Hi Russ:

After reading your passionate review of Jackson Browne next album, I was anxious to hear the acoustic material recorded for it. Now that I have got the chance to listen to samples of all the songs of that album, I can firmly subscribe what you wrote.

As a matter of fact, this live acoustic album give us the rare chance of relive the presence and the unique, tender and precious voice and lyrics of JB, supported by a guitar or a piano, transmitting to the listener a special intimacy and passion flowing from this great musician and songwriter.

I was fortunate enough to attend a Jackson Browne concert in London, during last winter European solo tour, which I recall as one of the best live shows I attended in my life, and I can't wait until I get this new record in my hands, and also the following volume 2, and so on!...

All the best for you and for this wonderful site!

Mr. Paris:

I have had the privilege to view your website for over the past couple years. I am very grateful that you have the passion to share your experience with others. You are to be commended. Thank you very much. I, like the majority of the readership here, find the work of JB to be of great inspiration. His willingness to give of himself and at the same time share other artists talents is rare in the world we live in, and in the business he works within. It has been my pleasure to experience his artisanship many times in several venues and circumstances from Red Rocks to Las Vegas to Interlochen. I have absolutely always been thrilled. Period. I am middle aged, I grew up with what is now "classic rock", although initially, an interesting term, it is perfectly accurate.

I wholeheartedly agree with your review of the new Solo Acoustic Album, and only wish to add a question for contemplation. " How many members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, after their election, performed in a local church to raise funds on behalf of those in need.

Thank you for your efforts on behalf of JB fans. God bless you, and JB.

Dear Russ,

I have been a fan of Jackson since the late 1970's, that was just a few years ago right? I have traveled many a mile to see him in concert over the years. It has taken me quite some time to get my ducks in a row to travel to Avila Beach later this month, what with the convincing of the husband that it is indeed necessary to go from Oklahoma to California for a concert. After accomplishing that I am now in search for two reserved tickets. If you know of anyone who might either have a couple of spares or can't utilize theirs and want to sell, I would appreciate you giving them my e-mail address. I'm fearful to travel all the way there without a ticket in hand, but I will do that if I have to. Thank you, and thanks for your website, I've visited many times over the years.

Thank You,

Happy Birthday JB. My daughter is 6 and loves JB. She told me that he is one of the best singers she ever heard.

Russ; I'd also like to wish JB a happy birthday and am looking forward to the release of the accoustic CD. Just curious. Do you know who makes the decisions with regard to a "lead single" from a new album? Given the foreign policy of this administration, I can't think of a more appropriate song to have as that lead single as "Lives In the Balance." I believe it's a classic song that fits our times more than ever. I would assume choosing a lead song is done by the artist, producers and the record company, right? I was just wondering....

Thanks again, Russ, for your work on the web site.

Hi, Russ -

I would like to take the opportunity of using your great website to wish Jackson a very Happy Birthday! This day (October 9th) is indeed special as it is my birthday also! To help me celebrate this day, I listened to a [bootleg] cd I have of Jackson performing an acoustic concert in Berkeley, CA on October 9, 1997. It was a great concert! I should know, because my husband and I were there. I am looking forward to purchasing Jackson's new cd in a couple of days.

Dear Jackson,

My best and heartiest wishes for your birthday.

Happy Birthday Jackson, and long may you stay amongst us sharing your talent, music and words!

Thanks again Russ, for receiving our messages in this unique site.

Hi Russ. I wanted to ask a couple of quick questions concerning these new fall JB releases. First of all, I was thinking of buying the new acoustic album when it comes out in the store just because I still enjoy going into the record store. However now days it is usually cheaper to buy online like on your site or amazon.com. I noticed that on your site that it is 21% off (at $13.49) plus shipping. I was just curious about the distribution of the CD for example would it be available at Best Buy or stores of that type where you can sometimes get a better deal than at the record stores i.e. Tower Records. Of course since I've been looking forward to this CD I'd rather get my hands on it than sweat over a couple dollars. I like learning more about the record business and am curious how this Inside Recordings label is going to affect the future of JB music in general.

My second question is concerning the ROE DVD Audio. I was wandering if it would work on a regular DVD player- I have a Sharp DVD/CD/Video CD player. I think it is 2 or 3 years old. Thank you Russ for providing this site for us!! I would appreciate any answers/comments you or other fans have on these topics.

A couple of quick questions...In the "Going Home" video (my favorite) during the song "Farther On" when they show all of the pictures do you know who the following are...There is a girl with long dark hair sitting with Jackson and David Lindley, I think there is a sign for a Pakastani Restaurant in the background and the clips were Jackson is quite young and sitting with a dark haired man with glasses on a couch where the man appears to be explaining something to him...Thanks, I have watched this a thousand times but can never figure out who they are.

Greetings!

UPS came early this morning with the best delivery, Jackson's solo acoustic! I have been playing it non stop in my store all day. Every customer that comes in is in awe. In my store I have a big picture of Jackson, and everyone always asks, "Is that Jackson Browne? Followed by I love him." Jackson's music gets me through the day. All the best!

Dear Russell

why don't you ask Jackson to release vinyl copies of Solo Acoustic vol. 1 ?

Vinyl copies were issued till I am alive (1994).

Non on vinyl are Looking East, The best and Naked Ride Home.

Is it possible to get them in vinyl in the future ? Maybe on his label Inside Recording?

Many many fans want this.

Please ask Jackson above if possible.

Many Many thanks

Boy it has been a while since Jackson has been on tour, I hope that ends soon, and with a band. My guess, with a new solo album, when he does tour that he will do it alone again. I love his music, but Jackson I have seen you both ways and believe me everyone is better with a band. You only need three others with you.

The day dawned dreary and rainy once again, but the day brightened for me when I went out to buy the new solo acoustic CD, inspite of having it on pre-order for delivery today...I just needed the lift and, while I was at it, I bought 3 more copies to give to some of my dearest friends. Ahhhhh, what can I say? I've been playing it all day and I feel like I'm back in the Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco or my little Capital Center for the Arts in Concord, New Hampshire listening to my own personal concert. Thank you ever so much Jackson for releasing this CD...as my son said when the Red Sox finally won the World Series last year, "now I can die happy." It doesn't get any better than this. I anxiously await volume 2...

Acoustic versus with a Band. I like them both. Having seen Mr. Browne five times in the last three years (and once apparently in the early 1970s at the Troubadour but like many people my age, I don't remember much of that era), each concert was totally different and each was terrific. First was the Greek Theatre with his band and Steve Earle, another person my husband reminded me that I had seen at McCabe's in the 70's. So he says. I really liked the show and bought tickets to see the acoustic show which was in Thousand Oaks in 2004. That was fantastic. Indoors, rather than outdoors, and a different feel entirely. Then when the Avila Beach Festival was announced, we got tickets for that. However, in between, we have seen Mr. Browne three times unexpectedly. He opened for Tom Petty .. had already gotten tickets to see Mr. Petty before we knew this .. And my friends told me about Venice, a band I'd never seen, doing a concert in Santa Monica last June, so we went to that and Mr. Browne was there also. Then we were told about a benefit at a church in Santa Monica that KD Lange was headlining. Yes, there he was again. Those last two again were totally different and very enjoyable. You never know what you're going to get which is part of the fun.

O.K., I will confess that I'm biased. I have loved Jackson Browne ever since I first laid ears on him when I was 17 years old. That was 22 years ago now. I was a sensitive young man who could appreciate the tender subtleties of Jackson's words and music. I grew up on a steady diet of what I consider really good music thanks to my Dad.... Beatles, John Denver, Jim Croce, CCR, Simon and Garfunkel, etc. I've seen JB live over 30 times. So, I feel my musical credentials are in pretty good order. Of the Jackson shows I've seen, I have always enjoyed the solo acoustic shows the best. They tend to showcase his voice and musicianship best and are more heartfelt and intimate. I just had to weigh in on this amazing new CD.

This CD is one of the finest pieces of music I've ever heard. It does indeed capture the essence of his live acoustic shows perfectly. His voice and guitar and piano work are impeccable. There are many highlights, but I'll tell you that his treatment of "These Days" and "Looking East" made me gasp out loud with my 1 1/2 year old son's first ever two words....."Oh wow!!" Brilliant guitar arrangements. Powerful voicing. Simply amazing. But, just so you don't think I can't be a bit impartial, I do have two minor criticisms. One is that I have never understood Jackson's fascination with the slide guitar on "Your Bright Baby Blues." For me, it distracts completely from the flow and mood of that hauntingly somber song. And, "Take it Easy" is a great song. But it really needs the band, especially the backup singers, particularly if their last names are Henley and Frey. Not the best choice for an acoustic album. But, I'm being awfully picky now. The CD is absolutely brilliant start to finish. The best thing about this CD is the Volume 1 part, because Volume 2 can't get here quick enough. This CD isn't leaving my rotation for many, many months.

It was my birthday yesterday and my kids bought me the new solo CD. I just love it. There are not too many people that can pull a solo CD off like JB has done. What an amazing man.

I was hoping that the CD cover included a listing of where the recordings were made. If anyone knows, I would appreciate your feedback.

Hi Russ. Was anyone else disappointed that the new CD has no recording information? Does anyone know what shows (date, place) that any of the tracks were recorded at? You would think someone could supply that information for the fans.

Thanks.

Hi Russ

Thanks for your great site and all that you do for all of Jackson's fans, it is greatly appreciated!

Knowing that Best Buy had a deal for a "bonus" track I stopped by my local Best Buy this evening to pick up my copy only to see that it was SOLD OUT! Having seen Jackson in person countless times in the 32 years I have been following his career, I can wait for the bins to be re-stocked and I was elated to see such a great response to his new release.

Belated birthday wishes Jackson and keep up the great work Russ.

Have you guys in California been able to get the Best Buy version. They are waiting for product in Florida. There are 1 or 2 stores where there is product and you have confirmed the Rebel Jesus on the album. I did not see it on the Best Buy track list on-line.

Thanks for the News on your website.

Just two comments on the rvillelli@cox.net letter you received.

It is likely that Jackson's fascination with the slide guitar on "Your Bright Baby Blues" is due to the fact that Lowell George played the slide on the album version. Lowell (the leader of Little Feat) was one of Jackson's dearest friends and died about three years after the release of "The Pretender".

Jackson has never made an issue of the fact that he thinks Glenn Frey is a terrific arranger and thus the great harmonies on the Eagles version of "Take It Easy". I don't think he ever thought he could duplicate that but his various arrangements with everyone from Doug Haywood to David Lindley and then solo have proven to be thouroughly enjoyable.

Thanks again for your work on the site.

[On the new CD] where was the concert at which he thanked/congratulated the crowd for being in the "best place" or "most live-able place" to live?

Russ,

I bought the new Solo Acoustic CD on Friday and listened to it all weekend. I am amazed! I think it maybe one of the finest recordings I've ever heard. I've been a fan for thirty-some years. (actually, I graduated with Jackson from Sunny Hills HS in 1966 although I didn't know him). Is there a DVD planned? When will Vol 2 come out?

Russ,

As a non-Californian, it's so frustrating not to be able to hear Jackson's upcoming radio interviews! Tonight's with Jim Ladd and the one on Rockline next week. (I'm not even within a couple of states of someone who carries rockline!) If anyone knows how those of us in communication noman's land can hear the full broadcasts -- later is fine! -- please let me know! Thanks so much.

Dying to hear in Colorado!

Purchased new album on release day...have played it non-stop. Beautiful is all I can say about it. Been a fan since "Late for the Sky". Saw him last on the "Hold Out" tour in Murfreesboro, TN. Still remember show like it was yesterday. Missed him when he played near home--Linden Texas. Show was sold out even before it was officially announced!!. Can't say enough about his music and what it means to me. Just wish today's artist would take a cue from J.B. and learn to write with such conviction.

I listened to a few minutes of the KLOS interview last night. Mr. Browne did say that he put together bits from many different shows. He also said something that I'm thinking, having heard the new CD a couple of times in my car now on the way to work .. that listening to the intros over and over each time one plays the CD gets kind of tedioius. It was great the first time or two but now .. He did mention that the second part of the acoustic CD won't be out for a couple of years. A lot of what he was talking about was what was so wonderful about the 60s and not much about him or his music, so I gave up. He sounded like me and my friends circa 1971 when we were in college and getting our social work degrees to change the world before we all found out we can't even get ourselves or our children to do what we want! Anyway, there was probably a lot more info as I think he was going to be on for four hours but I only lasted for 20 minutes or so. Perhaps someone can write in who listened to the whole thing.

Hi Russ,

Caught Bonnie Raitt's show at the Memorial Auditorium in Burlington, Vermont last night. She sounded (and looked) great, as usual, and her guitar-playing was, as always, beyond compare.

I've seen her perform live seven times before, so I wasn't surprised when she brought up Jackson's name but I was (pleasantly) surprised when she plugged his new album! She said (I'm paraphrasing here), "He just put out this (amazing) acoustic album. He's got all these great guitars...and he plays them SO well." She then added that they had done something together for AOL and said how much she'd enjoyed it. Needless to say, there were cheers when Jackson's name was mentioned.

I don't know if it will EVER happen, but I, personally, would love to see a DVD (audio-visual) version of that fantastic show she co-headlined with Jackson in Holmdel, NJ (part of a series of 6 shows on the East Coast) back in 1998.

Regards,

Hey Russ,

I wanted to offer some tickets as well as a comment or two on Jackson's solo cd (even though so much has been said already!).

I may have waited too long to offer these, but I was holding out hope that the situation here would change and I would be able to go to the Avila Beach festival after all. But, I can't (whine, whine). So I have a pair of the "VIP" tickets (reserved seating in section M1, row 3, seats 3 & 4, parking, and attendance at the reception 'with performers.') I purchased these in May so the seats should be pretty darned good. I will be glad to fedex overnight to anyone who hasn't yet purchased their tickets and would like some good seats. I feel somewhat awkward trying to sell them because I believe tickets in this section may still be available and I don't wish to take away money for Options and Smile; however, I'll just throw the offer out there and see what happens. Anyone interested, please email me. Thanks.

As for Jackson's solo CD. Like so many others, i find it a phenomenal cd. I just wanted to add two things to what's been said already. One of the things that I love about it is it's stark simplicity -- on this cd, the song's the thing -- the lyrics and beautifully simple arrangements, and this, to me, takes Jackson to his folk and singer/songwriter roots. A place where he shines brilliantly -- where the truth, heart, and beauty of his songs really come through.

Second, someone wrote that they felt, after many listenings, that the tracks containing his conversations with the audience become tedious. I just want to express the opposite -- to me, those tracks are as 'important' as the songs. I'm not sure I can articulate exactly why, but they are both a part of the "show" that, as you pointed out is like for the listener's own living room, and also, they keep the intimacy of the solo performance. Somehow in them, he has shared some more of himself with the listener, and I both respect and appreciate that. In addition, they give me a glimpse of some of the acoustic shows I wasn't able to attend, and I think the vibe may have been "better" at the ones included on the cd than the two I have gotten to see, for whatever reason. But I am encouraged by knowing that because one of the acoustic shows I went to I was kind of disappointed in. I felt that Jackson was in a really bad mood -- I wondered if it was the situation -- the venue and the crowd. I think he may have been expecting a different audience -- it was the Radio and Records convention in august of this year, and from some things he said at the beginning, I thought he might have been expecting more radio professionals in the audience than fans -- during it he brought out his god daughter Inara George and Nickel Creek. The radio people seemed to be partying out in the lobby and the room was filled more with his fans. The show was scheduled around the time of the changes in Inside Recordings and I wondered if he'd agreed to the show for business reasons and wound up disappointed in the way things turned out. Of course, I don't know that, but he just seemed irritated and uncomfortable as the evening wore on -- certainly not as happy and easy-going as he sounds in his banter on the CD. Plus, he seemed to be struggling with his voice, and I thought that might have bugged him too. Of course, I don't mean to be trying to read his mind -- just some observations and thoughts I had during it. So, I really enjoy the things he says on the cd and say more of them wouldn't be too many!

Finally, since I only discovered this website in the last year, I haven't read all the letters on it. A few nights ago I was catching up and reading letters from the fall of 2002 through somewhere into 2004. I came across a fan review of a concert after one in Palm Desert. The reviewer related the incident that Jackson includes on this CD with the song "Peace Easy Feeling" and how he sang the wrong lyric and the crowd's reaction! It was fun to read a fan's version of the story after hearing his on the CD!

Thanks again for being a place where we fans can talk to each other.

In peace,

Hi Russ,

I love the new album although, having seen Jackson live and acoustic on at least eight occasions and having various live recordings it wasn't as exciting as hearing these versions for the first time. Looking East works really well in this form. My big moment on first listen was The Birds Of Saint Marks. I'd heard it before of course, but not as crystally clear as here. Whilst only vaguely having any understanding of the lyric, it still managed to move me to tears on first listen, I think probably because of some barely understood feel that runs through all of Jackson's greatest work. This song seems to me to be a close relation to Shadow Dream Song in many ways and I'd love to hear that on Volume 2. Also The Times You've Come. My personal feeling is that this format works best on the less well known material because it makes you hear them as new songs almost, which is not possible with the really well known stuff. I wonder what you think. Anyway as always keep up your great work.

Best regards

The Birds of Saint Marks does it for me on the new album. The way Jackson plays the piano and his phrasing, send chills down my neck. Perhaps on the next CD he'll share 'Just like Forever' or 'I'll fly Away' with us. Thanks again for the great web-site Russ.

Hi Russ,

Thanks for all you hard work on your Jackson Browne website. Because of you I have gotten to see some pretty cool shows; thank you so very much.

Can you please post the following message for the fans that may be going to the Avila Beach show:

I'm very excited about the benefit this weekend in Avila Beach. We are coming in from out of town (LA) to catch the show and making it a weekend trip. I was wondering if other out of town fans may want to get together and meet up to share Jackson Browne stories; food and drink too. I was told that the Custom House at 404 Front Street was a pretty cool place; right on the pier. If the weather is nice we may be able to get a good sunset; 6:00pm?? It would be fun to see who traveled the farthest. If anyone is game; e:mail me. I'm a huge fan and would love to meet with others that shared the same love for Jackson.

God Bless and safe travels,

P.S. Here is the website for the restaurant: www.oldcustomhouse.com. They have a Beach Cam!

P.S.S. I lost touch with an old friend who took me to my first Jackson Brown concert; her name is Mary Pino. Are you out there Mary? Are you going to Avila Beach??

I failed to mention that the get together at the Custom House in Avila Beach would be on Friday night (6:00pm); the night before the big show.