Standing In The Breach
Artist: Jackson Browne
Label: Inside
Recordings
Release Date: October 7, 2014
Duration: 10 tracks, 56:10
The ability to create a union between melody and message in
lyric is what makes a great songwriter. Jackson Browne, one of the great
songwriters of our time, has successfully done just this throughout his career
and continues to in Standing In The Breach.Here, like most of his albums over
the last two decades, he mixes songs of love and lose with political, human
interest and environmental issues.
“The Birds Of St.
Marks” is one of the first songs Jackson wrote in the ‘60s but seldom recorded.
Against Roger McQuinn-like backing guitar, the tragic story of love and longing
is evident in Browne’s vocals, which have lost little over time.
Of those songs of a personal nature, “Yeah, Yeah” shows
the pop sensitivity in his writing. “The Long Way Around” is classic Browne
with slow and soft haunting lead guitar telling the story of life’s changes:
‘I’m a long way gone down this wild road I’m on. Gonna
take me where I’m bound, but it’s a long way around.’
“Leaving Winslow “
harkens back to his first hit “Take It Easy” and “You Know The Night” tells of
love’s first meeting and its remembrance.
Browne has long been a strong advocate for political and
social change as found in “If Could Be Anywhere”, “Which Side”, “Standing In The
Breach” and “Walls And Doors” with signature lyrics such as:
‘Take the money out of politics and maybe we might see, this
country turn back into something more like democracy’ and ‘There can be freedom
only when nobody owns it.’
“Here” brings poetic finale to match the album’s entrée “The Birds Of St. Marks” with a song love’s
longing.
In his 50 years, Jackson Browne has given of himself
touching the listener with life’s loves and loses. He has also continued to be
a voice for change and hope in our world. His message, like his song writing,
remains strong.
Scott S Mertens
4 tocks
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