Jackson Brown / Columbia 1978 / 1DVDR

Jackson Brown / Columbia 1978 / 1DVDR /Uxbridge

Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, Maryland, USA 20th August 1978 (PRO-SHOT)

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ジャクソン・ブラウン1978年ツアーの様子を捉えた定番映像として親しまれてきた、8月20日のコロンビア公演を捉えたBBC『JACKSON BROWN IN CONCERT』。彼のライブキャリアにおける最初の頂点とも呼べるツアーの様子を捉えた映像としても価値は計り知れない。
そんな重要映像であった割りに近年は見過ごされており、現在YouTube上で見られるのは圧縮率が高い劣化バージョンかつ分割アップロードされた見づらいものばかり。
そんな定番映像の不遇な状況に喝を入れるべく登場したのは当時のリアタイ放送を録画したVHSマスターのバージョン。
流石にYouTube上に溢れる圧縮されまくりバージョンとは異次元の見やすさが際立ちます。もちろん70年代のVHS録画ですので現在の放送レベルには及ばないものの、むしろ70年代のビデオ映像らしい質感も自然で良き。

その放送に際して一時間を切る長さにまとめられた（当時ライブを完全に放送するテレビ番組はありえませんでした）せいで完全収録から程遠い内容となってしまった点は惜しまれますが、それでも『RUNNING ON EMPTY』の大ヒットと共に敢行された絶頂ツアーからプロショット映像が残されたというのは大きい。
しかもBBC放送らしくカメラアングルが非常に練られており、ジャクソン以下ステージ上の各プレイヤーの姿を見事なカメラワークで捉えてくれているから見飽きません。
中でもデヴィッド・リンドレーに至ってはオープニングとエンディングで「featuring David Lindley」と言うテロップが現れるほど絶大な存在感を放っており、十八番のスライドだけでなくストラトを下げて普通にリードギターを弾く、さらに「Cocaine」ではジャクソンの横でバイオリンを弓だけでなくピチカートで鳴らすといった大活躍。
それに何と言ってもフィナーレ「Stay」おける、あのなめらかボイスで歌い上げる（しかもコミカルな身振り手振りを交えながら）リンドレーの様子もBBCはばっちり捉えてくれている。

何よりリンドレーと演奏するジャクソンが本当に楽しそうで、やはり彼にとって最高の相棒であったことを思い知らされます。
「Running On Empty」ではリンドレーとジャクソンによる文字通り白熱のスライド・バトルが繰り広げられた様子が見られるのも圧巻。これもまた78年ツアーならではの光景でしょう。
さらにバックコーラスには懐かしのローズマリー・バトラーの姿も捉えられており、彼女もライブ全編に渡って大活躍。
極めつけは78年ツアー・バンドにおけるリンドレーと二枚看板といっても過言でないドラマー、ジム・ゴードンの姿が随所で見られる点もマニアには大きな魅力かと。70年代後半の彼の姿を捉えた映像と言う価値は高い。
このように一時間足らずの中に78年ツアーの魅力が見事に凝縮された最高のプロショット映像のアッパー版が遂に姿を現しました。言うまでもなく音声はサウンドボード！

The BBC’s “JACKSON BROWN IN CONCERT” captures the Columbia performance on August 20th, which has become a popular standard video of Jackson Browne’s 1978 tour. The value of this video is immeasurable as it captures the tour, which can be called the first pinnacle of his live career.
Despite being such an important video, it has been overlooked in recent years, and currently all that can be seen on YouTube is a degraded version with a high compression rate and a difficult-to-watch version that has been uploaded in parts.
In order to cheer up the unfortunate situation of such a standard video, a version of the VHS master that recorded the real tie broadcast at the time was released.
As expected, the ease of viewing stands out in a different dimension from the compressed versions that are all over YouTube. Of course, this is a VHS recording from the 70’s, so it’s not up to the level of today’s broadcasts, but the quality of the 70’s video footage is natural and good.

It is regrettable that the length of the broadcast was shortened to less than an hour (at that time, there was no TV program that broadcast the entire live performance), so the content was far from a complete recording, but still. It is significant that professional shot footage was left from the climax tour that was carried out with the big hit of “RUNNING ON EMPTY”.
In addition, the camera angles are very well thought out, as is typical of a BBC broadcast, and each player on stage, including Jackson, is captured with stunning camera work, so you won’t get tired of watching it.
Among them, David Lindley has such a great presence that the caption “featuring David Lindley” appears in the opening and ending scenes, and he not only plays the lead guitar with his Strat lowered, but also plays the lead guitar normally. In “Cocaine”, he plays the violin next to Jackson not only with a bow but also with a pizzicato sound.
Above all, the BBC perfectly captures Lindley’s smooth voice (along with comical hand gestures) during the finale, “Stay.”

Above all, Jackson really seemed to be having fun playing with Lindley, and I was reminded that he was his best partner.
In “Running On Empty”, it is amazing to see a literally heated slide battle between Lindley and Jackson. This is also a sight unique to the ’78 tour.
In addition, the nostalgic Rosemary Butler is also featured in the backing vocals, and she also plays an active role throughout the live performance.
The best part is that the drummer Jim Gordon, who can be said to be the double of Lindley in the 1978 tour band, can be seen everywhere, which is a big attraction for enthusiasts. It has great value as a video that captures his appearance in the late 1970s.
In this way, the upper version of the best professional shot video that perfectly condensed the charm of the 1978 tour in less than an hour has finally appeared. Needless to say, the audio is a sound board!

1. The Fuse
2. Here Come Those Tears Again
3. Rock Me On The Water
4. Cocaine
5. Rosie
6. Doctor My Eyes
7. These Days
8. Running On Empty
9. Love Needs A Heart
10. Nothing But Time
11. The Load Out/Stay

Jackson Browne – Guitar, Piano, Vocals
David Lindley – Guitar, Violin, Vocals
Craig Doerge – Keyboards
Bob Glaub – Bass
Jim Gordon – Drums
Rosemary Butler – Vocals
Doug Haywood – Vocals

PRO-SHOT COLOUR NTSC Approx.56min.