Jackson Browne gave us a generous three hour, twenty-five song set on a balmy evening in Santa Cruz. He was gracious and relaxed, and was in good voice, moving between his keyboard and the sixteen guitars of various makes and tunings forming a lovely backdrop to frame the stage. My initial reaction was that Jackson's voice has become stronger over the years, and warmer.  Although a bit somber in the first half, Jackson was clearly happy to be playing in a town where some family members " and many dear friends have lived" at one time or another. He mentioned that the Civic was a place in which he had performed "dozens and dozens" of times, and was a personal favorite. The audience was a  pleasant blend of first and second generation fans. So many happy faces!

Jackson stopped playing his keyboard during the intro to his third song to ask us to stop taking flash photographs, as it interfered with his concentration, and made him want to keep his head down. A lady called out, "Then stop being so cute!" Jackson broke up, as did the house, and he responded, whilst stroking a recent beard, "Well, I'm trying my best. It can't be helped that I'm cute." The crowd loved it. The reference came round a couple more times before the night was over.

After intermission, Jackson was more playful and energetic. He made references to Santa Cruz being open and progressive, and how comfortable that made him feel. He played a lot of his political material, in part because of the crowds' encouragement, and certainly due to the fact that this is an election year. At one point in the second act, after hitting on two of the aforementioned political criticisms, he asked the house whether he was pushing this area too hard. There were many voices shouting out approval, and lots of applause, so he continued on with four more of that genre.

JB also performed a few songs seldom heard in concert, such as Song For Adam with an extra verselette. The big treat of the evening was to hear three songs off the forthcoming studio album, which he mentioned would be out in the fall.

The first, a sweet love song was not completely cooked, he said. He is working out a bridge and hasn't got the thing nailed, but it contains some harmonic interest I liked. The second was a tune which he said had already been cut. He offered no title. The third was a searing criticism of the Bush administration and it's failed foreign policy (In My Time). I am laying odds that the latter song will be released well ahead of the election if the album is not ready by then.

Other highlights: Someone called out for a song "for Warren."  Jackson played  the classic Warren Zevon tune, Lawyers, Guns and Money on guitar. At one point during the chorus, singing in his best Zevon voice. Next, Jackson went over to the piano and played The Mutineer. We were treated to (Little Stephen's) I Am A Patriot, an anthem which has held up well over the years and is still spot on.

A voice called out, "Play one for Danny!" Danny Federici, long-time keyboard man for The E Street Band, Bruce Springsteen's former and present support, passed away after a long illness last Thursday. The lady next to me called out for Don't You Want To Be There. Jackson had already started to noodle on a guitar at this point. His head whipped up, and for a few seconds he looked out at the house in our direction ( 5th row, dead center) and froze with a serious expression, as if considering this loss. But then he smiled, with an "I agree that is just the song" expression and got up, put the instrument back in the rack, and sat down at the piano to play the requested song. There was a lot of passion in his voice and hands. He clearly loved playing that song, and one had the feeling that he didn't expect someone to request it. The tune was a fitting tribute to Danny. You could hear the gospel choir in your mind, but the song did not lack for anything in this spare form.

The last song Jackson played before he returned for his encore was The Pretender, which has become his standard closer on this tour. Unlike the studio version on the record of the same name, his attitude now, thirty years later, is one of bemusement. We all know the dark humour and irony of this piece, and Jackson played it with the understanding that we are all by now in on the joke.

For me, who watched two nights from the Running On Empty tour at the Universal Amphitheater in LA as a high school kid from backstage (my sister was a local radio DJ-and I was stunned by my access- can you imagine?), I appreciate how far Jackson has come with his stage presence and comfort in performing. Not much left of the shy fellow who hid behind his hair. In fact, the hair is exactly the same as it's always
been, but now we can see his eyes and his expressive face. He is charming, and freely shares his dry wit with the audience.

I was nowhere else in my head last night but in this warm, comfortable hall, surrounded by a terrific audience of my peers. The sound was excellent. Clear, well mixed and perfectly modulated. Among us players and singers, there is a universal agreement that the best hall is a box with high ceilings and some wood. The Santa Cruz Civic served Jackson well. The evening was as pure an aural pleasure as one can experience.

The Guacamole Fund reception after the concert at a nearby restaurant for a local guy who is running for Assembly, was lovely and lively. Jackson was relaxed, and talked about what fun he's had being out on tour, with only a few more dates to go. He has plans to perform benefits for democratic candidates between now and November.

When asked recently why so much time has elapsed between his last  studio album and the forthcoming release, he offered insight about the record business. As of this past January, Jackson has regained sole rights to all his material. The timing of Solo Acoustic Volume 2, released in early March, reflects this change.

At the recent ASCAP convention earlier in the month, Jackson discussed with us that the traditional methods of compensation and residulas were inequitable, and that he was looking to provide his band and all those involved in production, from engineers to producers, with a better deal. Since his last studio album, The Naked Ride Home, Jackson has shared credits with all his band-mates on most songs.


There ought to be a good tour next year with the band to promote the new album. And yes, I do want to be there!

Please advise me of any mistakes you find in the set list! I'll cop to any errors in the text as well.

All with* on guitar.

1*Barricades of Heaven
2*These Days
3*Alive in the World
4 Farther On
5*Looking East
6 Bright Baby Blues
7 For A Dancer
8 Don't you Want To Be There?
9 For Every Man
10 Song For Adam
11*Lawyers, Guns, and Money(Zevon)
12 Mutineer (Zevon)
13.*new song
14 * New song next album....a nice love song
15 ?In My Mind? Time? (new song- next album)
16*Lives in the Balance
17*I am a Patriot
18 Roll out the Drums
19 Guns of war
20 Before the Deluge
21 Sleep's Dark and Silent Night
22 The Pretender
23 Running on Empty
Encore:
24 Take It Easy
25*My Stunning Mystery Companion

LAST EDITED ON Apr-20-08 AT 04:25 PM (EDT)
The following review is the sole property of the reviewer, and is registered under Christine's ASCAP membership, 2008 GoshGusMusic.

Baby, you nailed it. I've read a lot of reviews, and yours is the best. I was there, and I agree with your impressions. You're good at this. Keep it going:P

I wish we had read this before we published our review. I would like to read more of your work. I will send you an email. Please contact me.