Tuesday, Sept. 25 Asbury Park show report

[stang]

Night two of rehearsals by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at Asbury Park's Convention Hall was a much tighter and cohesive performance than Monday.
The sound was much better, the band seemed to on the same page and the setlist did flow better.
Show started at 8:40 p.m.
Bruce led the band out and said "Good evening guinea pigs. We had a good time last night. We did F *** up a bit."
Then Bruce said "Is Any one alive out there?"
And he broke into
1. Radio Nowhere
As I wrote last night, this is a great opener. There's a jamming part toward the end of the song which reminded me of how Bruce and Max really got into it toward the end of "My Love Will Not Let You Down" on the Reunions Tour.

2. Prove It All Night
What can you say. It's a classic. Seeing Steve and Bruce trade the "yeah" "yeah" at the end is still awesome after all these years.
I felt this worked much better as a second song than "No Surrender" last night.

3. Lonesome Day
Completed a nice three-pack for the opener.

4. Gypsy Biker
Bruce dedicated this to "friends who has lost some friends in Iraq."
Steven has a nice guitar solo in this song.

Before the next song, Bruce went over to talk to Danny and Max. Not sure if there was talking about how something was played on Gypsy Biker or setting up the next song which was:

5. Magic
Bruce said: "We are living in a time when some things that seem true are a lie and things we think are a lie are the truth. Hey it's true, I saw it on TV.
"Watch out for that magic."
Basically its just Bruce on an acoustic guitar then Patti joins in with him on some of the vocals. She does those repeat parts.
Soozie also plays some violin.
Bruce and Patti kissed at the end of the song.
Bruce then said: "Gentlemen, prepare yourself" and the band broke into

6. Night
Rocked as usual, got the crowd up.

7. She's the One
Another song that rocks. Bruce is all over the stage on this song. He works the sides from one end to the other.

At the end of the song Bruce said: "Welcome to the world famous air conditiioned Convention Hall. Some day everthing comes back and so will the air conditioning."
It was again hot in Convention Hall, but not as bad as Monday night, I though.


8. Livin' In the Future
Bruce said this was the first song he wrote for the new record. He mentioned how some things are what they are, like "Cheeseburgers, hot dogs, the Jersey Shore, and motorcycles. Then there some things that are happening like wire tapping, torture and oversupression.
Things that were not American but anti-American are happening in this country now."

9. Promised Land
Nice guitar work by Nils and Steve together, just as in past tours,.
One of my female friends wanted me to mention that Bruce make sure he turns his back to the audience when he struts across the stage on this song so his female fans can see his butt.
OK, I mentioned it.

10. Town Called Heartbreak.
From Patti Scialfa's new album. Bruce said this was a "work in progress."
At first Patti's guitar wasn't working and she had to change guitars.
Bruce said "A woman with a guitar is a sexy thing."

and then after she swapped guitars,

"A man with a guitar is... a fool."
Bruce and Patti trade lead vocals. Nils, Soozie and Clarence join in on the backup vocals. Nils also plays some guitar.
It is a work in progress but could/will turn out to be a nice duet with Bruce and Patti.
Bruce told the audience that Patti's new album is in the stores now.


11. Darlington County
Probably better here than in an encore spot. Again Bruce works the entire stage. Clarence and Soozie play off each other with the sax and violin. Works well.


12.Born in the USA
Great live song. Hasn't changed much from the past. Crowd always loves it.

13. Devil's Arcade
Bruce again dedicated this "to the Iraqi War veterans."
Powerful song, although the crowd seems slow in reacting to it.

continued...

[stang]

14. The Rising
A little sound distortion in the beginning with Soozie's violin then everything was fine.
15. Last To Die
I like this song in concert. Should play well.

16. Long Walk Home
I thought this would be the set closer but Bruce surprised us when the band kept hitting away and they went into:

17. Badlands
Got the crowd up. Everyone was doing the "whooo -ooooh -ohhhh" parts.
Never thought of this as the main set closer but I thought it worked well.

Main set ends at 10:15 p.m.

Bruce said "Can you hear us on the beach?" as they had opened up the doors on the north side of Convention Hall and the people on the boardwalk and beach were able to hear and see a bit.
Encores:
18. Girls in their Summer Clothes
Bruce said: "How's it doing outside. It's a beautiful night out there. Nice and cool in here too," he said kiddingly.
He continued: "This is for everyone on the beach and the Girls in their Summer Clothes.
Nice sax solo by Clarence toward the end.

19. Thundercrack
Bruce said: "This is one of the first songs I wrote. Goes back to the original band. Clarence, Danny, Garry and Mad Dog Vincent Lopez wherever he may be tonight.
"We learned this as our first showstopper. I also thought this song was kind of weird."
This was always one of my favorite Bruce songs from the early bootlegs and I love hearing it by the E Street Band in 2007. Not sure much of the crowd is familair with the song though.
Nice jam by Soozie, Nils, Clarence and Bruce toward the end.
Bruce had some fun with the crowd on the "All Night" parts.
Bruce blew a kiss to the crowd at the end of the song.

20. Born to Run
Just as last night and 500 other shows. House lights go up, crowd goes crazy.
Bruce introducted the band at the end of the song.

Bruce talked about how good it was to be back in Asbury Park and to rehearse there. He said "Asbury Park is back and the town is alive. Thank you to the folks who have been supporting it. Visiti downtown, go visit Lance and Debbie across the stret at the Wonder Bar."
Clarence then came over and said something to Bruce and Bruce said:
"Clarence was playing the Wonder Bar when I first met him. I was playing the Student Prince and Clarence walked over and that was the first time we played together and the start of our friendship."
Bruce then brought up Jeremy Chatzky and Kurt Ramm from the Seeger Sessions Band for the finale:

21. American Land
Bruce spoke a little bit about some of the great American music he played on the Seeger Sessions Tour. Jeremey played the stand-up bass and Curt Ramm played the trumpet.
Double accordian play again by Danny and Roy.

Show over at 10:48 p.m.

Some notes:
I thought this was a much better show than Monday. Just seemed much more together and cohesive. Set list worked better.
They still have some kinks to work out but it will be a fun show to see and will have you rocking.
Saw Bruce's mom and aunts in the crowd tonight as well as Jesse Malin. Greg Liszt, the banjo player from the Sessions Band, was also at the show.
That's it for the rehearsals in Asbury Park.
Thank you for reading my reports and for the feedback. I appreciate it.

[tomwilson]

yeah what he said

[Flamingo Lane]

Pat Riley was there too and there was a rumor that Hillary Duff came in with about 20 people.
Great Show.

[Sportsdoc]

Stan thanks for being a true pro and someone who has a trusted and valued opinion that always adds a great deal to a review of a show -- you are the man

[texasbossfan]

thanks stan. waited up for your report. can't wait to see the real deal next month. but until then, will have to live vicariously through others.

[knj]

The sound was really poor. I liked the material but terrible sound quality made for a disappointing night.

I don't see how he could take those sound problems on tour.

[BronxDarren]

holy shi*t, are you serious that Tuesday was BETTER than Monday? I thought they were really NOT together at all. i love the band but this sounded like a crappy rehearsal. i appreciate the chance to see it, but they better step it up for the arena shows.

[mhafinancial]

holy shi*t, are you serious that Tuesday was BETTER than Monday? I thought they were really NOT together at all. i love the band but this sounded like a crappy rehearsal. i appreciate the chance to see it, but they better step it up for the arena shows.
Pretty much what I thought on Monday night. Mentioned on another thread that the setlist -- and I know it is a work in progress at this point -- sounded like it was put together by an iPod shuffle. Very disjointed, and as you have said elsewhere, the sound sucked. Whenever Bruce just spoke, I couldn't understand what he was saying. I hope this is peculiar to the setup at CH, but from past tours I'm afraid that that is not the issue.

[BronxDarren]

hey Stan, thanks! also,

--I though he said "A woman with a guitar is a sexy thing."

and then after she swapped guitars,

"A man with a guitar is... a fool."

--and when he talked about meeting Clarence, didnt he say something about the teleprompter?

--did you see Patti kick over the fan?

--also what the hell happpened in the beginning of The Rising? was the hi-hat getting picked up by the vocal mic in the intro before Bruce starts singing? (if so, amateur hour) . it was super echoey and throwing Max off like a bastid. or was he running his sound through an Octapad which was giving him a false trigger?

Enquiring Minds wanna know.

[stang]

BD
Thanks for the update on the guitar quotes. I corrected it...I doubled checked my notes and you had it right about what he said.
All I know the first five to 10 seconds of the Rising were kind of scary, not sure what went wrong there

[JAG]

Thanks for the review Stan.

And for those of you complaining -- get over it! I'm sitting here in Oakland CA wishing I could be there and living vicariously through these posts and everything else. Get a reality check, or send me your tickets for future shows and i will gladly take your place and spare you the agony of attending these shows!

[kingofthealley]

Did anyone see the bootlegger get nailed in the stands? Did Bruce point out the bootlegger in the stands right before the guy was hauled out the place towards the end of the show?

[MEW]

At the beginning of Born in The USA, Bruce shakes his hand furiously and mumbles to the band somtheing like "get with it." He was visibly annoyed and his face was beet red. The song sounded horrible. Aside from that, the sound was far superior to Monday night from where I was.

The temperature was sweltering. That is why Bruce never walked off the stage at the end of the set, before the encore. He said "It's too hot. Let's just pretend we all walk off and come back." The he says: "We're back."

[jojo]

Hey stan,
You nailed it again. I thought thundercrack was done very well. It has been a staple of the Holiday shows in the past,but not with the full band.
Excellent review, except for the butt part. Just sayin.

[BrlDsguise]

Thanks for the rehearsal show reviews Stan. Next best thing to being there.

Wayne

[Sportsdoc]

And for those of you complaining -- get over it! I'm sitting here in Oakland CA wishing I could be there and living vicariously through these posts and everything else. Get a reality check, or send me your tickets for future shows and i will gladly take your place and spare you the agony of attending these shows!

Sorry to say but everyone has an opinion and everyone has the right to share that view. One of the better things about LD -- everyone speaks their mind, they're not drinking the Bruce Kool-Aid -- I take tremendous offence not by what you're saying but by you suggesting those who want to say something negative about Bruce have to "get over it".

I'm pretty sure if Bruce ever cared to comment he'd say the same thing -- that everyone and that means EVERYONE has a right to an opinion. You may not agree with what some people said but when it comes to "Get a reality check" comments like that are just not needed since they attacked the comment and how you felt about that comment:noway:

[BronxDarren]

Get a reality check, or send me your tickets for future shows and i will gladly take your place and spare you the agony of attending these shows!


JAG, I have two tickets to Hartford, upper deck and crappy. Face value. Send me a PM and we can arrange it.

[Crazy4Bruce]

That's it for the rehearsals in Asbury Park.
Thank you for reading my reports and for the feedback. I appreciate it.

Thanks goodness for you Stan!!!

I look forward to each and evrey one of your posts..

Mary Ann

[KingstonGirl]

Thanks Stan! As usual your reviews rock!

[BruceNut]

Stan pretty much nailed this nights review.
The sound was much better Tuesday over Monday.
I still couldnt understand him when he talked though.
A blurb on the sound though.
the mix board is a brand new state of the art board.I was told the guys working it are still learning its tweaks.
Tuesday night showed they are learning fast.
Anyone who`s familiar with Bruce and the band knows all these shows are works in progress. I personally set the bar very very low.Thus I came away very happy.Do I have complaints? Well sure.But I just cant be bothered because I know the sound will get ironed out.They will get a working flowing setlist eventually.And withing those 21-24 songs will have 3-5 slots that can be juggled with. It also looked like theres a few new guitar techs this go round and they need communication work.
But its all good man.Its all good.Bruce is back with the real band.I predict by the time they hit MSG they will be at 90% :D How anyone couldnt enjoy a Thundercrack or a something in the night in that venue,on that beach,on that boardwalk boggles the mind.
Last night they screwed up Badlands so bad that I heard Steven tell Patti "I guess we`re wingin this one".
Just funny.
And if Bruce could stop making Steven play SSB material,Steven wouldnt mind lol
Two nights in a row,Steven looked like that was the last song in the world he wanted to be playing ;)
WELL STEVIE I'm WIT YA ! :roll:
Lets guess who the only 3 people on stage are that didnt have to use the teleprompter for the SSB song? ;)

[scootbigman]

Mick- How was it getting out of your parking spot?

[BruceNut]

Mick- How was it getting out of your parking spot?

It was much easier Scoot. No road kill this time ;)

[BrlDsguise]

Lets guess who the only 3 people on stage are that didnt have to use the teleprompter for the SSB song? ;)

Max, Danny and Gary?

Wayne

[BruceNut]

Max, Danny and Gary?

Wayne


OK its more then 3 :roll:
I was thinking Bruce,Patti & Soozie.And now your 3 and Roy ;)

Poor Steven being made to play that crap.
I feel your Pain Steven !

[BossFreak]

Lets all remember these are rehearsals at CH. Monday night was a bit "off" but overall it was a rockin time..the new music was great (especially for those of us who have had the new CD for a few weeks now and actually know the new songs). Bruce and the band looked like they had a good time with it. Real shows should blow these away.
Wonder if the two hours will be it for the real shows. Lets hope we get 2 1/2 to 3 as usual.

[CHallman]

Hey Stan and Mickey,
Thanks for the reviews. Is that the first time they were ever used in the same line.

I never got in so I was listening from the north side of the boards. Sooo many people out there havin fun. I would say 200-300. Then there was security telling people not to take pictures with there cell phones or they would close the doors. What a bunch of idiots. First of all a picture from the boards of the band with a cell phone was like a ant on beach. And they had the doors open because it was so hot inside. Jerry did come out and give out a few tickets around the Rising time to let about 6 people in. I think for free also. He said only 14 people got in on the drop. Back to security, blast me if you want but the tall guy with the buzz cut was being a real jerk on the boardwalk. I know he was just doing his job but look at the whole picture. People waited in line 6 hours(get a life :-)) for nothing.


Mike

[JAG]

JAG, I have two tickets to Hartford, upper deck and crappy. Face value. Send me a PM and we can arrange it.

I'll trade ya -- my crappy Oakland for your crappy Hartford. :)

[moondance]

Jerry did come out and give out a few tickets around the Rising time to let about 6 people in. I think for free also.

Not free, I still paid $100 and was given a ticket in the VIP section. (Thanks Jerry) Someone was in my seat. I was being moved to another seat I looked around and a good portion of the section was sitting during The Promised Land. :noway: I asked to go onto the floor so I could stand. I checked the section out during Born to Run, the first few rows were still sitting.:noway:

[CHallman]

Hey,

Wait till the next time around, no one will be sitting. You have to admit they do need to work on some things. It should be good, see you in Philly.

Mike

PS:at that point I don't think I would have given the $.

[BruceNut]

Mick- How was it getting out of your parking spot?

You and your crew didnt pay me enough to hit them
;)

[Splooge]

this was my 12th rehearsal show at CH and can say without question that the sound on Monday was subpar at best but Tuesday was much improved albeit from sect H straight away where acoustics I believe are best for CH. Lets face it...it's a rehearsal and the kinks are there as they always are in the beginning when a large arrangement takes the stage attempting brand new material. I'm positive things will get much better and the kinks will be ironed out from the setlist arrangemnent to the transitions and overall production in general this machine will something to not be missed come albany, dc shows. I just wish msg, philly and continental were on the tail end of the tour but certainly glad they added another rehearsal prior to my first show 10/6

[BigMak]

The sound was really poor. I liked the material but terrible sound quality made for a disappointing night.

I don't see how he could take those sound problems on tour.

I was in Section C and the sound was fine. Could hear the vocals and make out the different instruments.

[bad scooter]

Its dime time if you know what I mean

[auntpatty]

Thanks for the reviews from both rehearsal nights, Stan. As always, your catalogue of information is most welcome and helps to put all my images in some sort of perspective.

[knj]

I was in Section C and the sound was fine. Could hear the vocals and make out the different instruments.

I was in section G. When Stan put his report up, I was amazed he had so much of the dialogue because we could not understand much of it at the show.

[stang]

But now listening to the boot, I'm suprised how much of what he said I didn't hear.
I never heard him mention the Windmill or Max's when he talked about hot dogs before "Livin' In the Future."
Plus a few other things.