I saw Jackson Browne for the first time just last year and as he is getting on a bit now I sort of assumed that this gig would be similar - which would not have been a bad thing. However this was a much changed gig and one of the obvious differences was David Lindley playing a very wide range of stringed guitar-like instruments. We had last seen Lindley playing with Ry Cooder around 15 years ago at this very concert hall and it was a joy to hear him play again. In general the gig last year was a very intimate gig and featured a lot of the more introspective Jackson Browne songs whereas this was more expansive and upbeat.
It started however with a set from just Jackson, David and a percussionist. The first song featured Lindley playing a hawaiian style of guitar and singing which he continued for a Springsteen number 'Brothers Under the Bridge' which was new to me. The trio then did 'Looking East' with JB on vocals and Lindley playing this amazing 10-string jobbie with the end of the neck at right angles. he produced this sound out of it that I am sure it was not designed for but was pretty compelling.
The first set eneded with 'For Everyman' which was pretty powerful as played by theis trio.
The second set brought the full band on although without Lindley for the first few songs.
He started with a few tracks from 'Time the Conqueror' and the first oldie he did was 'In the Shape of a Heart' which he followed with 'Your Baby Blues' By this time Lindley was on and he played a final note to that track that was just perfect.
A few tracks later there was a bit of a pause and the guy right in front of me yelled out for 'Carmelita'. JB just did it after going round and explaining to the band and swapping of instruments etc. It was great. The gig had really taken off by then, really as soon as Lindley came on with the band. The last few tracks were 'Mercury Blues' which was a highlight followed by 'The Pretender' and 'Running on Empty' which actually were also highlights. At the encore he again took a request and changed what he was going to do and dished up my favourite Browne song 'Late for the Sky'
The whole gig was full of energy and brilliant musicanship from everyone. The drummer Mauricio Lewak should get a special mention here but also the guitarist Mark Goldenberg who on a couple of tracks traded licks with David Lindley. There wasn't the same gamut of introspective early songs as last time but I do like to see artists dishing up new approaches and content tour by tour.
The only criticism I would have of the gig was the sound quality and particularly on JB's vocals. It may have been exacerbated by our position in the third row as the speakers seemed to be pointed behind us but the Royal Concert Hall normally does good sound so it was a shame they were not up to standard. Lindley's pickin' came through fine though.
No comments:
Post a Comment