stang
Dec 3rd, 2001, 10:58 PM
I have seen many great rock and roll shows at the Jersey Shore over the years.
I have seen may great shows other places too.
Monday night's show by Bruce and friends at the Asbury Park Convention Hall was one of the best ever. Period.
Sum it up: F****** AWESOME!!!!
Just when you think this guy can't do anything more to totally flip us out, he raises the bar even higher with just another incredible night of music that makes you realize why we love him so much, why we collect every bootleg we can, why we just can't get enough of him.
This is going to be long. I have a lot to say. Stay with me and I hope to give you all the details of just a magical evening.
If you have tickets to any of the remaining four shows, consider yourself very fortunate.
Show begins at 8:15 p.m. The stage is decorated with Christmas trees on each side, a giant reef in the middle and Christmas lights. You can the holiday feeling.
Bruce comes out stage and opens with the Beatles "Something" I saw many people crying including our very own Dari who was right next to me (we were in the front by Patti).
Next Bruce goes into an incredible "My Sweet Lord." He's playing with the Max Weinberg 7 and a full horn section (Labamba, Mark Pender, Mike Sprengler, Eddie Mannion and the sax player from Max's band).
Toward the end of My Sweet Lord, Bruce just cuts the song off and says: "God Bless You George. We are going to miss you."
Next up is "Jingle Bell Rock" with Soozie Tyrell on violin, Garry Tallent on bass and Bobby Bandiera on guitar in additon to the Max Weinberg 7.
As the songs winds up Bruce says "Welcome to Asbury Park. Enjoy the show."
Then, like last year, Bruce goes off the stage, and Max's band plays a great instrumental tune.
Jimmy Vivino of Max's band then sings a song "Go Santa Go" or something like that.
Bruce came back onstage to play guitar on this one. He and Jimmy did a nice jam toward the end of the song.
Next up is the song that just blew me away. I have been a Bruce fan since 1975 and have always wanted to hear this song live. On Monday night I got my wish.
WIth the three female backup singers (Patti, Soozie Tyrell and Lisa Lowell) they go into the Shanannnahhnan...Soozie is playing the violin.
Oh My God: It is Thundercrack!
It was fabulous. It was without a doubt for me a Top 5 all-time Bruce moment. Dari said the same thing.
In the middle of the song, Clarence comes out, plays some great sax and did the "Baby's Back!' part.
The crowd was going nuts and I was 10-feet high for the rest of the evenng.
Next up Bruce says "I want to dedicate this song to Domenic who has done a nice job of refurbishing the Pony."
It's Seaside Bar Song. Wow!
Just, just great. Clarence and Danny (who has a very short haircut now) were onstage for this also.
At the end of the song Bruce says "They better get the boardwalk done pretty soon" referring to the rebuilding of the Asbury Park boardwalk.
Patti's turn to do a couple songs was next.
Bruce said in the introduction: "Yes folks, she's still working on her album. She's actually got me beat right now" (not good news for those of us waiting for new Bruce material).
Patti then did a nice song, I'm not sure of the name. The lyrics were "I'll b your lover. I'll take your hand to rise above."
Kely-Jane Cotter in today's Asbury Park Press says it's called: Love (Stand Up).
Bruce played guitar on the song as did the great Bobby Bandiera.
There was high note for Patti in the song and when she was done singing Bruce said: "She was worrying about that note al day."
Patti then sang "Spanish Dancer" a real nice ballad that is on her "Rumble Doll" CD.
Soozie played violin on the song. Really nice.
When Patti finished the song, she came back to her spot right in front of us and I yelled: "Great Job Patti!" She looked right back at me and said with a big smile: "Thank you!"
Garland Jeffereys was the special guest.
Before he sang his first song he said "21 years ago I met my wife at the Stone Pony!" and Bruce then yelled "So did I! But I married someone else in the middle."
Pretty funny. Patti was laughing at this too.
They then played a song called "Welcome to the World." Garland did the lead vocals and a choir came on stage for the first time of the evening. Bruce introduced them as the Alliance choir and they were many of the same membes of the group who sang at the October Red Bank shows.
Bruce's back was to the audience and Dari said "Bruce's butt is in my face and I love it!" (she said I could quote her on that).
They then played another song with Garland Jeffreys called "New York Skyline." Clarence was on the sax.
At the end Garland Jefferies said: "See you tomorrow night."
Next up was another super part of the show. The appearance of Ocean Grove's own Southside Johnny!
Wearing a lavender sport jacket and Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers they went into a smoking "This Time is For Real."
Southside and Bruce traded lyrics and Bobby Bandiera was on guitar. Really great.
At the end Southside said: "We'll all go over to the Wonder Bar later and have a beer."
The Wonder Bar, an Asbury Park insitution for years, is now closed. It's located right across from Convention Hall.
Southside then said "I want to sing a song about Asbury Park that was written by Steve Van Zandt who can't be here tonight because he's busy with The Sopranos."
In one of the night's funnier momemnts, Bruce yells "I wrote the begining of this song. I did!"
Southside says: "You got a box set, 32 CDs out and you want credit for this also."
Bruce responds: "I wrote the beginning!"
Dari said it was like Abbot and Costello. It was funny.
They played "Love on The Wrong Side of Town."
Bruce and Southside shared vocals.
Next up was "It's Been a Long Time." Very good but it will be even better when Steven is there to join in.
The only other E Street Band member not in attendance was Roy Bittan.
When they finished, Bruce said: "Southside, where you living now? Tennessee?" And Southside said: "I'm not telling."
And as Southside left the stage, Bruce again said "I did write that first note!" Pretty funny.
Bruce then says: "Where's my good friend? Nils? Nils flew eight hours straight just to be in Asbury Park."
Nils says: "I also met my wife at the Stone Pony 21 years ago. I got married twice before I figured it out."
He the sang "Black Books" from the Sopranos episode last year and it's on the second Sopranos soundtrack.
Very powerful song.
Nils then said: "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays. Real honor to be here."
He then played "Shine Silently."
I looked over at the soundboard and Jon Landau was watching from there.
"Merry Christmas Baby" was up next and on one verse Bruce said: "Merry Chirstmas Baby, I feel real good tonight. I got all my fans with me."
Bruce even danced with Patti on this one.
"So Young and In Love" was next. Much like last year's version.
Next up Bruce grabs the guitar, hits one practice note and my friend Melanne and Dari yell "Kittys Back."
Nothing more to say but awesome.
As Bruce went to sing the next song, Patti, Soozie and Lisa start to walk off stage and Bruce yells "Hey girls, where you going?"
There was a mixup somewhere but they came back and sang the Ronnie Spector song "Christmas, Baby Please Come Home."
Lisa Lowell sang a bit of lead here.
That was the end before the encores. It took two hours.
Before the first encore, Bruce sat at the piano and said "It's great to be back in Asbury Park." And did a speech about how there's a new city council and he read a list of the charities who benefitted from the shows.
One he mentioned was the Stephen Crane house (the author) and said "He used to live in Asbury Park. Just before they opened the Stone Pony."
Bruce also said "Asbury Park is enjoying the beginning of a new renaissance" and he mentioned a few of the new stores in town including the To Be Gallery which he said "Is right near where the Upstage used to be."
He also mentioned the Clearwater Festival.
It was at this time people starting tapping me on the shoulder and saying, "Patti is looking at you! She can't figure out what you're writing!" I was taking notes all night and she looked at me and said "What are you doing" I tried to say "Internet" but I don't think she understood me. She gave me a nice smile.
Bruce then played "My City of Ruins." Just like last year's Christmas show he started off at the piano. The choir joined in also. Bruce finished up the song on the guitar.
Bobby Bandiera played "Here Comes The Sun." Really nice.
Up next, Southside Johnny and Bruce on "I Don't Want to Go Home." What more is there to say when this is done in Asbury Park?
Next up was Rosalita, which Bruce introduced with "By popular request and only in Asbury Park!"
Phenomenal as always with the horns. This seems to be a New Jersey only song now..
The evening's finale was "Santa Claus is Coming To Town."
Bruce's mom and aunts were onstage again in their cute Santa outfits, and there was a Rudolph, a snowman and Santa Claus which I believe was Jim McDuffie again but I'm not sure. I know Jim, and Santa did wave right at me as he went off the stage so I think it was Jim.
There were a few elves also, not kids this year but nice looking women. Candy canes were thrown out to the crowd also.
The show ended at 10:47 p.m. So about two-and-a-half hours.
A couple quick notes: The general admission line was let in around 6:20 p.m.
Everyone in the drop line got in. More than 110 tickets.
There were three camermen shooting the show (a professional shoot).
One told me it was for "Bruce's archives."
Saw many Live Daily people there. Scoot, Marsha, Dave Henise, Dari, Laure the Music Traveler from Oregon, Hazey Davey, Broadway Mary, and many many more who I'm forgetting.
Thank you if you stayed with me this long.
Another magical night of great music on the Jersey Shore.
Stan
PS: One final note. While we were waiting on the general admission line after the 1 p.m. roll call, Obie and Mark dove up and Obie dropped off three pizzas and sodas for those who were waiting n line. Very nice of her.
Obie is the woman who is Bruce's long-time friend and sit front-row center for any show she wants.
I have seen may great shows other places too.
Monday night's show by Bruce and friends at the Asbury Park Convention Hall was one of the best ever. Period.
Sum it up: F****** AWESOME!!!!
Just when you think this guy can't do anything more to totally flip us out, he raises the bar even higher with just another incredible night of music that makes you realize why we love him so much, why we collect every bootleg we can, why we just can't get enough of him.
This is going to be long. I have a lot to say. Stay with me and I hope to give you all the details of just a magical evening.
If you have tickets to any of the remaining four shows, consider yourself very fortunate.
Show begins at 8:15 p.m. The stage is decorated with Christmas trees on each side, a giant reef in the middle and Christmas lights. You can the holiday feeling.
Bruce comes out stage and opens with the Beatles "Something" I saw many people crying including our very own Dari who was right next to me (we were in the front by Patti).
Next Bruce goes into an incredible "My Sweet Lord." He's playing with the Max Weinberg 7 and a full horn section (Labamba, Mark Pender, Mike Sprengler, Eddie Mannion and the sax player from Max's band).
Toward the end of My Sweet Lord, Bruce just cuts the song off and says: "God Bless You George. We are going to miss you."
Next up is "Jingle Bell Rock" with Soozie Tyrell on violin, Garry Tallent on bass and Bobby Bandiera on guitar in additon to the Max Weinberg 7.
As the songs winds up Bruce says "Welcome to Asbury Park. Enjoy the show."
Then, like last year, Bruce goes off the stage, and Max's band plays a great instrumental tune.
Jimmy Vivino of Max's band then sings a song "Go Santa Go" or something like that.
Bruce came back onstage to play guitar on this one. He and Jimmy did a nice jam toward the end of the song.
Next up is the song that just blew me away. I have been a Bruce fan since 1975 and have always wanted to hear this song live. On Monday night I got my wish.
WIth the three female backup singers (Patti, Soozie Tyrell and Lisa Lowell) they go into the Shanannnahhnan...Soozie is playing the violin.
Oh My God: It is Thundercrack!
It was fabulous. It was without a doubt for me a Top 5 all-time Bruce moment. Dari said the same thing.
In the middle of the song, Clarence comes out, plays some great sax and did the "Baby's Back!' part.
The crowd was going nuts and I was 10-feet high for the rest of the evenng.
Next up Bruce says "I want to dedicate this song to Domenic who has done a nice job of refurbishing the Pony."
It's Seaside Bar Song. Wow!
Just, just great. Clarence and Danny (who has a very short haircut now) were onstage for this also.
At the end of the song Bruce says "They better get the boardwalk done pretty soon" referring to the rebuilding of the Asbury Park boardwalk.
Patti's turn to do a couple songs was next.
Bruce said in the introduction: "Yes folks, she's still working on her album. She's actually got me beat right now" (not good news for those of us waiting for new Bruce material).
Patti then did a nice song, I'm not sure of the name. The lyrics were "I'll b your lover. I'll take your hand to rise above."
Kely-Jane Cotter in today's Asbury Park Press says it's called: Love (Stand Up).
Bruce played guitar on the song as did the great Bobby Bandiera.
There was high note for Patti in the song and when she was done singing Bruce said: "She was worrying about that note al day."
Patti then sang "Spanish Dancer" a real nice ballad that is on her "Rumble Doll" CD.
Soozie played violin on the song. Really nice.
When Patti finished the song, she came back to her spot right in front of us and I yelled: "Great Job Patti!" She looked right back at me and said with a big smile: "Thank you!"
Garland Jeffereys was the special guest.
Before he sang his first song he said "21 years ago I met my wife at the Stone Pony!" and Bruce then yelled "So did I! But I married someone else in the middle."
Pretty funny. Patti was laughing at this too.
They then played a song called "Welcome to the World." Garland did the lead vocals and a choir came on stage for the first time of the evening. Bruce introduced them as the Alliance choir and they were many of the same membes of the group who sang at the October Red Bank shows.
Bruce's back was to the audience and Dari said "Bruce's butt is in my face and I love it!" (she said I could quote her on that).
They then played another song with Garland Jeffreys called "New York Skyline." Clarence was on the sax.
At the end Garland Jefferies said: "See you tomorrow night."
Next up was another super part of the show. The appearance of Ocean Grove's own Southside Johnny!
Wearing a lavender sport jacket and Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers they went into a smoking "This Time is For Real."
Southside and Bruce traded lyrics and Bobby Bandiera was on guitar. Really great.
At the end Southside said: "We'll all go over to the Wonder Bar later and have a beer."
The Wonder Bar, an Asbury Park insitution for years, is now closed. It's located right across from Convention Hall.
Southside then said "I want to sing a song about Asbury Park that was written by Steve Van Zandt who can't be here tonight because he's busy with The Sopranos."
In one of the night's funnier momemnts, Bruce yells "I wrote the begining of this song. I did!"
Southside says: "You got a box set, 32 CDs out and you want credit for this also."
Bruce responds: "I wrote the beginning!"
Dari said it was like Abbot and Costello. It was funny.
They played "Love on The Wrong Side of Town."
Bruce and Southside shared vocals.
Next up was "It's Been a Long Time." Very good but it will be even better when Steven is there to join in.
The only other E Street Band member not in attendance was Roy Bittan.
When they finished, Bruce said: "Southside, where you living now? Tennessee?" And Southside said: "I'm not telling."
And as Southside left the stage, Bruce again said "I did write that first note!" Pretty funny.
Bruce then says: "Where's my good friend? Nils? Nils flew eight hours straight just to be in Asbury Park."
Nils says: "I also met my wife at the Stone Pony 21 years ago. I got married twice before I figured it out."
He the sang "Black Books" from the Sopranos episode last year and it's on the second Sopranos soundtrack.
Very powerful song.
Nils then said: "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays. Real honor to be here."
He then played "Shine Silently."
I looked over at the soundboard and Jon Landau was watching from there.
"Merry Christmas Baby" was up next and on one verse Bruce said: "Merry Chirstmas Baby, I feel real good tonight. I got all my fans with me."
Bruce even danced with Patti on this one.
"So Young and In Love" was next. Much like last year's version.
Next up Bruce grabs the guitar, hits one practice note and my friend Melanne and Dari yell "Kittys Back."
Nothing more to say but awesome.
As Bruce went to sing the next song, Patti, Soozie and Lisa start to walk off stage and Bruce yells "Hey girls, where you going?"
There was a mixup somewhere but they came back and sang the Ronnie Spector song "Christmas, Baby Please Come Home."
Lisa Lowell sang a bit of lead here.
That was the end before the encores. It took two hours.
Before the first encore, Bruce sat at the piano and said "It's great to be back in Asbury Park." And did a speech about how there's a new city council and he read a list of the charities who benefitted from the shows.
One he mentioned was the Stephen Crane house (the author) and said "He used to live in Asbury Park. Just before they opened the Stone Pony."
Bruce also said "Asbury Park is enjoying the beginning of a new renaissance" and he mentioned a few of the new stores in town including the To Be Gallery which he said "Is right near where the Upstage used to be."
He also mentioned the Clearwater Festival.
It was at this time people starting tapping me on the shoulder and saying, "Patti is looking at you! She can't figure out what you're writing!" I was taking notes all night and she looked at me and said "What are you doing" I tried to say "Internet" but I don't think she understood me. She gave me a nice smile.
Bruce then played "My City of Ruins." Just like last year's Christmas show he started off at the piano. The choir joined in also. Bruce finished up the song on the guitar.
Bobby Bandiera played "Here Comes The Sun." Really nice.
Up next, Southside Johnny and Bruce on "I Don't Want to Go Home." What more is there to say when this is done in Asbury Park?
Next up was Rosalita, which Bruce introduced with "By popular request and only in Asbury Park!"
Phenomenal as always with the horns. This seems to be a New Jersey only song now..
The evening's finale was "Santa Claus is Coming To Town."
Bruce's mom and aunts were onstage again in their cute Santa outfits, and there was a Rudolph, a snowman and Santa Claus which I believe was Jim McDuffie again but I'm not sure. I know Jim, and Santa did wave right at me as he went off the stage so I think it was Jim.
There were a few elves also, not kids this year but nice looking women. Candy canes were thrown out to the crowd also.
The show ended at 10:47 p.m. So about two-and-a-half hours.
A couple quick notes: The general admission line was let in around 6:20 p.m.
Everyone in the drop line got in. More than 110 tickets.
There were three camermen shooting the show (a professional shoot).
One told me it was for "Bruce's archives."
Saw many Live Daily people there. Scoot, Marsha, Dave Henise, Dari, Laure the Music Traveler from Oregon, Hazey Davey, Broadway Mary, and many many more who I'm forgetting.
Thank you if you stayed with me this long.
Another magical night of great music on the Jersey Shore.
Stan
PS: One final note. While we were waiting on the general admission line after the 1 p.m. roll call, Obie and Mark dove up and Obie dropped off three pizzas and sodas for those who were waiting n line. Very nice of her.
Obie is the woman who is Bruce's long-time friend and sit front-row center for any show she wants.