A few weeks ago, I caught Jackson Browne’s recent performance on the PBS show, Soundstage. It was captivating. PBS sells some of the Soundstage performances on DVD so I immediately checked if this show was available — it wasn’t.

The other day I was delighted to see one of the bootleg blogs I read posted a link to the audio: Jackson Browne: live on Soundstage 2009.

One highlight of the show was “Time the Conqueror,” the title track from his latest album, which shows he definitely hasn’t lost his talent for songwriting.

Another highlight: Jackson and his band performing a great version of “Lives in the Balance”, featuring his excellent backup singers. He’s also added another poignant verse to the song (which was originally released in 1986), with the last two lines even quoting scripture.

I find it so strange and confusing,
They take God out of our lives day by day,
But when tragedy strikes like 911,
They call for the nation to pray.
But what should America pray for?
For God to smite our enemies?
Or to heal the wounds of history,
And to live with the world in peace?
Seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,
then will I hear from heaven and heal their land.

[chorus]
And there are lives in the balance.
There are people under fire.
There are children at the cannons.
And there is blood on the wire.

Jackson Browne is in my mind an under appreciated artist (especially in recent years). This Soundstage concert illustrates just how good he is.