To paraphrase a great song, he came out singing, didn't do too much talking this time. When Jackson Browne launches — or more accurately, eases — into his minor masterpiece “These Days,” as he did midway through Sunday’s Lobero Theatre concert, it feels like an anthem both personal and universal. Although written when he was a fledgling and seemingly mature-beyond-his-years songwriter of 16, the song has resonated differently as Hollister Rancher Browne proceeded through his life-career to his current 75-year-old self.
By his own admission, Browne was less inclined than usual to talk between songs at this show, a special and very sold-out celebration of the centennial of this architectural iteration of the beloved Lobero. But, to quote another song, “That Girl Could Sing,” (allegedly about late, underrated Valerie Carter), Browne sure could sing, with his usual warmth and air of wisdom, over a two-set 24-song show spanning his 50-plus-year career.
He returned with the deep and empathetic family of bandmates we heard at his Bowl show in 2022 , highlighted by the uncommonly musical and flavorful guitar section of telecaster master Val McCallum and Greg Leisz, on lap steel (an heir apparent to Browne’s old foil David Lindley) and with Leisz’s trademark pedal steel mastery and assorted guitar implements. Taste just oozed from that corner of the Lobero stage, not to mention the critical female background parts (and occasional stepping-out moments) of singers Alethea Mills and Chavonne Stewart.