|
Fan Letters & Reviews July 2010 CONCERT REVIEW: June 29, 2010 at London Royal Albert Hall in London, England Jackson Browne and David Lindley took to the Royal Albert Hall stage at 8pm (as advertised), and were joined by special guest Tino di Geraldo on drums (who performs on the 'Love is Strange' album, and also joined up with the duo for the acoustic set at Glastonbury this past Sunday night). Their set lasted for an hour, over-running the advertised time by 20 minutes. Unlike previous legs on this tour, Jackson stayed for the entire seven-song set. There were many requests called for throughout this set, including several for 'Running on Empty'. Jackson explained that he's likely to play that with the band in the second half, but then toyed with the idea of playing it acoustically also. He joked that, "I'm not sure I like it enough to play it twice in one night. Actually, the way we play it (acoustically) is so much different, you may not even realise we played it twice!" He ultimately decided against it, and asked David Lindley which song he'd like to play to close the set. He settled for one of his own songs, 'When a Man Gets Boobs' - a tale of a man in front of a mirror who has noticed some rather unflattering physical changes! Acoustic Set: (8pm - 9pm) 01. Seminole Bingo (Warren Zevon cover) 02. Brothers Under the Bridge (Bruce Springsteen cover) 03. Looking East 04. (unknown cover of a JJ Cale song) 05. Call it a Loan 06. For Everyman 07. When a Man Gets Boobs After a 20-minute interval, Jackson returned with the band at 9.20pm, minus David Lindley who came back out prior to 'Your Bright Baby Blues'. For the first half hour or so, there was a very loud - and distracting - echo coming from Mauricio Lewak's snare drum. Several people in the audience shouted out after the opening song in the hope that it could be corrected, but Jackson didn't seem to be able to hear or understand them. It was noticeable for most of the night, but did seem to ease late into the show (either that, or I simply got used to it). There was an unusual request for 'My Personal Revenge', with Jackson commenting that "I really like that song too." Unfortunately for us, he explained that it's not one of the songs he and his band had prepared or know off-hand. There were many calls all night long, ranging from 'The Road' to 'The Birds of St. Marks', but they seemed to fall on deaf ears. The setlist followed the same formula as the rest of this tour, with a couple of tracks extracted (probably due to the 20-minute over-run of the acoustic set). Band set: (9.20pm - 11pm) 01. Off of Wonderland 02. Time the Conqueror 03. Giving That Heaven Away 04. In the Shape of a Heart 05. Your Bright Baby Blues 06. My Problem is You 07. Too Many Angels 08. I'm Alive 09. Doctor My Eyes 10. Mercury Blues 11. For a Dancer 12. Running on Empty 13. Take it Easy (encore) 14. I Am a Patriot (encore) Submitted by: segaboyno@aol.com CONCERT REVIEW: July 1, 2010 at Nottingham Royal Centre in Nottingham, England July 1st A great show and a taxing day. My recently out of plaster broken ankle swelled up like a baloon on the 400 mile round trip. We had our daughters graduation the following morning so we had to drive straight back after the show but it was all worth it. Despite my grumpiness about tickets on the black market for huge prices we were bang in the middle of the front row. I could have reached Jackson with my crutch all night I was that close. So very closely observed observations. At 62 the shiny hair is a tad duller and greyer, the neck has aged a bit but he's in amazing overall shape and if I could look like any other man on earth, jackson would do for me. Anyway, the show. Can't do setlists I'm afraid , not organised enough but this was at least as good as the Royal Albert Hall, if not slightly better!! The first part was shorter and again, for me, it doesn't quite work. Can't put my finger on it because David is a great player, a great character and he is rightly revered , but it is all a bit flat. Same two opening songs then there's for everyman, tino Gerraldo(?) Is there again, soul of a man, and another song , can't remember but it was from the new album and they were gone. The band set was stunning. Quiet and respectful audience seemed to faze Jackson a bit but amazingly when the requests started to come, he changed from playing the piano to guitar, quickly canvasses the band and they did a jaw dropping and beautiful Carmelita!! My memory is shot so I'm going straight to the encore, he came back and basically asked for requests and then chose the late show. I'm a veteran of these shows to some extent having seen at least 40 Jackson gigs but by all standards this was just wonderful. I could have reached out and touched him on his electric piano as he sat bathed in downlights singing with more feeling than I can remember, this rarely performed masterpiece to perfection. I can't really tell you how good it was but suffice to say I can't be bothered to go and see other singers because they can't compere to these stand out moments from these shows. Spellbinding. All ended when Jackson said he'd just been able to make out a banner on the balcony and anyone that took the trouble to make and then bring it to the show deserved to have their song played. It was a great version of my problem is you. A vignette of the fellowship of the band, I saw David Lindley generously point to Mark Goldenburg to indicate that he should take the main solo in one of the last songs. The girls were great , the band are all superb, Kevin holds everything together with Mauricio as a solid foundation of quality playing, Jeff Young is perfect and both Lindley and Goldenburg are peerless. Always remember though , without the voice and songs of the master, they would still all be great musicians but couldn't sound as good with any other material. Jackson Browne showed again, he's the best. I worry how long he will want to keep touring and how long the voice will hold out. I'm fearful of not experiencing the totally natural and unbeatable high that I get from feeling and hearing and seeing this magnificent artist at work. Sorry if I'm short on detail but I hope some of you love it as I love it. How great it must be to be on that stage feeling the love. Thanks Russ, for the platform. I ramble a bit but I love having your vehicle to occasionally express myself on. Take it easy! Submitted by: terry@a1sportingspeakers.com (Terry B.) GENERAL FAN COMMENTS: Tickets For Sale I have 2, possibly 3, extra tickets to Jackson's Sept. 12th show at Wolftrap in Vienna, VA, and one extra ticket for the Las Vegas show on July 20th that I would like to sell. I don't want to make a profit, just recoup my investments. Two of the Wolftrap tickets are together and the third is by itself. Please contact me at coxford1@aol.com. Thanks, Russ! Submitted by: coxford1@aol.com (Chris) CONCERT REVIEWS: June 20, 2010 at Glasgow Concert Hall in Glasgow, Scotland and June 29, 2010 at London Royal Albert Hall in London, England CONCERT REVIEWS: June 20, 2010 at Glasgow Concert Hall in Glasgow, Scotland June 29, 2010 at London Royal Albert Hall in London, England I thought I'd send through a few comments on these two wonderful concerts. I have seen reviews of both of these concerts on the website and so will try to avoid too much duplication. At Glasgow Jackson did not disappoint a very enthusiastic crowd. The opening set took many by surprise. Opening with Warren Zevon's Seminole Bingo was a completely stunning move. A fantastic version of a mid period Warren song. Springsteen's "Brothers Under The Bridge" was excellent. Jackson then left the stage and David performed three songs which were unknown to me (and I suspect many of the audience). The playing was superb throughout but many of the audience were confused by this turn of events. The second half was absolutely stunning. Off Of Wonderland Barricades of Heaven - a real highlight with excellent drumming from Mauricio. Giving That Heaven Away Your Bright Baby Blues stunning work from both Lindley and Mark Goldenberg Sky Blue And Black Jackson demonstrating that his voice is in top order Before The Deluge My Problem Is You I'm Alive For A Dancer - the interplay with Lindley was phenomenonal on this track Too Many Angels Doctor My Eyes Running On Empty Encore..... Mercury Blues - absolutely brilliant. Such energy and the guitar work was fantastic. Amazing that this was the highlight of the show for me - especially as it is not a Jackson penned song. The Pretender At the Royal Albert Hall Jackson and the band were better still. The evening started with Jackson, David and Tino Di Geraldo. As in Glasgow they began with Seminole Bingo followed by Brothers Under The Bridge. These were followed by looking East - superbly played. A song I am unaware of. A fantastic Call It A Loan, an excellent For Everyman and then the "Man Boob" song that David performed solo in Glasgow. A very high quality and satisfying set. The second set with the band was as follows Off Of Wonderland Time the Conqueror Barricades of Heaven Giving That Heaven Away Shape of a Heart - not one of my favourites but this was a particularly fine version Your Bright Baby Blues My Problem Is You Too Many Angels I'm Alive Doctor My Eyes Mercury Blues For A Dancer Running On Empty - incredibly energetic version. Absolutely outstanding. Encore - Take It Easy - worked very well particularly with David s contribution I Am a Patriot a very good arrangement which gave everyone a real chance to show their individual and collective contribution. I was concerned before these two concerts as to how David would fit in with the band. I need not have worried. The band seem more energised on these two occasions than on previous tours. Unbelievably Jackson seems to be getting better. Submitted by: philbassill@yahoo.com (Phil B.) GENERAL FAN COMMENTS: Tickets Available Hi Russ, Thanks so much for your fabulous website! Due to a change in plans, I've got extra tickets for Jackson's show in Eugene on July 27th and I was hoping you could post the info. They're great seats (hard tickets): I have 2 tickets in Row A Center Section 5, and 1 ticket in Row A Section 4. Inquiries should go to greeby_2002@msn.com THANK YOU!! Submitted by: greeby_2002@msn.com GENERAL FAN COMMENTS: Tickets Available Hi, Russ: Long time Fan of your Web Site. Two friends of ours had to back away from attending Jackson's July 27th Show at the Cuthbert Amphitheatre in Eugene, OR. They are fabulous seats (Row A) that my wife and I would like to see go to a true JB Fan. The cost is simply what we paid thru the Ticket Agency (even minus the Handling charge!!). We can be contacted at l84thesky@charter.net. Thanks, in advance, for posting. Submitted by: l84thesky@charter.net (dennis and nancy) CONCERT REVIEW: June 29, 2010 at London Royal Albert Hall in London, England I attended the Royal Albert Hall gig and have to say that of the 10 J.B. concerts that I've seen, this was by far and away the worst. The first set was abysmal, with the exception "For Everyman" and "Call it a loan", the choice of material was abject and included a track about men growing boobs. Possibly a Chas 'n' Dave reject. The second set started off with superb renditions of 3 mediocre songs. Good songs do nothing for me. Unless songs are great, I really have no desire to hear them. The rest of the set was excellent, apart from "I am a patriot", which seemed to meander for an eternity. I was at the front and requested "The Fuse", despite Jeff Young telling me before the gig that they hadn't played it in the 17 years that he's been in the band! Jackson is my all time hero, but this band really is 'Running on empty' and I don't anticipate an 11th J.B. gig, or indeed purchasing another J.B. CD. Perhaps we have to wait until he dies before a decent album is released. There must be dozens of tracks from the "I'm alive" tour sitting in the vaults, as only a few ever found their way onto 'B' sides. More interestingly, I met Wisconsin's Cory Chisel during the interval. I knew that he'd be there, but didn't expect to bump into him in a 5000 seat auditorium. I had a ticket to see him & Adriel Harris in concert the following evening at the 'Slaughtered Lamb'. Cory told me that hoped to have some surprise guests with him and I assumed that some of his band would join him on stage. It was only when I listened to the sound check prior to the gig that he announced that Jackson would be in the audience. There must have been about 40 people in attendance when Jackson walked in. I'd been talking to Jackson's bassist and saw Mark Goldenberg, but didn't approach him. Jackson is Cory's mentor. He is on the end of the phone for Cory, and obviously can relate to being a young rebellious talent trying to break through. In my opinion Cory is the most gifted musician that I've come into contact with for the last 30 years. At 27 he is 40 years younger than most of my heroes. Cory's delivery is second only to that of Springsteen, and I'm convinced that with Jackson's guidance Cory will become massive. I had a feeling that fame scares him, but his manager is adamant that Cory can handle it and Cory confessed to wanting to appear on the Royal Albert Hall stage. As far as I'm concerned, it's only a matter of time. I got to meet Jackson after the gig, but was in a desperate hurry to get a train back to Brighton. I completely forgot that my friend is a semi-professional photographer and could have taken a photo of us. I shook his hand and thanked him for enhancing my life over the past 35 years, but I was so overwhelmed that I had trouble coordinating my mouth and my brain. I told Jackson that he is my all time hero and that apart from my father, who I idolised, no one has had a greater impact in my life. Actually, this isn't true. My partner and my daughter have played a more significant role in my life and times, but I was so in awe of the great man and momentarily forgot all about their existence! Check out Cory. Watch "Born Again" on you tube. It's marvellous. Sadly after what I saw the other week, Jackson represents the past. Cory represents the future. Regards, Submitted by: briank21@btopenworld.com (Brian) GENERAL FAN COMMENTS: Tickets Available I am in the unfortunate position of not being able to attend the August 13 concert in Grand Prairie Texas, after having previously purchased tickets. As I purchased these the first day they became available, they are fairly decent seats. I am only looking to recoup some of my costs for the two of them. If you are interested, please email me @ jbrownefan@yahoo.com. Thanks, and to you also Russ. Submitted by: jbrownefan@yahoo.com GENERAL FAN COMMENTS: I'm so excited for Jackson's upcoming show at the Greek Theater in Berkeley on July 24th. I'll be attending with my daughter who is a senior at Cal. Her first "Jackson" show was in 2005 when she was 16 years old, about the same age I was when I first started to listen to Jackson. She is now a manager of one of the cooperatives for students in Berkeley and plays Jackson in the common area for all to enjoy...now you must understand, my Babycakes ROCKS when she listens to music. Jackson has new block of fans that may in fact pass his beautiful and thought provoking music to the next generation (and so on and so on)...Long live Jackson...I love my Babycakes. We'll be sitting in the pit - left side row 11...look for us...we'll be too happy... Submitted by: victoriapesce@comcast.net GENERAL FAN COMMENTS: Hi fans, If you have not yet seen the Glastonbury concerts (I guess you all have as you're fans, right?) then I strongly suggest you point your browser at YouTube and do a search for "CountryRock2U, Jackson Browne 2010". He has uploaded the Glastonbury 2010 concert, professionally filmed by the Glastonbury film crew. It is definitely the best footage so far of JB live in action. As good as Woodstock, nay, better. I last saw him in New Zealand in Feb 2009 in Auckland. I went back stage after that one show. There was nobody - none! - other than my wife and me to greet him. How odd. The show was great however and we hope he returns to New Zealand and not just Australia. For those of you who remember me, I had to resign (in disgust) and leave the JB community/forums some years ago. But I have never left Jackson Browne - the world's greatest living philosopher and humane being! What a treat to be alive while he's around. Jackson Browne IS everyman. ps. Would love to hear from any of you good folks who remember me!? Submitted by: l84sky@gmail.com CONCERT REVIEWS: There are some WONDERFUL photos from Jackson's July 20, 2010 concert at The Joint in Las Vegas, Nevada on VegasNews.com: www.vegasnews.com/28136/jackson-browne-performs-at-the-joint-at-hard-rock-hotel.html The Orange County Register has a nice review of Jackson's July 23, 2010 concert at The Greek Threatre in Los Angeles: www.ocregister.com/entertainment/browne-259186-set-lindley.html SetList.fm has the Set List from Jackson's show at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles: www.setlist.fm/setlist/jackson-browne/2010/the-greek-theater-los-angeles-ca-63d45ae3.html Submitted by: Your Webmaster CONCERT REVIEW: July 24, 2010 at The Greek Threatre in Berkeley, California July 24th, 2010 Greek Theatre, Berkeley CA Review by Eddie Hendel I've been to two Jackson Browne concerts before. The first was solo acoustic, and the second was with the band. This one was sort of a mix of the two. Finally, I got to see David Lindley play with Jackson. The first few songs were just Jackson and David (some were great, some were just okay), then the band came out to join them. The band was great, as always. They were very energetic, and the backup vocals were beautiful and added a lot to the songs. Jeff Young's harmony was amazing. David Lindley's solos were very powerful it's too bad he and Jackson split up all those years ago, but I'm glad he's back. I'll get into the specifics of the songs a bit later, but the most important part of that night was after the show. Last year, I stood outside by the tour bus for about half an hour waiting for Jackson to come out, but we left before he came. I didn't want to let that happen again this time, so I convinced my parents to let us wait for him this time. We waited for about 45 minutes in the cold Berkeley night, and finally we saw Mark Goldenberg, the guitarist, come out. Summoning my courage, I walked up to him and congratulated him on the great concert. He was very kind and gracious. Over the next half hour or so, some of the band members began to trickle out. I got to say hi to Jeff Young too. He shook my hand and thanked me for my compliments. I missed my chance to say hi to the bassist, Kevin McCormick, because it took me too long to make sure it was him (I didn't want to risk saying "Hi Kevin!" to someone who wasn't him...) After about an hour and twenty minutes, my parents were getting restless, but the entire band except David and Jackson had come out, so it seemed likely that they would come soon. Finally, after an hour and a half of waiting, I saw Jackson walking out with some other unknown people (security?). He had changed my life so much without ever even seeing me, and there he was, walking twenty feet away! I walked (maybe jogged) up to him and said, "Jackson! Jackson, great show!" He thanked me, and by then, my Dad had walked up, and he said, "Can I take your picture with my son?" He said sure, and my dad took the picture, but he wasn't sure he did it right. He fumbled around with the camera for a few seconds, then got another one. I'm glad Jackson was patient about it. My mom blurted out that she saw him in Indiana 30 years ago, and he looked a little bewildered at that. Then he left, but I realized I had forgotten something. I ran after him and gave him the CD with my covers of his songs and told him how much his music meant to me (at least, I think I did it went by pretty fast!). He looked down to see my name and said, "Thanks, Ed!" and then got on the bus. Success! (I put my address on the back of the CD envelope, so he can write me a letter telling me how much he loved the songs and how he wants me to sing backup vocals on his next tour (hey, I can dream...). That was quite an experience! It's not every day you meet one of the most influential people in your life for the first time! Frankly, I was surprised that Jackson didn't seem to be pleased that he had a teenage fan. Practically everyone at the concert was between 40 and 65, and I saw exactly 3 other teenagers. Sad commentary on my generation's musical taste...but we won't go there. Anyway, Jackson was patient and polite, but he seemed a bit distant, not exactly warm. That was surprising, because everything I've heard about people meeting him says that he's very personable and happy to meet fans, and that he loves seeing young fans. Then again, it was nearly 1:00 AM, and he was probably pretty tired. Nonetheless, it was really fun to finally meet him and get a picture! Hopefully he'll listen to my CD! Anyway, now for the real concert review. The first bit was just with Jackson and David. Seminole Bingo (by Lindley, with him singing) Brother Under the Bridge (David singing again, Jackson harmony) For Everyman Looking East Then Jackson left and David played two songs on his own. Soul of a Man (by Lindley) Catfood Sandwiches (by Lindley) After intermission, the band came out, but David left, so it was just Jackson and the band. Off Of Wonderland Giving That Heaven Away Time The Conqueror In The Shape Of A Heart Then David came back, and we had everybody for the rest of the show. Your Bright Baby Blues The Pretender Carmelita (by Warren Zevon) Rock Me On The Water My Problem Is You Too Many Angels I'm Alive Doctor My Eyes Mercury Blues (by Lindley) Running On Empty Encore: I Am A Patriot I think that's a very good set list. I didn't love David's songs, but he's a great string-instrument player (anyone who knows his music knows that it's impossible to be any more specific than "string-instrument"). I loved that they played Bruce Springsteen's "Brothers Under the Bridge". Jackson's harmony vocals were great on that song. And David Lindley is a surprisingly good singer before tonight, I had really only heard him sing on the cringe-worthy falsetto on "Stay". I love Jackson's band, so I was excited when they came out. The first three songs from Time The Conqueror were great with the band. In The Shape Of A Heart was very touching too. That may have been the best version of Your Bright Baby Blues I've ever heard David's solo in the middle was amazing. The Pretender was really rocking. I felt emotionally exhausted after those two, and I think a slow song like Sky Blue and Black would have fit great there, but he did a Zevon song, Carmelita, instead. It was okay. Then he got back on track with one of my favorites, Rock Me On The Water. Usually, I knew what songs he would play based on the little warmup strummings he played before the song, but that's just because I've heard him so much. But on the first note of Doctor My Eyes, everyone in the crowd cheered and stood up. I Am A Patriot is a good song, but I think he should stick to ending the shows with The Load Out/Stay. Maybe he's tired of doing that for 30 years, but I would have liked it. But it did provide for a funny moment the fans cheered when Jackson got to the "I ain't no Republican" line, and the guy behind me shouted "I hear you, brother!". Funny that that gets more of a reaction than the "I ain't no Communist" line Jackson's demographic is awesome! So in summary, I would say the highlights were Brother Under The Bridge, Time The Conqueror, Your Bright Baby Blues, The Pretender, Rock Me On The Water, and...I think I m forgetting one...oh yeah! Meeting Jackson Browne! (A special thanks to my parents for staying up later than they have for years, waiting for an hour and a half in the cold Berkeley night. I think they agree it was worth it!) Submitted by: stephen314@gmail.com CONCERT REVIEW: June 18, 2010 at Casino de Paris, France Dear Russ, A few days ago I was at the CSN open air concert at the Hohentwiel - an old ruin on one of the many extinct volcanoes of that area. There is always background music playing before the show - some of it you may recognize, some you won't. The start was scheduled for 7 p.m. At 7 o'clock sharp the music stopped for an instant. We thought the show was going to start, but instead "Off Of Wonderland" got played on full blast. For a moment we had the illusion of being at a Jackson Browne concert. After the song had been played CSN took the stage. They did an amazing 2,5 hours set. At one point David Crosby who had been rather monosyllabic so far, started to tell a story. He went like: "There's this very good friend of ours: Jackson Browne. (Roaring applause from the audience). ...We love him, too. One day he came by my house and ... he saved me. I was quite spaced out but I had started to write a song. He looked at it, and said: Cros - that's a great song, you've got to finish this. I just gnarled "arrgh". He got me into his car and took me over to Warren Zevon's house. He had a piano. And Jackson made me finish the song." Then he did a heartbreaking rendition of "Delta" - this being one of the night's highlights. As Jackson did not have any plans for a concert in Southern Germany this year we have been to Jackson's and David's concert at Paris last month. Actually I thought someone from France might do a review. But as this has not happened so far the events at the CSN concert got me into the mood of doing it. I don't remember all of David Lindley's set, "Brothers Under the Bridge" (credits to Bruce Springsteen), "Seminole Bingo" (credits to Warren Zevon) and "Copperhead Road" (no credits to Steve Earle) have been there. Here's the set list of the band set: - Off Of Wonderland - Time the Conqueror - Giving that Heaven Away - In the Shape of a Heart - You Bright baby Blues - My Problem is You - Too Many Angels - I am Alive - Before the Deluge - Doctor My Eyes - For a Dancer - Running on Empty Encore: - Mercury Blues - Take it Easy - I'm a Patriot The intro to "In the Shape of the Heart" has been really moving. Jackson said that it was a song about someone he had been to Paris with (for the 1st time?) some 35 years ago. Towards the end he told us that they had been on the road most of the time for the past four years. This has caused him to forget about songs he had intended to play. He then started to do "For a Dancer". After the show I had the chance to talk to David Lindley, thanking him for performing the Steve Earle song, and asking him to sign my El Rayo -X record cover of '81. When he told me in an absolutely funny Scottish accent that they had to go 700 miles all the way to Glasgow that very night one of the assistants took the chance and got him onto the waiting tour bus. As always thanks so much for keeping this platform. I am looking forward to reading the reviews of the US tour. Kind regards, Submitted by: Petra CONCERT REVIEW: July 24, 2010 at The Greek Threatre in Berkeley, California REVIEW OF JULY 24, 2010 AT THE GREEK THEATER IN BERKELEY, CA The Greek Theater at Berkeley is a quaint amphitheater which seats 8,500. This night the average age of the audience was well over 40, and likely near 50. Before the music started, one might have mistaken this crowd for a group of retirees attending a Financial Planning Seminar. This crowd of, shall we say, "original rockers" brought as much energy, enthusiasm and appreciation to the show as I have ever seen. On at least 4 occasions, they leaped to their feet, and often remained standing throughout the song. The collective energy did not go unnoticed as Jackson remarked several times about how great the crowd was. As eight o'clock approached, we sat looking at the stage, the large number of guitars standing in their racks, and the occasional technician strolling on and off to make adjustments. Then 2 guys walked on quietly from the left, the lights came up, we heard that crowd.....and, "we remembered why we came". It was Jackson Browne and David Lindley. No announcement, no fanfare, except that brought by the fans. Having read many of the reviews of previous dates of this concert tour, I expected 4 so-so and little known songs would be played by the duo. Yes, Warren Zevon's "Semiole Bingo" was just O.K., and a less than fitting tribute to that late, great, under rated little giant of a man (which would later be totally rectified). And I must confess that I did not know the Bruce Springsteen cover, "Brothers Under the Bridge", which followed. Then, Jackson and the crowd really got going with "For Everyman", after which Jackson delighted the crowd with his story of the planned voyage to utopia of David Crosby and company. The acoustic set was concluded with "Looking East". Jackson spoke casually during this part of the concert and the audience appeared to hang onto and enjoy every word. There was no anger nor over politicizing from yesterday's activist, just the mature musings of an aware, concerned and pleasant gentleman for every woman, child and man (oh yes, later we would be rocked upon the water!). Jackson left the stage and David Lindley went solo for two songs. Now I have read that Jackson left for an hour at other venues. This was 15 minutes, tops, followed by a brief intermission; then Jackson and his band graced the Greek stage. One always expects the new songs will be played. The first 3 were from Time the Conqueror; "Off to Wonderland", "Time the Conqueror", and "Giving That Heaven Away". After a beautiful, mellow rendition of "In the Shape of a Heart", David Lindley returned. Jackson and the band played nine more songs, spotlighting the individual stylings of David Lindley in many numbers, and a brilliantly clean riff by lead guitarist, Mark Goldenberg. In addition to Browne's compositions, set forth below, Warren Zevon's classic dark, ballad, "Carmelita", was articulately performed. "Your Bright Baby Blues" "My Problem Is You" "Too Many Angels" "I'm Alive" "Doctor My Eyes" "Rock Me on the Water" "The Pretender" "Running on Empty" I have seen Jackson Browne four times now. This was far and away the best musical performance of them all. The band is impeccable. Jackson's voice was strong and clear, and more melodic than in younger days. He shared more of his personality with the audience than I have seen before. And, David Lindley, having been a band member the first time I saw Jackson, (the "Hold Out" tour), was a great fit to enhance the band. Should anyone be on the fence as to whether to buy tickets for this Jackson Browne tour, I offer the following. We sat behind two women from Los Angeles. They had thought it would be nice to see Jackson at the Greek Theater (in L.A., on July 23), but that it might be too crowded on opening night. So they chose the second night at the Greek Theater, on July 24. Unfortunately, they failed to notice that the second night was at the Greek Theater in Berkeley! These ladies traveled over 300 miles to attend this concert. But, as it turned out, they were extremely pleased that they had made the trip to enjoy this very special evening. The last song was "Mercury Blues". This tune, popular with David Lindley fans, really rocked the house. The encore was "I am a Patriot". We missed the fact that there was no "For a Dancer"; nor "Fountain of Sorrow; or even "Take it Easy". And we have never understood why every concert doesn't end with the greatest encore song ever written, "The Load Out/Stay". But musically, the concert was superb. The sound was well mixed and balanced. We heard many of the songs we came to hear, and we got a bigger piece of Jackson himself than we expected. This was fine music delivered by professionals who care about what they do and enjoy performing their craft. Few performers have ever had such a special connection to so many people. Jackson Browne remains the best ballad writer and performer of several generations. And, the man can still bring it as a rocker. Submitted by: chipsteru3@yahoo.com Go To Jackson Browne Fan Letters and Reviews from August 2010 RETURN to Jackson Browne Fan Letters Page RETURN to Jackson Browne Home Page |