'You can't break the ties that bind'
Originally posted 24th January 2010
So we have a taped copy of Nebraska and The River. I am looking for another BITUSA and neither of these fit the bill. Mike loved Nebraska from the start.
He picked out Mansion on the Hill straight away and now Atlantic City is one of his all time favourites.
You will also see Atlantic City in my list of favourites - well a girl can change her mind can’t she?
Nebraska didn’t seem melodious to me and if there is one thing I like it’s a melody. My ears couldn’t pick up the tunes at all. In fact I really didn’t like it.
I am an ipod addict. I hear nearly all my Springsteen music- on a bus- via a randomised play list. Nebraska isn’t good listening on a bus as there is too much engine noise so, the upshot of this is, I haven‘t heard the album from beginning to end since those first few listens. I have it on the stereo as I write this and I hear great melodies. Compared to some of the tracks on Tom Joad and Devils and Dust the Nebraska songs are positively sing along !
The River by contrast has loads of sing-a-long pop songs but they seemed a bit too frantic. I recognised Hungry Heart (which I see from my ‘British Hit Singles’, got to number 44 in 1980) and I loved The River - good tune great lyrics: ‘But lately there ain’t been much work on account of the economy’ ( who uses ‘economy’ in a song lyric!) and ‘Is a dream a lie if it don‘t come true‘- great lines Paddy Mcaloon - not about cars or girls. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cars_and_Girls
I like lyrics. I heard one of my favourites on the radio this morning - ‘Here you come again looking better than a body has a right to’ - Dolly Parton: and continuing the country music theme you surely can’t beat ’Did I shave my legs for this?’
When I get a new album I read the lyrics along with my first listen. I am a grumpy old woman when it comes to absent lyrics. It can even be the difference between whether I play an album a lot or not.
Perhaps this is why neither The River nor Nebraska grabbed me straight away. The cassette, taped by a mate, did not come with lyrics. Many years later we bought CDs complete with words of course!
In the wider Bruce world 1985 brought a huge tour. Newcastle, London and Leeds in Britain and Paris, Dublin and Rotterdam only a hop and a skip away. This passed us by completely! Neither Mike or I had ever been to a rock concert and It would not have crossed our minds to try for tickets even if we had been remotely aware of a tour.
The closest we got was watching ‘Live Aid’ from Wembley only a few days after Bruce had done his 3 gigs. I heard he left his stage behind for them to use but is this an urban myth?
Now living in Leeds I am surrounded by people who saw Bruce at Roundhay Park in 1985 and think he disappeared off the face of the earth after that. Yes really! I have not met a single person who went to another Springsteen concert after Roundhay.
By contrast our first gig which was some years away at this point took us on a journey around the world.
Mike and I were living apart in 1985 - Mike in Shipley in Yorkshire and me in Grimsby in Lincolnshire. We later moved to Hull and then Carlisle where we bought our first CD player. Our Copy of ’Tunnel of Love’ is a CD so…next time.
Showing posts with label Bruce Springsteen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bruce Springsteen. Show all posts
Tuesday, 15 May 2018
Wednesday, 9 January 2013
Thank You and Goodbye
I have often been asked why I started writing this blog. In truth I never intended to write a blog at all but Mike had decided he would have a go. Our friends bought him a book to help him along. I read it and was inspired to start this. That was at the beginning of 2010 and my first post was published on 9th January that year.
At first the blog fitted around our lives but then, especially during the tour last year, our lives started fitting around the blog. The balance shifted a bit too much and the writing that I had so enjoyed became a chore. Bruce should never be a chore so, as long ago as May, I decided to end the blog after the Wrecking Ball tour. At that time the tour was due to end around August 2012. It went on into September and then until December, and as we all know, it is carrying on into 2013.
I, however, am not. This will be my last post.
I must thank Ceinwen and Sinead for their great support and encouragement in the early days and for everyone who has commented on my posts, or simply, told me how much they enjoyed them.
Biggest thanks need to go to Mike for not complaining when all my spare time seemed to involve writing about Bruce. He was also a great critic and the best proof reader ever.
And lastly I have to thank Mr Springsteen because without him there would have been no blog.
Sunday, 30 December 2012
So that was Wrecking Ball 2012
I last wrote a Sunday post on 22nd July 2012. Finding time when I was doing the tour blog was just impossible. Although the shows thinned out a bit towards the end of the year I just didn't have the enthusiasm to start writing on a Sunday again.
Anyway as this is the last Sunday in 2012 here I am.
The 2012 Wrecking Ball tour was a bit different for us, as it was the first tour since we had made friends with other fans.
We went to the two UK shows in Sunderland and Manchester and both Paris shows. All the gigs came within two weeks so a bit like Christmas - I spent months looking forward to it and then... it was all over in the blink of an eye.
The weather is the first thing that springs to mind when thinking back to the UK shows. Sunderland was a bit mizzly and it poured down in Manchester. Sunderland was a bit of a disaster all around really - we were late so we didn't get time to spend with friends before the show, we parked miles away from the venue and the show was a bit flat. Apart from the rain Manchester was better and our best friends, who were at their first show, are now fans and will be coming with us in 2013.
My stand out moments were both during Paris night two. Mike and I have been lucky enough to hear many rarities. We had Incident at only our third show when we didn't even recognise the song! We were at MSG in November 2009 when, of course, a few rarities were played both nights. But... I'm Goin' Down the second night in Paris was really an OMG! moment for me. Not one of THE songs from 'Born In The USA' but my favourite track, and the only song from the album we hadn't heard live.
The second moment was when Mike tapped me on the shoulder to dance with him during Dancing In The Dark. He doesn't dance so it was a great surprise.
I think Paris night two is considered one of the best shows of the tour. It certainly was for me.
Anyway as this is the last Sunday in 2012 here I am.
The 2012 Wrecking Ball tour was a bit different for us, as it was the first tour since we had made friends with other fans.
We went to the two UK shows in Sunderland and Manchester and both Paris shows. All the gigs came within two weeks so a bit like Christmas - I spent months looking forward to it and then... it was all over in the blink of an eye.
The weather is the first thing that springs to mind when thinking back to the UK shows. Sunderland was a bit mizzly and it poured down in Manchester. Sunderland was a bit of a disaster all around really - we were late so we didn't get time to spend with friends before the show, we parked miles away from the venue and the show was a bit flat. Apart from the rain Manchester was better and our best friends, who were at their first show, are now fans and will be coming with us in 2013.
My stand out moments were both during Paris night two. Mike and I have been lucky enough to hear many rarities. We had Incident at only our third show when we didn't even recognise the song! We were at MSG in November 2009 when, of course, a few rarities were played both nights. But... I'm Goin' Down the second night in Paris was really an OMG! moment for me. Not one of THE songs from 'Born In The USA' but my favourite track, and the only song from the album we hadn't heard live.
The second moment was when Mike tapped me on the shoulder to dance with him during Dancing In The Dark. He doesn't dance so it was a great surprise.
I think Paris night two is considered one of the best shows of the tour. It certainly was for me.
Tuesday, 18 December 2012
Mexico City 10th December 2012 - show 86
Mexico City is built on top of an underground pool. Because water is regularly drawn, it is sinking at a rate of six to eight inches a year.
Well no reviews out there. The only one I can find is here in full.
MEXICO CITY – Bruce Springsteen performed some of his greatest hits for about 12,000 fans in Mexico City’s Palacio de los Deportes.
Springsteen, known as “The Boss,” thrilled the audience Monday night with his performance of “The River,” which drew the most ovations during the concert, one of the stops on the Wrecking Ball Tour.
Springsteen, known as “The Boss,” thrilled the audience Monday night with his performance of “The River,” which drew the most ovations during the concert, one of the stops on the Wrecking Ball Tour.
The singer performed a string of his oldies and spoke a few words in Spanish, drawing cheers from the audience.
Springsteen high-fived with people in the front row and climbed off the stage, walking through the crowd and landing in their arms at one point.
The Boss, who was backed up by his E Street Band, kept the audience on its feet for most of the concert.
Springsteen also performed, among other songs, “My City of Ruins,” “The Promised Land” and “Hungry Heart.” EFE
Springsteen high-fived with people in the front row and climbed off the stage, walking through the crowd and landing in their arms at one point.
The Boss, who was backed up by his E Street Band, kept the audience on its feet for most of the concert.
Springsteen also performed, among other songs, “My City of Ruins,” “The Promised Land” and “Hungry Heart.” EFE
Here's the set list.
Glendale
6/12/12
Time 8.18 to 11.23
|
Mexico City
10/12/12
Time unknown
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1
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Surprise Surprise (1)
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Badlands (78)
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2
|
No Surrender (23)
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Out In The Street (41)
|
3
|
I’m A Rocker (6)
|
Hungry Heart (43)
|
4
|
Hungry Heart (42)
|
We Take Care Of Our Own (86)
|
5
|
Prove It All Night (27)
|
Wrecking Ball (86)
|
6
|
Trapped (16)
|
Death To My Hometown (86)
|
7
|
Lost In The Flood (7)
|
My City Of Ruins (86)
|
8
|
We Take Care Of Our Own (85)
|
Spirit In The Night (51)
|
9
|
Wrecking Ball (85)
|
E Street Shuffle (25)
|
10
|
Death To My Hometown (85)
|
The Promised Land (40)
|
11
|
My City Of Ruins (85)
|
The River (30)
|
12
|
Be True (4)
|
Because The Night (37)
|
13
|
Light Of Day (5)
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She’s The One (31)
|
14
|
Darlington County (29)
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Darlington County (30)
|
15
|
Shackled And Drawn (69)
|
Shackled And Drawn (70)
|
16
|
Waitin’ On A Sunny Day (85)
|
Waitin’ On A Sunny Day (86)
|
17
|
The Way You Do The Things You Do (29)
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The Way You Do The Things You Do (30)
|
18
|
6345789 (29)
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6345789 (30)
|
19
|
The Rising (68)
|
The Rising (69)
|
20
|
Badlands (77)
|
Land Of Hope And Dreams (60)
|
21
|
Thunder Road (48)
|
Thunder Road (49)
|
22
|
Incident on 57th Street (7)
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Born In The USA (30)
|
23
|
Born To Run (85)
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Born To Run (86)
|
24
|
Dancing In The Dark (85)
|
Glory Days (21)
|
25
|
Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town (8)
|
Dancing In The Dark (86)
|
26
|
Tenth Avenue Freeze Out (84)
|
Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town (9)
|
27
|
Tenth Avenue Freeze Out (85)
|
|
28
|
||
29
|
||
30
|
||
31
|
||
32
|
||
33
|
Glendale 6 December 2012 - show 85
When I hear/see Glendale I always think of Jessie James robbing the Glendale Train. The Seeger Sessions were quite educational it seems!!
For the reviews I'll start with examiner.com :-
Normally when an artist plays songs from their latest release, it’s time for that bathroom or get another beer break. Not so when Springsteen launched into “Wrecking Ball’s “ “We Take Care of Our Own,” Wrecking Ball,” and “Death to My Hometown.” The new songs were greeted with the fervor of the old, with fans singing along. Of course listening to the poignancy of Springsteen’s lyrics, it’s difficult not to remain transfixed.
This reminds me of 10 Things Mick Jagger has learned His number 10 is - Nobody wants to hear songs from your new album. Well perhaps your fans only want to hear the old stuff, Mick, but Springsteen Fans embrace the new alongside the classics.
Anyway back to the review from examiner.com and their final paragraph:-
There is nothing ordinary about Bruce Springsteen and his concert performance along with the E Street Band only proves it. Given how often he ventures fearlessly into the crowd and tolerates their hugs and handshakes, how he embraces the audience’s song requests, how he gives it his all for over three hours and how he can lead those in attendance as an evangelical preacher one moment and be one of their own in the next, it is easy to see why Springsteen holds the appeal he does. Besides, somebody has to keep breaking the rules for us.
Always good to get a review from a laker on Greasy Lake. He finishes with:-
There's not much else for me to say. The first time I saw Bruce in 1975 at my college in Oswego, New York, was probably the best concert I ever saw, and a life-changing event for me. Other shows I've seen have been almost as great, some may even have been better. But I don't think any of them since that very first time have been as special for me as Thursday night in Glendale was. I didn't know I could still feel that way at the ripe old age of 54. But I was wrong. Thank you, Bruce.
Hmmm - what about this then? The review is OK but I'm not sure about :-
This wasn't as intense as some performances I've seen. I heard one of those obnoxious hardcore fans who travel show to show (Springsteen jokingly called them "stalkers" on Thursday) complain that the Anaheim show earlier in the week was better.
Oh dear! Does he mean us?
On to the set list with the Surprise opener - sorry couldn't resist it.
Hmmm - what about this then? The review is OK but I'm not sure about :-
This wasn't as intense as some performances I've seen. I heard one of those obnoxious hardcore fans who travel show to show (Springsteen jokingly called them "stalkers" on Thursday) complain that the Anaheim show earlier in the week was better.
Oh dear! Does he mean us?
On to the set list with the Surprise opener - sorry couldn't resist it.
Anaheim
4/12/12
Time 8.23 to 11.47
|
Glendale
6/12/12
Time 8.18 to 11.23
|
|
1
|
Land Of Hope And Dreams (59)
|
Surprise Surprise (1)
|
2
|
Adam Raised A Cain (7)
|
No Surrender (23)
|
3
|
Streets Of Fire (5)
|
I’m A Rocker (6)
|
4
|
Hungry Heart (41)
|
Hungry Heart (42)
|
5
|
We Take Care Of Our Own (84)
|
Prove It All Night (27)
|
6
|
Wrecking Ball (84)
|
Trapped (16)
|
7
|
Death To My Hometown (84)
|
Lost In The Flood (7)
|
8
|
My City Of Ruins (84)
|
We Take Care Of Our Own (85)
|
9
|
Spirit In The Night (50)
|
Wrecking Ball (85)
|
10
|
The E Street Shuffle (24)
|
Death To My Hometown (85)
|
11
|
Long Time Coming (1)
|
My City Of Ruins (85)
|
12
|
Reason To Believe (2)
|
Be True (4)
|
13
|
This Depression (6)
|
Light Of Day (5)
|
14
|
Darkness On The Edge Of Town (11)
|
Darlington County (29)
|
15
|
Bad Luck (1)
|
Shackled And Drawn (69)
|
16
|
Because The Night (36)
|
Waitin’ On A Sunny Day (85)
|
17
|
Darlington County (28)
|
The Way You Do The Things You Do (29)
|
18
|
Shackled And Drawn (68)
|
6345789 (29)
|
19
|
Waitin’ On A Sunny Day (84)
|
The Rising (68)
|
20
|
Raise Your Hands (13)
|
Badlands (77)
|
21
|
Ghost Of Tom Joad (7)
|
Thunder Road (48)
|
22
|
Badlands (76)
|
Incident on 57th Street (7)
|
23
|
Thunder Road (47)
|
Born To Run (85)
|
24
|
Jungleland (8)
|
Dancing In The Dark (85)
|
25
|
Born To Run (84)
|
Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town (8)
|
26
|
Dancing In The Dark (84)
|
Tenth Avenue Freeze Out (84)
|
27
|
Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town (7)
|
|
28
|
Tenth Avenue Freeze Out (83)
|
|
29
|
||
30
|
||
31
|
||
32
|
||
33
|
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