I've purchased this album several times. I had it in cassette, and an LP and now in CD. Jackson Browne is an incredible lyricist and musician. He really puts songs together in a very accessible and talented way.
Highly recommended.
May 9, 2008A fond trip down memory lane. He was at his best on this one.
April 19, 2008 |  | Best of his early efforts |  |
I love "Late For The Sky". However, to call it his best is a stretch. It really marks the end of his brilliant acoustic period in classic fashion. His follow up, "The Pretender," is way ahead in production quality and consistently solid tracks. However, the simplicity of "Late For The Sky" may be it's strongest attribute. This is the last of his stripped down albums (for years) which is basically just JB on guitar and piano with the legendary David Lindley plus some bass and drums to help out.
"Late For The Sky" does, though, contain perhaps 3 of his greatest songs: "Fountain of Sorrow", "For a Dancer" and the title track. "Fountain of Sorrow" is a heartbreaking and familiar look back at a former love as only JB can do it. The haunting melodies and compelling lyrics draw you in. The same formula works well for "For A Dancer" and the title track also.
"Before The Deluge" is sort of a view into where he would be going politically over the next decade and unfortunately goes on for too long. As fun and hokey as "Walking Slow" and "The Road and the Sky Are", they just really feel like filler compared to the rest of the great tracks on this album. It's a great 8 song set to be sure, and it's the last and best of his three early albums. "The Pretender" is exponentially larger in scope and scores big time. It is hard to say that any album of his tops "The Pretender." This one is a close second though.
March 28, 2008I am writing this review in the vain hope that a young person will be inspired to buy one of the greatest albums ever made. This album is a clearly defined moment in Jackson Browne's ouevre (SP?)he was neve3r so eloquent and melodic and would never be so again. Every song a masterpiece with one or four, amongst his best ever tracks. Songs like Fountain of Sorrow, Before the Deluge and Late for the Sky are in that category, superlative pieces each of them, but none reach the heights that is For a Dancer, truly JB's greatest moment, poignant and perfect, a song about a friend of his who was taken before his time. Its easy to let the music on this album wash over you but listen, understand and feel the lyrics and you will be experiencing something very, very special. For anyone flirting around the edge of JB, buy this his greatest album, no argument. For anyone who loves Eagles, neil Young, CSN etc, this is the one JB album which is required listening and compares more than favourably with those great artists best material.
February 19, 2008| | | Emotional, poetic, gently powerful | |
With his sleek, longish, black hair, and kind, but intense face, Jackson Browne is a troubador par excellence. "Fountain of Sorrow" has always been a favorite of mine. I've always felt a lot of connection with the person he describes in that song; someone who has gone through the storm and managed to come out intact and possibly a stronger, better person. Jackson is one of those singers whose voice is immediately recognizable. He has a style that can never be completely imitated. And to top it off he has a consistent history of political activism and a terrific social conscious. The only thing I'd change about the CD is to add a lyrics sheet. Lyrics are extremely important in these songs, being poems set to music. Though F.O.S. is my favorite, every song on the album is profound and to quote an oldie by Glen Campbell, "gentle on my mind." It's interested that one of the Tag Suggestions for this artist is "heroes." After decades in the music industry, Jackson still comes across as sincere and conscientious. Now, that is a hero. Highly recommended.
January 27, 2008More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(68 reviews)