It’s Turntable Tuesday because life is too short not to listen to great music! Turn that TV off! Light all the candles and get out the fancy party dips. Let’s see what is on the turntable this week.
If you would like to listen to my companion podcast you can listen here or subscribe for free on any of the streaming services you use. My podcast is easily searchable on any streaming service where you get your podcasts by searching “Andrew Talbert.” Look for the World Wide Music Media logo.
If you would like to listen to the pod cast today and participate in a voluntary drinking game the key word for this podcast is “prolific.” You take a drink when you hear “prolific.” As a disclaimer this game is completely voluntary and as always never drink and drive.
January 22, 1978. I was standing in the coliseum in Jackson, Mississippi waiting on Jackson Browne to take the stage to play some favorites and many new tracks from his brand new “Running on Empty” album that was all over FM radio. It seemed most of the tracks on the album were going to be radio hits and the radio was playing most of the tracks throughout the day and night. By 1978 I was in my first year of college and had already had several years of soaking up as much Jackson Browne music as I could get my hands on.
Honestly given the amount of time that has passed I only remember a few things from the show I saw on this night. I remember feeling very excited to see Jackson in person singing all his hit songs. I remember all the amazing band that was on the stage that night and I already understood who all of them were. I think hearing Rosemary Butler intertwine her perfectly-tuned powerful vocals with Jackson Browne was something I remember every time I play this record. I think another thing that really stands out from this show was David Lindley playing fiddle and lap steel. He just sat there in a chair and played looking down a lot but his talent had my attention. When he stood at the end of “Stay” and sung his part the crowd roared their approval. I am sure tears came out of my eyes. I was hooked on live music and the shows were just getting better and better. I could not believe I was standing there seeing a concert of this magnitude at that time. Oh but it was only the beginning of the journey I am still on today. Little did I know how many times I would see most of these players play and even meet many of them. Here is a review of one of my favorite players from this stage where I have many photos and was seated 5 feet from David all night. https://www.nodepression.com/david-lindley-live-at-revolution-mills-greensboro-nc-apr-19-2015/
Running on Empty Track List
“Running on Empty” was recorded live in August 1977 at Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia Maryland
“The Road” was recorded in Room 301 in August 1977 at the Cross Keys Inn, Columbia Maryland after the show and played live in September of 1977 in Holmdel, New Jersey at the Garden State Center
“Rosie” was recorded backstage on September 1, 1977 in the big rehearsal room at the SPAC aka Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, New York. Photographer Joel Berstein and vocalist Doug Haywood sang the background vocals on this track.
“You Love the Thunder” was recorded live September 6, 1977 in Holmdel, New Jersey
“Cocaine” was recorded in Room 124 on August 17, 1977 at the Holiday Inn in Edwardsville, Illionois. Reverend Gary Davis wrote this track with help from Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey.
“Shaky Town” was written by guitarist Danny Kortchmar and recorded in Room 124 of the Holiday Inn in Edwardsville, Indiana.
“Love Needs a Heart” For all of us Little Feat fans who still wonder why Little Feat is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame…this song was written by Lowell George, Valerie Carter, and Jackson Browne. This track was recorded live on September 17, 1977 at Universal City in California
“Nothing But Time” Recorded live on the Continental Silver Eagle tour bus. You can hear the driver shifting gears in the background as they play and sing. Writing credits go to Jackson and Howard Burke who was the tour manager. Recording for the backstage and bus tracks is credited to the Record Plant remote truck. Russ Kunkel played a snare, hi-hat, and cardboard box with a foot pedal. This song was said to be recorded as the bus made its way from Portland, Maine to New Jersey for the next gig. This album was coming together very quickly.
‘The Load Out” was written by Jackson and Bryan Garofalo. It was recorded on August 27, 1977 live at Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia Maryland.
“Stay” was written by Maurice Williams and first recorded in 1960 by Maurice and his band the Zodiacs. “The Hollies” and the “Dave Clark Five” also recorded this song so it was already 17 years old when this was recorded in August of 1977 at Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, Maryland. Rosemary Butler and David Lindley shine on vocals. The crowds would roar when David would wind up his vocal on this track. The original song was only 1:36 and was the shortest single to ever hit the top of the charts. The Jackson Browne version is 3:28 and was featured at the end of shows to beg the audience to stay for an encore. No begging was ever needed.
Nothin’ But Time by Jackson Browne and Howard Burke (Recorded on the bus on September 8, 1977)
Rolling down 295 out of Portland, Maine
Still high from the people up there and feeling no pain
Gonna make it to New Jersey, gonna set it up and do it again
I got a bottle of wine
(Pass it over)
I got a broken white line
(I’m still sober)
There ain’t nothing but time between this silver eagle
And that New Jersey line
Well it’s a rock and roll band or a movie you can take your pick
And it ain’t bad work if you can get it
But you gotta make it stick
But getting any kind of sleep on this rolling motel that’s the trick
I got a bottle of wine
(Pass it over)
I got a broken white line
(I’m still sober)
There ain’t nothing but time between this silver eagle
And that New Jersey line
It’s just a whole lot of time in the twilight zone
Between me and these friends of mine
That’s most of what I wanted to cover in the blog about this album. I have really enjoyed listening to the music several times and thinking about all the experiences from this time period. I have been to a long list of Jackson Browne shows at this point and would gladly go to another tonight if I could. Be sure to check out my companion pod cast for more on this 1977 classic from Jackson Browne.
Until next time, I’ll see you down the road.