Jackson Browne
Solo Acoustic Vol 1

During the 1990s, the career of Jackson Browne saw a slow and inexorable decline. Despite releasing respectable albums, the musician had not managed to repeat the magic of his 1970s records. It seemed that good old Jackson had decided to quit music, but then, all of a sudden, the surprise.

Our artist, with what would be an understatement to call a bold move, decided to embark on a tour in complete solitude. A tour that saw him perform in many theaters in front of an intimate and curious audience, intrigued by this particular live setting. But Jackson is a true artist, a musician like no other around, and during this tour, he showcased his most folk and singer-songwriter side. He lived the most beautiful and prolific part of his career in the '70s and was influenced by all the folk singers and songwriters of that era (while also influencing many musicians himself). An experience that emerges in these concerts, where the musician delves into his soul, extracting passion and great love for music. Magical evenings were those of the tour, with him alternating between the acoustic guitar and the piano, leaving the audience silent with songs that made music history in the seventies and beyond. Finally, there is also a recording of this truly spectacular experience.

This is Browne's first acoustic live album (he had already released a celebrated electric live album in the '70s titled "Running on empty") and it captures the emotions, passion, and great music that animated the evenings in the splendid theaters where he performed. "Solo acoustic vol 1" has a crystal-clear purity, with a chilling tracklist, it is poised to be one of his best works. The intensity of Browne's voice, combined with his skill on piano and guitar, immediately captivates the audience, thanks also to songs that calling splendid would be an understatement. The album opens with "The Barricades of Heaven" sung with much fervor by Jackson, who imbues an extraordinary energy and pathos into a wonderful song (perhaps the best of the musician's recent studio efforts). Breathtaking is the relationship between the musician and the audience. An intimate connection, aided by the venue's small size, that is felt after and before each song. The interludes are beautiful, where between songs, Jackson jokes with the audience, who laugh and applaud, only to fall back into total silence as soon as he starts playing.

A glaring example of this is the beautiful "These Days" where Browne first laughs and chats with the audience, who responds amused, but as soon as he strums the intro on the guitar, the room falls into complete silence. A breathtaking version that is more moving than ever before, a tangible sign of the purity and beauty of the artist's music. The real surprise of the album is "Birds of St Marks", a haunting piano ballad that he had never recorded, even though he wrote it in the '70s, and in this form, it shines brightly. I couldn't help but be moved when listening to "Fountain of Sorrow", in my opinion, the most beautiful piece Jackson has ever written, performed with passion and emotion at the piano, receiving the audience's ovation. The slide shown on "For a Dancer", another track from his '70s discography, is worthy of the best Duane Allman.
But the emotionally devastating moments are not over yet. It's impossible not to mention "Lives in the Balance", with its wonderful lyrics, which in this version is significantly superior to the studio one. "The Pretender" is always marvelous, "Looking East", "Too Many Angels", "Your Bright Baby Blues", "For Everyman" are all songs of crystal-clear purity, accentuated by the special acoustic setting of the evening. An exhilarating finale with "Take it Easy", a song written by Browne himself in collaboration with Glen Frey of the Eagles. A famous song, and a breathtaking version with just voice and guitar. A truly magical evening, a testament to the great class of a musician who, with his voice, knows how to move and touch the heart. An acoustic live performance like none heard in a long time, a pearl of rare beauty.

All that remains is to pay the rightful tribute to Browne and eagerly await the second volume, certain that once again we will be captivated by the music of this extraordinary artist.