Out of all of the "stars" I ever saw or heard in any medium, the only person I ever wanted to talk to or correspond with was Jackson Browne. To sum up "why," I can only say that his artistic statements were compelling, and even mind-boggling, causing me to start at the depth of his mind, and greatness of poetic spirit. If I knew Mr. Browne was going to read this, then I would spin out a complete reel of reflections, but I will keep it brief, assuming that he has better uses for his time than slumming through his Internet fan letters.

There are several key reasons I am extremely enthusiastic about Browne's career. First, and chiefly, I believe much of what has drained from his pen, animated by his guitar and keyboard is no less than Art. In Exley's "Fan's Note's," it is stated (I believe in the preface) that the cornerstone of genuine Art is Truth. What makes such a notion especially profound today is how utterly the belief that Art can be a container for truth has been lost. In an age of postmodernism, where "truth" can only be called a category of negation, an "empty set," if you will -- the narrative has foundered for lack of faith. One must first believe that some personal truth exists, and can be delivered in story fashion, for the genre of the "storyteller" to thrive, or even continue. To me, this is the staggering gift that Browne wields -- the ability to tell a story, personal enough to communicate experiential sincerity, yet universal enough to touch some thread of common humanity. And I believe his songwriting is an antidote to the current confused attempt to weld postmodernism to songwriting. Or as Shelley might say to the illiterate & slack-jawed young stars of today, speaking of Browne, "Look at His Works Ye Mighty & Despair!"

When I consider examples of Browne's narrative as Art, what comes to mind are songs like: Looking Into You, Fountain Of Sorrow, Farther On, Running On Empty, Of Missing Persons, or The Barricades Of Heaven. What I find in each of these songs is rumination on life in a moment of time, rich as anything you will find in popular art. Indeed, with Browne's delicate melodic touch, and innate poet's sensibility in crafting lyrics -- both spare and haunting, you find the Magisterial -- that is -- the touch of the master at work.

When I listen to Browne, I feel as if I am tapping into roots of some the deepest, most sublime Art in Western history, namely the songs of the Troubadour, tossed off lovingly as madrigals. The medieval troubadour was a philosopher/musician who traveled from town to town, playing his instrument and writing and singing songs that revealed his own experiences, and if he was exemplar -- something about life itself, too. The elusive gift of the very best novelist and poets is to "see into" reality, pull out an observation, then present it, in such a way that through their lyricism, or the very image etched upon the mind, one recognizes a new insight -- an epiphany even. (Think of Wordworth's Daffodil) Browne's genius allows him to do this.

Great Art exists from generation to generation, even if it sometimes lapses before being revived -- as was Bach's fame recovered by Mendelssohn's staging of St. Matthew's Passion -- in later times. What carries the Art through time, even after the original enthusiasts have long mouldered to dust, is the Truth that the Art reveals. Literally, the Art becomes special and beloved because of something it says about us, revealing either our humanity, or perhaps more compellingly -- the hidden darkness. One marvels upon observing this in stunning form in You Love The Thunder -- where the narrator states, "You love the thunder and you love the rain/ What you see revealed within the anger is worth the pain/ And before the lightning fades and you surrender/ You've got a second to look at the dark side of the man." The lightning flares, then fades, yet afterwards an unforgettable image remains burnt upon the psyche.

I have run prolix here, so I will list the source of my Browne enthusiasm: 1. Excellent melodic inventiveness. 2. Rich instrumentation and humane arrangements (I will never forget how touched I was hearing the piano, fiddle, guitar and steel guitar on some of his early albums, the creation of an aural banquet), 3. The greatest of lyricists, making him in my mind -- the Poet of the Age, 4. A coherent world view in which a genuine artistic ethos is created, and 5. A seeming relentless honesty that always comes through in his art.

If I could pass on one message to Mr. Browne, it would be, go back to that confessional, introspective, and symbolic style in which you sat at the instrument and just told your story. Because, if ever an age needed a cipher, or a sage, who wrote in the Byronic style, as if intent only upon ushering in the Truth -- it is now.

Thanks,

Hills alive with sounds of music
Festival at Arroyo Verde Park raises money for Hillsides Conservancy
By John Scheibe

www.insidevc.com/vcs/ve/article/0,1375,VCS_251_2258668,00.html

Hi, Russ

I mailed you a while ago and you posted it on this site, I was expressing my excitement to seeing Jackson perform live for the first time at the Newcastle Opera House, well... here's an update,

Words cannot describe it...

I know these dates of Jackson's are creeping in slowly for the acoustic shows but I'm hoping that whoever books Jackson knows of the beautifully and recent renovated Albany NY Palace Theater. Im hoping they consider booking him there or in Syracuse, NY at the Landmark. like he has been playing there for years.

Here's hoping...............

Hi Russ,

I attended the Villa Montalvo concert in Saratoga, California on Sunday, 9/14/03. This was a benefit concert for Ronnie Lott's All Stars Helping Kids and Montalvo's Education and Outreach Program.

The concert was held on the front lawn of the beautiful Mediterranean style Villa Montalvo. The open stage was located at the end of the lawn facing the villa, so the gorgeous trees were the backdrop of the stage. We had general admission tickets on the grass area behind the reserved seats, but we managed to get front center on the grass! The show started at 4:00 with a half hour set from high school kids with the San Jose Jazz Society. They were really talented kids...I enjoyed their set!

Jackson was dressed casually in a light blue shirt with gray horizontal stripes, very baggy black cargo pants, sandals and sported a gray mustache and beard...I thought he looked great! He was talkative and prefaced most of his songs with a comment or story. Jackson and his band were in top form! They performed quite a few new songs, I especially enjoyed Don't You Want to Be There with Jacksonıs special guest Fernando Pullum, Friends of the Washington Prep, on trumpet.

The highlight of the show for me was For A Dancer, this was a request from the audience. The band left the stage while Jackson sat at the keyboard...He said he wrote a few songs about death, but his friend Warren Zevon wrote some significant songs about mortality. He talked about the time Warren was sick and took some herbal tea remedy that a Chinese doctor friend of his and David Lindleyıs had given him. I guess he was supposed to drink a half a cup, but Warren decided that if half a cup was good, then 2 cups or more would be even better. He ended up having a seizure at the airport. Warren told Jackson that just before his head hit the ground his last thought was, "please don't let me die and have Jackson write a song about me!" Jackson also brought up Scotty Runyan, the song he wrote For A Dancer for. He mentioned the many unusual talents Scott had as a dancer, artist, fashion designer, etc. He said that once Scotty invited a girl to a very elegant event and even made her the dress to wear ...Jackson began to play For A Dancer and had to stop after chuckling to himself. He was reminiscing about a time Scott was acting stranger than usual. Jackson asked him what was wrong and Scotty answered, "You do know that I'm gay, donŒt you? " Jackson replied, "Well...yeah!" Scott seemed a little surprised, but then went back to being his old self! When Jackson finally played For a Dancer, it was beautiful and at that moment the song was for both Warren & Scotty...

The evening ended with two encores, Take It Easy and The Next Voice You Hear with Fernando on trumpet. lt was a wonderful afternoon in a beautiful setting! The audience was receptive and Jackson seemed to be relaxed, enjoyed himself and sounded wonderful! It's amazing that Jackson can give so much of himself and is still going strong...even after the recent loss of a good friend, his extensive touring all year, and with his upcoming acoustic tour.

Here's the set list:

• Everywhere I Go
• The Night Inside Me
• Fountain of Sorrow
• Barricades of Heaven
• About My Imagination
• Don't You Want to Be There (w/ Fernando Pullum on trumpet)
• For Taking the Trouble
• These Days
• The Naked Ride Home
• Doctor My Eyes
• For A Dancer
• Running on Empty
  Encore
• Take It Easy
• The Next Voice You Hear (w/ Fernando Pullum)

Thanks again, Russ, for the wonderful website for Jackson fans!

I have been so lucky to live in this area. I have seen Jackson Browne perform live in small venues several times, and have never been disappointed. By the way, each and every time I have been to a Jackson Browne concert in the Ventura/Santa Barbara area, it has been a benefit concert. I wonder how many performers are so generous with their time and talent.

One of the event volunteers told me that Jack Johnson was as big a draw for this afternoon of music in the park as Jackson Browne was. Looking at the crowd - lots of 40-and-50-somethings like myself - I doubted it. When Johnson came onstage, all the younger members of the audience crowded to the front to get a better look. But when Jackson Browne came on to do his set, the whole atmosphere changed. His music was, at the same time, exhiliarating and calming.

There is no other artist who has held my admiration and adulation year after year after year.It doesn't matter how many times I hear them, when The Pretender or Late for the Sky play, I am compelled to stop whatever I'm doing to listen and enjoy.

Thank you, Mr. Browne, for the many years of comfort and pleasure.

I have yet to understand and comprehend all the poetic writings of Jackson Browne. The older I get the more I can dig deeper into the songs that touch me. One of the main things I crave for in each of his songs is the truth in which he tells. No matter if it's the last thing you want to believe is real, it's the only thing that makes sense and can hold you together. It's the only thing that'll keep your feet on the ground and in search for what you are looking for throughout life.

Thanks for your website Russ!

I would just like to say, that if it was not for Jackson, I do not know if I could have gotten where I am in my life. At 52, I Am Alive! His music has always been my salvation when the times were bad. If you ever read this stuff, THANKS, JACKSON! I'll be seeing you twice on you acoustical tour.

Cheers!

If there is one place Jackson is loved, it's New Orleans! I hope he will make a trip here soon!

Dear Russ,

I simply wanted to thank you for this great web site. I always know that if l have a question regarding lyrics, or information that l can come here for answers. I just want you to know that you are appreciated. I have been a jackson fan for so many years, I've read so many eloquent letters on your web site regarding his music that I know that I can't begin to compete. So l will not try, l will simply say that his words have touched my heart so deeply and have helped me in so many ways. When l've had sadness in my life it is to those words that invaribly l turn and l have played his music over and over and always felt those words were there just for me.

I have shared my joy in this same manner, and again have felt the touch of his music. lts hard to express the great pleasure that l've recieved over the years for his music without sounding like some kind of nut. I've attended so many concerts since l was 16 that my daughters now in their early 20's accuse me of "stalking".. However, l am just an ordinary woman with a job and a family who happens to have a love and appreciation of the words and music of a man who has unknowingly made my bad times better and my good times great. So thank you for making it easier for me to not only find out information, but to feel as though l am not alone in my thoughts. But most of all thanks to Jackson for making my life better....