Enjoy the return of legendary singer/songwriter Jackson Browne to the stage of AUSTIN CITY LIMITS – July 13, 10 p.m.

Enjoy the return of legendary singer/songwriter Jackson Browne to the stage of AUSTIN CITY LIMITS – July 13, 10 p.m.

Published on:
Sunday, July 7, 2024

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Austin city limits

“Jackson Browne” – Translation

Saturday, July 13th at 22:00

Austin city limits is proud to present a season highlight: the return of Jackson Browne for the first time in almost 20 years. The singer-songwriter presents a chart-topping collection, Downhill from everywherealongside highlights from his five-decade career in an exquisite hour taped as part of the series’ 47th season. Despite the challenges facing live music during this time, ACL was pleased to present viewers with a new season of performances, all taped in 2021 at ACL’s studio in Austin, Texas, in front of a limited live audience. The program continues its extraordinary run as the longest-running music television show in history, offering viewers a front-row seat to the best live performances for a remarkable 47 years. ACL airs weekly Saturdays at 10 p.m. on WOUB, and full episodes can be streamed online immediately after the initial broadcast at pbs.org/austincitylimits.

“It’s like Valhalla for us to play Austin city limits”, says Jackson Browne at his first appearance in ACL stage since 2002. Supported by a first-class eight-piece band, Browne delivers a career-spanning set that includes well-known classics and newer gems from the celebrated Downhill from everywherehis fifteenth studio album. Rock Hall inductee Browne is an archetype of the Americana singer-songwriter genre and began pioneering his personal, introspective lyrics in the 1970s. He opens the hour with the searching “I’m Alive,” a mid-career high point about leaving past heartache behind. Browne presents new material tailor-made for the times, including the roots rocker “My Cleveland Heart,” about trading in a fragile human heart for a resilient, artificial substitute (he boldly introduces it as a “cheerful song”). The veteran social justice advocate sings “The Dreamer,” a powerful bilingual song that eloquently addresses the struggles facing a generation of immigrant children. Browne sings a duet with singer-songwriter Leslie Mendelson on the stunning collaboration “A Human Touch” and brings out backup singer Chavonne Stewart on the folk-rocker social commentary “The Long Way Around.” He shines with classics from his early years, including the radio classic “Doctor My Eyes” and “These Days,” which Browne wrote when he was just 16 years old.

“Do you want to sing this?” Browne calls out before finishing off by singing a few songs from 1973. For everyone: Fan favorite “Take It Easy,” the Eagles’ 1972 hit he co-wrote with Glenn Frey, poignantly urges the crowd, “Sing it so Glenn Frey can hear you!” Browne lets the whole band shine, segueing seamlessly into the wistful “Our Lady of the Well,” with solos all around for an unforgettable closer.

“In many ways, Jackson Browne embodies the return of live music in the post-pandemic 21st century,” says ACL Executive Producer Terry Lickona. “He’s a bridge to the best music of the last 40 years, but his new songs are just right for the world we live in today. There aren’t many artists who can do that.”