![]() ![]() Running the show – Jackson Browne (Russ Kunkel in background) Sales were boosted by his cover of ‘ Stay,’ (an early 60s success for Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs) that became a worldwide hit single, Browne’s reputation as a first rate wordsmith further enhanced by the gloriously rocking title-track, a sharply drawn lyric conjuring the uncertainties of post-Watergate America with humility and fortitude – with Jackson Browne it was ever thus. In going against the norm, Browne may have initially incurred displeasure from Asylum Records who, like everyone else, had seen Peter Frampton score big the previous year with ‘ Frampton Comes Alive,’ an agreeable if somewhat unadventurous set that became a surprise best-seller – Browne selling more albums up to that point and having an infinitely superior back catalogue to the English singer-songwriter/guitarist.Īsylum however, were rewarded in backing their man in his desire to do something different, ‘ Running On Empty‘ going on to become the most commercially successful album Browne would ever make – and despite its late in the decade appearance would become the 23rd highest-selling album (US sales) of the 1970s. What makes ‘ Running On Empty‘ so engrossing and unique is that Browne eschewed putting out live renditions of his best known work in favour of ten songs (including a number of cover versions) he had not previously recorded – conjuring an ‘on tour’ song cycle depicting life of the road the performances recorded in hotel rooms, at rehearsal, before an audience, even the tour bus. In some ways this is no great surprise as by the time it was released in late 1977, Browne, by now four excellent studio albums into his career, was being described by Rolling Stone magazine as ‘ the most accomplished lyricist of the decade‘ – an assessment difficult to contradict given the astonishing high standard of his output to date. On occasion the live album has proved an invaluable stop-gap between brilliant new material, but for every ‘ Get-Yer-Ya-Yas-Out‘ or ‘ Live Bullet‘ there are fifty formulaic double sets that offer little else than easy money for the artist.Īll of which serves to make ‘ RUNNING ON EMPTY‘ by Jackson Browne the most original and imaginative live album in existence. ![]() Whilst acknowledging records such as ‘ Live At Leeds,’ ‘ It’s Too Late To Stop Now,‘ and ‘ Rock of Ages‘ are not only outstanding examples of the ‘live album’ genre but exceptional recordings in their own right, as a whole the ‘in concert’ LP no matter how good, bad or indifferent, generally adheres to the ‘greatest hits in front of an audience’ format – the release an easy cash-in of recent studio or touring success. He is so good, all he needs is a guitar, a bass, and drums, not all that noise from 7-10 people.Eagles, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Running On Empty, The Pretender I don't know whether it was the acoustics, the mixing, whatever, he sounds clearer and better in my living room on CD. Loud talking while the opening act was singing, yelling and interrupting Mr. #Jackson browne load out stay piano chords free#I've gone to free concerts where I live in Sierra Vista where the audience showed more respect for the performer and each other. I was in the 6th row of the lower balcony and I didn't feel too far away at all. He sang more recent songs than old standards, but it didn't matter. It's as rich and strong as ever, and his songwriting is still there too. First of all his voice is still 100% there, unlike many of his contemporaries. I would like to have said “Great”.įirst of all the positives- 1. Good seeing and hearing you again Jackson. Also conspicuously missing were “Rock Me On the Water”, “Here Come those Tears Again” and “Late for the Sky” songs that portray the deep emotions that made him the recognized talent he became. Curiously, he chose not to play his longstanding, crowd pleasing, encore (the Load Out and Stay), possibly because none of the singers could reach David Lindley’s notes. Many standards of that time, that the crowd would have enjoyed, were unfortunately left off of the playlist, which was disappointing. ![]() Hearing him sing the titles from those albums, remind me of the time he was a songwriting force, beyond many. His songs from his original album through Running on Empty remain for me, his defining works. He still sounds terrific with backup vocalists who handle some of the tougher lyrics that his 71 year old vocal chords may no longer be able to reach. ![]() It was personally fulfilling to hear him play live again. ![]()
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