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The band and backup singers were amazing and JB was right on his game.Top notch songwriting and performances.Thank god for Jackson Browne and his amazing talents. What a show. I saw JB perform some of this material on PBS'S Soundstage. WOW.
If you are an old or new fan for JB, You can't go wrong buying Time the Conqueror. This is the most consistent album I have heard for JB. Great tunes and sounds in every single track.
This is ANOTHER 5-star CD. I have been a fan of Jackson Brownes for well over 35 years and this recording is nother 'work of art'. His harmonies & lyrics are just fantastic.
Jackson Browne's previous studio album was 2002's "The Naked Ride Home", which overall was quite a pleasant surprise. The worst track for sure is the unsufferable Katrina-themed track "Where Were You" which goes on for a full 10 min. Last September Jackson Browne finally released a new studio album."Time the Conqueror" (10 tracks; 57 min). Even worse, the song has no memorable melody to speak off.
Not necessarily because of the heavy dose of political overtones, but because there are not nearly enough songs on here are truly remarkable and memorable, and most songs simply wander on far too long (averaging 6 min. and contains such utterly laughable lines like "Where were you in the social order./The Lower Nine or a hotel in the Quarter", as if the tourists in the French Wuarter caused or are responsible for all the Katrina disaster. The remaining highlights include "The Arms Of Night" and "Just Say Yeah", by far the best track on here, an achingly beautiful love song. per song). I wish there were more songs like that on here.In all, "Time the Conqueror" is a disappointing return for Jackson Browne. Since then Browne has released 2 excellent "Solo Acoustic" sets, each of which is a delight.
When Browne stays away from the overtly political stuff, things are much better. Not one of Jackson Browne's better albums. starts off with the pleasant title track and "Off of Wonderland", only then to succumb to "The Drums of Wars", with utterly predictable lines like "Where are the courts, now when we need them./Why is impeachment not on the table.". Sadly that is true for far too many songs on this album.
The two female vocalists also add richness to the vocal dimension without every overpowering JB. Too often listening to new music can turn into a duty and an act of perseverence. Musically and lyrically it has breadth and depth.
The highlights though are the more personally reflective pieces, with TtC, Wonderland, Arms of Night, and Just Say Yeah, really shining. Not this one though. The telling sign for me is that I find myself wanting to play this over and over again.
This is a fine piece of work. Even the politically/ socially instructive songs - Drums of War and WHere Were You which are not always the ones that engage the heart or pleasure centre of the ear, are fine contributions to this collection. All in all a mature piece of fine craftmanship and a privilage to listen to.
Jackson's band is in fine form, and,I think, the music benefits from the downsizing to one guitarist - this gives the music space to breath. A wonderful addition.The songs are, for the most part, top shelf.
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