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Live review: Jackson Browne at the Bass Concert Hall
Even before Jackson Browne took to the stage of the Bass Concert Hall Monday night, it probably wasn’t hard for audience members to deduce what kind show the folk rock legend had in store for them. An impressive display of 15 guitars sat side by side in a rack, ready and waiting to be sensitively strummed, with only one keyboard and a couple of stools for company. The expansive space was otherwise unoccupied, serving notice that the evening’s solo show would be intimate, lived-in and informal. Browne delivered on that promise with a low-key, amiable three-hour set that frequently felt less like a concert and more like a living room jam.
Taking advantage of the much-touted format of the night — which lacked a set list — Browne moved through a diverse sampling of material covering all four decades of his recording career. The show kicked off with a spare acoustic take on “Barricades of Heaven,” with Browne’s voice cracking with emotional delivery. Though his guitar work and frequent use of keys were solid, it was Browne’s voice, heartfelt and impassioned, that proved his greatest asset throughout the night, as on the impassioned crooning of political ballad “Lives in the Balance” or a striking take on “Never Stop.”
The lack of a set list also led to regular interjections and requests from what was almost certainly one of Austin’s neediest audiences, but Browne handled the constant shouts with aplomb, fielding requests for everything from “Doctor My Eyes” to “I’m the Cat” — and at times playfully declining, as on the introduction to “In The Shape of a Heart.”
Browne’s banter also evidenced his confidence at playing solo to a crowd of thousands, with occasional breaks in the performance to discuss his romantic life, his love of Austin and his much-touted political views. Most winning was an anecdote over a young journalist in ChilĂ© who grilled him on the monotony of his songs.
That journalist, of course, might have been on to something — three hours of Browne’s brand of folk singer-songwriter tunes can grow a bit wearying. There’s little to differentiate a song like “Something Fine” from “Far From the Arms of Hunger” when performed live. And his rote performance of major hit “Doctor My Eyes” evidenced all the signs of a man who’s grown tired of his signature song, with a limp and rapid delivery that suggested Browne merely wanted to get it out of the way.
But Browne’s enthusiasm for his material and technical proficiency were never in question, and even the dullest spots were inevitably livened up by delights like “Going Down to Cuba” or energetic takes on “Running On Empty” and “Take It Easy.”
“It’s always intimidating playing in Austin,” said Browne earlier in the set. “There’s such a high standard of musical accomplishment.”
But as he proved later on in the evening — with a moving performance of “For A Dancer,” dedicated to the departed Stephen Bruton — Browne needn’t have been nervous. Even playing unaccompanied — aside from a brief assist on a couple of closing songs — he had the chops to do the space, and the city, proud.
Setlist
Barricades of Heaven
These Days
Don’t Let Us Get Sick (Warren Zevon cover)
Never Stop
For A Dancer
Giving That Heaven Away
In the Shape of a Heart
Just Say Yeah
Rock Me On the Water
Doctor My Eyes
Intermission
For Everyman
Going Down to Cuba
Lives in the Balance
Far From the Arms of Hunger
Late for the Sky
Looking Into You
Running On Empty
The Pretender
Something Fine
I’m The Cat
My Stunning Mystery Companion
Alive in the World
Take It Easy
Our Lady of the Well
Encore:
Before the Deluge
Comments
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By Silent Scream
December 1, 2009 6:41 AM | Link to this
On the plus side the man looks and sounds as good as he did thirty years ago. Unfortunately his best lyrics date back thirty years as well and as he was secure enough to admit, many of his tunes really do sound the same.
What’s more, I did not pay $65 per seat to hear about his politics. The show had more left turns than a NASCAR race. Comments on war, the oceans, Cuba travel policy were interspersed with tales of custom boot fittings and lavish guitar purchases. Cat Stevens, he ain’t.
Next time I have a chance to hear an old guy sing I think I’ll take Tony Bennett.
By King Hodson
December 1, 2009 11:01 AM | Link to this
I bought tix to this concert from a Craigs list ad. The gentleman told me it was a Michael Jackson tribute concert. I was all settled in for Billy Jean and Thriller. Dang if that Browned dude was a Michael Jackson impersonator. So, I beat it back to the guy that sold me the tix. But it was too late. He was a smooth criminal.
By Cliff
December 1, 2009 11:22 AM | Link to this
There were at least 16 guitars on stage. I have the picture. In addition, there was one that was slightly blocked by the chair, that makes 17. There may have been two behind the chair. Where did you come up with 15?
If I could paste the picture into this space I would send it to you.
By Jordan
December 1, 2009 11:45 AM | Link to this
If you think you are going to a Jackson Browne concert without hearing about politics you must be as uninformed as the Michael Jackson tribute concert poster. Who cares how many guitars he had. I counted 15 too. Get a life. Jackson Browne is the greatest. If you cannot appreciate him, stay home and leave a seat for someone who can.
By Lind
December 1, 2009 1:56 PM | Link to this
Anyone can say all the negative things they want, but the fact remains that Jackson Browne has been one of the most important musicians of my life and many others. I only wish the night did not have to end. But when it did, I, along with a small handful of fans waited to meet Jackson Browne behind the concert hall. He was fatigued, but genuinely gracious, signed tickets, took pictures with some fans and shook my husband’s hand. We went home quite happy, yet trying to figure out if we could get to Houston tonight to see him at the Verizon Center…maybe next time. Well done, Jackson!
By Chico
December 1, 2009 2:12 PM | Link to this
My wife and i grew up on Jackson Browne songs ! It was an absolute pleasure for us to see and especially HEAR an American Treasure Artist who wrote timeless songs thirty years ago still deliver so gracefully. And i agree if you did not want to hear Jackson Browne’s politics you did not want to hear Jackson Browne. It was sixteen guitars.
By brett
December 1, 2009 2:49 PM | Link to this
Watching scores of people getting up to use the restroom during his second set was like a scene out of a Flomax commercial. Oh getting old….
By bob
December 1, 2009 2:51 PM | Link to this
Are huge islands of plastic waste a political issue? I would hope that everyone would be against huge islands of plastic waste in our oceans. Unless you work for a company that makes disposable plastic products, maybe.
By Casey
December 1, 2009 3:36 PM | Link to this
His voice has really gone downhill the past few years. I have seen Jackson at least 10 times most recently in LA four years ago at a benefit where his voice was much stronger. I have never seen him struggle the way he did last night.
As to his best material, his latest LP is his best, and I am a huge fan of his earlier apocalyptic material. Sometimes our ears want what drew us to the music in the first place. Listen to the new music as many times as you listened to “For Everyman” etc..
At 62 he should not tour, he cannot perform to the level of his songs. Getting old is depressing and 62 is much different than 50. Aging accelerates as we near 60.
Jackson was political last night? Of course, “Before the Deluge”, “Lives in the Balance”, these songs among others express his views and are the essence of his message. Strong prey on the weak, the disparity between rich and poor grows. Someday somewhere God will settle the score. “The river opens for the righteous, someday.”
By Silent Scream
December 1, 2009 4:46 PM | Link to this
Yeah, well, maybe next time he can buy boots off the shelf and do a free concert with cans of food for admission. Limo Liberal. Smarter than Sarah Palin but equally annoying. If he will give my $65 back I will donate it to CAFB.
By Calichedog
December 1, 2009 4:57 PM | Link to this
Jackson was brilliant. I am grateful he came to Austin and would be glad to buy another ticket for the amazing gift he gave us last night.
Peace
By no plain jane
December 1, 2009 5:31 PM | Link to this
Silent Scream - was this your first Jackson concert? Are you even FAMILIAR with his music or albums? Why DID you go to the concert? Jackson has been working for the environment and World Peace for DECADES - where have you been - under a rock? Geez, consider the $65 an education in human compassion and respect for an artist!
By Silent Scream
December 1, 2009 6:18 PM | Link to this
Powerful, passionate points, Jane. Regardless, we both know he’s no Ted Nugent.
By Tammy Crabtree-Betrus
December 1, 2009 10:52 PM | Link to this
Oh what I would have given to be there last night! Any true Jackson fans know exactly what I mean. I loved him in 1976 when I went to my first concert of his and still love him today. “Something Fine…..” yes, today and always!!
By rickeaux
December 2, 2009 2:58 AM | Link to this
No “Before the Deluge” in Houston, but we did hear an acoustic version of “Free Bird.” Good show. A little preachy sometimes? Well, yes. But that’s Jackson. It just made the night that much better.
By Erin Collins
December 2, 2009 8:58 AM | Link to this
All these complaints about Jackson Browne just underlies the fact that we’ve turned in to a nation of whiners and complainers. Didn’t you know Browne was a liberal? That he is in his 60’s with all that implies about a person’s voice and level of energy? He’s truly one of the greatest singer-song writers of our time and deserves respect for a solid performance.
By noplainjaine
December 2, 2009 7:04 PM | Link to this
Lind - When did Jackson come out back? He had a benefit reception for Guac and a Congressman - was it after that??? I would have loved to have been there!
By noplainjaine
December 8, 2009 3:16 PM | Link to this
Lind - -WHEN did Jackson come out? He had a benefit reception after the show that went til 11 pm….? did he come out shortly after and go back in or did you have to wait til midnight or later??
By carey
December 10, 2009 1:19 AM | Link to this
If it’s possible to be in awe of an entertainer, after seeing 100s of shows in my 25+ in music radio,then I will happily admit to being knocked out by Jackson Browne’s Austin performance. I too saw him 4-5 years ago…and in 1978 when Browne’s genius was saturating the masses. The previous comment about how weak his voice Browne can’t perform to the level of his songs at 62…just might be the stupidest take on a live performance i have ever read. JB’s voice is impressively strong and sounds even better than he did at 30. And what “performance level” are you referring to? This was a solo acoustic performance…like it said on the ticket. The arrangements were different, stripped down, raw, and powerful. I too get irritated when an artist uses the stage to position their political agenda…but too many artists do this today out of ego…Jackson Browne has been saying the same thing on stage for the past 25 years. This should be no surprise to anyone that has stayed connected to pop culture and Browne’s music. Bruce Springsteen wrote and inducted JB into the R&R Hall Of Fame 5 years ago. Bruce said it best when he wrote “in the 70’s..there was no better (artist) writing searching, yearning, loving music made for and about America at the time.” If Jackson Browne was raised a Texan…well, there would be no debate my friends. We’d all be claiming him as the Messiah.
By DonnaJ
December 21, 2009 10:31 PM | Link to this
Re: comments by silent scream about JB’s voice—he did have a tough night in Austin.But, I’ve seen JB three times in three years— and overall his voice is better than ever—as are his performances, with and without his band. I only wish I could have heard him in Houston the following night. Amazing songs. Amazing delivery. Loved the Austin concert. And I paid the very high Guac fund price for my tix—didn’t regret a penny of it.