Some are given the title and some have actually earned it. Jackson Browne has seen it and done it all and earned the place among his contemporaries amongst the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame back in 2004. He has wrote not only major selling hit songs for himself, but others like The Eagles and Bruce Springsteen have recorded. When an artist like Brown comes to town it’s a big deal. Gracing the stage at Artpark in Lewiston, NY which is a more intimate type of setting compared to an arena or shed like venue.
The only thing accompanying Browne was an eye popping 18 acoustic guitars and 5 electric guitars all lined up behind him. Oh, how can I forget the piano that he used as much or more than his massive guitar collection? This was a stripped down show without any backing members or a big production. Brown strictly relied on his songs and storytelling to get him through the show.
I must say the result were stupendous! Brown was candid and witty. He appreciated the constant contact of the audience who were shouting songs out to him in between stopping and starting up again. It was truly a off the cuff performance as Browne did say I don’ use a setlist, I go with the feel of what to play. He actually got carried away by the audiences suggestions and at one point, started “I have to remember that I don’t have to do what you tell me,” which grew a lot of laughter.
Right away you can tell how much of an impromptu set it was as he went from acoustic guitar on “I’ll Do Anything” to tickling the ivories on the next few songs “Looking Into You” and “In the Shape of a Heart.” He would pick up an instrument set it back in the rack and then go behind the piano or pick up another instrument. Brown also told stories of how the song came about like on his new song “Leaving Winslow.” It’s about how he always wanted to write a song about a train and he spent time in Winslow Arizona with friends and finally got the creative juices to flow about it to write the song. Brown remarked that this will be released on an upcoming new record sometime in October of 2014.
He took a 20 minute plus break to come out and do set 2. He laughed and said, well I must do this now since lots are shouting this as he went into possibly his biggest hit ever in “Running on Empty.” Before playing “Song for Adam,” he went on about how it was wrote about a close friend of his. He took a road trip with in the late 1960’s with 2 others and that now there are only 2 left. He went onto play the song he co-wrote with Glen Frey of The Eagles in “Take it Easy.” He enjoyed the audience participating for the whoo-whooo chants during the song.
Browne picked the perfect spot in Artpark and delivered a perfect performance. His voice was spot on and his playing left little to think he still isn’t capable of delivering anything but what a true Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is capable of delivering! A hidden gem that could be one of the finest shows in the WNY area we will see all year!
Set 1:
I’ll Do Anything
Rock Me on the Water
Looking Into You
In the Shape of a Heart
The Barricades of Heaven
Fountain of Sorrow
Leaving Winslow
Doctor my Eyes
Rosie
Somebody’s Baby
Break
Set 2:
For a Dancer
Your Bright Baby Blues
Running on Empty
Sky Blue and Black
Everywhere I Go
Looking East
Song for Adam
I’m Alive
Take it Easy (The Eagles cover)
Encore:
Lady of the Well
I’m a Patriot
Before the Deluge
We would like to thank Meghan Helsel from Grandstand Headquarters from the credentials to review the show
