Late for the Sky is Jackson Browne's masterpiece. Six of the eight songs are absolute gems. A life-changing record..

Jackson Browne is the Gold Standard for singer-songwriters.

Jackson Browne is one of my favourite artists. Anytime I ever indulge in trying to come up with my top ten favourite albums, 'Late For The Sky' by JB is always in there. For A Dancer is one of the best tracks from that. Beautiful lyrics. Hard to believe it came from someone so young, when it was written. I think anyone who has ever suffered the loss of someone close can relate to it. - These aren't upbeat themes, and they deal with some difficult subjects. Most of Jackson's work will not fill you with a sense of euphoria and positivity, but he will express those inner feelings we all have from time to time. Those kinds of artists become your personal friends throughout your life. Those singer/songwriters from the early 70's just had one hell of a gift for being able to express those things most of us just feel unable to put into words. Artists like Jackson, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, James Taylor and Cat Stevens, to name a few. What a time for introspective music that was.

David Lindley on violin. He has worked with Jackson Browne for a long time. If you hear something familiar in this, there are members of the band Eagles singing backing harmonies. Browne has composed several songs to them as well.

One of my favorite songs and from my favorite album of his. One of my songwriter heros.

He's my favorite make singer he and David lindley are Soo underrated

Greatest song of all time, on the greatest album of all time IMHO

Lyrics were/are Jackson Browne’s speciality. He wrote lots of other songs with existential themes and similar chords and melodies. (“Fountain Of Sorrow,” “The Pretender,” “Before The Deluge,” “Late For The Sky” and more songs all sound similar to each other.) He wrote most of “Take It Easy” which The Eagles had a big hit with, and he sped up the tempo for “Running On Empty,” and “Doctor My Eyes,” so his music is not all about the sadness, disillusionment and disappointment of life, but a lot of it is! My sister always loved his music. Me, not so much. I’ve seen him live a few times, most recently on a double bill with Steve Winwood, who definitely stole the show, but I enjoyed hearing Jackson Browne live again after 40 years since the last time. He’s quite a sensitive soul, and for that I can appreciate his music in small doses. I wouldn’t seek his music out either! It’s beautiful in its own way though. If you want to delve into 1960s-1970s folk-rock singer-songwriters I would recommend Cat Stevens. His “Tea For The Tillerman,” “Teaser And The Firecat” and “Catch Bull At Four” albums are fantastic. Every song is good. If you want to review just one song, “Miles From Nowhere” is a good place to start. I really love his music. Another incredible singer-songwriter is Joni Mitchell. She’s too hard to describe in a few words and it’s hard to recommend one song but I’ll go with “A Case Of You” from her “Blue” album. She started out as a folk singer with a high, sweet voice and became a folk-rock and later a sultry/smoky voiced jazz singer. She wrote lyrics like nobody else. She also played piano and guitar like nobody else did, coming up with lots of original guitar tunings. Both of these artists evoke strong emotions but their songs are melodically and lyrically equal in their depth. That’s saying a lot! There are plenty more 60s/70s singer-songwriters worth recommending but these two are exquisite, in my opinion. Jackson Browne kind of found one type of musical sound, with his own lyrical and chord structure niche/style and stuck with it throughout his career. This wasn’t true for Cat Stevens or Joni Mitchell, and of the two, she was the more adventurous. Before there was Kate Bush, there was Joni Mitchell. A great artist, who paints as well as she writes/sings/plays/performed. Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin wrote “Going To California” about her. She’s not really a “first listen” type of artist, and you would need to invest some time to absorb all her artistry. Since there aren’t a lot of women from the 60s/70s who broke ground musically (which I feel is mostly the music industry’s fault), you should definitely put her on your list for private listening or for reaction. For a more uptempo first listen, “Raised On Robbery,” is fun. Most younger people know “Big Yellow Taxi,” but not Joni’s original version. As a bass and jazz fan, you’d like her “Hejira” album. But since she evolved into jazz from folk, it’s better to start earlier. Don’t get me started on Neil Young but he’s another epic, diverse and unbelievably talented artist. We can save him for another time. 😊 I enjoyed your reaction and think you nailed it. If Jackson Browne’s songs weren’t so musically and lyrically similar and I’d not heard them a thousand times, I could have shared your enthusiasm. FM radio killed a lot of 1970s songs, simply from overplaying them. You couldn’t get away from it in those days.

Finally someone got to this great, great song. Best album of my life.

Love love love this one got goosebumps Do more Jackson Browne

'Late for the Sky' is my favorite album of his.

When I was 17 I thought that Jackson Browne would have the answer to all of life’s questions. Granted, I had no idea what those questions might be but whatever they were I would sure that JB would be able to answer them. I eventually realized that he was dealing with his own and no closer to answering them than he would have been mine. Fast-forward [*ahem!*] years and this is still in my top-ten albums. Of the low-key songs, this is probably the lowest and with the benefit of hindsight the most moving, given his wife’s suicide a year later making the lyrics all the more poignant, although they are often foolishly held to be prescient. Even the toe-tappers provide something thoughtful and angsty - "everywhere I look I see another person I’ll never know". If LA existentialist angst is your thing, this is the album for you and it certainly has been for me, even though I was a boy from the West of Scotland who wouldn’t set foot there for another 35 years. Broken, dying, dead relationships are examined by someone who knows how to make the personal lyrical, while anticipating the apocalypse ("keep on eye on the open sky, you never know what might be coming down"; "don’t think it won’t happen just because it hasn’t happened yet") and providing an elegy for the lost hippy dream. In case you didn’t pick up on the cues, I love this album.

Yeah! More folk rock! Strangers always thought I wasn’t a personable guy. What a beautiful song. I’d forgotten just how good Jackson Browne was. Maybe one of the last great singer songwriters of that generation. The California sound (Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Mama/Pappas, Journey, etc). They all had a nice easy vibe. Like driving down 101 with the top pulled down, sunglasses on. Jackson Browne was mellow for sure man, but his songs always had a sad wistfulness flavor that I enjoy.

Jackson Browne is an AWESOME talent.

Always thought Jackson Browne was underrated. My favorites from him are Doctor My Eyes, Running On Empty, and The Load Out/Stay. He’s definitely an artist worth looking into more.

One of my top 5 artists I would say. Great album. His lyrics are always meaningful. When my father died of Covid I kept playing "Of Missing Persons". Give it a listen.

I liked the tune, folk with a bit of country vibe. Enjoyed the song and the melody, the violin was nice. Good choice and reaction was on point.

Beautiful song, good analysis!

My brother was an extreme fan. Great lyricist. Killed 1979, on his 24th birthday, gun violence.. This song IS my brother's spirit. Got my family through the tragedy. Just beautiful.

Always thoughtful analysis

This album came out when I was about 22 and I thought then it was one of those rarities in the music. Business,an album with ALL don't tracks and for me at least it's held up under the test of time. Artists are almost never a le to duplicate this feat again and it's the luck and talented artist that even accomplishes this once in a career. This was in my humble opinion Browne's pinnicle as a songwriter and has had a lasting impact on me emotionally to this day. If I'm not mistaken this was produced at a time in his life when he was under extreme stress due to his wife's death at that time. Thank you Mr. Browne

Thanks Justin, you just made my day. A pleasant surprise for a Sunday morning (I'm on the other side of the Pond from you). A well considered and honest reaction, as ever. I'm especially interested in the comments section, with the critique varying between "mellow & wistful" to "whiny" and of course my favourite "zzzzzzzzz". Just goes to show it depends where you're head's at when you listen to a track. For me, it reminds me of good times with my dad when he was alive, so it's bittersweet, but uplifting too. Puts me in the mood to listen to more music, of any genre, sort of an aural catalyst! I think when he refers to feeling stupid crying as they ease his friend down refers to the awkward emotions at the graveside when joyous celebration of a life would be more appropriate. BTW, since you like Country to some extent, take a look at the writing credits for some of the Eagles earlier work and you'll see Jackson credited, as they were buddies and collaborated (e.g. Take it Easy). And of course, keep up the good work fella...

Every Jackson Browne fan will have this song played at the celebration of their life when they are gone.

Great song. Great recommendation, Mike. Great reaction, JP. I love what you had to say about it. I usually concentrate on more complex progressive and heavier music, but for many reasons Jackson Browne's music hours me so hard emotionally. Especially Blue Sky and Black, which I requested in the comments of another of your reactions. Again, I'd love to see your reaction to it. Thanks for all the great videos, JP. Your awesome!

Hello JP, I like your thoughtful analyses of the music that I grew up with. When I bought LP's and went to concerts in the late 60's and 70's, I dont think that I gave as much thought to the structure or lyrics of the songs as you have done. I was so lucky that in my teens and twenties sublime music was everywhere and it just washed over me, so you are bringing new insights to old friends. Keep up the good work.

From "Daddy's Tune" : Nothing survives but the way be live our lives.

Hey Justin - Now it would be great to do the song "Late For The Sky", the title track from that album.

I like all of Jackson Browne's work, even the laid back tracks like this one. But there are some exceptional guest performances on The Pretender album worth checking out. One of them, "Here Comes Those Tears Again" has some enticing backing vocals by Bonnie Bramlett, and "Your Bright Baby Blues" has equally enticing electric guitar by Lowell George.

I typically seek out these first listen videos for songs I listened to hundreds of times and artist that I have followed for 50 years or more. For a Dancer and Jackson Browne fit into that category. To hear anyone say that they have never heard of the song and artist still always amazes me. That said, I enjoyed your reaction to the song and to the artist. At the end of the song he discusses one interpretation of the meaning of life, which is to reflect on how our lives Influence so many others, but often in ways we may never be aware of in our own lifetimes.

Jackson Browne has some nice smooth music nice lyrics very mellow the way he says about the dance at the end you do you last night by yourself

Thank You for taking the suggestion. You are richer in Spirit for it.

Sorry I missed this review when it first came out. Thank you. It came out after 9/11 but I think of it every time now "pay attention to the open sky. You never know what's coming down"

🖒🖒 I really like his song The load out /stay. You should hear it if you like this at all.

Thanks - beautiful song, great choice. Jackson Browne could certainly wax melancholy, morose. But he produced deep and personable songs. I would love for you check out "These Days". An old girlfriend told me he had written it for Greg Allman. True or no, Greg definately adopted it and made it his own. But Jackson Browne's version is great as well.

How strange is it that I learned of this song from Howard Cosell blwho referenced when the American Olympic boxing team was killed in a plane crash.

This studio version pales in comparison to his live version

David Lindsey on fiddle

Try “The Pretender” if you’re interested in Browne.

There are so many Jackson Browne songs you could go to to get a message but this is one of my favourite songs of his.. A lovely, bittersweet song that can apply to everyone. It's the sort of song that back in the day would have had everyone holding up their lighters. ( Nowadays it's a bit easier as all you need is the light on your phone ). Glad you enjoyed it. NOW: Here's a suggestion for you. John Martyn and the song "Solid Air". He is in the same vein as Jackson and this is a similar song as it is about the death of a friend. Please give it a go. I promise YOU WONT REGRET IT. I've even enclosed a link. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/i8-bg7SAxrDUlok.html

I think I may have suggested this already, but I really think you would like "Worship The Sun" by Jesse Roper.

Liked this one and thought the use of violin was great. I like some Jackson Browne but he isn't one of my real go to artists of this genre.

I find this version to be overproduced. In my opinion The versions he does on his two solo acoustic albums are the best versions of those songs.

Try "Lives in the Balance."

I don't think I can add much to Paul's words. He said it well. Jackson is my favorite also. Late for the Sky is one of my favorite albums too. That is not a fiddle, it is a slide guitar. Peace

New sub here cuz I love the amazing poet of the Jackson Brown!!! (I'm sure you know his wife killed herself in his early career) if anyone knows why? let me know please

PS: I know you usually do but you will need to pull up the lyrics for this on.

His first 5 albums were all great, but after Running On Empty he just didn't seem to have the same melodic and thoughtful lyrics. At least to me.

This is a true story for JB. He had friend a dancer who died in a fire.

Pleasant sounding song? haha

My wife is / was a huge Jackson Browne fan. I always found him for the most part a one trick pony..."How can I evoke sadness in my music?" (with a few exceptions): The Load Out/Stay isn't a depressing sounding song, but even that had a whiny, "poor poor me" undertone to the lyrics. My favorite song of his is "Here Comes Those Tears Again" It has a very upbeat sound, but the lyrics are still depressing. "It Makes No Difference" by The Band is a much better "I miss her" song. Jackson Browne is a great radio artist as one song at a time makes you appreciate his talent. But to listen to him over and over would send me into a depression

He wrote this song for a friend who committed suicide.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Jackson is ok in small doses for me, his lyrics and story telling are fine and at times great but his melodies are a little Ho hum and often samey. By comparison I prefer early Elton John.