The Daily Deep Cut

The editors at JamsBio like to think of ourselves as music fans first, not critics, and that’s the sensibility we strive for at JamsBio and that we seek in other sites as well. That’s why we’re so jazzed about Damn Fine Day, a site that each day profiles a deep album cut that’s been overlooked, but deserves a place in everybody’s collection. In the name of spreading the gospel about great music, we present “The Daily Deep Cut,” where we add our two cents about the songs featured on Damn Fine Day. Once you read our unique take, we’ll send you over to Damn Fine Day so you can stream the full track and download it if you like. Sometimes we might even suggest another deep track from the same album or present some other novel twist on what their hawking.

William DeYoung wonderfully describes the brilliance of “Song for Adam,” today’s pick on Damn Fine Day, so I’ll take this opportunity to explain why you should do yourself a favor and immerse yourself in Jackson Browne’s early catalog. A criminally underrated songwriter who’s too often relegated to the “sensitive California” scene of Laurel Canyon, Browne released his solo debut in 1972 as a fully formed 23 year-old sensation. Having already written songs for Nico, Tom Rush, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Browne was destined to carve his own identity and the quality of his first three records rival any trio of releases in history. Sure, Jackson Browne is not hip. He’s not embraced by the indie rock elite, but his music speaks for itself. Deeply personal and unflinchingly honest, his songs provided a touchstone for a whole generation searching for answers after their dreams had been compromised. But his ruminations on love, loss, and confused identity, all infused with a muted optimism, prove to be timeless. Add to this Browne’s towering influence on the California folk-rock sound of the early ’70’s (remember, he co-wrote The Eagles’ “Take It Easy”) and you have a bona fide legend who deserves the same respect afforded to his highly regarded peers Neil Young, Paul Simon and Joni Mitchell.

After taking in the moving “Song for Adam” on Damn Fine Day, I urge you to pick up a copy of Late for the Sky, Browne’s 1974 masterpiece, and treat yourself to the genius of one of America’s most underappreciated songwriters.

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