Jackson Browne's "Running On Empty" album

[Zomby Woof]

What a gem. One of those timeless classics that is just about perfect from start to finish. Conceptually unique, in that the songs are never traditionally recorded like other live albums, but rather live at sound checks, backstage, hotel rooms, buses, etc... and not retreads from previous albums.

One of the best from 1977, and the best of his career.

If you are curious about this classic, check it out.

[kanrok]

1. Jackson Browne, IMHO is under-appreciated.

[DAGDA56]

2. Agreed...his "Lives in the Balance" is nearly 20 years old...

...but even more relevent today...he's one very prescient guy.

[Zomby Woof]

3. that's a great political album

But "Running On Empty" is his musical/performace apex. He doesn't lack for many good albums.

[DAGDA56]

9. We agree ZW...when it comes to pure music virtuosity, you can't beat ROE.

nt

[Bonhomme Richard]

4. For Everyman...Another great album........n/t

[indigobusiness]

5. I caught the tour as it swung through Austin

Still have some good photos somewhere.

I remember David Lindley as being spectacular.

Good show.

http://www.davidlindley.com/

[Zomby Woof]

6. I finally saw him 3 years or so ago

With Bonnie Raitt and Keb' Mo', playing a benefit for shade-grown coffee. He looked just like 1977 all over again. Does he age?? :-)

[indigobusiness]

8. No, he's the Dick Clark

of rock n rollers.

[Dudley_DUright]

7. Great album

It was a big part of the sound track of my Freshman year in college. I also admire Jackson Browne's help early in the career of one of my favorite guitar slingers, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Jackson gave them free studio time to record their first album "Texas Flood" after seeing them play at the Montreux Jazz (and blues) Festival in 1982 (BTW the 82 and 85 SRV Montreux appearances just came out on DVD and are must see!).

[Zomby Woof]

10. and don't forget

Jackson Browne paid for and produced the demos for Warren Zevon's first album back in '76. He was a close friend and ally of his for years.

Jackson definitely deserves credit for SRV, and so does David Bowie and Mick Jagger. Bowie was looking for a blues guitarist for his next album, and Jagger recommended SRV after seeing him play in a NYC club. Then Bowie gave SRV his studio recording debut on "Let's Dance".

I have those Montreux recordings on CD, so I will hav eto see the DVD's!

[tmooses]

11. He's One Of The Few That's Kept His Social Conscience

Throughout his career. I still miss his good buddy Warren Z. though.

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

12. The story I love to tell on myself...

It was probably fifteen years after "Running on Empty" came out before I finally realized that the song "Rosie" was about. I had heard the phrase "Rosie Palm" and all, but I just never clicked with me. One day I was just driving down the road with that song playing on the tape deck and it struck me. I laughed so hard I almost drove off the damned road.

So I'm not exactly the sharpest knive in the drawer...

[Zomby Woof]

14. it is still...

The best song about masturbation ever. :D

[DrZeeLit]

13. Funny about Jackson Browne...

I came into my class wearing my iPod ear plugs (yeah, yeah I heard where they are not cool, but I don't care). The iPod was new tome and I was loving it (I'm a boomer at 52 years). My students said, "hey, whatcha playin'?" And I said, "Jackson Browne, Running on Empty."

And they said, I am not kidding, "Who's that?"

Oi, I felt so old. I'm sure they've heard Jackson Browne, haven't they?

I saw Jackson Browne, Chicago, Linda Ronstadt, and J.D Souther at a concert for Jerry Brown, waaaaaay back around '80. My entire body hummed for days. Tres cool.

But, I'm old. Tsk tsk.

[no name no slogan]

15. That's one of the albums I grew up on

That record never left the turntable in our house for a solid year after it came out. I probably still have most of the lyrics memorized, even 20+ years later.

My mother had pretty decent taste in music, even for the 70s, so I was blessed to grow up surrounded by a wide variety of sound: the Beatles, James Taylor, early Bee Gees (pre-disco), the Commodores, Curtis Mayfield, lots of other 70s soul and folk-rock, too.

Sure, some people like to claim that the early-mid 70s were a musical wasteland, but there were quite a few gems that came out and that I still listen to today.

[Zomby Woof]

16. The 70's beats the 80's all to hell

But that is a subject for another day. :-)

Great post, btw.

[mitchum]

17. A great record that I did not appreciate in it's day...

BTW: I'm driving to SC tomorrow to see David Lindley play a free blues festival

[Zomby Woof]

18. I saw him just once...

He and Ry Cooder played together at the Bumbershoot Festival in Seattle. It was grat fun... you should enjoy it!