Jackson Browne (Saturate Before Using) CD

The first Jackson Browne album presents a thoughtful, literate artist informed by the street-poet-with-guitar sound of Bob Dylan. Browne takes that approach and refines it with a more formal use of language and a more carefully crafted folk-rock sound characterized by spare, tasteful arrangements. The L.A. studio-rock sound that crept into much of Browne's '70s catalog is at a minimum here. Instead, the album is full of low-key, acoustic-oriented ballads such as the somber "Song For Adam."

Lilting, mid-tempo cuts like "I Am A Child In These Hills" and the classic "Doctor My Eyes" manage to blend Browne's introspective lyrical approach with streamlined, infectious arrangements for a new twist on the formula. Browne's perspective was sensitive, yet seasoned and somewhat darker than that of his '60s predecessors, while his sound moved away from folk roots toward radio-friendly accessibility. Along with James Taylor's SWEET BABY JAMES, this album helped launch a thousand singing, songwriting imitators, yet JACKSON BROWNE stands above them all in the singularity of its expression.

Live Recording

Photographer: Henry Diltz.

Personnel: Jackson Browne (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, keyboards); Jackson Browne; David Crosby, Leah Kunkel (vocals, background vocals); Sneaky Pete Kleinow (pedal steel guitar); Jimmie Fadden (autoharp, harmonica); Jim Gordon (organ); Russ Kunkel (drums); Albert Lee (guitar, electric guitar, electric piano); Jesse Ed Davis (guitar, electric guitar); Clarence White (acoustic guitar); David Campbell (viola); Craig Doerge (piano, keyboards); David Jackson (piano); Jim Gordon (organ).

Recording information: Crystal Sound.

Rolling Stone (3/2/72) - "..awesome excellence...none of the 10 songs is any less than brilliant AND lovely...his songs are capable of generating a highly charged, compelling atmosphere throughout.."