Album of the Day

Rock & Roll Hall Of Famer Jackson Browne drew upon years of experience onstage and off for his 1977 Asylum release RUNNING ON EMPTY. If the cover art (a drum kit on a road heading to the horizon) isn't already a tip-off, this is a concept album about touring – and one of the best and most unusual live albums ever made. None of these ten songs had appeared on any of Jackson's previous albums, and in addition to concert performances, the collection includes impromptu recordings made backstage, on buses and in hotel rooms during one of the singer-songwriter's cross-country treks. With such old hands as guitarist David Lindley, bassist Leland Sklar and drummer Russ Kunkel in the band, the proceedings have a loose, easy feel to them, even when the material touches on the darker side of life on the road. Released 40 years ago today, RUNNING ON EMPTY brought Browne a pair of Grammy nominations (including Album of the Year) as well as commercial success; the title anthem and “The Load Out/Stay” were both hit singles, while the album reached #3 on the chart.