Jackson Browne delights with low-key, superbly performed show at the Michigan Theater Wednesday
Jackson Browne publicity photo
What a difference 24 hours can make. Ann Arbor's Michigan Theater went from hosting punk rock pioneers Iggy and the Stooges Tuesday night to laid-back California tunesmith Jackson Browne on Wednesday.
Both shows were part of the theater's ongoing Legends of Rock series, and for all their dissimilarities, they had one thing in common - both featured veteran entertainers who absolutely excel at what they do. Iggy Pop is the ultimate in rock and roll bombast, while Browne is the consummate singer-songwriter and master of the intimate acoustic show. Both are also in their early 60s, not that it seems to matter to either of them, with the still lean and longish-haired Browne looking great and sounding like someone years younger.
Wednesday's show was decidedly low-key, with Browne's more downtempo tunes the mainstay of the night. Alternating between keyboard and acoustic guitar (he had around 17 from which to choose), Browne started off with "Barricades of Heaven," which set the pace for what was to come. There didn't seem to be a set list; Browne would appear to start playing one song, then change his mind and go into another, sometimes responding to audience requests. Other highlights of the first part of the show included "Call It a Loan," Warren Zevon's "Don't Let Us Get Sick," "Bright Baby Blues" and the set-ending "Before the Deluge," which prompted a mini-standing ovation.
As strong as the first half was, the second was even better, including "Sky Blue and Black," the mariachi tinged "Linda Paloma" (complete with backstory of how he came to write the tune), "For Everyman," "In the Shape of a Heart," and a sublime rendition of the politically-charged "Lives in the Balance." A surprise was a superb cover of Lucinda Williams' poignant "Soldier's Song," from her new album, "Blessed."
Browne, who just returned from a number of dates in Canada, told the crowd he was pleased to be performing in an auditorium for a change. "I've been playing hockey rinks the last three weeks," he joked. His good-natured humor came through several times during the night, more than once directed at those shouting out song suggestions. "I'll play one of those … or none of those," he teased, flubbing a lyric occasionally as he honored some of the requests.
As the show neared its end, the pace picked up slightly with sunny "Travel to Cuba," and it took about two notes for the audience to recognize "The Prentender," one of Browne's biggest hits, performed definitively and which brought the crowd quickly to its feet. He came back to offer another hit, "Running on Empty," and although "The Load Out" might have been what was expected as the evening's final song, Browne surprised the crowd with a fine version of his "Late for the Sky."
All in all, Browne was in great voice. Sure, his pipes may be a little scratchier now, and he did miss a few notes here and there, but his voice was warm and somehow even his most familiar songs sounded fresh. Though some may have been disappointed that "Rosie," "Doctor My Eyes," "Stay" or "Tender is the Night" was missing from the set list, it seemed most of the crowd was OK with that, at least if the standing ovation was any indication. Clearly Browne is an artist who is about as far from running on empty as one can get.
Comments
liz
Fri, Apr 22, 2011 : 11:24 a.m.
I would have to agree, the calling out song names was out of control! Jackson always handles that in the same manor..i think because the theatre is so intimate & people feel such a warm connection with him they are most easily boisterous , than compelled...the setting brings the environment, but it was annoying... Sky blue & black is my favorite & I was moved by the song & Linds Palmona too! ....I wish I could talk to Jackson just one time & ask hima a few questions....it's like we all know him intimaltly because we connect with his songs...but, we really dont. :) I recommend his dvd , Going Home...to those of you who have never watched...it's unbelieveable good!!! Oh & nothing like 19 guitars eh, @ the show, gotta love that!!!.... Who knows what type of key board he uses..anybody? most of the songs on guitar were done in a drop tuning which made the music resonating warm and as soulful as the Man , the guitar & the voice !!! :) peace.
janewr
Thu, Apr 21, 2011 : 7:11 p.m.
Part of the experience of Jackson Browne's acoustic shows is the fact that he has no set list & encourages audience interaction. I agree it gets a little annoying, but clearly it provides him with inspiration and a great forum for witty responses. That being said, I'm surprised that no one has commented on the fact that we were all treated to a very rare and special occurrence last night! It is not often that Jackson sings Linda Paloma, and it is even more extraordinary that he chose to sing Ready or Not. I was floored! And while the entire evening was memorable not only for his amazing songwriting & singing ability, as well as his great sense of humor, when he asked if we wanted to hear Ready or Not, and then actually told a humorous story & dedicated the song to his son, is something that will stay with me forever. As is always the case with Mr. Browne, it was an amazing & moving show.
honeybee
Thu, Apr 21, 2011 : 6:20 p.m.
Well said CEY. This was such a fantastic show and the sound was really phenomenal. I tried not to let the constant shouting interfere with my enjoyment of the concert but it proved difficult. I just felt it very disrespectful and quite annoying. I was tempted myself to stand up and yell to the fools that were rudely shouting at him to "pipe down, I'm here to listen to Jackson Browne not your incessant yelling of demands!" Of course that too would have been rude so instead I quietly enjoyed such a wonderful performance. The Michigan Theater was the perfect venue for this show.
Roger LeLievre
Thu, Apr 21, 2011 : 3:56 p.m.
I agree with the comments about audience members shouting out requests I but didn't make a big deal about it in the review because in my pre-concert research I ran across a number of reviews of previous shows where the audiences in other cities did the same thing. In fact, Browne sometimes seemed to encourage it. For example, in Winnipeg, he said: "You probably know this ... but there's no set list or anything. I just kind of play whatever I feel like playing. ... Or whatever you ask me to play." So maybe this is expected behavior at a Jackson Browne show. That doesn't make it right though, or less annoying.
CEY
Thu, Apr 21, 2011 : 1:55 p.m.
I saw the show last night, and I thought Jackson Browne was wonderful. It was everything I expected and more. If I have any complaints about the show, it was the constant shouting out of requests. Every time the man took a break, someone was shouting out a song title, and while he said he didn't mind because they were his songs, it was still rude and disrespectful. When the person on the stage has to tell people in the audience, "Sh sh sh sh," it's out of control. From his place on the stage, it can be (and was) distracting. I hope the next time someone of his caliber comes to Ann Arbor, people will afford some respect and common decency and consider the other people in the room. On a more positive note, I would like to thank the Michigan Theater for bringing this fantastic artist to Ann Arbor. Please, can we have some more?
in situ
Thu, Apr 21, 2011 : 3:05 p.m.
I couldn't have said it better! I went to both the rowdy tribute concert on Tuesday and the Jackson Browne show; the audience last night was FAR more badly behaved and out of control. (That's saying a lot considering there were two incidences of a hundred plus rushing the stage on Tuesday.) It was embarrassing and created an uncomfortable atmosphere, in my opinion. Work with the artist, not against him.
oldgaffer
Thu, Apr 21, 2011 : 10:50 a.m.
I agree with Dave, but the audience interfered with Browne's program plan by shouting out what they wanted to hear and not what he wanted to play. He played lots of new stuff which should have been left for the end since most of his audience came to hear his major works. As a result Browne reserved Linda Paloma, The Pretender and Running on Empty for the end. I should have been in bed by then!
David Briegel
Thu, Apr 21, 2011 : 5:03 a.m.
Nice review Roger. This was a highly anticipated show for me as I have been a huge fan virtually from the beginning. I saw the show at the Fox with David Lindley and the full band. This was the first time I have seen him solo and it was everything you described. The intimate atmosphere of The Michigan and the warm reception of the audience made for an enjoyable and memorable evening. Jackson Browne is a fantastic songwriter and his songs were the centerpiece of the evening. The Michigan did itself proud this week with Bill Maher, Iggy and The Stooges Tribute to Ron Asheton and Jackson Browne. Three memorable shows in five days! My wallet can't take any more!! See ya at John Prine!