Jackson Browne
Running On Empty

THE REVIEW

Running on Empty was released in 1977. Jackson Browne enlisted talented musicians to bring the album to life, including David Lindley, Russell Kunkel, Leland Sklar, Craig Doerge, Danny Kortchmar, Doug Haywood, and Rosemary Butler.

The album holds a very special significance. It is a sunny album, brimming with joie de vivre, yet it does not shy away from reflective lyrics or poetic imagery. It was recorded during a summer tour but is not a true 'live album.' Some tracks were gathered during concert performances or soundchecks, and some were even recorded in hotel rooms. All the tracks are previously unreleased, which is unusual for a live album, and they all revolve around the central theme of life 'on the road'. The album features a couple of tracks co-written by Browne with one of his dearest friends, the road manager 'Buddha' Miller, and the unforgettable Lowell Gorge. It also includes some beautiful covers. The album is superbly played by a stellar band, a dream team of the Californian sound.

Browne himself stated that Running on Empty represented a period of tranquility and positive awareness of his life. He had recently stopped using drugs, having lost many friends and realizing that such a lifestyle had no future. In this work, music is approached more instinctively.

The title track, ''Running on Empty'', simply sensational, is dedicated by the author to the French painter Paul Gauguin, who moved to Polynesia in search of new sources of inspiration and a different lifestyle from European cities. Like Gaugin, Browne wants to move to Tahiti. The striking solo by David Lindley is noteworthy, leaving you breathless. Very atmospheric is ''The Road'', a guitar and violin duet, a warm ballad. Very romantic is ''Rosie'', a semi-acoustic piece that tells the story of a rock band's technician infatuated with a girl, Rosie, who, however, runs off with the group's drummer. The song is very sweet, and its bare musical structure, consisting of just piano and vocals, makes it even more intense and moving. ''You Love The Thunder'' is a typical piece in Jackson Browne's style. A classic ballad filled with introspective questions about the relationship between man and woman, as well as the usual attempts to envision a better future without regretting the past.
Extraordinary is ''Cocaine'', a cover of Gary Davis's blues. The track is played with two acoustic guitars and a violin. The final verse features original lyrics written by Jackson alongside Glenn Frey. ''Shaky Town'' was recorded in a hotel room and is signed by Danny Kortchmar. Danny himself provides the backing vocal on the track, which is a smooth semi-acoustic ballad with a country flavor. ''Love Needs A Heart'', penned by two other rockstar friends of Jackson, was recorded at the Universal Theater in Hollywood. The track is a pleasant love ballad dominated by the piano-vocal pairing. Very much on the road is ''Nothing But Time'', which was even recorded on the bus transporting the band to an unspecified location in New Jersey. During the piece, you can even hear the sound of the bus engine, which almost seems to be an integral part of the track. ''The Load-Out'' is a track to be listened to attentively. It was composed by Browne in his signature style. The album concludes with ''Stay'', a famous song with Lindley's classic, hilarious violin intervention.

The Californian lad is at the peak of his creativity and personal success. Only in his thirties, he is already at the top of the world, loved like a true legend. His generosity and sensitivity towards the less fortunate will see him increasingly at the forefront of defending social rights, humanitarian, political, and environmental causes. Magnificent album with a unique sound!