Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jackson Browne headlined the iconic Beacon Theatre in the heart of New York City. He performed for a great fan turnout.
Backed by his eight-piece band, Browne kicked off his set with “Somebody’s Baby,” and he was greeted with a raucous response from the Big Apple audience, all of which were well aware that they were in the presence of a living legend. He immediately broke into the midtempo and lengthy “The Barricades of Heaven” and the elegant “Sky Blue and Black.”
The veteran crooner noted that the weather has been “strange” lately, and rightfully so. “I mean, the whole world is having strange weather,” Browne clarified.
The title track of his 2021 studio album “Downhill from Everywhere” is an ode to climate change, and continued with “Fountain of Sorrow” and the upbeat “Rock Me on the Water.
One of the highlight tunes of the night was the poignant ballad “A Human Touch,” which he performed as a duet with the ever-talented Leslie Mendelson. This glorious rendition really tugged at the heartstrings, and it certainly moved the Manhattan audience on an emotional level due to its timely subject matter.
After “My Opening Farewell,” he closed the first part of his show with “Don’t You Want to be There” and a cover of Steven Van Zandt’s “I Am a Patriot.”
Browne began the second act of his show with his trademark hit song “I’m Alive” while “The Dreamer” showcased his smooth, sultry side. “Until Justice Is Real” was solid, and it deserved to be enjoyed for its honesty, authenticity, and soaring background vocals.
“These Days” was a pensive ballad, and equally noteworthy were the uptempo and liberating “Redneck Friend” and “Doctor My Eyes.”
After “Late for the Sky,” he concluded the second portion of the show with “The Pretender” and on a fun note with “Running on Empty.”
For his encore, it was a real treat to hear him perform The Eagles’ classic “Take It Easy,” which he co-wrote in the early ’70s. “I didn’t sing this song for many years,” Browne acknowledged, and immediately broke into the atmospheric “Our Lady of the Well.”
The Verdict
Overall, Jackson Browne proved that he is one timeless singer, songwriter, and performer at the hallowed Beacon Theatre. He is like fine wine where he only gets better with age and experience. Similar to what Merle Haggard was the country music, Browne is a “working man’s poet” in his own right.
Browne was able to take his audience on a reflective musical journey. His storytelling is like no other, and he did justice to every song that he covered over the course of the evening. His live show at the Beacon Theatre garnered an A rating.
To learn more about Jackson Browne, visit his official website.
