Best part of a Bruce concert

[Zephyrs 23]

I've been to few actual concerts. I saw Weird Al in 97, a band from Galway (with lots of Kerry people there, as we heard about a soccer match between Galway and Kerry), a local music hero named Barry Kingston (he's growing on me), and Better than Ezra at my school's spring concert. Oh yeah and Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce. Thrice.

Weird Al's concert was the closest I got to knowing the bulk of the songs, I think I'd include my first Bruce concert in this. I only owned Wild & Innocent, BitUSA, Nebraska, Live and GH at that point, so I didn't know Ties, or Two Hearts, or Prove It, or GoTJ, or Out in the Streets, or Youngstown, or JUNGLELAND(!!!), or Light of Day, or Ramrod. First time i heard If I Should Fall Behind was there, as was LoHaD. That's a lot of not knowing.

BUt when Hartford came along, I had all the albums, and I knew all the songs. ALL OF THEM. Not one song in Hartford was played that I hadn't heard before. I didn't know the ALL the words to point blank or Don't Look Back, but the rest I did. Same with MSG 6/29 except for AMerican Skin, Another Thin Line and Code of Silence, I knew it all. And I think that's the best part of the show, singing along to Bruce, dancing at your seat. I doubt I'll ever know the songs by the Irish band, or all the songs by mr. local man, or Weird Al. I know I won't know of all U2's when I finally get to see them. BUt next time Bruce's around, I too will be singing for 3 hours. And that just rocks.

PArdon my ramble.

[young again]

Hey Z23, I was just thinking about this today. Not the bit about Weird Al, but about how the first Bruce concert I went to (9/24/99 Phila) was probably the "best" objectively speaking but how my overall concertgoing experience was so much more enhanced later on not only by knowing the songs but by having some familiarity with the show as a whole. At my first concert he played 8 songs I didn't know: Two Hearts, Mansion On the Hill, Independence Day, Youngstown, Murder Incorporated, Light of Day, If I Should Fall Behind and Land Of Hopes And Dreams. Had he played a more typical set list there probably would have been 10-12 songs I didn't know. And I didn't have youth as an excuse, just inattentiveness -- I had the first 3 albums plus BITUSA and hadn't listened to any of them in years. But by the time I rolled into Hartford I was ready to sing and sing I did (loudly and badly I might add; I offer my apologies to the taper sitting next to me).

But I hope that next time out (PLEASE let there be a next time out!) he has some surprises in store that will make us stop singing and listen attentively to something none of us have heard before.

------------------
No retreat, baby, no surrender

[Flamingo Lane]

Definately the best part of the Bruce concert (other than when he did that thing with the mike...whew) is doing our part and seeing how Bruce get into that.

I remember introducing some friends to Bruce in the 80s and making Cue cards for them for Thunder Road and Rosie so they could keep up.

I love that feeling of being totally spent from dancing and singing for 3 hours as I walk back to my car and then drive home with no tunes on cause nothing quite measures up.

Its also so awesome to look around and see the control Bruce has over the crowd. 20,000
fist beating in the air during Clarence's solo in Jungleland.

OOPS I am rambling too, Sorry.
FL

[mrsports]

the best part is when the house lights are on.

[Diamond D]

I'm only 17, and I've only been to 2 concerts, but to me, there are 3 best parts to a bruce concert in his current set-list order. The first is during 10th, when everybody starts yelling "Clar-ence, Clar-ence..." just for the energy and also the anticipation of what's coming up next. Second is the whole LOD, it's just a great rock 'n roll song, and I love his monologue. Then third, and maybe best of all, is BTR. "1,2,3,4...The Highway's jammed with broken heroes on a last chance power drive, everybody's out on the run tonight, there's no place left to hide..." I get chills everytime I here those few lines on a boot. They drag the moment out with Clarence blaring away and Danny running up and down on the keyboard, then Bruce's tone when he finally gets to those lines is just amazing. Man, I feel like I'm there again!



------------------
Don't waste your time waiting.....

[Zephyrs 23]

Diamond, I think the greatest moment ever record in Rock n Roll history takes place at exactly 3:04 on track 5 of Born to Run, when he says "1, 2, 3, 4- The Highway's Jammed with Broken heroes..." chills since the first time I heard it back in 1996.

Yup, I'm a verteran

And I do have to say that the lights going on, ESPECIALLY for BTR, but for all songs that have sing alongs, is electrifying. But so is the Audience only parts, Badlands, Out in the Sheets, and newest for me, the horn parts of 10th Ave.
And I think even more incredibly is the parts that we're not supposed to sing (like oh say ALL OF JUNGLELAND :rolleyes http://talk.livedaily.com/docs/smile.gif, and the whole Crowd is there.

I was reading Glory Days, and it was recounting how Hungry Heart's sing along evolved... Most of the tour, the band played the first verse with no Bruce, then Bruce kicked in when they restarted. In chicago, the crowd decided to sing the first part on their own. A tradition was born. Does it get better than this?

[Bustedsister]

...and when I listen to the crowd singing gloriously together on one of my boots from this tour, I think of all of you, all of us, because that's who it is that I'm hearing, and that's a great feeling.

[This message has been edited by Bustedsister (edited September 30, 2000).]

[Muddyemms]

Ah . . . Yes, I've got to agree with you, Diamond D and Zeph, right before the "1-2-3-4!!!" in BTR, with all of the house lights burning away, 20,000 crazies screaming in unison . . . !

Chills of joy!

[RammaJamma]

On the past tour, the Big 5 was an highlight each night. Then, the anticipation of the surprise awaiting after Out in the Street. Someone was always rewarded with their favorite gem in those slots. I love the feeling at the end when you want more but know you probably couldn't take it. And he does it every night.

The worst part is when the lights come up at the end. http://talk.livedaily.com/docs/frown.gif

[barefootgirl]

i couldn't really pick the best part of a bruce concert - to me the whole experience is one beyond words. but i would say the best part of 6/29 was seeing him walk over to the piano for the promise - it was my first show and i couldn't believe my good fortune...bbrrruuuuucccce!!!!!!!!

[dhenise]

I can't argue with the BTR "1,2,3,4", but one that is pretty darn close is when those house lights go out that first time. I got the same chills every night. WHAT A RIDE!

D

------------------
"No Surrender"

[LesterX]

I have to echo dhenise. It still amazes me that even when I see back-to-back shows, the anticipation and excitement are always the same -- it's indescribable. Walking out each time knowing that those incredibly high expectations have been fulfilled and often surpassed is a highlight, and of course everything inbetween "ain't too bad" either...

[Zephyrs 23]

BFG-
That show was my third show, and I agree like 1203%, that was about as unbelievable as it gets.

[PhillyGirl]

To me their are many best moments of a show. When the lights dim & it's just Bruce in the spotlight & he plays the first chords of the harmonica it chills me to the bone. Wether it's the river or numerous other songs, I get major goopse bumps all over. Also when he starts out slow alone & then the whole band joins in & picks up the tempo & rise to a cresendo. To watch them all pour their hearts & soul into it & know they are all having the time of their life is a miracle to watch. It really touches the depths of my soul!!

[mimi3940]

I love to hear when the crowd sings everyword
with Bruce. Also when playing badlands the lights are down low, and when he yells
BADLANDS! lights go on and everyone throws their fists in the air in unison. The same thing with trapped. And on July 1 to see one of the security gaurds singing and dancing also with his fists in the air during Badlands was great.

[VTGIRL]

I CERTAINLY AGREE WITH ALL OF YOUR POSTS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE AUDIENCE IS SINGING WITH BADLANDS AND TRAPPED. THE THING THAT DID IT FOR ME WAS THE BEGINNING OF 10TH WHEN BRUCE JUMPS ONTO ROY'S PIANO AND PRETENDS THAT HE IS GOING TO STRIP HIS SHIRT OFF. MAJOR GOOSE BUMPS!!!

[young again]

I was listening to the Charlotte boot, and you can really hear how the energy of the crowd, the band, and Bruce area all feeding off each other. The best part of a Bruce concert is when everyone is participating together to create something very real, something more than just a stage act observed by an enthusiastic audience, something that feels bigger than everyone involved.

VTGirl -- all that stuff I just wrote is all fine and good but, yeah, Bruce on top of the piano, wow. In Phila he actually did strip his shirt off (but he was wearing a T-shirt underneath).

------------------
No retreat, baby, no surrender

[ashnoel]

Yeah, the piano thing is real sexy. Especially when he blows his nose all over poor Roy. http://talk.livedaily.com/docs/rolleyes.gif

[dari]

the best part for me after all is said and done was always knowing that he and i (and a few thousand others) were gonna be doing it all over again the next night.
made it even harder to see the lights come up on july 1....


dari

[Rams]

Best moment? Hey, I got choked up going through the turnstile !

Here's another vote for the middle of BTR... 1-2-3-4 The Highway's jammed... AT the concert I saw, (Charlotte), the band idles & teased the crowd for more than 30 seconds before breaking into that. I was in the isle with a huge "1-2-3-4 !" sign over my head. I'll never forget it.

Yes, Charlotte was awesome. Place holds 23,000 for basketball, and it was packed and rocking on a Friday night after the band was off the previous two nights. It was my wife's FIRST Bruce concert, so that made it extra-special for me that she could finally "get it."

My runner-up vote is during thew band intrs, and figuring out that it was perfectly set up to re-start 10th Ave, where he let off.

Rams
a cool rockin' daddy

[Rams]

Best moment? Hey, I got choked up going through the turnstile !

Here's another vote for the middle of BTR... 1-2-3-4 The Highway's jammed... At the concert I saw, (Charlotte), the band idles & teased the crowd for more than 30 seconds before breaking into that. I was in the isle with a huge "1-2-3-4 !" sign over my head. I'll never forget it.

Yes, Charlotte was awesome. Place holds 23,000 for basketball, and it was packed and rocking on a Friday night after the band was off the previous two nights. It was my wife's FIRST Bruce concert, so that made it extra-special for me that she could finally "get it."

My runner-up vote is during the band intros, and figuring out that it was perfectly set up to re-start 10th Ave, where he let off.

Rams
a cool rockin' daddy

[Madame Marie]

Obviously got to go with BTR 1 2 3 4 & the houselights....

But also, what about the day of the show late afternoon anticipating the evening to come......

AND, when you hear the opening notes to either a song which you realise is new, or something that you've been desparate to hear.. which for me was.. BIYA 20.09.99

Also when the band & then Bruce first walk out on stage, assume their positions & you think YEAH!!!!! We're here again!!!!

AND with this tour, a massive hightlight for me was seeing If I Should Fall Behind at the opening night. Oh wow. In fact that whole night. I remember thinking PLEASE BTR - we got it. PLEASE Thunder RD - I got it (yes that was for me alone http://talk.livedaily.com/docs/wink.gif). I knew there was a new song to end with, so I expected that to start up..... but we got If I Should Fall. What a version.

Oh & last but not least... Max's drums in LOHAD. You know the bit I mean. http://talk.livedaily.com/docs/smile.gif

Zeph, thanks for the opportunity to ramble. Goodnight - but I suspect it may be a restless one, I got something runnin' around my head.....

------------------
I ain't here on business I'm only here for fun...

[fanatic7]

MM,

Do you mean the part where, if you were deaf, you would still know what was going on because you can feel Max's drum beat?

Whenever I get a new boot from this tour, I go directly to LOHAD, just to see if I can make my truck shake. And yes, I can!!! I just love to watch the rearview mirror rattle!!!

The first time I heard that song was 1st night in Denver. We were in the 13th row on the floor, and I could not believe what I was feeling during that part. they don't call him Mighty Max for nothing.

------------------
"Queen of the Silly Graphics"/"Thread Killer"

[cobalt]

zephyrs...I'm a little late in responding to this, but I gotta tell a story that relates to your comment about "Hungry Heart" that time in Chicago.
I was at that show, and had pretty good seats. That show was at the Rosemont Horizon, which seats about 16-17,000, I think. Bruce had just started playing the really large arenas (I had seen him just two months before at the Uptown theater, which seats about 3500). Between that Uptown show and the rosemont show, HH was getting major airplay, so everyone had pretty much absorbed it.
When the band started the intro, of course, everyone recognized it. (You gotta remember,these were 17,000 hardcore fans at the time...these tix were VERY hard to come by!) Anyway, everyone spontaneously started belting it out...it wasn't a little singing here and there...it was full-throated and right on the money!
Bruce was genuinely surprised...he got this huge grin on his face, and turned to the band with this look on his face as if to say "You guys believe this!!?" It was great.

I really think that was one of the first time Bruce really felt what it was like to have a "hit single"...he'd never really had one to that point.

I always said I thought that was a first,a nd when I saw that in Marsh's book, it was a nice confirmation for me!

[bossmom]

It's really hard to pick a best part because the whole show, every show is just such an experience! However, I must say I have a few favs from this tour -

1. Our very first show on this tour was 10/17/99 in L.A. - my first show in 14/15 years and Bossdad's first show ever - when the band came out on stage, I cried and then watching and hearing Bossdad get into it was priceless!

2. The pre-show parties and meeting so many great people from this board. This has made a Bruce concert, which is a great experience in and of itself, even better - didn't think it was possible but you all proved me wrong!

3. Hearing songs that I hadn't heard in a long time or ever and hearing a song that just sounds so incredible live like Atlantic City or Human Touch.

4. Hearing Big Sky Country while waiting for the lights to go out.

and now, hearing the boots - I just love it when I hear someone just scream or yell because they are so excited to be seeing Bruce or be hearing a song!

------------------
. . .Bossmom

[Wendy]

I have three favorites moments in a Bruce concert:

1. Of course, the BTR countdown 1-2-3-4! That's the moment my soul was born.
2. The moment when you realize that those beautiful notes your are hearing at the beginning of the next song has never been played to the public before.
3. The moment when you're beginning to accept the fact that the show is over and you really will have to leave....and then Bruce comes back on stage and here we go again!

He's the best!!!

[young again]

1-2-3-4!
LOVED your comment, Wendy.
I'm listening to BTR from 11/19/84 (Kansas City Night) right now -- it's the first boot from the BITUSA tour I've heard and it's turning me into a believer all over again.

One more time -- 1-2-3-4!!!!!



------------------
No retreat, baby, no surrender

[Nebraska Fan]

For me, on this tour, it had to be the sound checks. There was nothing like watching the band go through their warm up in a 18,000 seat arena and having only 30 people watching. Getting to hear some of the songs that never got played during the tour was a real plus. Nils had to have been the hardest working member of the band. He was always there before any of the other band members. One time I got to hear him do a solo version of Follow That Dream on the pedal steel guitar and there must have been only 5 people in the whole place.

[57channels]

Walking up to your one and only pair of jailbait seats, and realizing just how great the show that night is going to be…

[Madame Marie]

Hey 57!
You just reminded me of my 8th row seats in London, right in front of Stevie. I just for a minute relived that excitement. Cheers!

L.Weller - that was the night you were 2nd row (I think), centre stage!! http://talk.livedaily.com/docs/eek.gif

Fanatic - you got it! I still can't believe that the highlight of a 3 hour show comes right at the VERY end. Only Bruce would have the balls to close an opening show ( & most of the others..) with a brand new song.

------------------
I ain't here on business I'm only here for fun...

[BronxDarren]

Some would say balls, i would say rocks in his head!

[57channels]

Madame Marie -- From a person who was born on a US Air Force Base in England (but I only lived there 13 months so I don't remember too much of it)- Cheers right back to you!

[Madame Marie]

Hey Darren forgive me I'm English... http://talk.livedaily.com/docs/biggrin.gif

Don't set me waffling again - remember "I have enough gob for another set of teeth" http://talk.livedaily.com/docs/biggrin.gif

I thought we were due another Olde Englishe saying..

------------------
I ain't here on business I'm only here for fun...