Willie Nelson, Jackson Browne & John Trudell Los Angeles 2-22-07
I went to this show for Jackson, but was really happy I stayed for Willie.
I sort of tricked my husband into coming with me. He’s not a fan of Jackson Browne, especially, and Jackson is one of my all-time favorite songwriters. I recently bought Jackson’s Solo Acoustic live album and put it on in the car when we were running errands. Jackson makes some funny remarks when introducing songs, so I purposely turned it to a funny intro. My husband laughed when he heard it and said he never knew Jackson Browne was so funny. I said, “Yeah, and he’s playing next month—with Willie Nelson!” My husband said, “We should go to that.” Yes! I bought tickets as soon as possible, before he could change his mind. And to my surprise, he suggested we get the more expensive, closer seats. Which I didn’t feel guilty doing, since it was a benefit show for women’s cancer research.
John Trudell, someone I’d never heard of before, opened the show. He also helped organize it and make the show happen. He had a band and back up singers, but he didn’t sing. He just talked. I think he’s supposed to be a poet or a spoken word artist? One of those hippies with a message that takes himself way too seriously. EDIT: I’ve removed the rest of my mocking of his set. From the comments below, I gather he’s had a rough life.
Jackson played next and he was only on stage for about 45 minutes. But he did a wonderful mix of songs. I’ve seen him twice before—once when I was 16 at an Amnesty International benefit concert in San Francisco, which is what got me into him, and again a couple years ago at an outdoor venue in Seattle. He did some old songs from the 70′s, he did a couple songs from the 80′s (which took me back to that first show I saw), and he did some newer songs. I was in heaven. The setlist was:
Child in These Hills
Barricades of Heaven
Fountain of Sorrow
The Naked Ride Home
That Girl Could Sing
For A Dancer
Lives in the Balance
I Am a Patriot
He didn’t do any of the hits I was expecting him to (the stuff my husband would’ve known and enjoyed a bit more), but I was sooo happy with the setlist. “Child in These Hills” was perfect—the venue is up in the Hollywood Hills. “Barricades” is my favorite song by Jackson and the one I told my husband I was most hoping he’d play. “The Naked Ride Home” is another favorite (ok, they’re all favorites), and he introduced it by saying it was very much a product of the freeway system in Los Angeles.
The show was dedicated to the memory of a woman who had passed away, I don’t know the story on it, but he played a song in her honor—”That Girl Could Sing.” He introduced it by saying John Trudell had requested they play it, and Jackson wasn’t sure the band even could. It’s one they hadn’t played in awhile! But it was great.
After that the band left the stage and Jackson dedicated another song to the same woman, which he played solo on a keyboard: “For a Dancer.” It’s a wonderful song about death.
The band came back out and went into “Lives in the Balance,” which Jackson mentioned his son had asked him to start playing again a couple years ago. (But he didn’t say which son.)
The last song he dedicated to John Trudell and Willie Nelson, “I Am a Patriot,” which is a Lil’ Stevie cover Jackson’s been playing for a long time. I was totally not expecting to hear it and was so happy that he included it.
I was really impressed with Willie Nelson. I had no idea he could play guitar so well. He whipped through so many songs, so quickly, I’m not sure I caught them all. And I’m not sure of a lot of song titles. Here’s what I managed to write down:
Crazy/My Life/Listen to What the Blues
His little sister played a piano piece that rocked
Working Man’s Blues
Help Me Make It Through the Night
Me & Paul
Good Hearted Woman
Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
Blue Skies Smiling at Me
Georgia
All of Me
Stardust Melody
Mama Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys
Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground
On the Road Again
Always on My Mind
Superman
You Don’t Think I’m Funny Anymore
He barely paused between songs. At one point someone from the audience tossed a cowboy hat on stage, and after playing “Good Hearted Woman” he tossed his bandana into the audience and put the hat on. Later he tossed it back out and put on another bandana. Then a young guy tossed up a Quiksilver trucker hat, which Willie put on after “Always on my Mind,” and it was funny to see him in it. He mentioned that he’d had carpel tunnel surgery and the doctor told him not to play the guitar for four months, so he went home and wrote some new songs, “Superman,” and “You Don’t Think I’m Funny Anymore.” The last of which had us in stitches.
It was an awesome night.
There’s already one live song by Jackson in the radio.blog. I’ll try to post a Willie Nelson song or two on Monday.
Willie is fabulous!! I’m so glad you got to see him- and with new material to boot!
Sounds like a great evening…
Comment by tracy m — February 24, 2007 @ 11:33 am
Awesome. Soooooo jealous.
Comment by Supergenius — February 24, 2007 @ 11:40 am
I would pay full price for a concert ticket just to hear Willie sing Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain. He always does a show on the 4th of July at the Ft. Worth Stockyards called Willie’s 4th of July Picnic, and it is always great – lots of cowboy hats and jeans. Usually the show is as good in the crowd as it is on stage.
Comment by Mark IV — February 24, 2007 @ 12:23 pm
Seeing him in Texas must really be something! The crowd here was pretty rowdy, in fact the guys in front of us were total clowns (and huge Jackson Browne fans as well). It was interesting to see such a mix of people there. Old, young, in between.
Comment by Susan M — February 24, 2007 @ 1:03 pm
Iwas at this show also and totally agree with the review. John Trudell co-produced the show so he had to be on it. His co-producer, Angelina Jolie’s mother, passed away of ovarian cancer a month or so ago. She was the one Jackson dedicated the songs to. She and Jackson both worked on a movie about John Trudell and Trudell is on Jackson’s label. I have seen Jackson only recently, but many times, again tonight at the Leonard Cohen tribute, and he was in good form and so was his band. I forwarded this to all my friends who were there and they totally agreed with all the comments.
Comment by Linda Mose — February 24, 2007 @ 6:44 pm
Thanks Linda for the info! I had no clue about Angelina Jolie’s mother. I figured she was someone important to the cancer center though.
Comment by Susan M — February 24, 2007 @ 7:07 pm
[...] First let me say, I posted a review of the Jackson Browne show over at Kulturblog. It was fantastic! [...]
Pingback by Strange Pulse :: Ray LaMontagne :: February :: 2007 — February 24, 2007 @ 8:39 pm
I agree with much of your review–especially choosing “child in these hills” to start a set among the Hollywood Hills. And I also realize you probably had no way of knowing that John Trudell’s children may very well have been killed in an arson fire–perhaps as repercussion for his political activities. John has websites so those interested can learn more. So, they may indeed be killing the children even here in the good ole USA.
Comment by heidi wortel — February 25, 2007 @ 12:37 am
Oh dear. I should’ve realized that sort of earnestness is hard-earned.
Thanks for letting me know, I’ve edited my post to remove my insenstive mockery of his set.
Comment by Susan M — February 25, 2007 @ 11:08 am
Re: Trudell, even if he wasn’t your cup of tea, it was obvious that he is an accomplished poet with something to say. He was backed by a band of pro musicians who were able to craft music behind his non singing spoken word. It may not be your or my cup of tea, but to mock it? Come on. I don’t like rap music, but can appreciate when it is done well. To mock any artform that is done competently is out of line. Bad Form
Comment by john hasselbend — February 25, 2007 @ 6:58 pm
Thank you, Susan, for your edit. Which leaves my 1st comment not making a lot of sense but that’s okay. I’m used to not making sense. I want to 2nd John’s comments about Trudell doing his artform well. Perhaps those of us who really like words (hence liking Jackson AND Trudell) are more enthused about Trudell but if you like poetry I can recommend Trudell’s Blue Indians and Bone Days releases especially because the music highlights but doesn’t obscure the poetry. And Jackson sings some good back-up on Blue Indians. The film that I believe Marcheline was involved with about Trudell (www.trudellthemovie.com) was on PBS in my state and it introduced me to him and left a lasting impression so those curious might want to check it out. I think you’ll understand why he was given stage time if you see the film.
Comment by heidi wortel — February 26, 2007 @ 1:25 am
Or, actually, http://www.johntrudell.com seems to work better for info. Sorry.
Comment by heidi wortel — February 26, 2007 @ 2:05 am
I’ve been recently listening to a “Always On My Mind” performed by Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash and it is awesome. While I’m not a country fan, I do like the sort of “outlaw country” artists like Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash.
I’ll have to give those Jackson Browne songs another listen. My favorite songs by him are “Love Needs A Heart” and “The Load Out/Stay”. Basically I like the whole “Running On Empty” album.
Comment by danithew — February 26, 2007 @ 8:59 am
Hasselbend:”To mock any artform that is done competently is out of line. Bad Form”
Grow up, John. An audience member’s reaction to an artform is as valid as any other’s. Susan’s been gracious enough to change her review, but I think she had no need to do so. It sounds like Trudell was paired up with a couple of the greatest country/rock musicians of the last century, and was eclipsed by them in a large measure. Her reaction to this fact is not “Bad Form,” it’s truth.
Comment by Supergenius — February 26, 2007 @ 11:19 am
Genius, there is never any need to mock anyone, bad or good. Did you ever wonder why a couple of the greatest musicians of the last century are anxious to do a show with Trudell? Maybe they are open minded enough to appreciate talent, no matter what the artform. Maybe that is why they are 2 of the greatest, and you, my friend are simply an audience member. I guess we only exptect critical thinking from stars and not from us regular people. Find out John’s history and background. Listen to his words, use some critical thought, and then make your comments. I think you might want to change your handle on this group. It really doesn’t fit. By the way, did anyone hear the song about killing the children? It was actually sung for the most part and it was very powerful.
cheers
Comment by john hasselbend — February 26, 2007 @ 11:27 am
Actually, Killing the Children was the worst song IMO. Second worse was the ode to Elvis and baby boomers. Honestly, I don’t usually bash performers in any of my live reviews. But my pet peeve is anyone taking themselves too seriously. John Trudell seemed like the definition of it.
Comment by Susan M — February 26, 2007 @ 1:28 pm
John, I can see that the irony of my handle is not lost on you!
I know very little about Trudell; you know more than I do about him, so feel free to correct me. I was forming a conclusion on the basis of the review at hand. I wasn’t at the show, and frankly have never heard of Trudell before. I do find it hilarious, however, that you are so willing to assume that audiences and “us regular people” know nothing about art or critical thinking. Thank you for stopping by to inform us all!
Comment by Supergenius — February 26, 2007 @ 1:30 pm
Genius, all I am saying is that it is ironic that the great artists that you speak of (Nelson and Browne) and have so much respect for, which is well founded, are both huge fans of Trudell Willie even has a song that he wrote about John. Check his albums, you will find it.Susan, after hearing about your 2 least favorite songs, which were actually 2 of the most meaningful songs performed that night, I don’t take you or your pet peeves very seriously!
cheers
Comment by john hasselbend — February 26, 2007 @ 3:51 pm
Oh, one quick additional note. The lady that had the songs dedicated to her was Marcheline Bertrand, who is Angelina Jolie’s mother. She fought her cancer with great vigor, but it finally won. She was a wonderful Woman.
Comment by john hasselbend — February 26, 2007 @ 4:12 pm
Wonderful review. I was there and your words brought back to life my experience. Thanks!
I also was not appreciative of Killing the Children. I felt it was illegitimately condescending. I felt it was hypocritically pious to sing out/speak out against killing children when I have a very strong suspicion this man would prefer to be more politically popular so as to NOT sing about the out of control killing of children by millions of americans and “sensitive/caring” people around the world, the very fervent supporters of the ability and “right” to kill our unborn children every day. Was this song sending a message to get us to think about what we’re doing and stop killing our children, stop aborting our children? I would be very impressed to find out he would dare to speak out on behalf of the children in this actuality.
Comment by wendy s-r — February 26, 2007 @ 8:05 pm
Are you nuts. The song had nothing to do with abortion. Given the far left political views of Trudell, you should know this. The song is about wars around the world and how children are dying. “We teach them how to hate…We teach them our lies….They learn how to be hungry….They learn how to die” It is about how our children suffer because of our religious beliefs and our wars. A women’s choice is not what the song had to do with. You obviously didn’t listen to the words. I thought it was wonderful.
Comment by john hasselbend — February 27, 2007 @ 1:29 am
By the way, I support a women’s right to choose.
Comment by john hasselbend — February 27, 2007 @ 1:30 am
Yes, Willie is fab!
He’s an incredible guitar player. And quite an environmentalist as well.
Comment by Jimmy — March 5, 2007 @ 1:08 am