Jackson Browne Standing Strong

June 24, 2016

Even Rock and Roll Hall of Famers get the flu. Legendary singer-songwriter and longtime activist Jackson Browne, on his way to Interlochen this week, is skipping press obligations in favor of saving his voice for performing. This is better for the fans waiting to hear his long list of solo hits, from “The Pretender” to “Doctor My Eyes,” “Running on Empty,” and “Take It Easy,” his cowritten hit for The Eagles, which is now one of that band’s signature songs. Browne and members of The Eagles performed that same track together at this year’s Grammy Awards in honor of late Eagles bandmate Glenn Frey, who passed away this past January.

The strength of Browne’s songwriting is evident. Looking Into You: A Tribute to Jackson Browne is a set on which his musical peers, including Don Henley, Bruce Springsteen, and Bonnie Raitt, pay homage to his songwriting with their own cover versions of his tunes. But while his catalogue is vast, Browne’s not relying on only that to draw in listeners; he’s also actively promoting his latest solo album, Standing in the Breach, which arrived two Octobers ago. Rolling Stone Magazine called Breach “a deeply felt fight for freedom and love,” and that’s been Browne’s modus operandi for much of his extensive career. He’s long been an advocate for the values of the 1960s, from freedom and peace to uniting for change, sentiments that still strike a chord in today’s world climate.

Supported by his trademark sound — a blend of folk-rock dressed with a little bit of Nashville and elevated melodies that hint at something more — Breach’s highlights are many. “Leaving Winslow” is one of the set’s most rock tracks and plays on a lyric from “Take It Easy” (“Well I’m a-standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona/such a fine sight to see”), while fellow rocker “If I Could Be Anywhere” perfectly expresses Browne’s worldview and personal sensibilities. For the road version of this album’s progression, Browne has put together a band of longtime collaborators to accompany him on tour, including acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Greg Leisz, background singer Alethea Mills, and guitarist Val McCallum; Browne calls this lineup his “ideal band.”

“These are some of my favorite players, whose combined gifts provide the musical foundation and emotional underpinnings of my new songs,” he said in a press release. "The interplay between Val McCallum and Greg Leisz — the effortlessness of their chemistry is a gift really, that just dropped into my lap.” After Browne and his band perform at his Interlochen show, they’ll continue on tour through the end of August, with additional stops in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Morrison, Col., and San Diego. Browne knows he’s got the perfect lineup of longtime fellow players and friends to share this experience with him. “I feel fortunate to have them out on the road for this tour,” he said.

Jackson Browne will be in concert at the Interlochen Center for the Arts Kresge Auditorium on June 28 at 8pm. For tickets and more information, visit tickets.interlochen.org or call 231-276-7800.