Jackson Browne: The Pretender – Part Three
In our first two articles in this series featuring singer-songwriter Jackson Browne’s Grammy-nominated album The Pretender, we spotlighted the title track and other songs, including “The Fuse,” “Only Child,” and “Daddy’s Tune.” In our final article we’ll focus on the album’s shortest track and the musicians and singers who were called into the studio to help make this album one of Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time.” .
The song “Sleep’s Dark and Silent Gate” is only two minutes and thirty-five seconds long. It is strategically placed penultimate on The Pretender as the introduction to the album’s title (and final) track. The tune opens with the sparkling sound of acoustic guitar and understated strings leading into the first verse where Browne sings (accompanied by acoustic piano): “Sometimes I lie awake at night and wonder where life will take me.” Hoping to go under.” The dark and silent door of the dream. I found my love too late. On the final line of the opening verse (“I found my love too late…”) the band springs into action and lifts this meditative piece. While the music (courtesy of Jon Landau’s tasteful production) delves into pop waters, the lyrics remain consistent with the opening lyric: “I never should have had to try so hard to make love work, I guess. I do not do it”. I know what love has to do with happiness. But the times we were happy were the times we never tried.”
After a brief (and stunning) counter-song at the end of the piece, “Sleeps Dark and Silent Gate” closes with the lyric “Oh God, this is the shape I’m in. When the only thing that makes me cry is kindness.” “. In my baby’s eyes Sometimes I lie awake at night and wonder where the years have gone. All have passed under the dark and silent gate of sleep.” This song in itself could have closed this album. It’s that strong. But waiting in the wings to provide the album’s exclamation point is the song “The Pretender.” This melody completes the album full circle leaving the listener in a position of being completely satisfied but, at the same time, wanting more – the greatest achievement for a songwriter.
As discussed in the first two articles of this series, the masterful production of this album by Jon Landau (known as a writer for Rolling Stone magazine and as a manager for Bruce Springsteen) was the result of Landau and Browne knowing who to call. In addition to David Crosby and Graham Nash (of Crosby, Stills and Nash fame), the total number of musicians contributing to The Pretender exceeds THIRTY.
This virtual “who’s who” of the music industry includes Browne’s guitarist/violinist/slide guitarist and longtime fretboard wizard David Lindley, plus Browne’s regular studio and touring companions: Craig Doerge (piano), Leland Sklar (bass), Russ Kunkel (drums), Rosemary Butler (vocals) and guitarist Waddy Wachtel. Rounding out this impressive list, to name a few, were Lowell George (of Little Feat), John Hall (of Orleans), Don Henley (of The Eagles), guitarist Albert Lee, keyboardist Billy Payne (Little Feat), singer Bonnie Raitt and singer/guitarist JD Souther.
With the near-perfect combination of flawless songwriting, production, and over thirty musical artists contributing to the cause, Jackson Browne’s album The Pretender is the best of Browne’s career and (as claimed by Rolling Stone) one of the best albums of all time