Time The Conqueror: Jackson Browne, Still Fierce

I love music. I don’t know how I would manage without it being part my everyday routine. I am not a shopaholic. I am not a fashionista. I don’t spend money frivolously in expensive stores or restaurants. But I buy music, and iTunes makes it easy. It’s become a weakness of mine, and may ultimately be my financial undoing.

Now, I know I created this blog to write about race matters, but today I feel the need to talk about Jackson Browne. That’s right, I'm talking about Jackson Browne (“JB”)--one of the most prolific and courageous artists of our time. The guy is flawed as hell, but he is a tireless activist and he never stops trying to shine a light on the truth, no matter how ugly.

About a year ago, I purchased JB’s latest album called “Time The Conqueror”. As with many of his albums, I eased in slowly. I got sucked in quickly. He fearlessly addresses society’s hot button issues. There’s a song called “The Drums of War” about the useless, deliberate war in Iraq. There’s a song called “Where Were You” about the devastation from the floods in New Orleans. There’s a song called “Going Down to Cuba” about xenophobia.

Consider the song “The Drums of War”. When I first listened to this song I felt JB was channeling me. Perhaps I was channeling him! JB pulls no punches. Here’s an excerpt:

Who gives the orders, orders to torture? 

Who gets to no-bid contract the future?
Who lies, then bombs, then calls it an error? 

Who makes a fortune from fighting terror?
Who is the enemy trying to crush us?
Who is the enemy of truth and justice?
Who is the enemy of peace and freedom?
Where are the courts, now when we need them? 

Why is impeachment not on the table?
We’d better stop them while we are able.

JB writes about the preventable floods following the powerful category 5 Hurricane Katrina that reeked havoc in New Orleans, decimating many communities, and causing unthinkable loss of life. Here’s an excerpt from his song “Where Were You” about that disaster:

Where were you when you got the picture?
Where were you when the streets filled up with black water?

Where were you when defeat and destruction reigned in the Crescent?
Where were you when it blew from every direction?

Where were you when the promise was made to return and rebuild,
To restore to its people the city that gave us first the American music;
True inspiration and the freedom to use it?
Where will we find it again if we lose it?
And where will we be if we ever cease to love?

JB, you make me want to weep! You constantly encourage us to embrace the broader worldview. Here’s an excerpt from that little gem called “Going Down to Cuba”:

They’ve got to deal with that embargo.
Enough to drive any country insane.

They might not know the things you and I know,
 
They do know what to do in a hurricane! (emphasis mine)

Maybe I’ll go through Mexico.
 Old Jesse Helms don’t have to know.

Anyway, all the allies of the USA travel to Cuba everyday.


JB, I couldn’t have said any of this better myself. I’m awestruck! And I think I’m still in love.