Search - Jackson Browne: Going Home on DVD

Great, but I want to hear the music

Richard W. Field | Maryville, MO USA | 11/15/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Don't get me wrong. I love Jackson Browne. I have many fond memories of listening to his classic albums over and over again--we would have Jackson Browne nights when I was in college. And yes, learning what we learn from the interviews about the way he makes his music, about his early beginnings as a musician, his political activism, etc. (by the way, as a parent I would love to hear his thoughts on parenthood), all is fascinating and is well worth watching. But I would have made one plea to the editors: don't sacrifice the music! I am one who finds it sacriligious to cut off a song early, or to enter a song late. A song is an organic whole: if not heard in its entirety one has not heard the song. But time and time again, this DVD cuts the songs off before their conclusion. In fact, there are only perhaps three songs (and I mean "perhaps" because of some very quick editing) that we hear in full. I expect this sort of thing from VH1 or MTV (for consumers who, at least many of them, don't hold music in such high regard over celebrity), but I don't expect this of a DVD. The model of excellence in concert and interview video, as the model for so much in film making, is Martin Scorsese's work with The Last Waltz (The Band). The interviews in that film are fascinating and informative, but separated from the music. The format worked well on film, but even more on DVD. One can listen to the interviews one wants, but also hear the music in full.Here's a message for Jackson Browne (if ever he would listen to this). Jackson, there are a lot of middle aged, near to exhaustion, folks like me who would be revitalized by your music. Yes we would love to hear whatever you want to say. But we would more than love a concert from you, with all the unexpected moments, the spontaneous smiles (when you did it just right! or a sideman does a nice lick!), and just the great songs that you have written so consistently over the many years. Give us another DVD please! Your fans, believe me, will want to keep ahold of this DVD, but we would love that concert!"

Jackson Browne: Still Waiting

csparks | Edmonds, Wa. USA | 11/03/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Having been a fan of Jackson's since day one, I was anxious to receive my copy of this DVD. The melding of old performance to new performance was flawless. The sound quality was also superb. The song selection is everything that it should be. However,...... it was most disappointing that this is actually a documentary of the career of Jackson Browne.
Maybe I should have read the details a little closer. Three quarters of the songs are interrupted by dialog, and never finished.
If you want to see Jackson Browne in pure concert form, this DVD is not for you. Wait for, or demand a real concert video from the people who produce them.
As a die hard J.B. fan, I'm still glad I own it, but I'll be waiting for something on the order of The Eagles' "Hell Freezes Over" DVD."

An Absolute Must For All Jackson Browne Fans!

csparks | 03/25/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This video captures the essence of JB's songwritings and life. Not only is the music great, but it the way this video was put together is superb. It chronologically takes you from his beginnings in New York playing in a band with Nico from the Velvet Underground, to his 1994's "I'm Alive" album.Some of the live sessions are as good as or better than some of his recorded ones.I have been a Jackson Browne fan for 25 years, and his music is still as fresh and new everytime view and listen to it"

Jackson Browne, my hero

csparks | 11/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not only is Jackson Browne a great singer-songwriter, but he's a great person!! As this video shows, he isn't in it for the fame, glory or money - he's trying to make a better world for all of us. I've always liked his hits, but this video made me want to go out and buy more of his stuff, because I realized that he has something to say in ALL of his music. Not only are the interviews on this video first-rate, but the band (with guest stars) sounds great too. If you want to see what a real social activist looks like, watch Jackson Browne "Going Home." He's the real thing."