Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1 - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Album Description
Presenting twelve songs culled from Browne's extensive and critically acclaimed solo acoustic concerts around the world over the past few years, the disc also captures both spirited and humorous exchanges between Jackson and his audiences, making for a truly intimate listening experience. This new comp, produced by Browne and Paul Dieter, is Jackson's first live release since his 1977 multi-platinum "Running On Empty" album. It also marks the recording debut of a three decades old track, "The Birds Of St. Marks", not previously released in any form. "Solo Acoustic" reaches back to Browne's early years with "These Days" and "Take It Easy", and spans his entire career with other highlights such as "Fountain Of Sorrow", "For Everyman", "The Pretender", and "Looking East". A stirring version of "Lives In The Balance", the title track from Jackson's powerful 1986 album, will be this record's lead single.

Customer Reviews: Read 89 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Poetry with chords... October 11, 2005
61 out of 66 found this review helpful

With nothing more than an acoustic guitar or piano, a quick wit and a voice that's aged like the finest wine, Jackson Browne comes off sounding as youthful and vigorous as he was in his earliest days. These songs are lyrical masterpieces, performed by a truly gifted singer/songwriter/musician.

The poetry of "These Days," "For a Dancer," "Fountain of Sorrow," and "Take It Easy" has yet to be surpassed, even 30 years later. It's just plain fun to hear acoustic renditions of "Lives in the Balance" and "Looking East" (you can ignore the brief, petty political commentary that proceeds them, if you wish). "For Everyman" still remains a lyrical masterwork; and "Your Bright Baby Blues," played in a bluesier fashion, becomes a rejuvenated work of art.

The only problem with this album, really, is that it only contains 12 songs; thankfully, this is SOLO ACOUSTIC VOL. 1; meaning, if there isn't a VOL. 2 in the works, then there are going to be some very disgruntled fans out there. Jackson Browne is a true artist; if you've heard any of his music, you know this. If you haven't, then do yourself a favor and buy this album; if you are a fan of music--whatever genre--you will not regret it.

4 out of 5 stars

Browne The Storyteller October 14, 2005
58 out of 64 found this review helpful

Jackson Browne is one of the best songwriters of the past thirty years. His songs are topical, introspective and descriptive. On Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1, he lets those lyrics come to the center stage with just Mr. Browne and his acoustic guitar for accompaniment. Eschewing his biggest hits, the song selection focuses mainly on album tracks from his mid 70's albums For Everyman, Late For The Sky & The Pretender and his 90's albums. Mr. Browne's voice is still in great shape and his passionate readings of "For A Dancer", the superb "These Days", "Too Many Angels" & "Looking East" show off his storytelling skill. The two best tracks are an impassioned version of "Lives In The Balance" which takes on more resonance in these times and a brilliant version of "The Pretender". Hopefully there will be a Solo Acoustic, Vol. 2 and will be as worthwhile as this album.

1 out of 5 stars

Less talking ... more Lindley October 19, 2005
21 out of 83 found this review helpful

We could do without the dumb quote about the election..and without Lindley these songs are much less interesting.. boring like the last Springsteen album...I guess both are a result of post-election depression..can do better!

1 out of 5 stars

AN ARTIST WHO HASN'T GROWN IN 30 YEARS COUNTS ON A SIMILAR AUDIENCE January 11, 2006
17 out of 81 found this review helpful

I was a big fan of Jackson's first three albums. But The Pretender and everything that followed only disappointed me. In fact, when Jackson began his career as a songwriter in the Elektra stable, one could say his work was very mature for his age and experience. Problem is, 30 plus years have gone by and Jackson hasn't grown a bit in terms of his artistry or overall maturity. And he works at a snail's pace!! If anything, he has become a static bore with an even more dull band (gone are the days of Lindley & co.). The man hasn't grown and is wad-shot on ideas. He is a tired old idealist wedded to extremely naive and intolerant political views. He's also a woman basher - yet sooo sensitive.

While Running On Empty was a themed live album and had it's share of moments, this new one is just as boring as his acoustic shows over the past few years. Tired uninteresting music for an adoring bunch of boomers who also have failed to grow to higher heights and greater maturity and better artistry.

This is the sensitive, caring music of hypocrites and knee-jerkers. They are both onstage and in the audience. Summed up in EMPTINESS, SHALLOWNESS masquerading as POETRY! C'mon!! Jackson's audience doesn't know what poetry is. And all those claims in Rolling Stome magazine about JB being the poet of rock during the 1970's were jive even then.

All this stuff has been done better before. Jackson is a very limited player. Intimate? I don't know. I've been dragged to enough of his fund raisers to realize that this set is pretty programmed. There is very little that is spontaneous about a Jackson show.

Only justification for this release is to put more product on the shelf - part 2 is on the way I'm sure. And I'm sure neither cd will be maxed out on time. But it does have Birds Of St. Marks, which may be the only saving grace here.

I'm sure Jackson fans will embrace this with an almost religious fervor. All I'm asking these fans to do is think about what it is they find so great about this guy. I know he's cute, but is he as deep as you think he is? Some of his latter day stuff just blows. I don't care if you're his stunning mystery companion or not.

How about a box set of unreleased gems instead?

Jackson needs to take himself and all of his causes less seriously and re-introduce us to his Redneck Friend!

1 out of 5 stars

Pathetic February 15, 2006
14 out of 64 found this review helpful

Same old songs with live background noise. Great voice, as always, but the added political dialog and mumbles about not living in a time worthy of singing music????? Made me think I was at some LIBERAL circle jerk. I threw my cd out the window along highway I20.

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