Bruce Springsteen made his appearance in Cleveland last night, and flu aside I attended (why turn down the chance to spread the joy to thousands?). There were some magical high moments.
The Rising.
Badlands.
The entire Born to Run album.
Rosalita for the finale.
Fabulous.
Unfortunately for me — and I realize I may be in the minority — Bruce relied a little too much on his "pop" hits. Dancing in the Dark, Hungry Heart. Those kind of songs. See, Bruce lost his way a little in the '80s when he made that "music." He appealed to the masses, and Bruce never was made for the masses.
If you think he was, listen to JungleLand and tell me it'd appear on any AM radio station.
So as a Bruce purist (or snob), I'd have preferred more of his true-to-Bruce stuff.
Too, he also concluded one song before Rosalita with a fabulous version of "Higher and Higher" (Your love … has taken me higher … ).
He and the E-Street Band did a great job, but I ask: Did I pay money to hear him play other people's music, or to play his?
That being said, he played for three hours in a row, rarely paused and gave the kind of all-out, emotional and energetic performance he's been known for. There's only one Springsteen, and the fact he can do what he does at his age is quite something. As a friend said, a Bruce show is the one place everyone can get their money's worth and leave with a smile.
Even if he did play too many stinking pop songs.
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So let me get this straight, just so I know you're serious…
When someone makes music that is purchased by the millions "by the masses", it's crappy music?
But the obscure music that nobody listens to is "the stuff".
No wonder you can't write an article about the Browns. Your head is so far up your…
Pop is short for POPULAR, you moron.
"Even if he did play too many stinking pop songs."
With emphasis on the "stinking." At least he didn't pander with his awful "Streets of Philadelphia." Probably because the "it's really relevant and really cool to support AIDS" fad is over. Not that "The Rising" wasn't too obvious in its own pandering. At this point, I wouldn't put it past this guy to release a sad Christmas song about a boy who caught the swine flu.
Pat, when you stop and think about it, isn't it truly pathetic that you and I cheer for this guy only up through the crap he did through 1978 (although you actually bought into his disingenuousness of "The Rising"), and you still pay good money to see him? Or did you get the tickets for free from a buddy of yours?
Good God, we're old. Today I was listening to Foghat's "Fool for the City" and Sweet's "Destination Boulevard," albums released a mere 34 years ago.
Little hostile, no?
Pat, I will presume that last remark was directed at alan t.'s imposter, and not at the actual alan t. Please confirm. It sure better have been, or I'll blow you up with more explosives than The Ghoul blowing up Froggy.
Oh, and alan t.'s imposter, in response to the second and third sentences of your first Unabomber-inspired post, it depends upon the artist. In Springsteen's case, definitely. Just because something sells to the masses doesn't mean it comes even remotely close to the genuineness and the quality of what preceded it. And it has nothing to do with old guys' nostalgia, it is just the way it is.
Springsteen = Aerosmith
almost everything after "nebraska" belongs in a trash can.
I don't agree. The Rising is a classic album. Filled with great stuff, including the song itself.
That's correct Alan. I mean … it's a free blog and he's taking personal shots. Not that there's anything wrong with that …
the rising goes for a penny on amazon. there are zero classic albums that sell for a penny.
Unfortunately, Bruce rarely plays "Growing Up" anymore. It was always great the way he would interject a story into the song.
Pat, you must have been doing an Irish jig during American Land.
Here's a song-by-song review of the concert: http://xr.com/qem
And another interesting review: http://xr.com/0zym
McManomanoman = ZZ Top. Every song (blog entry) sounds exactly the same.
She's got Legz…. Fire Mangini
Cheap Sunglasses… Mangini sucks
Gimme all your lovin… Fire Mangini
it all sounds the same… just rearrange the music/blog sentences.
alan t.'s imposter, sorry, but that's a piss-poor analogy. Two of those three songs are from the very same 1983 album. So you'll have to reach for another analogy.
By the way … how can you guys knock The River. Another great album. Much like Darkness, Born in the USA, etc., he wrote, arms folded, tapping his toe.
Oversight. My bad. Should have written 1980, not 1978. "The River" is a very good album, albeit it should have been trimmed. Enough songs for 1 1/3 of an album, certainly not a double-album. And that horrible, horrible lyric he crooned in the song "The River" itself, "Then I got Mary pregnant …" Oy. Just awful. And I think certain songs from the simultaneous 1992 album releases of "Luckytown" and "Human Touch" could have and should have been combined to make one good album.
But other than that, the guy should have retired and concentrated on making Mary pregnant. It's been more sad and painful than Bob McAdoo during his seven years playing in Europe after his NBA career was washed up. Other than padding the retirement fund, what's been the point?
I was at the show and thought it just might be the best Springsteen set I've ever experienced. Nonstop energy, the band left everything it had on stage, and I thought "Higher & Higher" was perfectly placed and transcendent. "Can we take this show any higher?" I didn't think so, but Jackie Wilson, "Dancing," & "Rosalita"… it had to end sometime and that was about as great an exit as I could want.
I'd attend the same darn show tonight if I had the chance… and tomorrow again. Pick at the set as you will, but find me another performer and band currently operating that can compare with this one.
ProfPaul, you sound like Bill Walton describing a Grateful Dead concert. Hyperbole abounds.
I vote for the pre" Born To Run "stuff…Kity's Back,Spirit In The Night, New York City Serenade….
ProfPaul … I can't argue with a thing you say. The guy's energy is incredible. Rosalita was outstanding. I just pick at a few songs. Personal preference is all, I guess. But you're right. Rarely will you find the consistent energy for three hours from a guy. Compare what we paid to see that show to what you pay to see professional sports teams.
Another amazing night at a Springsteen show….I have seen to so many I have lost count!! He is an amazing performer….the most memorable part of the evening is when he and Clarence were the last to leave the stage…they put their arm around each other looked back at the crowd to take it all in…..who knows how much longer we will have these great musicians in our lives…I have been seeing him since I was 16…it was a surreal moment to realize that one day these greats will be gone….so I will see them again and again to enjoy all they have to offer!!!
today is neil young's birthday. neil has made more good albums since springsteen's last one (nebraska) than the boss has in his entire catalog.
All these plaudits for three hours of real singing and playing, and yet the guy and his band faked it for 12 fraudulent halftime minutes. Springsteen is like the mysterious 18-minute gap in the Nixon Tapes.
Neil Young? Holy crap, that old guy sucks! I didn't know he was still alive, making albums no less?
I guess those must be REALLY GOOD since nobody's buying them, at least by McMahon standards.
throw down imposter. tell us how good that american idol guy looks on his new album cover. debate the merits of lady gaga over nina simone. remind us how nickelback changed music forever.