listening closely to the words.)

"Guinnevere" (even when sung without Graham, it's equally gorgeous, but I couldn't resist singing harmony from my seat to make it more complete. Hope David didn't mind!) Oh, and when he began this one, the audience really did know what song it was, lots of enthusiasm and quiet clapping in keeping with the song's dynamic level. Only during the first couple of bars of guitar, David realized that one of his strings was noticeably out of tune...he stopped playing for a beat, tuned it up, said "That was my fault, not hers" (meaning the guitar tech, I'd guess) and resumed the piece. It was just another example of David being in the moment and enjoying playing in public. It really was that kind of performance night all around. Very intimate and immediate and real and raw.

Am I right that "Guinnevere" was the last song David played solo? I did not keep a set list written down, just in my head, as I was just soaking up the music and the experience and not documenting it.

I think we had an intermission after David's set. Soon it's time for Jackson Browne. I'm pretty much amazed to be seeing him live again, as the last time for me was in the summer of 1977. Has it really been 23 years?! Jackson comes out on stage looking so much the same, but obviously he's only improving with the decades, 'cause he sounds so good whether on piano or guitar. The songs have aged well, too. He has the audience in rapt attention throughout. Young women next to me are very into Jackson's set. I wonder if they know the songs or are just caught up in his handsome talented self! Well, they know the songs after last night!

Jackson's set (solo, until David joins him) includes:

"Before the Deluge" was the opener, with JB at the keyboard

I'm not sure of the order here:

An achingly beautiful version of "Late for the Sky" (requested by audience), JB at the keyboard. People were so loving this. Later I spoke with a Native American woman in the lobby who said that she and her friends sang "Late for the Sky" and "Before the Deluge" this past summer when they were working together in some project. She said that when Jackson sang these two songs at this concert, it was especially meaningful to her.

"I'm Alive", JB on guitar -- (I'm not sure about this one)

"World in Motion", JB on guitar

After JB played some of his set, he invited David out onto the stage to sing with him. There was some adorable JB/DC back-and-forth kidding, well, mostly JB kidding DC about what a "bevy" or "harem" of women David always had around him in their young days...Jackson said that having David record with him on JB's first album gave JB some exposure he might not otherwise have gotten, and that it was always great to hang around David anyway, since he had all these beautiful women around him.

The audience loved it, David told us it was embarrassing, and JB just grinned. Their friendship was so obvious and it was such a blast to just enjoy them playing off of each other.

Earlier, JB had told us about having recently attended his high school reunion, and how some people were really thriving and some seemed to have gotten "thrashed" by life, but that it was cool how many really sexy, beautiful 50-year-old women there were at the reunion, and then he said "which is as it should be," which got a huge applause and much cheering and laughter from the mostly-female audience.

"Jamaica Say You Will" with David on duet vocals and JB on keyboard. Beautiful. Oh, and Jackson tells the audience that David is actually IN the song, well, Jackson says that he meant to write the song about a woman, only since David was always surrounded by these women, probably David is in the song somewhere too, and we are all laughing by now and David is shaking his head and laughing too. I got the feeling that Jackson hasn't made this connection before and it seems very funny to them both! It is a beautiful song.

"Lives in the Balance" with David on duet vocals and JB on guitar (hope I have the title right). There was such great energy between them. This song says a lot. Perfect for this night.

We made our exit when David and Jackson did, so I don't know what came next.

David, thank you again for sharing your gifts with us: your songwriting gifts, your performing talents, your generous heart and wonderful wit, your goofiness and obvious delight in being on stage with your old friend Jackson. It was a special night. Thank you! We would have liked to stay longer, but ten-year-olds need their sleep! And you are not so old, by the way...oh, that was a very colorful image you painted describing the kind of old, old man you might be someday at the end of the dock, telling stories to the kiddies about "the summer of love, the summer of Woodstock...back in my day..." very funny!