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Jackson BrowneSolo Acoustic Vol. 1 Inside Recordings/Shock During one show here in Adelaide a number of years ago, just as Jackson Browne and his band were ready to launch into one number an audience member broke the momentary silence and called out for Rosie, immediately breaking the legendary singer/songwriter's poised concentration. From here, Browne unslung his guitar from around his neck and, without hesitation went over to his piano and gladly obliged the request. For that, among many other reasons, this was a performance that I will long remember as one of the best I've ever witnessed. Compiled from Browne's 2004 tour across America and Europe, 'Solo Acoustic Vol.1' is one of those rare official live releases that actually do justice to the artist, the performances, and - possibly most importantly in the case of someone like Jackson Browne - the songs. Here he's chosen thirteen tracks, many of which are preceded by amiable banter where he either details the song's origins or even just adds some light hearted, good humoured conversational chit-chat. "That's the way it is now," he sighs, responding to a call for The Birds Of St. Marks, a song he wrote over 30 years ago but never released "they don't ask if you can do it, they ask if you remember it," before delivering a beautifully heartfelt, if not a tad under-rehearsed rendition. Again my thoughts go back to that night in 1997 affirming that he really is a nice, genuinely friendly guy whose songs are best enjoyed in an intimate live setting sans of overdone studio interference aimed towards the FM set. Classic material such as These Days, Take It Easy (a hit for The Eagles he co-wrote with Glenn Frey), Fountain Of Sorrow, For A Dancer and The Pretender blend thoughtfully alongside his largely neglected 90's cuts, The Barricades Of Heaven, Looking East and Too Many Angels as a dulcet-voiced Browne alternates between guitar and piano. The title's suffix, 'Vol. 1', suggests there's more to come. Bring it on, I say.  |
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