Maps of Music

For Everyman (1973)

Where the lyrics of For Everyman take you, and where it was really made.

The original sleeve hid its own subject: a cutout revealed Browne sitting in a rocking chair, and when it was removed the inner picture had the same background with Browne and the chair left out.

Key places

Where For Everyman was recorded (1973)

Recording site Sunset Sound — The album was recorded at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles. The point marks the studio's listed location, so it shows the studio's area rather than a verified exact spot. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

The childhood home on the cover (1973)

Album cover Abbey San Encino — The cover photograph shows Browne's childhood home, Abbey San Encino, in Highland Park, California. The point is placed at the town's center, not at the house itself. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Second album by American singer-songwriter Jackson Browne
• Released in 1973
• For Everyman marked the debut of multi-instrumentalist David Lindley's long association with Browne
• Guest artists include David Crosby, Glenn Frey, Elton John (credited as Rockaday Johnnie), Don Henley, Joni Mitchell, and Bonnie Raitt

Background

• The title track was written by Browne in response to the apocalyptic "Wooden Ships", a song by Crosby, Stephen Stills and Paul Kantner
• Browne's version of "These Days" follows earlier recordings by Nico, Tom Rush, and Gregg Allman
• "Take It Easy" was written by Browne and Frey and became the Eagles' first single, released on May 1, 1972

Recording

• Recorded at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles
• Studios listed for the album: Sunset Sound and Wally Heider's Studio 3, both in Hollywood
• Jackson Browne produced the album
• Al Schmitt handled engineering and mixing; Greg Ladanyi did the mastering

Cover

• The cover photograph depicts Browne's childhood home in Highland Park, California, Abbey San Encino
• The house was hand-built by his grandfather Clyde Browne and is still owned by his brother Edward
• The photograph was taken by Alan F. Blumenthal
• The original release used a cutout with the inner sleeve showing Browne in a rocking chair

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · ko.wikipedia.org · ja.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Career

• Clyde Jackson Browne, born October 9, 1948 in Heidelberg, Germany, is an American rock musician, singer, songwriter and political activist.
• He began as a teenage songwriter in mid-1960s Los Angeles and became a staff writer for Elektra's publishing company, Nina Music, before he was eighteen.
• His songs were recorded early by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Joan Baez, Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, the Byrds and others.
• He signed with David Geffen's Asylum Records in 1971 and released his self-titled debut album in 1972, which included "Doctor My Eyes" and "Rock Me on the Water".
• Running on Empty (1977), recorded on tour, is his signature work and his biggest commercial success, peaking at number 3 on the album chart.
• Hold Out (1980) was his only number 1 album on the US pop albums chart.
• "Somebody's Baby" from the Fast Times at Ridgemont High soundtrack became his biggest hit, peaking at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
• He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, inducted by Bruce Springsteen.
• Rolling Stone ranked him 37th on its 2015 list of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time.

Activism

• Browne co-founded the antinuclear organization Musicians United for Safe Energy in March 1979.
• He performed frequently at benefits in the 1980s and campaigned for causes including Farm Aid and Amnesty International.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Rolling Stone: Janet Maslin's November 1973 review called the songwriting, which she described as inwardly panoramic and apocalyptic in bent, rivaled only by Browne's first album
• Maslin wrote that Browne's singing had improved since the first album
• Maslin wrote that the album truly earns its title

Reappraisal

• AllMusic: William Ruhlmann called it a less consistent collection than Browne's debut album, while noting that the songwriting ability remained impressive
• Rolling Stone (1999): Anthony DeCurtis called the album uneven and said Browne was still searching for his true voice
• Robert Christgau gave the album a B grade and praised 'These Days', 'Red Neck Friend', and 'Ready or Not'

Records

• Billboard 200: peaked at number 43
• Single 'Redneck Friend': reached number 85 on the Billboard Hot 100
• Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (2012): ranked number 450
• RIAA: Gold in 1975, Platinum in 1989

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · ko.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• The title track answers the apocalyptic 'Wooden Ships', which was written by Crosby, Stills and Kantner
• Nico recorded 'These Days' first, in 1967, before Browne's version appeared here
• Cash Box called "Ready or Not" a "catchy autobiographical sketch of life on the road"
• Record World described the song as a "nifty self-produced number"
• 'Take It Easy', co-written with Glenn Frey, became the Eagles' first single in 1972

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

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