For Everyman - JACKSON BROWNE***

Take It Easy/Our Lady Of The Well/Colours Of The Sun/I Thought I Was A Child/These Days/Redneck Friend/ The Times You've Come/Ready Or Not/Sing My Songs To Me/For Everyman

For Everyman was the follow up album from American singer songwriter Jackson Browne. He wrote Take It Easy for The Eagles but few of his compositions are in the same class, most suffering from forgettable blandness. (US:43)

“For Everyman is a definite improvement over Browne's self-titled debut. The songs are clearer and more to the point. While the style is still the same throughout, it is clear that the songs being played have more purpose and meaning than previously.”

“It has some great songs such as Take It Easy, These Days and For Everyman, and Ready Or Not is a sweetly observed song about impending fatherhood. But generally speaking this is a very smooth collection of west coast folk-rock which is pleasant but feels a little insubstantial.”

“This is better than his first album but not by that much; Our Lady Of The Well and Ready Or Not would be my personal favourites. Take It Easy is far too recognisable as an Eagles track for this version to sound anything other than a pale imitation, no matter what order they were recorded in.”

“Although the album is slightly unfocussed, this has the effect of adding an element of warmth to the proceedings, something that his later albums would sadly lack. However, despite some decent songs, the album is ultimately let down by Browne's languid vocals.”

“This is an album for `everyman", the definitive statement by Jackson Browne of his disturbing and apocalyptic view of contemporary society, and his hopes and fears for its future. It is also a lovely, stirring and evocative song cycle that illuminates his unique vocal and instrumental arrangements.”

“Half the songs are very good to excellent, the other half mediocre at best. I love Browne's version of Take It Easy, better than the Eagles version in my opinion. An altogether listenable album, but not his best.”

“Jackson Browne is not only a great musician but also a wonderful poet. For Everyman is all about life and love, happiness and heartbreak. From the carefree happiness of Take It Easy to These Days, with its melancholy lyrics.”