If someone would have told me in 1972, as a teen in Baltimore when I first heard this song at 15, I would live in several countries, 7 different states, raised a family, worked in the military intelligence field and wind up at 67 years old dancing around my kitchen in Montana frying chicken, I'd have called them liars. But Jackson Browne's songs went through my life with me. What an era to belong to, and what an artist!
Agree completely with Clifton (below): "Late For the Sky' is it! My personal favorite is "Fountain of Sorrow". So many terrific songs to his name, it's hard to pick. To hear him rock out, try the title song from Running On Empty, which I believe is a live version on the album itself. He's in the R&R Hall of Fame, and Bruce Springsteen introduced him...pretty good street cred, eh?
I wore out my Jackson Browne 8 track. I couldn’t get enough! You are so right on about the way music used to be. I feel so fortunate to have grown up with it. I guess that’s why I get so disgusted with the stuff that I catch glimpses of today.
Jackson Browne started his career writing songs for other artists such as the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (he was briefly a member in 1966) & the Eagles (Browne co-wrote "Take It Easy"). But in the 70's he started recording his own songs. He had a lot of hits 70's-80's such as "The Load Out/Stay", "Rock Me On The Water", "Here Come Those Tears Again", "The Pretender", "Running On Empty", "Somebody's Baby", "Tender Is The Night" etc.
He, Glen Fry, Don Henly and even Linda Ronstadt were all part of a close group of artist that, not only, influenced each others music but a lot of times they would help sing each others back up vocals. It was a different time back then, but such a formative time for music.
Jackson Browne's masterpiece album "Late for the Sky" is, lyrically and emotionally, the most honest, heartfelt album he's ever released. His catalog is filled with top-shelf killer albums, but "Late for the Sky" is on a different level. Songs like 'For A Dancer' .'Before the Deluge', 'Further On,' 'Late For The Sky,'' 'Fountain of Sorrow,'' The Late Show' and others. Jackson is a master of touching your heart emotionally with words and music, a poet of the heart. No recorded background music, no autotune, no dancers. Just the magic of musicians playing the instruments and singing live.
I am not sure how many people know, but I bet many do. I was fortunate to see him twice , and he killed it dancing around. He was a darn good dancer too. Great concerts.
I totally agree! This is definitely one of my favorite albums of all time and for sure my favorite Jackson Browne album! I've seen Jackson Browne twice in concert and he is an incredible musician! Love, love, love him! ❤️
Jackson Browne has never written anything mediocre, an incredible wordsmith, and human being. He never sold out. If humanity were half the person he is, the world would be Utopia. At 73, he has been by my side helping me get through life. My utmost admiration and respect to you, Mr Browne.
It’s so true. You were a famous musician because you were GOOD. Today being an “influencer” is considered a talent. It’s hard sometimes for those of us who came of age in the 60s and 70s to square that circle.
Ain’t that the truth! I grew up in the 70’s in Detroit. Saw SO many fantastic live concert performances. Had a base- player bf who knew some folk. Met a few biggies backstage, in their hotel room before the concert, and in a stretch limo on the way to the concert . It was such a vibrant music era and place. Treasured memories. Yea sadly a lot is missing these days from music. I love watching the young generations enjoying the best music era of all time. I believe music, being a universal language, and being so powerful, can bring some sanity in these times and healing to people from any time or place. Be well everyone and keep enjoying real music.
As others have mentioned, the classic “These Days” was written by Jackson Browne when he was just 16, not “Doctor My Eyes”. “These Days” was first recorded by Nico, as well as by Gregg Allman, Glen Campbell and others. My favorite version is Jackson Browne’s solo acoustic version.
This is the kind of music I listened when I was young. This music is not produced anymore. The generations after mine never got to hear what I call true music. It was a great time to be young.
Such a great song! And the bass from Leeland Sklar! whoot. As a lifelong guitarist I can tell you you're right.. we didn' t use autotune, metronomes, computers, etc.. we played all day with each other week after week.. REAL music :)
In The Eagles documentary, they talk about renting a room above Jackson Browne, and listening to him writing music and how he taught them how to write just from listening to him.
Right. I've seen people write different things on here about who lived where, but according to Glenn Frye, he and JD Souther rented Jackson's old apartment, while Jackson moved down to a basement apartment to save some money. Every morning Glenn would hear the teapot whistling early, then the piano would start over and over, playing the same tune Jackson was writing and trying to perfect. Glenn said he thought, 'so that's the secret... elbow grease'...lol. All those guys were incredible. If you check out the old album cover of Desperado, you'll see two of the dead cowboys are JD Souther and Jackson, along with the other original Eagle guys. I'm thinking this song came out in 1972. That would make JB 24 at the time. I have no idea how old he was when he wrote it, but even 24 is pretty doggone impressive. The video confuses me a little because I always thought his backup singers on this song were David Crosby and Graham Nash. I could've been wrong, though.
The older I've gotten, the more I've come to appreciate how lucky my generation was for having grown up in this era of incredible music & creative talent. Jackson Browne is not only a uniquely gifted lyricist, singer and songwriter but also a mentor to and facilitator of other great musicians including Stevie Ray Vaughan, the Eagles, and others. One of my personal favorites by Jackson is "Sky Blue and Black" which he wrote after the painful split between himself and actress Darryl Hannah.
Jackson has promoted Dawes, a wonderful band. He even took them on tour with him. Taylor Goldsmith writes excellent songs, and has great players in his band. Taylor himself is an amazing singer and guitar player. Search RU-vid for Dawes.
Many of the artists that were that good back then are still performing today in their 70s, like Jackson Browne who is 75. He wrote this song almost 60 years ago.
I was 14 when this song came out. Always loved it. Songs like this are why people my age don't care for today's music. We saw people like Jackson Browne, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Who, Bruce Springsteen, etc., play live without computers, and auto tune. It was a great time for music. Glad you're enjoying it.
Bob Seger, The Eagles, ZZ Top, Bread and even John Denver were the soundtrack of my youth. I miss the days when singers could actually sing, songwriters could actually write and performers had to have talent to become successful
I was a bartender in a hotel when this song came out. We had groups playing music 6 days a week. First time I heard this was from a group we had and they played this. I fell in love with the song then. I later heard the original by Jackson Brown and still love it. I was in my early 20's then. I'm 78 now.
Yes, you’re right. This is how music was recorded. They actually performed and their talent was obvious. I chuckle when the younger generation seems surprised by this. Frank Sinatra liked to record in the same room with his entire orchestra.
"Live" recordings happened sometimes, like with the 1960s Motown songs. But I doubt if this is the original recording of "Doctor My Eyes." It was by far the most common practise to lip sync the TV performance with the studio recording all through the 1960s and 70s. And I am almost certain that is what we have here.
I feel for all the talented kids who will never get the opportunity to develop their talents because the audience has been dumbed down so much. The poetry lost , the music, the visual arts just so much that is never nurtured. As a species we grew talent , spotting it, making sure they had the places to play so it can be honed. If you know a kid with potential help them. Go see live music, read poets work, remember what kids call bars are lyrics and great lyrics are poetry. Today there are just as many talented kids it’s just we as a society are destroying to many of them by neglect ☮️
The guitar solo in this song was played by the late Jesse Ed Davis (Kiowa/Comanche from Oklahoma) a much sought after session musician in the 60's and 70's. The lap/slide guitarist in the video was David Lindley who was featured on the Load Out/Stay video you did previously.
Thanks for pointing this out. I recall hearing or reading somewhere, Jackson talking about how Jesse Ed Davis came into the studio to lay down his lead track. Jackson wanted him to play through a few times and get a feel for the tune, figure out what he wanted to do, etc. And he said Jesse was just like, no man, just start the track and I'll put it down. And what we hear on this track is Jesse's one and only take. And it couldn't have been done any better. Just exactly the real, raw emotion from a killer guitarist that this tune needed! One take assassin - Jesse Ed Davis
Jackson is still writing and recording his music alongside his friend and steel guitar player and his daughter. With Covid they started recording in his home studio.
In my comment how "The Load Out/Stay", grew organically from Jackson fooling around on stage with these lyrics ... while every member of the band, their wives, and roadies struck the set as fast as possible. "Stay" written by Frankie Valli was added when back-up singers, inspired by his tribute surprised Jackson, by emerging from the wings, joining his solo; creating an epic encore, to pay respect to the concert-goers. I don't know of anything else like it.
I love Jackson Browne! He is one of my all-time favorite artist in music history!!! Jackson Browne was the "Prophet of the 70's" He had deep lyrics that pierce the soul of humans and told of the projections of the world condition!!! He goes to a Shaman and asked these questions about the horrors of the world and the shaman gives him the answers. Then he writes this song with these deep provoking lyrics.
I just saw Jackson Browne in Vegas last Friday. He sang this song as part of his set. It was a wonderful concert, with top-notch musicians and back-up singers….and of course Jackson. His voice is as good as it ever was. Those of you who love Browne…go see him if you have the opportunity. Excellent.
I am going to see him tonight in Sydney Australia ..woo hoo so excited have loved him forever ❤ so happy he sings this it's one of my many faves of his ❤
@@PaintingandExercise I heard him say once in an interview that he pays those who play with him double scale because he believes the band members, back-up vocalists, etc., can make or break a performance, so he wants the best. And over the years, that seems to have worked out well for him.
Jackson has always surrounded himself with great musicians. You can see David Lindley, who we recently lost, on the slide guitar. There are some great vids of Jackson singing his songs over the last two years and he sounds just as great.
Dude, when I was growing up music as good as this was dropping 2 or 3 times a week every week for 20 years. Seriously. No beats or samples or autotune. There wouldn’t even be any computers for another 25 years and it would be another 20 before they were powerful enough to run the software that everyone uses t FAKE music today. Jackson Brown and the Section played every single note by hand, together, night after night before live audiences. He is a musical genius. He was roommates with Glen Frey when he and Don Henley were trying to get the Eagles going. I’m glad you’re enjoying and appreciating just how good the music from this era truly is.
Saw him in August 1973 in Greensboro NC. He was the backup for ‘America’. Great concert. Doctor My Eyes was his feature song. Soon after, he surpassed ‘America’, going on to be a Star in his own right.
Repeating my comments, but, yes, our music in my day was so much deeper, meaningful. And, at 16? Yes! We actually has genius musicians. And I know I was blessed to have them. Truly enjoy your reactions and appreciation!
People matured earlier in those days. Our culture gets dumber every year. You turned16 got a license and started becoming an adult..... Instead of laying around someone else's house till you're 35 staring at the internet.
This was the first song to introduce me to Jackson and remains in the top 5 of all his songs. The lyrics are so mature and world-aware. An old soul at a young age, and just got better with time. So much collaboration with other legends of his time - CSN, Gregg Allman, Bonnie Raitt, Eagles. Doesn't get better than this.
I read a book by a member of The Eagles and he said they were living in the same apartment building as Jackson Browne (in the 1970s?). While The Eagles were partying, Jackson was writing and practicing all day, every day. Then, when David Geffen started his label, Jackson Browne was the first artist he signed.
Jackson Browne's strongest attribute was his work ethic. He worked constantly. When he was a neighbor of Glenn Frey and Don Henley of the Eagles, they complained that his piano kept them awake because he worked early and late. Jackson's response was to gift them with the song "Take it Easy" which he wrote and was a huge hit for the Eagles and, perhaps, influenced their work ethic.
JB was constantly writing...a juggernaut of talent. Before the 60s revolution, music was tightly controlled by the labels. They owned the writers, performers, and the music. The 60s and 70s scared them shitless and they attempted to destroy creativity to control it again........disco-grunge-garage bands-80s pop-rap-hiphop etc.
I am 74. I am glad. I am old enough to have seen all of the cool bands live that this generation is discovering including Jackson Browne. Almost all of them sounded as good live as their recordings. Warning: Stay away from the remastered 60s and 70s music. Sound engineers are manipulating it into robotic soul less musak. Small wavering and slight flatness and sharpness is almost always intentional and is what gave music its soul.
I saw him i the 1970s . He opened fot Peter Paul and Mary. Outdoor venue smallish crowd. Im so honored that i got to see him. I wanted to see him again but with work children etc. I just couldn't afford it. Im so glad that his Poetry was a big part of my life.
It is amazing that the fantastic music from my “era” is resurging again. Every girl I knew and myself as well were in love with Jackson Browne. (I still have a crush on him - it’s his music!!)
Glen Frey and Don Henley of the Eagles said when starting out they lived upstairs or downstairs from Jackson Brown and listening to him write and create a song taught them the work and dedication needed.They would hear piano and a line or two over and over. then the teapot and brief break....then the lines again. Epic
One of the biggest differences in artists from previous eras is that they put in the work. All the work and time to learn their instrument. Before they even tried to write a song…All the time practicing with a band or other musicians…all the work perfecting a craft. You couldn’t fake it. You couldn’t hide your imperfections. They play so well live because they’ve put in thousands of hours, before they got to the point you are seeing them.
Steve Winwood was writing and performing with the Spencer Davis Group at 16..I'm a Man is probably one of the most popular as Chicago's cover of it is a killer tune
Jackson Browne...one of my favorites. He had it all, the talent, the musicians and singers, the venue, and a heart to keep playing despite the very tough business end of the gig. He's still at it, by the way. Still rocking and telling his stories by song.
Hey I maybe older now,but you’re right we had the greatest music ever! My granddaughters are for ever “discovering” a “new “ song from my generation and saying Grammy your music is the BEST EVER.😁
Trivia- Jackson was a roadie for a somewhat now obscure band called Brewer and Shiply, and he wrote Rock Me on the Water for them to record and it was their biggest hit.
My favorite Jackson Browne song! He was huge, huge in the 70s. Tons of hits, very popular. A very talented singer, songwriter, musician. I love it (and it's kind of sad) when younger people have the realization they got ripped off with music. When we who grew up listening to 60s/70s/80s (and some 90s) music say 'music these days sucks!', it's an actual fact! Hardly any real instruments being played, everything is autotuned, there is very littel variety in styles of music and a huge research project has proven that music now actually does all sound the same, using the same notes, chords, melodies etc as so many other songs. We used to have such a variety of sounds across all genres, so much unique talent and music. Not anymore. Thanks for keeping this great music alive!
Jackson Browne is such a wonderful singer and songwriter and can express profound thoughts with beautiful poetry. Glad you're getting to experience and appreciate what we did back in the 70s.
My husband had and worked in recording studios. In the 70s and earlier, it was common to have all artists playing in a studio, with separate microphones connected to the mixing board. They would play multiple times and listen to the recordings, the audio engineer(s) would give them feedback and they'd repeat/correct.
The guitar riff and solo in the studio version were done in one take by the great Jesse Ed Davis, JED was also the guitar for Taj Mahal for many years, David Lindley was in the promo video because Jesse was on tour with Faces at the time
Spoiler alert: He showed up, listened to the song, played it once, and left. Legend! (But do see the movie, it was fantastic. You'll never hear a blues beat again without hearing the Native influence.)
Love me some Jackson Browne. He was the backdrop of my life growing up in the 70s and 80s in California. Actually I think the song he wrote when he was 16 was "These Days." But maybe he wrote this one too at that time. I don't know. The man is an endless fountain of song writing and singing talent. And his musicians are the bomb too. He is still going strong at age 73. He was inducted into the rock n roll hall of fame and the singer/song writer hall of friends. If you really want to hear a poignant one that hits home and has a "bite" to it, listen to "The Rebel Jesus." Not that many people know about that song. Only Jackson could write and sing it.
ALL of Jackson Browne's songs are so great..."Song for Adam" gets me every time. My best friend in high school gave her son the middle name Jackson because she too loved his songs so much.
When Frye and Henley were forming the Eagles, they wanted Browne but he was on his own trajectory. Did pretty darn well, I'd say. Long string of hits over 20 years.
Back in 72 I was mostly listening to Motown. But a friend in college in 1977 introduced me to Jackson Browne. And I had to get caught up. Excellent music and performance. I was playing this on my 8 track player!!!
You know this just goes to show you that the old ways are the better way. Sometimes the past is better much better. Im so glad someone of your generation has figured it out
The actual original doctor in my eyes the lead guitar was played by Jesse at Davis, who played guitar for Taj Mahal. Duane Allman heard him play slide guitar on that album and ended up learning to play slide because of that album Jackson and Gregg Allman were roommates in Laurel Canyon pre-Allman Brothers band with Don Henley and Glenn Frey living in the upstairs apartment. Henley and Frey were blown away by the music coming from downstairs.
The backing is by people who were themselves famous and/or well known among the Los Angeles and/or early-mid '70s singer-songwriter scene. Very similar mix/dynamic to The Eagles' recordings, etc. From Wiki: "Jesse Ed Davis (backed Taj Mahal, The Faces, John Lennon, Eric Clapton, George Harrison) played the electric guitar in the track, while David Crosby (The Birds; CSNY) and Graham Nash (The Hollies; CSNY) sang backing vocals. Russ Kunkel (L.A.-based session player who backed tons of talent) played drums[2] and Leland Sklar played bass.[5]
The way you keep going on about "real" music!! I love it. Those were the days of real musicians. I'm so thankful to have grown up listening to this kind of music . And I'm so,so very happy that some young people appreciate it !!!!
Glen Frey (co founder of THE EAGLES) lived in the apt. on the first floor, and in the basement apt, was Jackson Browne. This was just before the Eagles got started. He says he heard every line of this song hundreds of thousands of times. Over and over, one line at a time, day after day, until months later the song was finished.
Sebs I am glad you found and can appreciate a Rock and Roll Hall of fame legend Jackson Browne! Yes at 16 years old he wrote this and "These Days" ...but my favorite JB song is "Shape of a Heart" !
