From: owner-luckytown-digest@luckytown.org (LuckyTown Digest) To: luckytown-digest@luckytown.org Subject: LuckyTown Digest V9 #52 Reply-To: luckytown@luckytown.org Sender: owner-luckytown-digest@luckytown.org Errors-To: owner-luckytown-digest@luckytown.org Precedence: bulk LuckyTown Digest Wednesday, July 31 2002 Volume 09 : Number 052 NOTE: Sale/trade posts should be emailed to luckytown-ads, *NOT* to luckytown. That includes tix wanted/tix grovels, post them to luckytown-ads, please. Contents: My HUGE 7/30/02 AP Concert review ["Barsamian, Ernie" ] Springsteen - Now More Than Ever ["Zach@zacheverson.com" ] TV schedule in the UK anyone ??? [John Deacon ] Today! [ALateJuliet@aol.com] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2002 07:36:36 -0500 From: "Barsamian, Ernie" Subject: My HUGE 7/30/02 AP Concert review I just got back from AP and am writing this as I listen to Nightline in the background. There were hundreds of people waiting outside and I think many did get in. Tickets were only 20 bucks. I was lucky enough to have a special invitation to the show and ended up in front of Bruce's microphone, about 4 feet from the stage. (Hint: Be nice to the people working in Convention Hall, if they look hot, get them some water). They had cordoned off the front of the floor section for VIP types who I think were police, fire, emergency workers, FBI and also some folks in wheelchairs (more on that later) who were up front. It was incredibly hot inside CH and Bruce opened his remarks by advising us to be careful and if we felt faint to try to get some air. He also asked that we watch out for each other on the floor. In general, Bruce and the band did seem kind of tired and overwhelmed by the long day but their workmanlike performance was indeed admirable. Bruce was more serious during the performance compared to other times I have seen the band. Let's take it from the top: The show started with THE RISING...while I really like this song on the album, some of the unpolished stuff associated with a live presentation seem to take away a little of its shine. Bruce's voice, so clean and beaming on the album, was different this evening. The gruff growly voice came out for this one and it seemed...well different. The next song, LONESOME DAY was just wonderful. The combination of instruments on this one really clicked and the audience loved chanting back the "It's alright..it's alright..it's alright...yeas". Steven took lead guitar on this one. The first surprise of the night was COVER ME...which seemed to elate the crowd. They played it deliberately without much fanfare. THE FUSE was excellent. Very strong vocals by Bruce with a mesmerizing hypnotic pace to the music. DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF THE TOWN fired up the crowd, allowing them to participate in familiar territory. Bruce really seems to dig this song and he really laid out some great guitar work on it. Next, Patti and Bruce did the microphone squish with some beautiful vocal harmonizing which led into EMPTY SKY. Bruce, with an acoustic guitar and harmonica, started vigorously strumming away which got the crowd clapping...Bzzzzzzzzzz AAAANnNHH.. Bruce admonished the audience ..."this ain't no effin hootinanny", The serious nature of the song deserved a STFU. The musical tone was somewhat different from the Beatle-esque march in the album. YOU'RE MISSING was performed incredibly well and was so sad to hear. The piano almost sounded like it was crying. Bruce's vocals were amazing. What a powerful song. You could see in the faces of the audience, the images of the lyrics projected in their minds. Bravo Bruce! WAITIN ON A SUNNY DAY.....well, we had to snap out of the sadness somehow. The crowd grabbed the sing a long rather soon with some proactive encouragement by the MC. Bruce pranced back and forth on the stage front for this one. Next, the favorite chestnut of mine...THE PROMISED LAND...I love watching Bruce watch Clarence when he plays that horn. I think for me, that was the most special thing about being so close tonight. Watching Bruce when he forgot he was being watched. That look on his face watching the Big Man, his old friend, blare that sax...a big grin for sure. Afterwards we got WORLDS APART with some Milli Vanilli Pakistani vocals and Clarence doing a belly dance with the little cymbals. Bruce really changes his voice for this song and the 3 guitars scream (oops 4 guitars sorry patti) at the end. I really don't care for this song but it seems like thematically it will be a core in a 5, 6 or 7 pack. then it was Steve's turn...TWO HEARTS...familiar back and forth a la the reunion tour. I love this song too. The crowd loved it and the band likes it. Enough said. the barn burner MARY's PLACE was next...complete with brief band intros. The song rocked, people were happy and singing but not as raucous as I think Bruce would have hoped. Bruce did an Otis Day and the Nights "Shout" routine during the "Turn it up" by bringing the crowd and the band down and then gradually taking the vocals louder. I was all ready to do the alligator on the floor but I didn't want to get stepped on by my friend, Austin. MY HOMETOWN followed and was kind of a dud. People reluctantly sang along..it was getting friggin hot in there and the song just didn't seem to fit. PARADISE on the other hand, with Gary on the standup base was sad, eery and magically transformed to a real show stopper. One of the songs I like least on the album but seemed to be one of the best ones of the night. COUNTIN ON A MIRACLE...one of my faves on the album, was another Steven/Bruce combo on vocals that made it a little light, even though the song itself is not so. Lots of guitars on this one. Next was AMERICAN SKIN...which played shorter due to the fact that the lead in and lead out vocals were cut out. The only reason I think this song is still in there is because Bruce never really brought it out for most of the reunion tour and I think he just wanted to sing it to the rest of the country. It really seemed familiar to the band and it was great watching Bruce burn up the guitar during that wailing and elegic guitar solo. ok...time for the Bruce spanking...Clarence came out with the bagpipes for the "funeral march" intro to INTO THE FIRE. Unfortunately, tornado Clarence knocked down all the mike stands with those thingies that come out of the bagpipes...It was really funny, in an Austin Powers sort of way. I was embarrassed to laugh, given the serious nature of the song. Anyway, Bruce got fed up and said, "dasm, I really wanted to play that one" and skipped to the next one (which temporarily bummed me out cuz I really wanted to HEAR that one). Then he made a joke about how Clarence was trying to play the intro to the Old Spice commercial. A burning guitar note slammed into BORN IN THE USA which got people up and singing big time. For as much maligned, misunderstood and Ronald Reaganed this song has been, Bruce really was smiling big while making his guitar yell. This one is gonna be a keeper. Then the band went INTO THE FIRE without the bagpipes. The song was electrified live with meshing guitar contributions which really made this kind of a rocker. The repeating chorus really bored a hole in my brain (in a good way) and it turned out to be a very emotional presentation. This ended the set. 1st Encore was for the folks out on the boardwalk....it was a passionate performance of THUNDER ROAD. I'll tell you what...I didn't think I was gonna hear it, but when I did I got the warm and fuzzies. Go ahead, call me a wimp. Anyway, this elderly guy who was sitting in a wheelchair next to me, all of a sudden stands up from his wheelchair and starts giving the words to Thunder Road back to Bruce like any well seasoned tramp. Both Steven and Bruce were smitten with this guy and the harmonica of the night went to my Thunder Road accomplice (but that's just the beginning of the story). Clarence and Bruce do their schtick which always tugs at my heart and then the band blasts into GLORY DAYS. Wow! what a reaction by the crowd. I'll tell you what, Little Steven adds such magic to this song. Boring stories...no way. This song brought the roof down and the band was really enjoying it...kind of like this tour's Ramrod. Nice to hear it...fun to sing it. I guess it stays. Clarence, reaching for his sax, was FUNNY as he went to the bagpipes instead trying to redeem himself.. ...my new wheelchair bud was standing up again, this time playing his new harmonica like he invented the thing. Steven, seeing this, pulled the mike off the mike stand and held it down for the guy so he could play into it for a few bars. I guess these things happen every show, but it was nice to be right there to witness it. Talk about memories for this guy..he was really beaming. After the show, Clarence came out of his way to give this fella a big handshake....nice guys those e-streeters. After another break, we got MY CITY OF RUINS...Bruce's voice was hoarse at this point but he had some charities to plug. He played the piano for the first verse and finished the song on just a mike with no instruments. Yea we sure did "Rise Up!" with these hands. Just an especially lovely song that does not get old. BORN TO RUN was next and I'm glad. Bruce always looks younger when he plays this.."Someday girl I don't know when we're gonna get to that place Where we really want to go and we'll walk in the sun". I guess he's not there yet because he still sings it like he means it. If I'm not mistaken, Soozie adds some strings to this one....heh heh cool. Finally LAND OF HOPE AND DREAMS closes the show. The band is really tight with this song (no pogos by the band) although half the crowd was. It really is a fitting song to end the concert as it wraps up everything that was presented before it. Now for my other observations: - - Nils really didn't have any scorcher guitar solos. He was on the acoustic most of the night. - - Little Steven had one of those floor fans in front of him. After one song, he was lying on the floor so the fan would blow into his face. After a bit of joking with Bruce he turned it around so it could blow on some lucky fans. - - Patti looked and and sounded great although the humidity inside gave her a "bad hair day" at the end of the show. - - Clarence looks fitter than last tour. He has a chair he sits in between blows. He took off his jacket after Glory Days. He still has some major league guns on him. I'd like to have those pipes when I'm 60. - - Why did the girl near me unbutton her blouse for the concert but button it back up on the way out?? The Fuse was burning? - - Bruce lost a ton of weight. His blue jeans were falling down. Calvin Klein briefs for those who gots to know. Finally just one note on being up close. This is a first time for me and I'm glad I had the chance to experience it. I'll tell you what though....for me part of the Springsteen concert experience that I love the most is looking down at the cauldron of humanity unified by the music of the band they love. Seeing that connection in action, for me, is just as special as witnessing the band perform. So next week I'm in section 239 row 6 at the CAA with my wife and son. I'm looking forward to seeing the those people down below enjoying the show. Come up and have a beer with me. Ernie http://hometown.aol.com/ebarsamian ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 30 Jul 2002 20:09:09 -0400 From: "Jeff LeBlanc" Subject: The Rising Delivers So, This guy rolls down his window and yells "we need you!" to a man standing beside his car. The man pauses for a moment, taking it in. He gets back in his car and drives away. The man my friends is Bruce Springsteen and the wake up call is the Rising. I would Never under estimate the effect the events of 911 has had on people but the Rising is truly an inspired work and the events obviously impacted Bruce- big time. You know, here in Detroit, the music almost died the other day when local record chain Harmony House announced the closing of all of its retail stores by October 2002. What a shame. How sad. The state of affairs in the record industry it seems, is bleak. But why? I do fear that the message of this inspired work by Bruce may get lost in all of the media blitz and obvious push by Sony of the Rising. I also think it a bit of a set up- I mean, how can one man, one band be the savior? Well- I guess if anyone can do it- Bruce can! I'm countin on the miracle. There have been many a lonesome day for avid Bruce fans that have stood by this man for many many years. They have waited and then waited more. The faithful will be very pleased. The Rising brings with it many things but I think mainly it brings hope. It brings hope to the notion that it'll be all right. We will be all right. To the music industry I think the message of hope is very clear; if you write from the heart, if you really mean it- people will listen. People are looking for something more and I think one big reason the music industry is suffering is because people are not getting more. There is an entire generation out there that is screaming for a message, yearning for some deeper meaning, perhaps even some guidance and for the most part they are not getting it. We use the term Value so loosely but the Rising could deliver value in ways we are not accustomed. If this release is commercially successful I think the impact will be profound. Maybe artists will start writing again (or, maybe the record companies will allow them to start writing again). Really writing. Lyrically, cinematically, with imagery that will stop you in your tracks. With layers. And then layers upon those layers. In a word; with meaning. I think the meaning has been lost. We needed a reason to believe. So, yea- the rising delivers on many fronts not the least of which is its lyrics. I have always admired a written phrase that really makes you think and then re think. This CD is riddled with lessons on thought. A little revenge and this to shall pass. If I'm gonna live, I'll lift my life darling to you. I hear the blood of my blood. Sometimes the truth just aint enough. There's a lot of walls need tearin down. to name a few. Musically, the Rising meets its calling. In many of the songs the notes just grab you and wont let go. The guitars sting you. The drum beat pulses. The violin soothes you and the vocals? Well-all I can say is; layers. I trust that after people here the rising for the fourth and fifth time they will start to peel it away until they walk away with their final layer- which may very well be different for each. That my friends, is a rock and roll album. Bruce's voice is so strong on this CD and its all over the place (a real triumph for a singer). The addition of Soozie Tyrell is a down right treat and the E street is once again, in top form. So, come one come all. The Rising is a callin. Come on! Rise Up! Jeff LeBlanc ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 30 Jul 2002 12:19:55 -0400 From: "Zach@zacheverson.com" Subject: Springsteen - Now More Than Ever I wrote an article on The Rising for my website today. It can be found at http://www.zacheverson.com/The_Rising.htm Overall, solid album and timely. Zach - -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ . ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 30 Jul 2002 10:52:07 +0100 From: johnes@hotpop.com Subject: Reply-to: johnes@hotpop.com The Rising could well turn out to be Bruce's best work yet. It is as important as Nebraska (and I never expected to find myself saying that). It isn't the tilt for the title that was BTR, it isn't commercial like BITUSA, but it has a variety of quality material that beats both. Some of the songs have a complexity of structure that surpasses anything he's done since Thunder Road, and the arrangements (backing vocals and strings especially) give it the fresh new sound (new sound, new hope) that was promised. The influences range from Celtic to African as well as the obvious rock roots. Absorbing these successfully in a coherent whole is a tremendous achievement, and in itself makes a statement about the ideal (in whose face 9/11 flew) of cultures living in harmony. Lyrically and musically, this is a classic. Finally, Bruce has laid the ghost of those two aberrations from 1992 when he clearly didn't have anything much to write about - he's now producing work that matches or surpasses anything that's gone before. Not for the first time by Bruce, I'm totally wowed! When are the European dates going to be announced?... Geraint Geraint & Jill Johnes http://www.johnes.co.uk ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 30 Jul 2002 23:01:27 EDT From: SPBender@aol.com Subject: my day with The Rising well...I got out of bed this morning about 6:55, brushed my teeth, made a cup of coffee, said hi to my wife, and turned on the tv for the "Today" show (which I almost never watch)...it was cool. Seeing the boardwalk (where I've only been once) was fun, the interviews were ok, and the songs were fantastic...a nice way to start the day... I had to spend a lot of the day at work on the road, which worked out well since I knew that I'd have a couple hours in my car to listen to The Rising. First I called my office to say that I'd be a bit late because I had to watch Bruce on the Today show (my wife smirked at that one, saying "would you accept that excuse from your staff?" My answer was, "yes, of course.") I was planning to buy The Rising on the way in, but I was running late and had to be across the state by 11am and didn't have time...damn...but around 2:00 I was able to buy a copy ($12.98 on sale at Ames!) and then had several hours until I had to be back at work at 6:00. I sat in the parking lot at Ames, put the cd into my car cd player, opened the windows, and smiled...wonderful stuff...definitely as great as I'd hoped... the next several hours were fantastic. I listened to about half of the songs, went to get some lunch, then listened to the rest in a different parking lot...then I went driving for about an hour and listened to it again...I've got to say that a few of the songs are kind of dumb..."Waitin' on a Sunny Day", "Let's Be Friends"...these songs do nothing for me...and to those who said that "Mary's Place" is a throw back to "Rosalita"...all I can say is "I don't think so!" in general, though, I love this cd. Most of the songs are powerful, touching, pretty, ...I'm sure that there are lots of other adjectives that you can think so I'll leave that to others...I've been a Broooooce fan since 1978 and listening to this today, it was not only wonderful to hear the new music but also brought back lots of Broooooce memories, concerts, friends, events... I hope that your day was as good as mine... Steve Bender [text/html attachment deleted] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 30 Jul 2002 16:14:16 -0700 From: "Antonia J Byers" Subject: And your hope gave me hope The rising, is art, emotion, drama and spirituality with a hint of fun thrown in to put a bow on a masterpiece. THANK YOU Bruce and company you have truly given us all something good. Lonely Day, Empty Sky, Paradise ( My person favorite on the CD) draw a picture of a wounded heart, spirit and the salvation of both. I like that each piece has a moment of hope sometimes hidden sometimes extended as if to offer the listener some joy in a moment to hard to really remember. On September 11th I was so overcome I wrote a poem ( Something I do very seldom ) but wanted to give it to Bruce and my fellow tramps as a thank you. The birds.. flew with grace and wonderful ignorance . The sky for a day was theirs alone. How I envy them for their simplicity. Thousands of lives end in a moment. I miss each soul as if it where a part of mine. I look into the eyes of my children with no words of wisdom. Holding hands the lovers leapt. Leapt into our hearts This CD has also leapt into my heart forever! Sincerely, Antonia J. Byers Recruitware http://www.recruitware.com Office: 702-920-8528 Direct: 415-256-1977 AIMS® eStaffeR Award Winning "State of the Internet"® Software "At the end of every hard earned day people find some reason to believe"...Springsteen [text/html attachment deleted] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 30 Jul 2002 11:05:23 +0100 (BST) From: John Deacon Subject: TV schedule in the UK anyone ??? > From: "Kevin Kinder" > Subject: TV schedule reminder > > As I have it, here's this week's TV schedule for Bruce: > > Tuesday: Today show, Nightline, UpClose > Wednesday: UpClose > Thursday: Letterman > Friday: Letterman (which actually tapes Thursday) Hi all - In the UK we get Letterman on ITV2 around 23:30-23:45 or so. I've watched the odd one now and again if i've got nothing else to do/remember it's on etc etc... i think it's quite up to date but does anyone know how far behind we are and when the 2 shows with Bruce on will be shown...? cheers, john ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 30 Jul 2002 23:36:27 EDT From: ALateJuliet@aol.com Subject: Today! Greetings Luckytowners! This is something I wrote for another list I'm on, but wanted to share here too. Linda ~~~~~~~~~~ oh MY GOD!!!!!! WHAT A DAY!!!!!! WHAT A NIGHT!!!!!!!!! Sitting by the water, watching the sun set! A warm summer breeze cooling us off! Listening to the music, seeing lots of smiling faces! Everyone joined for the common love of the artist! And all for FREE!!! I'm not talkin' about Asbury Park! I'm talking about Lower Manhattan! Free concert at the World Financial Center by Dar Williams! Hey, she ain't no Bruce Springsteen, but she's a damn good artist and I loved every minute. Anyway, I AM SO HAPPY FOR ALL OF YOU WHO WERE IN ASBURY LAST NITE AND TODAY! And I heard lots of people got in on the drop! Talking to BillieJo on my lunch hour, hearing her reports, wow, the excitement was contagious. It was hard to go back to my job, a job that I hate, knowing what was happening in Asbury. STRENGTH. My brother Mike sped down the Parkway South after work, knowing he'd be too late for the drop, but settling for his "feet in the sand and a beer in his hand". Getting calls from him on my cell (whoever invented these things needs to be canonized) once the show started, letting me hear Promised Land, Glory Days. When he called me during Born to Run, (I hate to tell ya Mike, but you and your pals sing out of key! ; ) by that time I was on the ferry going back home, and the most GORGEOUS sunset was happening in the Jersey sky. I was so excited and happy for Mike and ALL OF YOU, squealing into the phone with excitement, and TRULY felt like I was there with everyone. I had tears in my eyes during Born to Run. Who cares what the commuters on the ferry thought of me. And listening to the CD (which I got at J&R Music World for only $9.99), it never sounded better. Altho I had an advance copy for a while, it just sounded BETTER tonight. Smiling, reading along to the lyrics, tapping my feet. Feeling happier than I've felt ever since I got this damn new job which PREVENTED ME FROM GOING TO ASBURY IN THE FIRST PLACE. How the photos in the booklet seem to be in synch with the words. How Bruce's clasped hands under "You're Missing" just say it all. I LOVE the photo of Clarence in the booklet. I'll be smiling again tomorrow morning on my commute in. Rarely do I see any commuters smiling. Even though I hate my job and the commute is a drag, somehow, listening to the CD tonight on my ride home, I KNEW that it won't be forever, and BETTER DAYS are on my way. (I have an interview at a new place later this week.) FAITH. How anyone who lost a loved one on September 11 CAN'T be affected by this music is incomprehensible to me. If I lost someone, I'd break down hearing these songs. Every morning on my walk off the ferry to my building, there's a fire house nearby. Engine 10, Ladder 4 if I'm correct, and they lost 14 guys on 9/11. Today I took a little detour. Walked up to the guys standing outside their headquarters, and after making small chat about Bruce, I gave them the advance copy I had of The Rising. My small way of saying THANK YOU to the NEW YORK FIREFIGHTERS. They didn't seem all that excited, but maybe SOMEONE will listen and the music will speak to him. HOPE. It all comes full circle, at least in my little "nothing" world of a "nothing girl". On my walk to the World Fi Center for the Dar show, I literally walked halfway around the parameter of Ground Zero. On the south side of what was the World Trade Center (Liberty Street), there is full and clear vision to the sacred ground. One guy was standing there, head down, eyes closed, hands folded in prayer. I stopped for a moment to take a look at the huge hole in the ground. It all becomes too much sometimes. The Rising is out today, and there I was, at the spot that inspired most of the songs. "It ain't no sin to be glad you're alive". The message of Bruce Springsteen, and the E Street Band is all about FAITH, HOPE, STRENGTH, and LOVE. And I felt all those things today in one way or another. See you all next Wednesday in C-23. Goodnite, it's alright, Linda [text/html attachment deleted] ------------------------------ End of LuckyTown Digest V9 #52 ****************************** ********************************************************************* ** LuckyTown WWW URL ** The LuckyTown FAQ, back issues, web-based subscription/unsubscription, and many other things can be found on the LuckyTown WWW Page: http://www.luckytown.org ** LuckyTown mailing list addresses ** You can send email to go into the next LuckyTown Digest to: luckytown@luckytown.org You can send email to go into the next LuckyTown-Ads Digest to: luckytown-ads@luckytown.org Any questions for the list admin should be emailed to: owner-luckytown@luckytown.org To unsubscribe, send email to majordomo@luckytown.org with message body: unsubscribe luckytown-digest To get further information on how to subscribe/unsubscribe/change your subscription address, as well as the other available commands, send email to majordomo@luckytown.org with message body: help ********************************************************************* The contents of this digest are not necessarily approved by the list admin.