Why America needs Bruce Springsteen now more than ever

[Don]

http://www.aarpmagazine.org/entertainme ... steen.html

The laptop video is shaky, and I've seen the song performed a dozen times—so my tears catch me by surprise. When Bruce Springsteen wrote "Badlands" more than 30 years ago, he said he was inspired by the "everyday kind of heroism" of family and friends he saw struggling to eke out a living in the decaying, blue-collar, north-central New Jersey neighborhoods where his father worked as a bus driver. Today, in the wake of the financial meltdown, Springsteen's badlands have a longer reach. The middle-of-the-night fears the lyrics describe mirror the experiences of many of us now.

But "Badlands" is an anthem, not a dirge. Its bitter observations are buoyed by ringing guitars. Sitting in my Los Angeles apartment, I watch the vast, multigenerational crowd on the computer screen shout the chorus as Springsteen performs in April in San Jose. Their excitement grabs me and pulls me in. My tears are happy ones. Hope, the song insists, is possible. Change can come.

This September, Springsteen will turn 60. In the months before his birthday, he will have traveled across America and Europe, putting on more than 50 concerts. At every one he will play several roles—hero, leader, preacher, rebel—the performances unfolding like a novel. His audiences will hold up homemade signs naming rare B sides and rock classics, and he and the band will play them from memory. He will ask fans to "remember your neighbors," and food-bank reps will traverse the crowds in search of donations.

By writing about his roots, he moved from seedy shore-town gigs to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. His first hero was Elvis, yet the songs—such as "It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City"—that won him a recording contract were full of religious imagery. The first time I heard one of those songs, the pounding drums and urgent voice thrilled me. "For You," released in 1973, was about a girl who threatened suicide. I was in my mid-20s, and what struck me was the singer's understanding of the dangerous glamour of self-destructive behavior. Jimi and Janis were dead, but there was Springsteen, holding out the possibility that rock 'n' roll and I could grow up together. "Thunder Road," released in '75, suggested "maybe we ain't that young anymore." Springsteen had just turned 26, but he was already reaching beyond rock's traditional trust-no-one-over-30 audience. Over the years the guitars would still ring and the live shows rock, but Springsteen's audiences were pushed to think, too—and later, to act.

When Springsteen read Vietnam vet Ron Kovic's memoir Born on the Fourth of July, it inspired an L.A. benefit concert as well as the 1984 hit "Born in the U.S.A." Its verses are an angry commentary on the treatment of returning vets, but many listeners—including Ronald Reagan—mistook the title for an upbeat slogan. Springsteen later expressed resentment for people who attributed to their own party "anything and everything that seemed fundamentally American, and if you were on the other side, you were somehow unpatriotic." His own "American music," he said, was written "about the place I live and who I am in my lifetime."

But who is he? Songs from his current tour have him adopting the voice of a carpenter, a murderer, a laid-off steelworker. He finds in his own experiences enough parallels to sing with conviction. In inviting audiences to connect with his characters, he's inviting them to connect with themselves.

My friend Steve saw Springsteen perform in Los Angeles in April. He and his wife arrived early to get a number for the general-seating lottery. Because they're grownups and getting loaded in a parking lot no longer appeals, they visited a nearby museum. Their lottery number yielded seats in the third row—a Bucket List moment, Steve said. They were close enough to Springsteen to see streams of sweat "pour off his hands." We feed off his energy, he said, and in turn become energized. Suddenly we can dance all night—or even change the world.

[Since 78]

http://www.aarpmagazine.org/entertainment/bruce_springsteen.html

The laptop video is shaky, and I've seen the song performed a dozen times—so my tears catch me by surprise. When Bruce Springsteen wrote "Badlands" more than 30 years ago, he said he was inspired by the "everyday kind of heroism" of family and friends he saw struggling to eke out a living in the decaying, blue-collar, north-central New Jersey neighborhoods where his father worked as a bus driver. Today, in the wake of the financial meltdown, Springsteen's badlands have a longer reach. The middle-of-the-night fears the lyrics describe mirror the experiences of many of us now.

But "Badlands" is an anthem, not a dirge. Its bitter observations are buoyed by ringing guitars. Sitting in my Los Angeles apartment, I watch the vast, multigenerational crowd on the computer screen shout the chorus as Springsteen performs in April in San Jose. Their excitement grabs me and pulls me in. My tears are happy ones. Hope, the song insists, is possible. Change can come.

This September, Springsteen will turn 60. In the months before his birthday, he will have traveled across America and Europe, putting on more than 50 concerts. At every one he will play several roles—hero, leader, preacher, rebel—the performances unfolding like a novel. His audiences will hold up homemade signs naming rare B sides and rock classics, and he and the band will play them from memory. He will ask fans to "remember your neighbors," and food-bank reps will traverse the crowds in search of donations.

By writing about his roots, he moved from seedy shore-town gigs to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. His first hero was Elvis, yet the songs—such as "It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City"—that won him a recording contract were full of religious imagery. The first time I heard one of those songs, the pounding drums and urgent voice thrilled me. "For You," released in 1973, was about a girl who threatened suicide. I was in my mid-20s, and what struck me was the singer's understanding of the dangerous glamour of self-destructive behavior. Jimi and Janis were dead, but there was Springsteen, holding out the possibility that rock 'n' roll and I could grow up together. "Thunder Road," released in '75, suggested "maybe we ain't that young anymore." Springsteen had just turned 26, but he was already reaching beyond rock's traditional trust-no-one-over-30 audience. Over the years the guitars would still ring and the live shows rock, but Springsteen's audiences were pushed to think, too—and later, to act.

When Springsteen read Vietnam vet Ron Kovic's memoir Born on the Fourth of July, it inspired an L.A. benefit concert as well as the 1984 hit "Born in the U.S.A." Its verses are an angry commentary on the treatment of returning vets, but many listeners—including Ronald Reagan—mistook the title for an upbeat slogan. Springsteen later expressed resentment for people who attributed to their own party "anything and everything that seemed fundamentally American, and if you were on the other side, you were somehow unpatriotic." His own "American music," he said, was written "about the place I live and who I am in my lifetime."

But who is he? Songs from his current tour have him adopting the voice of a carpenter, a murderer, a laid-off steelworker. He finds in his own experiences enough parallels to sing with conviction. In inviting audiences to connect with his characters, he's inviting them to connect with themselves.

My friend Steve saw Springsteen perform in Los Angeles in April. He and his wife arrived early to get a number for the general-seating lottery. Because they're grownups and getting loaded in a parking lot no longer appeals, they visited a nearby museum. Their lottery number yielded seats in the third row—a Bucket List moment, Steve said. They were close enough to Springsteen to see streams of sweat "pour off his hands." We feed off his energy, he said, and in turn become energized. Suddenly we can dance all night—or even change the world.

Is Dean holding you hostage?

[Don]

The mailroom put an AARP magazine in my mail box accidentally. It must be all my gray hair that caused the confusion.

[Since 78]

The mailroom put an AARP magazine in my mail box accidentally. It must be all my gray hair that caused the confusion.

Whew! I was about to call the SWAT Team!

[Ehwmatt]

God, Springsteen has really good music and really good live shows for the most part (save his wife, who can't sing a backing vocal on key to save her life) but this whole image he cultivates is as phony as a $3 bill. Maybe the guy has blue collar "roots," but do you honestly think he truly remembers what it feels like to be in the class of people he claims to speak for?

[Don]

The mailroom put an AARP magazine in my mail box accidentally. It must be all my gray hair that caused the confusion.

Whew! I was about to call the SWAT Team!

Forget that, a Hazmat team would probably be better suited for the job.

[Rockindeano]

God, Springsteen has really good music and really good live shows for the most part (save his wife, who can't sing a backing vocal on key to save her life)

Patti is a phenomenal singer. Ever see them duet? And remember, this band doesn't pipe in bg vox.

but this whole image he cultivates is as phony as a $3 bill. Maybe the guy has blue collar "roots," but do you honestly think he truly remembers what it feels like to be in the class of people he claims to speak for?

Of course Bruce isn't a person who he sings for anymore, but the fact is he stands up for them and sings about them, to them.

[Deacon]

God, Springsteen has really good music and really good live shows for the most part (save his wife, who can't sing a backing vocal on key to save her life)

Patti is a phenomenal singer. Ever see them duet? And remember, this band doesn't pipe in bg vox.

but this whole image he cultivates is as phony as a $3 bill. Maybe the guy has blue collar "roots," but do you honestly think he truly remembers what it feels like to be in the class of people he claims to speak for?

Of course Bruce isn't a person who he sings for anymore, but the fact is he stands up for them and sings about them, to them.

I was wondering when you'd decide to show up.

[Don]

One of the the newer stations in town, The Sound plays Bruce quite a bit. They play a lot of B-sides which is cool and album sides at night. I was thinking the other day that I had never heard them play Journey and then, up pops Feeling That Way/Anytime, (immediately followed by Missing Person's Walking In LA.. Classic Rock to Classic New Wave, very cool station)

[Ehwmatt]

God, Springsteen has really good music and really good live shows for the most part (save his wife, who can't sing a backing vocal on key to save her life)

Patti is a phenomenal singer. Ever see them duet? And remember, this band doesn't pipe in bg vox.

but this whole image he cultivates is as phony as a $3 bill. Maybe the guy has blue collar "roots," but do you honestly think he truly remembers what it feels like to be in the class of people he claims to speak for?

Of course Bruce isn't a person who he sings for anymore, but the fact is he stands up for them and sings about them, to them.

Yeah I saw them sing a duet on that New York concert... it was running on Palladia nonstop 2 weeks ago. Awesome concert too... even though I was a bit less than wowed by the duet...

[JasonD]

GREAT ARTICLE, GB!!! ---BRUCE IS THE MAN!!!

Bruce is one performer that even I could become a raving LOON over. I don't undertstand the Perry loon stuff, I admit --- but BRUCE--- YES!!!! I got Thunder Road cranked at this very minute while I write this so my apologies upfront for any typos in this comment. Bruce Springsteen is about as good as they get when it comes to in-your-face gritty lyrics. He's not just a working man's musician, he's a thinking man's musician. He tells a story in such a way that makes you feel like he was right there watching you as you lived through all the shit he so vividly puts on paper. He words are true to life. Who can't relate to the haunting lyrics of "Darkness On The Edge Of Town," "Born To Run," "Prove It All Night Long," "It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City" and my own personal anthem, "Badlands"--- (story of my life.) I even have a stipulation in my Will that states that if I die of a hate crime, Badlands will be played at my funeral---- LOUD!
Like having the last say, I suppose.

Badlands

Lights out tonight, trouble in the heartland.
Got a head-on collision, smashin in my guts man.
Im caught in a crossfire that I don't understand.
But there's one thing I know for sure girl:
I don't give a damn for the same old played out scenes
I don't give a damn for just the in-betweens.
Honey I want the heart, I want the soul, I want control right now.
You better listen to me baby:
Talk about a dream; try to make it real.
You wake up in the night with a fear so real.
You spend your life waiting for a moment that just don't come.
Well don't waste your time waiting

Badlands you gotta live it every day
Let the broken hearts stand
As the price youve gotta pay
Well keep pushin till it's understood
And these badlands start treating us good

Workin in the field till you get your back burned
Workin `neath the wheels till you get your facts learned.
Baby I got my facts learned real good right now.
You better get it straight darling:
Poor men wanna be rich, rich men wanna be kings,
And a king aint satisfied till he rules everything.
I wanna go out tonight, I wanna find out what I got.
Now I believe in the love that you gave me.
I believe in the faith that could save me.
I believe in the hope and I pray that some day it
Will raise me above these

Badlands...

For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside
That it aint no sin to be glad you're alive.
I wanna find one face that aint looking through me
I wanna find one place, I wanna spit in the face of these

Badlands...

[portland]

GREAT ARTICLE, GB!!! ---BRUCE IS THE MAN!!!

Bruce is one performer that even I could become a raving LOON over. I don't undertstand the Perry loon stuff, I admit --- but BRUCE--- YES!!!! I got Thunder Road cranked at this very minute while I write this so my apologies upfront for any typos in this comment. Bruce Springsteen is about as good as they get when it comes to in-your-face gritty lyrics. He's not just a working man's musician, he's a thinking man's musician. He tells a story in such a way that makes you feel like he was right there watching you as you lived through all the shit he so vividly puts on paper. He words are true to life. Who can't relate to the haunting lyrics of "Darkness On The Edge Of Town," "Born To Run," "Prove It All Night Long," "It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City" and my own personal anthem, "Badlands"--- (story of my life.) I even have a stipulation in my Will that states that if I die of a hate crime, Badlands will be played at my funeral---- LOUD!
Like having the last say, I suppose.

Badlands

Lights out tonight, trouble in the heartland.
Got a head-on collision, smashin in my guts man.
Im caught in a crossfire that I don't understand.
But there's one thing I know for sure girl:
I don't give a damn for the same old played out scenes
I don't give a damn for just the in-betweens.
Honey I want the heart, I want the soul, I want control right now.
You better listen to me baby:
Talk about a dream; try to make it real.
You wake up in the night with a fear so real.
You spend your life waiting for a moment that just don't come.
Well don't waste your time waiting

Badlands you gotta live it every day
Let the broken hearts stand
As the price youve gotta pay
Well keep pushin till it's understood
And these badlands start treating us good

Workin in the field till you get your back burned
Workin `neath the wheels till you get your facts learned.
Baby I got my facts learned real good right now.
You better get it straight darling:
Poor men wanna be rich, rich men wanna be kings,
And a king aint satisfied till he rules everything.
I wanna go out tonight, I wanna find out what I got.
Now I believe in the love that you gave me.
I believe in the faith that could save me.
I believe in the hope and I pray that some day it
Will raise me above these

Badlands...

For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside
That it aint no sin to be glad you're alive.
I wanna find one face that aint looking through me
I wanna find one place, I wanna spit in the face of these

Badlands...

Good eve Jason....nothing like posting in CAPS now is there (BTW I am a Springsteen fan from way back) so it's all good with me (except for the Perry comment)

[Deb]

Good eve Jason....nothing like posting in CAPS now is there (BTW I am a Springsteen fan from way back) so it's all good with me (except for the Perry comment)

Don't laugh, but I still totally dig this song..........boogie it up every time it comes up on the IPOD. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk8VZgJkpeg

[KDOUBLEU]

GREAT ARTICLE, GB!!! ---BRUCE IS THE MAN!!!

Bruce is one performer that even I could become a raving LOON over. I don't undertstand the Perry loon stuff, I admit --- but BRUCE--- YES!!!! I got Thunder Road cranked at this very minute while I write this so my apologies upfront for any typos in this comment. Bruce Springsteen is about as good as they get when it comes to in-your-face gritty lyrics. He's not just a working man's musician, he's a thinking man's musician. He tells a story in such a way that makes you feel like he was right there watching you as you lived through all the shit he so vividly puts on paper. He words are true to life. Who can't relate to the haunting lyrics of "Darkness On The Edge Of Town," "Born To Run," "Prove It All Night Long," "It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City" and my own personal anthem, "Badlands"--- (story of my life.) I even have a stipulation in my Will that states that if I die of a hate crime, Badlands will be played at my funeral---- LOUD!
Like having the last say, I suppose.

Badlands

Lights out tonight, trouble in the heartland.
Got a head-on collision, smashin in my guts man.
Im caught in a crossfire that I don't understand.
But there's one thing I know for sure girl:
I don't give a damn for the same old played out scenes
I don't give a damn for just the in-betweens.
Honey I want the heart, I want the soul, I want control right now.
You better listen to me baby:
Talk about a dream; try to make it real.
You wake up in the night with a fear so real.
You spend your life waiting for a moment that just don't come.
Well don't waste your time waiting

Badlands you gotta live it every day
Let the broken hearts stand
As the price youve gotta pay
Well keep pushin till it's understood
And these badlands start treating us good

Workin in the field till you get your back burned
Workin `neath the wheels till you get your facts learned.
Baby I got my facts learned real good right now.
You better get it straight darling:
Poor men wanna be rich, rich men wanna be kings,
And a king aint satisfied till he rules everything.
I wanna go out tonight, I wanna find out what I got.
Now I believe in the love that you gave me.
I believe in the faith that could save me.
I believe in the hope and I pray that some day it
Will raise me above these

Badlands...

For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside
That it aint no sin to be glad you're alive.
I wanna find one face that aint looking through me
I wanna find one place, I wanna spit in the face of these

Badlands...

Youre kidding right?

[JasonD]

GREAT ARTICLE, GB!!! ---BRUCE IS THE MAN!!!

Bruce is one performer that even I could become a raving LOON over. I don't undertstand the Perry loon stuff, I admit --- but BRUCE--- YES!!!! I got Thunder Road cranked at this very minute while I write this so my apologies upfront for any typos in this comment. Bruce Springsteen is about as good as they get when it comes to in-your-face gritty lyrics. He's not just a working man's musician, he's a thinking man's musician. He tells a story in such a way that makes you feel like he was right there watching you as you lived through all the shit he so vividly puts on paper. He words are true to life. Who can't relate to the haunting lyrics of "Darkness On The Edge Of Town," "Born To Run," "Prove It All Night Long," "It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City" and my own personal anthem, "Badlands"--- (story of my life.) I even have a stipulation in my Will that states that if I die of a hate crime, Badlands will be played at my funeral---- LOUD!
Like having the last say, I suppose.

Badlands

Lights out tonight, trouble in the heartland.
Got a head-on collision, smashin in my guts man.
Im caught in a crossfire that I don't understand.
But there's one thing I know for sure girl:
I don't give a damn for the same old played out scenes
I don't give a damn for just the in-betweens.
Honey I want the heart, I want the soul, I want control right now.
You better listen to me baby:
Talk about a dream; try to make it real.
You wake up in the night with a fear so real.
You spend your life waiting for a moment that just don't come.
Well don't waste your time waiting

Badlands you gotta live it every day
Let the broken hearts stand
As the price youve gotta pay
Well keep pushin till it's understood
And these badlands start treating us good

Workin in the field till you get your back burned
Workin `neath the wheels till you get your facts learned.
Baby I got my facts learned real good right now.
You better get it straight darling:
Poor men wanna be rich, rich men wanna be kings,
And a king aint satisfied till he rules everything.
I wanna go out tonight, I wanna find out what I got.
Now I believe in the love that you gave me.
I believe in the faith that could save me.
I believe in the hope and I pray that some day it
Will raise me above these

Badlands...

For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside
That it aint no sin to be glad you're alive.
I wanna find one face that aint looking through me
I wanna find one place, I wanna spit in the face of these

Badlands...

Youre kidding right?

I take it you don't like Springsteen?

[KDOUBLEU]

GREAT ARTICLE, GB!!! ---BRUCE IS THE MAN!!!

Bruce is one performer that even I could become a raving LOON over. I don't undertstand the Perry loon stuff, I admit --- but BRUCE--- YES!!!! I got Thunder Road cranked at this very minute while I write this so my apologies upfront for any typos in this comment. Bruce Springsteen is about as good as they get when it comes to in-your-face gritty lyrics. He's not just a working man's musician, he's a thinking man's musician. He tells a story in such a way that makes you feel like he was right there watching you as you lived through all the shit he so vividly puts on paper. He words are true to life. Who can't relate to the haunting lyrics of "Darkness On The Edge Of Town," "Born To Run," "Prove It All Night Long," "It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City" and my own personal anthem, "Badlands"--- (story of my life.) I even have a stipulation in my Will that states that if I die of a hate crime, Badlands will be played at my funeral---- LOUD!
Like having the last say, I suppose.

Badlands

Lights out tonight, trouble in the heartland.
Got a head-on collision, smashin in my guts man.
Im caught in a crossfire that I don't understand.
But there's one thing I know for sure girl:
I don't give a damn for the same old played out scenes
I don't give a damn for just the in-betweens.
Honey I want the heart, I want the soul, I want control right now.
You better listen to me baby:
Talk about a dream; try to make it real.
You wake up in the night with a fear so real.
You spend your life waiting for a moment that just don't come.
Well don't waste your time waiting

Badlands you gotta live it every day
Let the broken hearts stand
As the price youve gotta pay
Well keep pushin till it's understood
And these badlands start treating us good

Workin in the field till you get your back burned
Workin `neath the wheels till you get your facts learned.
Baby I got my facts learned real good right now.
You better get it straight darling:
Poor men wanna be rich, rich men wanna be kings,
And a king aint satisfied till he rules everything.
I wanna go out tonight, I wanna find out what I got.
Now I believe in the love that you gave me.
I believe in the faith that could save me.
I believe in the hope and I pray that some day it
Will raise me above these

Badlands...

For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside
That it aint no sin to be glad you're alive.
I wanna find one face that aint looking through me
I wanna find one place, I wanna spit in the face of these

Badlands...

Youre kidding right?

I take it you don't like Springsteen?

Yea I like Bruce I dont think he is a fantastic singer. I saw him in concert once I dont know if he was having a bad night or what but he was flat on almost every song he sang. I can listen to a lot of stuff but singing out of tune makes my ears bleed.

[Ehwmatt]

Yea I like Bruce I dont think he is a fantastic singer. I saw him in concert once I dont know if he was having a bad night or what but he was flat on almost every song he sang. I can listen to a lot of stuff but singing out of tune makes my ears bleed.

He's definitely a raw singer, but he sounds good most of the time live from what I've seen (although I only have video to go by, haven't gotten to one of his shows yet). He has his flat moments, but he's not a vocal technician, he's a songwriter singing his songs, so I'll expect some flatness and pitchiness here and there. I will say it's hard to believe he EVER laid down the vocal heard on the studio version of Hungry Heart. It just sounds like a totally different person.

My biggest gripe with the live vocals is the backing vocals are very erratic... Cousin Silvi... I mean Stevie and Patti occasionally sound pretty good on the harmonies, but a lot of the times it sounds like a bit of an amateur band "searching" for the harmony as the word/phrase goes on (ie starting flat or sharp and maybe hitting the right note at the end or vice versa with starting the harmony off well). It reminds me of when me and my music friends were learning to harmonize. Now, Bruce's music is far from the harmony-laden bands like Journey and Toto where a bad harmony could threaten the entire performance of a given song, but there are still plenty of harmonies on Bruce's records and it'd be nice to hear them pulled off smoother live.

[JasonD]

Youre kidding right?

I take it you don't like Springsteen?

Yea I like Bruce I dont think he is a fantastic singer. I saw him in concert once I dont know if he was having a bad night or what but he was flat on almost every song he sang. I can listen to a lot of stuff but singing out of tune makes my ears bleed.

He may not have a Perry voice, but lyrically he beats anyone else I've ever heard. Bruce definitely does not have one of those easy-on-the-ears, smooth Perry-like voices. He's gravely & rough. It's an acquired taste, I suppose. I only saw him once in concert about 10 years ago & he sounded fantastic, but then again, I was so stoned that fingernails on a chalkboard would have sounded "like, awesome, dude."

(You didn't hear me say that, officer. I'm a grown-up now. )

[Rockindeano]

My biggest gripe with the live vocals is the backing vocals are very erratic... Cousin Silvi... I mean Stevie and Patti occasionally sound pretty good on the harmonies, but a lot of the times it sounds like a bit of an amateur band "searching" for the harmony as the word/phrase goes on (ie starting flat or sharp and maybe hitting the right note at the end or vice versa with starting the harmony off well). It reminds me of when me and my music friends were learning to harmonize. Now, Bruce's music is far from the harmony-laden bands like Journey and Toto where a bad harmony could threaten the entire performance of a given song, but there are still plenty of harmonies on Bruce's records and it'd be nice to hear them pulled off smoother live.

Two points-

1- You do understand they played over 110 different songs on one single tour right? Not an excuse as this band doesn't need excuses, but let's see other bands play 100 different songs perfectly, or 75 or even 50. Hell, does Journey even play 25 different tunes? My point is it's tough to perfect that many songs on one tour. Can you imagine if Bruce played his same set list every night, like another particular band does? it would be pitch perfect with no mistakes ever. Again, not making excuses, as I think they are the best band on the planet, bar none.

2- You telling me you want a band to have piped in vocals or live? Hmm

[KDOUBLEU]

Youre kidding right?

I take it you don't like Springsteen?

Yea I like Bruce I dont think he is a fantastic singer. I saw him in concert once I dont know if he was having a bad night or what but he was flat on almost every song he sang. I can listen to a lot of stuff but singing out of tune makes my ears bleed.

He may not have a Perry voice, but lyrically he beats anyone else I've ever heard. Bruce definitely does not have one of those easy-on-the-ears, smooth Perry-like voices. He's gravely & rough. It's an acquired taste, I suppose. I only saw him once in concert about 10 years ago & he sounded fantastic, but then again, I was so stoned that fingernails on a chalkboard would have sounded "like, awesome, dude."

(You didn't hear me say that, officer. I'm a grown-up now. )

Thats ok If I wasnt a cop I would have been arrested by now!

[JasonD]

Youre kidding right?

I take it you don't like Springsteen?

Yea I like Bruce I dont think he is a fantastic singer. I saw him in concert once I dont know if he was having a bad night or what but he was flat on almost every song he sang. I can listen to a lot of stuff but singing out of tune makes my ears bleed.

He may not have a Perry voice, but lyrically he beats anyone else I've ever heard. Bruce definitely does not have one of those easy-on-the-ears, smooth Perry-like voices. He's gravely & rough. It's an acquired taste, I suppose. I only saw him once in concert about 10 years ago & he sounded fantastic, but then again, I was so stoned that fingernails on a chalkboard would have sounded "like, awesome, dude."

(You didn't hear me say that, officer. I'm a grown-up now. )

Thats ok If I wasnt a cop I would have been arrested by now!

You're alright, bro. Peace.

[Ehwmatt]

My biggest gripe with the live vocals is the backing vocals are very erratic... Cousin Silvi... I mean Stevie and Patti occasionally sound pretty good on the harmonies, but a lot of the times it sounds like a bit of an amateur band "searching" for the harmony as the word/phrase goes on (ie starting flat or sharp and maybe hitting the right note at the end or vice versa with starting the harmony off well). It reminds me of when me and my music friends were learning to harmonize. Now, Bruce's music is far from the harmony-laden bands like Journey and Toto where a bad harmony could threaten the entire performance of a given song, but there are still plenty of harmonies on Bruce's records and it'd be nice to hear them pulled off smoother live.

Two points-

1- You do understand they played over 110 different songs on one single tour right? Not an excuse as this band doesn't need excuses, but let's see other bands play 100 different songs perfectly, or 75 or even 50. Hell, does Journey even play 25 different tunes? My point is it's tough to perfect that many songs on one tour. Can you imagine if Bruce played his same set list every night, like another particular band does? it would be pitch perfect with no mistakes ever. Again, not making excuses, as I think they are the best band on the planet, bar none.

2- You telling me you want a band to have piped in vocals or live? Hmm

To #1 - Yes I understand that, Bruce is far from the only band to play a varied setlist every night even though our friends from Journey don't abide by this hardcore fan-friendly practice. The harmonies just sound a bit amateur to me and like I said, it's not that big of a deal with Bruce's type of music. I do find it distracting...

I've seen the likes of CSN, Little River Band, The Eagles, and Hall and Oates sound unbelievable with big harmonies live. Nailing multi-part vocal harmonies is one of the most underrated, difficult aspects of performing live and that's why I love to see/hear bands do it because it is indeed a huge feat to be marveled.

As far as playing a bunch of songs, well what, most of them have been playing and recording together for 30+ years? Bruce's music ain't exactly chock full of complex chords and big solos, knowing all of those songs inside and out shouldn't be a problem for pro musicians. When a session musician gets a touring gig call or an audition invite, he'll typically have at most one night, if not just a few hours, to basically learn that band's entire catalogue... instrumentation and usually backing vocals... and they are so good at that level that they can do it. E Street just aren't awesome background singers, that's all. Not the end of the world for them.

To #2 - Of course not, but just because it's all live doesn't mean I can't critique it a bit. It's over all a very good performance, but I'm a stickler for harmonies, as I touched on above.

[Rockindeano]

Oh and J boyz fans- Pinny could learn a thing or 10 watching Bruce play a show. You all think Pinny has stage presence? It's not bad at all, but it's not structured or dialed in.

[G.I.Jim]

Oh and J boyz fans- Pinny could learn a thing or 10 watching Bruce play a show. You all think Pinny has stage presence? It's not bad at all, but it's not structured or dialed in.

I wouldn't walk across the street to see Bruce... Bruce Hornsby maybe!

[Rockindeano]

Oh and J boyz fans- Pinny could learn a thing or 10 watching Bruce play a show. You all think Pinny has stage presence? It's not bad at all, but it's not structured or dialed in.

I wouldn't walk across the street to see Bruce... Bruce Hornsby maybe!

That's ok, more tickets for me. You keep watching that same exact Journey show night in and night out. The two bands aren't comparable. Journey couldn't play with e Street on any night.

[Deb]

Oh and J boyz fans- Pinny could learn a thing or 10 watching Bruce play a show. You all think Pinny has stage presence? It's not bad at all, but it's not structured or dialed in.

I wouldn't walk across the street to see Bruce... Bruce Hornsby maybe!

Jimbo, are you kidding me? Wait, not done....

[Deb]

Oh and J boyz fans- Pinny could learn a thing or 10 watching Bruce play a show. You all think Pinny has stage presence? It's not bad at all, but it's not structured or dialed in.

True dat, nobody can quite crotch slam a camera monitor like Bruce baby!

[Rockindeano]

Oh and J boyz fans- Pinny could learn a thing or 10 watching Bruce play a show. You all think Pinny has stage presence? It's not bad at all, but it's not structured or dialed in.

True dat, nobody can quite crotch slam a camera monitor like Bruce baby!

Might as well set your ass straight too. BS is better than any single "fave" you like.

Owned.

[Deb]

Oh and J boyz fans- Pinny could learn a thing or 10 watching Bruce play a show. You all think Pinny has stage presence? It's not bad at all, but it's not structured or dialed in.

True dat, nobody can quite crotch slam a camera monitor like Bruce baby!

Might as well set your ass straight too. BS is better than any single "fave" you like.

Owned.

Numbers, sure. Vocally, no way!

[Rockindeano]

Oh and J boyz fans- Pinny could learn a thing or 10 watching Bruce play a show. You all think Pinny has stage presence? It's not bad at all, but it's not structured or dialed in.

True dat, nobody can quite crotch slam a camera monitor like Bruce baby!

Might as well set your ass straight too. BS is better than any single "fave" you like.

Owned.

Numbers, sure. Vocally, no way!

Maybe not vocally, but BS is a helluva singer and puts on a much better show.

Deb, check this out. This is pretty cool. Fun to watch them figure out the song and play it cold..and he sounds exactly like the original.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQSwFYqgno0