Jackson Browne has written more famous songs than these - he could easily have put away his pen and retired on the royalties from Take It Easy or These Days whilst dining out on stories from his days backing Tim Buckley - but this is his most complete album of work.

There is a uniform feeling of melancholy throughout the recording, which may have moved Martin Scorsese to use the title track so prominently in the bleak Taxi Driver that resonates in today's alt country and Americana scenes. Fans of Bonnie prince Billy, Will Oldham or the Palace Brothers recordings will feel right at home here as well as those more familiar with classic James Taylor.

The musicianship behind Browne's craftsmanship is superb, especially on the unexpectedly jaunty The Road and The Sky. A brief flick through the credits reveals a stellar cast of 70's California luminaries such as The Eagles Don Henley, Kaleidoscope multi instrumentalist David Lindley and the late great Dan Fogelberg.

Fans of singer- songwriters, the US west coast sound and the Jackson Browne newbie would all do well to grab this mid price release rather than a full priced greatest hits collection, as it gives a real feel for the artist at his peak and a good starting point for further exploration.