Jackson Browne - Solo Acoustic, Vol. 2
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Free Music Notes for Solo Acoustic, Vol. 2
Free Music Review: Intimacy with Jackson Browne
Hit: 4 Stars
While not as 'hit heavy' as Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1, the second outing in Jackson Browne's concert series is top heavy with delightful songs that may have been overlooked in the original incarnations. A song like "Sky Blue and Black" probably is not that well known (I'm Alive not being one of the most popular JB albums), but here it sounds as vital as any of his early work.
In fact, there are only two real "hits" to be had here, Fast Times At Ridgemont High's "Somebody's Baby" and Lawyers in Love's "In The Shape of a Heart" were charted singles, and they also seem oddly out of place amongst Browne's "tender songs of despair," as he puts it in the between song chatter (which is pretty humorous and - for you easily chafed righties - not much politically). In fact, the only really political thing here is "Casino Nation" (from The Naked Ride Home) and, if you really want to make a stretch, "Redneck Friend." The rest concentrates heavily on the last 15 years or so of Browne's output. That's a nice way of saying only die-hard fans have heard the majority of these songs.
That means "Solo Acoustic Vol 2" almost functions as a newly minted album. Many of the songs will be first time listens for purchasers of this CD, and en eye opener for those who though Browne's talents petered out in the 80's. With Browne switching between guitar and piano, recorded crystal clear, it's amazing just how well his voice as remained over the years. Although just like the first Solo Acoustic set, a little more information would have been nice, but the picture of Browne playing to a field of cattle is priceless. Worth having for both old and new fans alike.
Free Music Review: Much More Than Just An Unplugged Rehash of Songs
Hit: 4 Stars
Jackson Browne's second installment of "Solo Acoustic", shows an introspective and revealing side of Browne. Not just music, there is a self-biography and story-telling approach to the songs, much like Harry Chapin used to do in the 70's that endeared him to millions worldwide. There is no backing full piece band behind him: just Browne, his guitar/piano and the small intimate audience. It's a `here is what i am really like' performance that is made to be heard from beginning to end, and will not lend itself well to IPODs.
Even the songs that Browne selects from his vast catalog are personal, close to the vest songs that don't need much embellishment for a listener to understand that they are more than just words and music. It's also not some kind of unplugged retread of his hits either: it's an intimate recital that you could only get from small venue atmosphere. It opens up, perhaps, a new genre of recordings: personal presentations with the artist speaking ad-lib about the songs, life, loves and disappointments. It differentiates itself from other uplugged cds in this way.
The songs are mostly culled from his latest studio release: 2002's "The Naked Ride Home" (4 songs); "Somebody's Baby" from the Fast Times at Ridgemont High soundtrack; "From Everyman" and from "Looking East". With the exception of 3 or 4 songs, the body of the work will be largely unknown except to Browne fans who know his entire catalog. For me, this made the music even more evocative, since it's just not something you sing along to in the car, it's a bonding between listener and artist: something only a privileged few in music can pull off.
Jackson Browne was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, deservedly so, and not just for his music, but for the impact he's made on it, and the humanitarian events he has been famous in contributing to.
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Free Music Review: Excellent sequel to first unplugged album
Hit: 4 Stars
In 2005, Jackson Browne released the critically and commercially acclaimed "Solo Acoustic - Vol. 1", which centered primarily on Browne's older and best known songs. Now finally comes the second volume.
On "Solo Acoustic - Vol. 2" (19 tracks, 71 min.), Jackson Browne continues the same formula of Volume 1, which is to say: a spoken introduction to quite a few of the songs, and then just Jackson with his guitar or piano. The main difference with this volume is that it centers around the newer (and hence lesser known) songs in Browne's catalogue. His most recent studio album proper, 2002's excellent "Naked Ride Home" gets three tracks, including "The Night Inside Me", "Casino Nation" and the outstanding closer on this set "My Stunning Mystery Companion". The best known tracks on here are "In the Shape of a Heart" (from 1986's "Lives In the Balance") and "Somebody's Baby" (from the "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" soundtrack). Special mention also for the beautiful "Sky Blue and Black" and "All Good Things", both from 1993's "I'm Alive", but there really are no weak tracks on here.
Some reviewers here seem to take issue with the spoken introductions (there are 7 in total), but for me they only add to the authenticity of this collection. And the story about spending time at Stephen Stills' house (even if it wasn't his house) is pretty hilarious (talking about writing "Something Fine", from Browne's debut album). More annoying is that there are no liner notes whatsoever, so you don't know what song was recorded when or where, among other things. But in the end that is a minor quibble. "Solo Acoustic - Vol. 2" is an excellent sequel and addition to this hopefully on-going series of "unplugged" recordings from Jackson Browne.
Free Music Review: A worthy sequel to Vol. 1
Hit: 4 Stars
On his new CD Solo Acoustic 2, Jackson Browne has produced another intimate, classy collection of "unplugged" material from throughout his career. As with Vol. 1, it's just Browne and his guitar (or sometimes piano), a setting that seems to highlight the lyrics more strongly, prompting a greater appreciation of the songwriter as a poet. I'm impressed that his vocals have remained so pure and true after all the years, and what minor trembling or breathless moments occur just add character to the performances. Vol. 2 has a somewhat more obscure songlist - many of the more "famous" Browne tunes already having appeared on Vol. 1 - but they're still a well chosen set of tunes. Most of them converted really nicely to the acoustic mode, particularly "The Night Inside Me" and a movingly beautiful "Sky Blue And Black." A few songs, particularly "In The Shape of a Heart," fall a bit flat without the band. Seven cuts have brief spoken introductions by the artist. Most are pretty uninformative and completely off the cuff, and include a lot of shout-outs from the live audience. Fortunately (also like Vol.1), the spoken bits are separately indexed so they can be skipped. I will be listening to the CD many more times, but I won't need to hear the intros ever again.Free Music Review: A very good second volume:
Hit: 4 Stars
I absolutely loved "Solo Acoustic Vol 1",(check out my review).
That being said, everything that I loved about Vol 1 is still present in this second volume. The only thing that looses a star in my opinion is that I thought the song selection was better in the first.
The album still has wonderful audio, still has a great intimate vibe, and JB still sounds great.
I love the little intro tid bits, we are privy to with this recording, it makes you feel like you are actually in attendance.
If you like volume one, I would still not hesitate to pick this up. I love listening to them both back to back. It's like one long concert.
I believe both volumes accompany each other very well.
Happy listening!