Review and Photos by Fred Kuhlman
Promoter: Danny Zelisko Presents (https://www.dannyzeliskopresents.com/ )
Venue: Celebrity Theatre (https://celebritytheatre.com/ )
Date: Friday September 17, 2021
Tour: An Evening with Jackson Browne
I have been to a lot of concerts over the last 50 years, but every once in a while, someone that I really enjoy listening to slips through the cracks. This was the case with Jackson Browne. I was a huge fan back in the 70s and owned all of his albums, but for some strange reason I never got to see him perform live.
Tonight’s show was at the Celebrity Theatre which in my opinion was the perfect location for Jackson and his band to perform. Only about ½ of the venue was used (Celebrity Theatre is an “In The Round” theatre) so everyone had a perfect view. Also, the sound system is amazing.
Jackson and the band did a 2-set performance with each set lasting about 1 hour. He performed 19 songs that covered almost all of his albums and included a number of his greatest hits. His latest album just released this year is called Downhill from Everywhere and he performed a number of songs from that album.
During the second set, Jackson performed “The Dreamer” and “Until Justice Is Real” and had his two backup singers come out front and sing with him. When he performed “A Human Touch” he had Leslie Mendelson join him. They wrote the song together and sang it on his new album. The show ended with 4 of Jackson Browne’s biggest hits: “Doctor My Eyes”, The Pretender”, “Running on Empty” and “Take It Easy”. The audience sang along with each of the songs and at the end of each gave them a standing ovation. The band left the stage and after a short break, Jackson came back on stage by himself and sat at the piano and played “The Load-Out & Stay”. As the song progressed, other members of the band appeared on stage until finally everyone was back out. Leslie joined the backup singers and the 3 of them provided a powerful chorus for “Stay”. It was probably the best version of “Stay” I have ever heard. From the roar and applause of the audience they seem to love the show.
If you get a chance to see Jackson Browne perform this tour, I would highly recommend it. Please check out his newest album Downhill from Everywhere, it is outstanding and “A Human Touch” with Leslie Mendelson is very powerful and moving. You can find move information about Jackson Browne’s new album and his upcoming tour dates on his website.
Website: https://www.jacksonbrowne.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/jacksonbrowne/
Photos by Fred Kuhlman, All Rights Reserved
Jackson Browne Setlist: (Album)
Set 1:
I’m Alive (I’m Alive)
You Love The Thunder (Running On Empty)
The Long Way Around (Standing in the Breach)
Fountain of Sorrow (Late For The Sky)
Downhill From Everywhere (Downhill from Everywhere)
My Cleveland Heart (Downhill from Everywhere)
In The Shape of a Heart (Lives In The Balance)
I Am a Patriot (World in Motion)
Set 2:
The Dreamer (Downhill from Everywhere)
Until Justice Is Real (Downhill from Everywhere)
Lives In The Balance (Lives In The Balance)
Late For The Sky (Late For The Sky)
A Human Touch (Downhill from Everywhere)
Doctor My Eyes (Jackson Browne)
A Little Soon To Say (Downhill from Everywhere)
The Pretender (The Pretender)
Running On Empty (Running On Empty)
Take It Easy/Our Lady of the Well (For Everyman)
Encore:
The Load-Out/Stay (Running On Empty)
Leslie Mendelson
Leslie Mendelson reminded me a lot of Joni Mitchell in her singing and style of music. It is a very “folksy” down to earth sound. Her voice is very mellow and easy to listen to as she plays either acoustic guitar or piano. Leslie style lends itself to small cozy venues like a coffee shop or small bar. With only ½ of the Celebrity Theatre being used tonight, it was perfect for her performance. During the shutdown, Leslie produced a new album, If You Can’t Say Anything Nice… Most of the songs she did tonight were from that new album.
The highlight of the night was when see came out with Jackson Browne and they sang “A Human Touch”. She and Jackson wrote it. It is a very powerful song and will touch your heart when you hear it and Leslie and Jackson did a beautiful job performing it tonight. You can watch Jackson and Leslie perform it on YouTube. Go to Leslie’s website and the link is there.
Unfortunately, it looks like she will not be touring with Jackson Browne after September 23rd. But she is still touring and you can check out her future solo tour dates on her website. I would recommend checking out her new album and also Jackson Browne’s new album.
Website: https://www.lesliemendelson.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/lesliemendelson
Photos by Fred Kuhlman, All Rights Reserved
Leslie Mendelson Setlist: (Album)
The Hardest Part (If You Can’t Say Anything Nice…)
Have a Little Heart
Medication (If You Can’t Say Anything Nice…)
Jericho (Love & Murder)
All Come Together (If You Can’t Say Anything Nice…)
