Browne’s Blues – Part 3

In History of the Eagles Glenn Frey recounts how when he and Jackson Browne were both young and just starting out in L.A. he discovered Jackson’s secret to songwriting. Browne was living in Frey’s basement at the time and every morning Glenn would hear Jackson’s piano playing through the floor. Browne would keep punching the same piano chords for hours, trying to get it just right, all the while brewing pots and pots of tea. Apparently songs don’t come easy for Jackson Browne but require good old fashioned elbow grease, patience, discipline- and lots of tea. While no slouch at the guitar (he cut his teeth as a ‘60s folkie in L.A. and New York) Browne seems much more powerful and comfortable at the piano where he has more keys- more weapons- at his disposable to get to your soul and make you feel.

One criticism I have of Browne’s songwriting is that despite his golden voice, impressive musicianship, and wealth of experience for me much of his work can be vague, meandering, and just kind of average. Perhaps I’m too demanding in expecting Browne to hit a home run each time he steps up to the plate and I should just take what I can get from the guy and be happy for both of us when he delivers a gem. Some of Browne’s lyrics- especially his ‘70s material- can reflect a secular humanist worldview that was gaining popularity at the time but it’s when he taps into (or stumbles onto) eternal truths- the frailty of the human condition or the futility of trying to find peace, happiness, and fulfillment without God- that I start paying attention and feel I’ve gotten my money’s worth.

Many of Browne’s '70s songs ask the big questions but don’t really provide any answers. Unlike Dylan or Springsteen, Browne seems uncomfortable speaking authoritatively about life and why there is suffering in the world and while I doubt he’s had any theological training this makes it all the more exciting for me when he nails it and shows how one can come to believe in the necessary existence of God and the spirituality of the human soul through reason and experience. By the time of Live in the Balance in 1986, Browne was at last speaking with authority and his music is better for it. The humble, amiable Browne also seems more at ease- and having a lot more fun- when he’s collaborating with or covering the songs of artists he respects which makes me hopeful he will release a whole album of covers someday.

If one listens carefully then you can hear Browne revisiting, reusing, and reworking some of the same melodies in different songs as if these melodies are so deep inside him he can’t escape them. Despite the heavy subject matter in many of his songs, Browne usually leaves the listener a little bit of light and hope at the end of each song. Even Browne’s “Fountain of Sorrow” is a “fountain of light” or, to quote the ancient Greek playwright, Aeschylus: “And even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, until in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.” I think Browne would agree with that. Here are some more of my favorites. Enjoy!

01. Jackson Browne – “The Night Inside Me (Live)” (2008)
02. Jackson Browne – “Rock Me on the Water” (1972)
03. Jackson Browne – “My Problem Is You” (1993)
04. Jackson Browne – “Going to Cuba” (2008)
05. Jackson Browne – “Take It Easy” (1973)
06. Jackson Browne – “Our Lady of the Well” (1973)
07. Jackson Browne – “The Load Out (Live)” (1977)
08. Jackson Browne – “Stay (Live)” (1977)
09. Jackson Browne – “The Birds of St. Mark’s (Live)” (2004)
10. Jackson Browne – “Fountain of Sorrow (Live)” (2004)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify...

 

Recommended Links:

Jackson Browne accepts award – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions 2004