Solid is the perfect word to describe last night’s opening show at Giants Stadium. The setlist, though with few surprises, was filled with awesome energy and a few very cool requests. “Janey Don’t You Lose Heart” was one of those special requests for a lady in the crowd named Jane (oddly enough).
Early in the set, “Summertime Blues” made it’s U.S. debut on the tour and really rocked the house. This song definitely brought back memories of the old “Darkness”/”River” days when Bruce played many more old time rock covers (i.e. “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Quarter to Three”, “Raise Your Hand” etc.).
Bruce ended the show with a stunning version of “Rosalita” after “American Land” which really brought down the house.
All in all, this was a very solid show as previously mentioned. Now it’s on to Monday and round two in Jersey (tonight!).
Here is one of my favorite cover songs that Bruce performs. This is a song called “Jersey Girl” that was written by a very talented songwriter named Tom Waits. I am very glad that Bruce does not overplay this song as he usually saves it for special occasions. So enjoy this one as we near the “homecoming stand!”
Obviously, we are very close to the upcoming American leg kick-off at Giants Stadium on Sunday. So, it has come to my attention that sometime within the next week and a half, Bruce and company will make a final decision on whether or not to go ahead with the proposed week (or so) of touring. Again, Philadelphia, PA and Newark, NJ are being looked at as probable venues for these shows in early September.
If you go on iTunes right now and search “Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band”, you will find a brand new release consisting of four terrific recordings entitled “Magic Tour Highlights.” These are four live songs taken from various performances over the course of the 2008 tour.
1. “Always A Friend” (performed with Alejandro Escovedo)
Recording Date: 04/14/2008 (Houston, Texas)
2. “The Ghost of Tom Joad” (performed with Tom Morello)
Recording Date: 04/07/2008 (Anaheim, California)
3. “Turn Turn Turn” (performed with Roger McGuinn)
Recording Date: 04/23/2008 (Orlando, Florida)
4. “4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)” (Danny Federici’s final performance
with the E Street Band)
Recording Date: 03/20/2008 (Indianapolis, Indiana)
If you purchase from the iTunes store, you can get both the audio and the video of the songs!
Obviously, the most touching performance is the version of “Sandy.” This was the last time that “Blood Brother” Danny Federici performed on-stage with the E Street Band.
Over the past couple of weeks, my sources have confirmed that Bruce and the band are CONSIDERING playing a few more dates beyond the Harley Davidson Festival. These shows will (if they happen) most likely take place in Philadelphia and New Jersey (Newark). There was originally some speculation of shows at Madison Square Garden but talks on this venue have waned. These dates (PA/NJ) would stretch only as far as the second week of September. As of this very moment, I would call the chances a “coin-flip”, a “race”, or any other poker term that you would like to throw in there that means approximately 50%.
In addition, talks of a 2009 E Street tour are well under weigh. The word “out in the street” is that the band is looking at the beginning portion of 2009. I believe that this timetable has a lot to do with Max’s role with “The Tonight Show” as well as Bruce’s near/immediate future plans in terms of studio material. Springsteen has 2 albums in the chamber at this point (one solo project and one E Street project) and it shouldn’t be “too long” before a decision is made on what to go ahead and release.
This is a pretty cool soundcheck of “Rendezvous” from Springsteen’s 2003 stand at Shea Stadium in Queens, NY. You can see how Bruce pretty much arranges a song on the spot and they then play it that night!
Yeah, I know this was last year, but it’s part of the “Magic” tour so what the hell! This was awesome because a little guy in the pit had a big sign that said “RAMROD PLEASE” on it and Bruce decided to make his day (and probably his life too!)
Enjoy this classic from one of Springsteen’s greatest albums…”The River”
“Night” always provides a little kick-start to a show (or encore) when needed. You can just feel it when Bruce goes into that quick count-off that “Night” may be coming. I have always felt that this is a very underrated song simply because it is on an album of master pieces. It is almost unfair that this song is on “Born to Run” but in my opinion, it makes the album that much better!
This is a really great Bruce song that was written in 1990 and donated to Southside Johnny Lyon (Southside later covered the song on his “Better Days” album). However, Springsteen later recorded the song on his own in or around 1997. This recording went unused until 2004 when Springsteen dubbed in some bass guitar and drum trakcs. It was then decided that the song was good enough to make the final cut for the “Devil’s & Dust” solo album. It is worth noting that the two versions (Southside and Springsteen) vary greatly in terms of arrangement.
Lyrics and Music: Bruce Springsteen
Whoa!
Yeah I know what it’s like to have failed, baby
With the whole world lookin’ on
I know what it’s like to have soared
And come crashin’ like a drunk on a bar room floor
And now you got no reason to trust me
My confidence is a little rusty
But if you don’t feel like bein’ alone
Baby, I could walk you all the way home
Well now our old fears and failures
Oh baby, they do linger
Like the shadow of that ring
Hmmm, that was on your finger
Those days they’ve come and gone
Baby, I could walk you all the way home
Whoa!
Whoa!
Whoa!
Whoa!
Yeah love leaves nothin’ but shadows and vapor
We go on, as is our sad nature
Baby
Now it’s some old Stones’ song the band is trashin’
If you feel like dancin’, baby I’m askin’
It’s comin’ on closing time
Bartender, he’s ringin’ last call
These days I don’t stand on pride
And I ain’t afraid to take a fall
So if you’re seein’ what you like
Maybe your first choice he’s gone
Well that’s all right
Baby, I could walk you all the way home
Baby, I could walk you all the way home
In about two weeks time, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band will be headed home. At that point, they will take a week off before their three night stand at Giants Stadium begins in East Rutherford, NJ. Simply going by the latest European setlists, the American run should be phenomenal. With rarities including “Summertime Blues”, “Drive All Night”, “Janey Don’t You Lose Heart”, and “Be True”, you never know what this insane man is going to jot down on the setlist when it comes time to play in the Garden state.
Oh yeah, and did I mention that the concerts have been approximately three hours in length?
