I don't have many years of Jackson Browne concerts to compare this to, having first discovered his music in 2006, but I really enjoyed the concert last night in Hermosa Beach. Jackson was accompanied by Jeff Young, who was awesome, and Aletha Mills and Cavonne Morris, the two lead singers of Fred Martin & The Levite Camp.

It was a small auditorium of about 500 seats. Perfect sound and since we were in the fifth row, perfect view. Jackson had about 12 guitars but didn't us all of them. I have no idea what they were as my husband didn't come. Some were brown and some dark brown was about all I could tell.

I usually only remember the first song and the last song .. the first was a very good acoustic version of "I'm Alive" and the last was "The Next Voice You Hear." "Running on Empty" with the gospelly chorus of Aletha and Chavonne was wonderful. "The Birds of St. Marks" was another highlight. Most people are probably sick of "Doctor My Eyes" but I thought it was really good last night.

Jackson attempted "The Pretender" but in the wrong key and the wrong guitar (a light brown one rather than the dark brown one that he used) but re-did it with the correct key and guitar. Others that I recall he did were "Barricades of Heaven," "About My Imagination," "Lives in the Balance" and "These Days." He prefaced that by saying it was an old song and then laughed and said something like, "Well, they're ALL very old songs." He also sang a song that I really liked which I thought was a new song about Culver City, called "Culver Moon", but when he mentioned Fedco, I realized that this can't be very new so I'll have to find out via Russ's discography what CD that it's on and listen to it. Couldn't have been in the first five as I've heard those.

The only new one he did was one I didn't care for called "Drums of War". To me, the lyrics are silly .. someone should explain to Jackson that impeachment isn't on the table because then we'd get Dick Cheney .. but that's another issue. I don't like to get into political matters. Give me a headache.

I hadn't heard Jackson's music other than one live show in 2003 and one in 2004 until I bought his first five CDs and listened to them in order so was more familiar with the songs this time. My friend who was with us did the same thing although we didn't know each other then, last year, after hearing Jackson with Venice, she bought the first five. She told Jackson that he was getting better as he was getting older and he said his girlfriend had said the same thing to him. Much better than the alternative.

For those who like a fashion report, no t-shirt, but a funky long sleeved shirt and jeans. Don't know about the shoes and the underwear, I can only observe so much. And, the beard is gone.

And, before the show, a bunch of us got together for dinner at the closest restaurant .. by coincidence, called Jackson's Village Bistro.

Anyone with an extra ticket to the Oct 7 Jackson Browne concert in Ojai, please call Danny at 312-917-6614. Since I'm traveling to LA on Sunday, I'll need to pick the ticket up at the venue.

Dear Jackson Browne,

Congratulations to your 59. birthday!!!

You age better than fine wine.

Thank you for your songs all over the years, I hope a lot of songs are following the next years.

I'm probably your biggest fan in Germany.

Just a note to say Happy Birthday Jackson.

Just a note to send birthday greetings to Jackson on number 59. I work in radio and played "Before the Deluge" on the radio tonight, saying happy birthday Jackson Browne (from a very small town in southern Minnesota). Thanks Russ.

JACKSON BROWNE with Jeff Young, Alethea Mills, and Chavonne Morris at the Libbey Bowl, Ojai, CA--Oct. 7, 2007

The green and white rectangular sign read Ojai City Limit, Population 8202, Elevation 750, although on Sunday the population was somewhat larger. Travelers from many points around the country joined a large number of local citizens at the Libbey Bowl to enjoy Jackson Browne and raise some money for the very worthy Ojai Raptor Society in this beautiful jewel of a town nestled in the quiet mountains north of Los Angeles.

Kim had flown in from Florida to see Jackson at both Hermosa Beach and Ojai. First-timer Tess, who had never seen Jackson perform before, and her friend Kathy flew in from Denver. A Jayhawk from Bonner Springs, KS, drove up from his vacation in Palm Desert when Kim made an extra ticket available. Karen from Huntington Beach and her friends Carolyn, Kim, and Lori drove in as well. They almost never miss a JB performance in southern California and had been at the Hermosa Beach show as well. Bill (I think it was) and his wife rode in to the concert on horseback.

All enjoyed a wonderful concert. The Household Gods were an excellent opening act and Perla Batala joined them to sing a wonderful version of Leonard Cohen's "Bird on the Wire" to close their set.

About 25 minutes after their performance ended, into the cool of the mountains strolled the Pretender. He was wearing a brown t-shirt with an ARBOR logo on the front, light tan (or possibly gray) slacks, and a pair of sandals. Jackson had his electric keyboard and 11 guitars on stage (although he would only use about half a dozen of them). Joining Jackson from the beginning was keyboardist Jeff Young, who played (and sang when called upon) directly behind Jackson's right shoulder on every song except his first encore, "Jamaica Say You Will."

Jackson was in excellent voice throughout the show. He opened with "Before the Deluge" and followed it up with "My Stunning Mystery Companion." Jackson then called Alethea Mills out to sing with him on "The Barricades of Heaven." Chavonne Morris joined them for "Rock Me on the Water." This foursome, which performed together on all the remaining songs, makes for a dynamic group and provides a much different experience than Jackson solo or with the string- based David Lindley, giving many of the songs a gospel feel.

Also on the stage to Jackson's far right, was Deby Tygell, who did a fabulous job signing all the songs--not only with her actual signing but conveying the mood of each song with her facial expressions and body language. The "suspense" which arose in all as a certain line in "The Pretender" approached and was then expressed only served to highlight the quality of her performance.

According to Jackson's printed setlist (courtesy of Karen and her friends), Jackson only deviated from his plans 3 times. He moved "My Stunning Mystery Companion" (a song he said that he kept meaning to sing and then forgetting to perform) to the second slot in the show, left out "For Taking the Trouble", and added "Jamaica Say You Will" as the first encore. He said that someone who sent cupcakes backstage requested that song and that, since they ate the cupcakes, it was only fair that he sing the song.

The setlist:
1. Before the Deluge (piano)#
2. My Stunning Mystery Companion (guitar)#
3. The Barricades of Heaven (g)#^
4. Rock Me on the Water (g)#+
5. Fountain of Sorrow (p)#+
6. Lives in the Balance (g)#+
7. I Am a Patriot (g)#+
8. Don't You Want to Be There? (p)#+
9. Doctor My Eyes>>>About My Imagination (p)#+
10. The Pretender (g)#+
11. Running on Empty (g)#+
Encore:
12. Jamaica Say You Will (p)
13. Culver Moon (p)#+

# with Jeff Young, keyboards
^ with Alethea Mills, vocals
+ with Chavonne Morris and Alethea Mills, vocals

The only regret was that Jackson didn't "Stay" a little bit longer. The raptors wouldn't mind.

Hi!

This is just to add the best wishes and congratulations for Jackson's birthday, sent from and on behalf of your Portuguese fans!

Keep well and strong with your excellent music and words!

Happy birthday Jackson:

Thanks so much for being a small light for people who care around the world. Thanks for being such a great ambassador for the United States, and a great civil servant. You do make a difference. Keep on trucking! A true Libra to the nth degree.

Hey Russ,how you doin'? It's been a while. I'd like to wish Jackson the best for his birthday, from his fans in Canada. He's my favorite Artist, without a doubt. Everyone who knows me,knows how much I love Jackson's great music. I can't wait for his new album. All these years, how great is it when his new albums come out and you listen for the first time!!! What a rush... I can't wait. Take care Russ...all the best......Bobby.

Just wanted to post the set list for the Guacomole Fund's Home Grown Benefit at the Hermosa Beach Playhouse on October 4, 2007. It was a wonderful "Evening with Jackson Browne!"

Thanks.

The set list...
01. I'm Alive
02. Never Stop
03. Lawless Avenues
04. Birds Of St. Marks
05. Sleeps Dark and Silent Gate
06. Barricades of Heaven w/ Jeff Young & Alethea Mill
07. For Taking The Trouble w/ Jeff Young, Alethea Mill & Chavonne Morris
(they accompanied Jackson through the remainder of the show)
08. Rock Me On The Water
09. Fountain Of Sorrow
10. Lives In The Balance
Intermission
11. For Everyman
12. Culver Moon
13. Drums of War
14. I Am A Patriot
15. Don't You Want to Be There w/ Fernando Pullum
16. Doctor My Eyes
17. About My Imagination
18. The Pretender
19. Running On Empty
Encore:
20. Next Voice You Hear

Not having seen Jackson for quite some time (4 years ago in the incredible Trenton Concert), I was anxiously anticipating the October 16 event at the National Cathedral in DC. As usual Jackson was superb. Crosby and Nash opened the musical portion of the event with Lay Me Down, and Graham Nash introduced a powerful new song---In Your Name that brought the house to its feet. Keb Mo was at his best singing 2 songs--the 2nd of which was new and excellent.

Jackson came out and opened with Don't You Want to be There. Graham Nash then joined him for their version of the Crow and the Cradle. Crosby and Nash joined Jackson for a fabulous version of Lives in the Balance before the whole ensemble closed the show with Teach Your Children that rocked the Cathedral. Overall a great night. Jackson---get back on tour!!!!!!

Flew in from Austin TX to celebrate my 50th Bday at Jackson's concert in Ojai. It was the 6th time I've seen him--but the first time in one of the small intimate Southern California venues. It was worth every the mile! I came to hear Jackson perform all my old favorites, but left more impressed with the newer stuff. Don't you Want to be There was the best piece of the day, and Stunning Mystery Companion was remarkable. The newer songs had far more energy behind them--though Jackson certainly didn't lack energy on any of the songs. But it's the newer material that chart the current emotional territory--and they are amazing. My only regret at Ojai: He didn't play Night Inside Me. Guess I'll just have to make another sojourn West.

Any idea whether Jackson is working on another CD?