A year and a half ago, I posted my first Jackson Browne song on the blog in response to a commenter’s repeated outrage that I’d posted plenty of songs by artists he deemed less worthy than Mr. Browne without ever giving Jackson his due.
Today, thanks to Random Weekends, I’m posting my second Jackson Browne song. Listening to the track, I’m struck by how easy he is to listen to… he has a wonderful voice and a smooth, laid-back style. I like Browne a lot better than The Eagles and their ilk, even though I’m sure he’d be classified as their ilk (in fact Don Henley sings backup on today’s SOTD).
‘All Good Things’ is the final track from Browne’s excellent 1993 album I’m Alive. The record was a comeback for Browne, who had abandoned his soulful songwriting of the 70s for more politically fueled (and poorly received) work in the 80s. This album pulsated with the warm sting of fresh heartbreak.
My strongest memory of today’s track comes from a Browne concert I attended in Sunrise, Florida. He had performed an encore and seemingly wrapped things up (beautifully) with ‘The Load-Out,’ that Running On Empty classic in which he salutes the road crew as they dismantle the set around him and his piano.
That song was a perfect closer for Running On Empty and a perfect closer for a Jackson Browne concert. But after the applause died down and we were ready to head to our car, he came out for one last song — ‘All Good Things.’ It’s the first time I can remember when an encore felt unwelcome. After 2+ hours and a lovely emotional finish, did we really need to hear this tacked-on, little-known song?
It’s a fine song and I feel bad for the negative association. But Jackson, if you’re reading this… always close with ‘The Load-Out.’ No need to re-think greatness.
The thrills have to fade
Before they come ’round again
The bills will be paid
And the pleasure will mend
All good things got to come to an end
God I wish I was home
Laying ’round with my friends
The call of the wild
Caution thrown to the wind
The fall of the child
Where the longing begins
All good things got to come to an end
Like a river flows
Rolling ’till it ends in the sea
Our pleasure grows
Rolling ’till it ends in you and me
Now as the dark gathers into the sky
And legions of might go thundering by
Regions of light grow dim and then die
And we with our wings
Wait for morning to fly
Like a river flows
Rolling ’till it ends in the sea
Our pleasure grows
Rolling ’till it ends in you and me
Rolling ’till it ends in you and me
Here where the angels
Have appeared and are gone
Your face like an ember
Glows in the dawn
But I want you to remember
All wild deeds live on
All good times, all good friends
All good things got to come to an end
The thrills have to fade
Before they come ’round again
The bills will be paid
And the pleasure will mend
All good things got to come to an end
All good times, all good friends
All good things got to come to an end
Meet Me In Montauk 
I don’t know…. I love this song, and think it’s actually a lovely way to follow up The Load-Out. 🙂 I agree that Jackson Browne has one of the nicest voices to listen to; his music is thoughtful and interesting, so I don’t mean to give him that dreaded “easy listening” label, yet there it is. I can never imagine turning off a Jackson Browne song. There’s just nothing at all objectionable about him as a singer and songwriter.
As I write this, Daniel just piped in with, “You know who has the least pleasant voice to listen to? Elvis Costello!!” So there you have it… those artists who are most exciting are also often the most polarizing. I can’t imagine that Jackson Browne has a polarizing impact on anyone (well, maybe, anyone other than Darryl Hannah 🙂 but I think that’s a good thing.
Well, thank you iPod fairy for forcing Clay to post only the second song by Browne out of the 1344 songs featured to date. I maintain that Browne deserves more attention on this blog as he is a truly wonderful songwriter. Even his policial forays in the 80’s were interesting to me,as I consider LIves in the Balance to be amongst his finest albums.
As for the concert ending, I don’t recall being so bothered by the choice, but, when I am enjoying a concert, I always favor more songs than less anyway.