What Are You Listening To?

[Ruby]

I’ve been listening to Jackson Browne who is literally and figuratively singing his heart out on his 1993 album, I’m Alive. Great to hear a good number of lovely soulful songs on this album, including a distinctly reggae flavoured surprise! This release is clearly very personal and deals with relationships, running the whole gamut of emotions – not many holds barred.

There is nothing of the political/environmental activist here; what there is, is a most impressive list of personnel! A special mention of the percussion section, which to me, sounds wonderful and consistently strong throughout. They are Mauricio-Fritz Lewak and Jim Kletner on drums and Lenny Castro and Luis Conte on other percussion instruments. It seems there were one or two good things to come out of the nineties, after all …

The six tracks I most enjoyed -

That reggae number – “Everywhere I Go” … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d10KTCw-s-Q

Beautiful song and a beautiful video by the uploader - and a grand return to form (pre Hold Out, that is) IMHO. Bravo! - “I’ll Do Anything” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGC9u_APPzs

The same uploader and another sentimental beauty which somehow manages to miss being sickly sweet or kitsch – a great pairing, all helped along by very nice instrumentation and backing vocals by Jennifer Warnes and Valerie Carter – “Too Many Angels” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umyF43OwLu0

“Two Of Me, Two Of You” – what can I say? Everyone has a secret self … this is a eulogy to them - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiL9dwPkJbM

“Sky Blue and Black” – there’s a lot of insightfulness and baring of soul in this – and acceptance of the way things are - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaT04YFgAIY

… and the final track, with the help of a pair of little known backup singers, David Crosby and Don Henley (lol!) – “All Good Things” –

[video=youtube;tEWSOPUfYF0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEWSOPUfYF0[/video]