Customer Reviews

Jackson Browne - Going Home [VHS]

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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!

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.

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

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.

I just purchased this video in 2000 and after viewing it for the first time, I wondered what I had been waiting for. It came out in 1996, so I had really deprived myself of some great entertainment for four years. I've been a fan of Jackson since his debut album and this video includes some of his best work. I've watched it again and again. I also have a copy of his one-hour performance from the 1996 PBS show, "Soundstage," so I can see Browne in concert any time I like. Jackson's music never gets old and you'll enjoy this video forever.

After reading the reviews posted here, I wasn't sure I wanted to buy this DVD, as it wasn't strictly a concert. However, having just seen him perform at a concert, I wanted to have a visual reminder of his performance even though this DVD is not a full concert (and is nine years old, to boot). Yes, it's true that concert footage is interrupted with commentary by fellow musicians and by Jackson himself; however, perhaps because I was expecting the interruptions, it didn't irritate me. I found the comments quite interesting and a revealing look into the man himself. The sound was very good; however, at times, it seemed like the recording of the music was louder than the vocals. On his albums and CDs, you can almost always hear his lyrics clearly. On this DVD, the vocals seemed a bit low. Overall, the picture quality was excellent, but at some points, the picture stopped for a fraction of a second or seemed to skip. However, that may be because I watched from my computer DVD. Perhaps a "real" DVD player will have better playback. I highly recommend this DVD.

Jackson Browne is my alltime favourite singer/songwriter, but living in Europe I do not get too many chances to see him in concert. I already owned the VHS version of this show, but couldn't wait for it to come out on DVD. It took a long time (postponed several times), but it was worth the waiting. What you get is superb quality video and sound, but above all a unique overview first class songs performed by a top artist acompanied by great musicians. No matter wether it's a down to earth version of Your Bright Baby Blues or a full fledged newly arranged Before The Deluge, it'all top noch! Only the best have managed to survive 30 years in the music business and the Disney recordings demonstrate that Jackson is one of them. Like a good wine he gets better with age.

To make this video they apparently staged and taped an incredible Jackson Browne concert. Then it was edited by someone who thought that no one could be interested in hearing a Jackson Browne song all the way through. We are constantly cutting away to watch someone tell us that what we cannot see or hear is great.
There is room on the DVD to include the concert as a whole along with this documentary. That would make an absolutely great DVD.
As it is, I found it irritating.

I've watched this video many times and the performances by Jackson and David Lindley, etc. are awesome. I often fast forward through the interviews while watching the Disney production, but I'm glad it's on there. I also have a copy of his 1976 PBS Soundstage performance. All music in that one. I wish that it was available to the countless thousands of JB fans. Lindley is more spectacular on that one.

Going Home 1994 Dir Janice Engel. Feat.Jackson Browne , and Scott Thurston Special appearances-David Lindley,David Crosby,Graham Nash,Jennifer Warnes Don Henley,Bonnie Raitt .90 minutes. A autobiographical documentary on this humble man.Featuring rare footage,interveiws,and melodic performances. Highlights include, I'm Alive (93),Doctor My Eyes (71),Birds of St. Marks written about Nico,singer of Velvet Underground (never released) World In Motion (89),about Appartheid in South Africa,Lives in the Balance (86) a favorite, often featured in Miami Vice,Nash and Crosby make a memorable appearance.Originally aired in August of 1994, thanks to the Disney Channel , it is a definite must for any JB fan. Mark Phillip Stassen.