Customer Reviews

Running on Empty (CD & DVD Audio)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is a DVD AUDIO release so don't make the mistake of expecting to see video footage like an earlier reviewer did. DVD Audio is all about the sound - much higher resolution than CD plus a choice between stereo or 5.1 surround. If you've got a DVD-Audio player and you're a Jackson Browne fan, consider this purchase essential. The 5.1 surround mix is like hearing the album for the first time. Consider the still images a bonus but buy it for the music.

I spent several hours comparing the sound of my original LP phonograph record of Running on Empty with the CD and two-channel DVD Audio disks included in this package. I wasn't able to sample the multichannel DVD Audio.

The music and tempo are identical on LP, CD, and DVD-A, but the sound is quite different. The LP and the CD sound very similar, and are apparently from the same original mixes for these tracks. However, the 192kHz 24-bit two-channel DVD Audio tracks are apparently a completely new mix, probably made just for this release. The differences are very interesting: the CD/LP mix at first sounds much clearer and brighter than the DVD-Audio, just the opposite of what I would expect. Also, in some portions the CD/LP contain reverb of Browne's voice missing on the DVD-Audio. By direct comparison, many DVD-A vocals at first sound muffled compared to the CD/LP mix.

However, a closer audition reveals that DVD-A often has more content than CD/LP. For example, a backup vocal barely audible on CD/LP is clear and distinct on DVD-A. And left-right channel separation is usually better on the DVD-A. (By the way, many DVD-A tracks also have much more leadin material).

I can only conclude that the originals were recorded with multitrack equipment and the DVD-A is taken from microphones that the original album obscures with material from other tracks. It sounds to me like the CD/LP uses microphones that recorded sound coming from stage speakers, and the DVD-A favors the musicians' microphones instead. Also the equalization is probably boosted on the CD/LP to compensate for typical record players of the 1970's, making the sound artificially brighter, but obliterating much detail.

The CD/LP sound is as you may remember it from the radio, the DVD-A sound is quite different. Browne himself runs a sound studio, and probably had a hand in mixing the DVD-A. In a recent Stereophile magazine he says the surround DVD-A is remarkable. Possibly the two-channel DVD-A is derived from this mix.

So, the two channel DVD-A mix should be regarded is a separate work from the LP/CD. Therefore, if you're hoping DVD-A is an enhanced version of the original LP/CD mix, you'll be disappointed (as I initially was). However, the DVD-A, though not as bright sounding, is possibly even better than the LP/CD. I'm still deciding.

The reviewer who writes: "the music is great, but the DVD is nothing more than a collection of pictures..." fails to understand the concept of a DVD-Audio disc. Along with that "collection of pictures", there is a high resolution 192kHz 24-bit stereo track and a brand new 96kHz surround mix. Each of those alone is worth the price of admission.

Running on Empty rocked the music world almost 30 years ago, both literally and figuratively: a live album of all new material, recorded on stage, backstage, on a bus and in hotel rooms! Now, with enhanced 5.1 sound (it sounds great!), two previously unreleased songs, and hundreds of moving, candid photographs by Joel Bernstein, this classic record has been masterfully revitalized. R&R Hall of Famer, Jackson Browne, never sounded better, surrounded by some of rock's best musicians from that classic era. To me, Russ Kunkel's drums always sounded "bigger" than anyone else's at the time, and David Lindley's virtuosity on anything with strings was never more evident. This release is a gift to Jackson Browne's abiding fans, and to those who will be!

The Good
"Running on Empty" is the most familiar song on the album, and it sounds so much better with its heightened clarity and 5.1 mix. Jackson expressed how his journeys are wearing down on him. "The Road" takes you deeper into depression and despair with acoustic guitars and emotional lyrics. The piano heavy track "Rosie" delves into the trials and tribulations of the `groupie' culture. It's no surprise that drugs were a big part of the music industry at the time (did I just say were?). Browne approaches the subject with a little bit of humor and a little bit of sadness on "Cocaine."

"Love Needs a Heart" is a touching power ballad where Browne puts his heart out on his sleeve. "Nothing But Time" has a funky rhythm and bluesy vocals that convey all that can happen when you have nothing to do until the next show. "Stay" wraps the whole saga up with a ray of light at the end of the tunnel. Whereas most of the album focused on the negative aspects of the road, this one focuses on the great things and people you deal with along the way. The bonus tracks are included only on the DVD mix of the album. "Cocaine Again" is okay, but not really interesting, and "Edwardsville Room 124" is a mellow instrumental.

The Bad
The rest of the DVD material (montages, photos, lyrics) are cool to have, but you'll probably only view them once.

The Verdict
I never really listened to what Running On Empty was all about until now. Apparently I missed a lot just listening to it casually. The album is a well-written, informative, intelligent, and sometimes sad account of life on the road. It's an album that can hold it's own no matter what decade your talking about. I can honestly say that Running On Empty is a timeless piece of artistry that should not be missed. The 5.1 mix is excellent.

I'm not a Jackson Browne fan, in fact I don't own any of his other recordings. The songs are of course familiar from years of FM airplay. What makes this disk so enjoyable is the outstanding sound quality of DVD-A. The performances were excellent, much of which may not have been quite so apparent until now. I own ten DVD-A's and this disk is among the best of them in sound quality.

If you like classic rock in general and Jackson Browne in particular, go ahead and buy this disk for your DVD-A player. You will not be disappointed.

Well worth owning; sounds so much better than original CD from way back.

Jackson Browne's epic `live across America' album from 1977 was resurrected in this set in 2005 and it glows. It contains the original mixing of the 10-song CD and a DVD with two extra songs, "Cocaine Again" and "Edwardsville Room 124". The reproduction in surround sound is impeccable and you can hear every instrument and vocal perfectly - even the audience shout outs!

The music is even more vibrant in surround and seems to place you directly there in the concert arena or studio. "Cocaine Again" is a plucky little studio song that's nice, but doesn't add much to the set, however, "Edwardsville Room 124" is a pleasant mellow rock song instrumental that rounds out the collection very nicely (drums very predominant in rear speakers).

Extras? Each song has its own concert photo on the television set, there is also an extensive photo album showing what it was like to travel in a tour bus and stay at Holiday Inn's. The "Running On Empty" Video montage is brilliant with the bands photos with the song track running and the "Tour Photo Album" Video Montage pays homage to the entire bands members with instrumentals mixed form various songs. Oh, yes, the lyrics are all provided and there is a computer Web Link, as well.

The fold-out contains a small booklet with fine liner notes by Anthony DeCurtis (music critic) and Cameron Crowe (director). This set is a classic and a keeper!

The recording industry should be be producing more fine works like this on DVD-Audio. Buy a copy, before it's too late. Listening to this great live album in 5.1 DVD-Audio is like going back in time.

It was worth the wait for the release, the sound quality for the album is fantastic. Crisp highs, excellent bass. I highly recommend.