Late For the Sky – Jackson Browne

Jackson Browne’s third LP took a great leap forward in terms of songwriting, delivering fully on the promise of his  first two records, and establishing him firmly as a leading light in the confessional singer-songwriter movement of the 1970s. Indeed, the album arguably hit a peak he has never quite reached again, despite excellent follow ups in ‘The Pretender’ and ‘Running on Empty’.

This isn’t an album particularly rich in singles though. No easy hooks on the lines of Doctor My Eyes or Take It Easy. The Road and the Sky does rock out a bit, but the true essence of the record is found on the gentle, wordy and ponderous tunes that explore the complexities of relationships, people, and life with a rare sensitivity and thoughtfulness.

Song after song, Browne pours out his observations from lived experiences, attempting to come to terms with life as we know it. There is much insight on offer here.

On Late for the Sky he dissects a failed relationship thus: You never knew what I loved in you I don’t know what you loved in me Maybe the picture of somebody you were hoping I might be

And then on The Late Show there’s this pithy commentary on the superficiality of social interaction: Maybe people only ask you how you’re doing ‘Cause that’s easier than letting on how little they could care

Perhaps the most poignant of all is his effort to make sense of death, on For a Dancer: No matter how close to yours Another’s steps have grown In the end, there is one dance you’ll do alone

All this intense lyricism is accompanied by some outstanding guitar work from David Lindley. His evocative, emotional guitar lines do a lot to enhance the mood, most notably on the title track.

In all the melancholy, though, there is a little light still shining. ‘Late for the Sky’ finds Browne expressing a resigned acceptance of the ways of the world, without too much of the bitterness or despondency that often comes with it. As he says on Farther On, “still I look for the beauty in songs”. And the album closes with Before the Deluge and its positive refrain of “let the music keep our spirits high”. Music of this quality certainly would do so.

Rating: *****

Label: Asylum

Release Date: 1974

Reviewed by Sughosh Varadarajan

Sughosh is a bonafide music nut, having spent over 25 years collecting audio tapes, vinyl and audio CDs. A superfan of The Beatles, The Who, Jethro Tull and XTC, among many others, his collection includes over 700 LPs, plus a similar count of audio CDs. Given half a chance (or even if not), he is most likely to be found attempting to sell fellow music lovers on his personal passion – British and Celtic folk-rock. He can be reached at sughosh@gmail.com