Jackson Browne Featuring Los Cenzontles - The Dreamer (2017)

I've never been one to delve into politics on this blog and that's because I only want it to be about music but, on occasion, their paths do cross. For example, almost three years ago I posted an article, Kent State & The Protest Song, in which I discussed how much I missed these songs of substance and how we continue to need them today.

I'm still not going to talk politics or about the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. but I am going to show you the official video for the finest protest song I've heard in a long, long time.

In December 2017 Jackson Browne, a deserving member of the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame, released a new single, "The Dreamer," with Eugene Rodriguez and Los Cenzontles who Browne met through his friend, Linda Ronstadt.

Rodriguez told Browne about one specific dreamer's story and the star used it to complete the unfinished piece. In an article published in Forbes Browne says that Rodriguez's input was vital to the finished product. "Eugene and I wrote it together, but without Eugene’s experience and his point of view it wouldn’t be the same song at all. It would be me talking from the outside."

The lyrics and video are not shy in letting you know where Browne stands on the controversial subject that is the title to his song.

Even without the pointed and thoughtful subject matter the track is worth listening to because it's very musical. Just like on "Linda Paloma" from The Pretender the harp is a featured instrument but here it is used far more effectively. It's the best song Browne has released in a long time.

David Hidalgo of Los Lobos also played on the record.

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