Jackson Browne is pictured performing during a recent concert at the Seneca Allegany Resort and Casino.

SALAMANCA — When you hear that an artist with the name recognition of Jackson Browne is going to be playing in the region you’d expect to hear that the show is going to be at Shea’s or similar venue in the larger areas. When you hear that he is to perform just off Exit 20 on the I-86, you dodge the potholes to catch the legendary singer and songwriter.

While the guy rumored to be impeccably on time was nearly 20 minutes late taking to the stage, the full house, a near capacity crowd, was there and ready to hear him. The show delay was due to an extraordinarily long line at the newly established security checkpoint. It seems the casino staff was taken a bit off guard with the process. It’s not likely to be an ongoing thing from the people I have talked to.

When the band did take the stage, Browne looked familiar, albeit with a few more gray hairs to match his age of 69. He sat at his piano and the band started right into “Before the Deluge.” The frustration of the wait had dissipated in the minds of the audience. They were there to hear the legend and they were getting it.

Before performing “Some Bridges,” Browne introduced us to a couple of the strongest voices that have graced that stage in its more than 10 years of shows, Althea Mills and Chavonne Stewart. The story of how they came to his band, by way of a church choir he worked with, was special but lead to an awkward discussion of Browne’s faith, or lack thereof, and his desire to “someday record ‘A Pagan Christmas.'”

The night’s musicianship was spot-on and, in terms of Jackson Browne; well, he’s Jackson Browne. You can’t argue with that he has a band that’s solid and the guy is a legend in his own right. Playing a distinctly Latino-flavored piece called “The Dreamer,” Browne started into the sound that lifted his music to a portion of the status where he is now. The political protest lyrics mixed with the solid musicianship and the incredible voices resonated from the stage.

The songs have a point to them. They are designed to make you think about what’s happening and to put into perspective the opposing sides of a debate. “Lives in the Balance” did that well. The song, an anti-war anthem, told a politically correct version of love and what it means.

Sometimes we all need to step back and just listen to the words in songs. We need to try to identify with what is being said, even if that voice is something that runs contrary to our first reaction. I can tell you that during this show, I was taken aback by some of the political and religious positioning in the conversation between songs and the lyrics Browne’s timeless voice filled the room with. Given some time to sit and think on what was said, some of it makes sense.

A quote recently hit my Facebook timeline and it seems to be resurfacing in many ways. I am not sure who said it. “It doesn’t matter who you were. What matters is who you are now and who you’re working on becoming.” As I digested this concert, and my frustration and aggravation with different aspects of it, I found that this was one of those lessons that life throws at us. Jackson Browne was put in my path to challenge me. And that’s how we grow. We take on challenges to our belief structures and our thought patterns. It is the fragile mind, and the fragile person, that will not take the time to listen to someone of a differing view and actually consider that point. While we are not obligated to adopt all points, consideration can only make us grow and understand ourselves, and one another.

But back to the concert and the music.

Of course, Browne played his hits that landed him on the map. “Doctor My Eyes,” “Somebody’s Baby,” and “Running on Empty” had people throughout the center on their feet, dancing and singing. This is what they came to hear. Jackson Browne playing those songs that so many of us sat around fires with friends and hearing on the radio.

Now onto the band. How can you not say this ensemble was not incredible? From Val McCallum on lead guitar to the dulcet tones of Jeff Young on the Hammond organ and keyboards. Drummer Mauricio Lewak was pot on, as was bassist Bob Glaub, and his single-song replacement, an amazing 30-year old bassist from Estonia, and the wife of dobro, lap and pedal steel guitarist, Greg Leisz, Mai (Agan) Leisz.

Mai’s performance during “Something Fine,” though not a bass clinic, was something that even the most seasoned low-end performer could appreciate.

Overall, another great show from the technical end by the crew at Seneca Allegany Resort and Casino. A good performance by a legend, and a great night to just be out and enjoy some good live music.