Jackson Browne - For Everyman

Jackson Browne's second album defined the idea of the Southern California singer-songwriter--one part country, one part folk, eight parts introspection. It would be disgustingly maudlin except for the fact that Browne has some powerful songs, like the title track and "Lady of the Well." But he can up the volume a little, turning out a version of his own "Take It Easy" that outdoes the Eagles and cranking up the bar-band boogie on "Redneck Friend." For the most part, though, it's late nights in the dark and candlelight, and Jackson Browne did it well. --Chris Nickson Amazon.com

Takes me Back To Those Halcyon Days of Youth

Listening to this album brings back those long lost days of youth and, like a fine wine, leaves a silky, if somewhat bittersweet, finish on my memory's tastebuds.

I remember seeing JB in Champaign in 1978...the Running On Empty tour. I'd been listening to him and buying every album since Saturate Before Using was released, but it seemed it took the popularity of ROE and The Pretender to open my friends' ears to the talent of this troubador. I've always marvelled at the poetry as well as the music on his first 4 albums.

JB has always been very political, but it was more tender, ironical and subtle on his early albums. I may not have always agreed with his politics, but I've always loved and admired his ability to put it into words the way he did.

Others have reviewed the songs (all the songs are superbly crafted and performed), but none have mentioned the glue that holds this stellar album together: David Lindley. While JB wrote the lyrics and the music, David Lindley's guitar makes them soar! And that remains true to this day, for all the JB albums Lindley was on.
March 9, 2008

(20 billion stars) Everything in the history of mankind led up to the release of pinnacle for art, science, math, agriculture...

A stunning, visionary album that encapsulates every one of Browne's several talents perfectly. Step aside, Abbey Road, this is my new favorite album. Miles ahead of its time, maturely written, and packed with classics even someone living on Jupiter will have heard, this is... ha! I fooled you, didn't I? This album really gets 2.5 stars. I just thought it would be funny if I ever gave anything by Mr. Browne the highest possible score. Anyway, this is slightly better than the debut, containing a whopping five good songs rather than four. I don't think you need me here to tell you that "Take It Easy" is better heard here than by the Eagles (Jackson wrote the damn thing); "Redneck Friend" is easily the best of his few rockers, and its sense of humor is a nice change of pace from his usual overtly-serious style; "For Everyman" is a bit overlong but has the best guitar solo Browne ever recorded; "These Days" (later covered by Gregg Allman) goes from country-rock to relatively full-on rock; and the slow-building "I Thought I Was a Child" is interesting too. But some of it's more of the same, just one turgid country-rocker after another - "Our Lady of the Well", "Ready or Not", etc. Better than the debut, at least. Nice cover, too. November 22, 2007

Nearly his best

I only gave this four stars because it is not quite as incredible as "Saturate" but it is close. If you were into Jackson when these albums were released you will realize that this one and "Saturate Before Using" are inter-related and actually a continuing story of searching for truth and happiness. Although the sound is somewhat dated, this one is worth buying on CD if you originally had it on vinyl. August 30, 2007

sophomore jinx?

This is a somewhat disappointing follow-up to Browne's superior first album, and not as good as his third, Late for the Sky. If you don't have those 2, I would start there first. Half the songs on this album are very good to excellent, the other half mediocre at best in my estimation. I love Browne's version of Take It Easy (which he co-wrote), better than the Eagles version in my opinion, and the segue to Our Lady of the Well is nice too. An altogether listenable album, but not his best. July 9, 2007

music for the heart

It was such a delight to listen to this music again after so many years - beautifully crafted music for the heart May 13, 2007

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