So Bruce is coming back on tour. Currently, I’ve got tickets to 3 of his 5 shows in the greater New York Area – including floor seats at the Garden, where I may spontaneously combust. I’m likely headed for 4, and the last one depends on how crazy I get. I’m guessing that I’m going to get crazy enough to do it. But I’m on a fixed income. But it’s Bruce. I digress.
Obviously, these shows are going to be unlike the other four I’ve been to (and the 100s I’ve bootlegged onto my overwhelmed hard-drive) because there’s a Big Hole on E Street – the Big Man.
You don’t realize how powerful something is until it’s gone. I’ve been listening to some of the shows since The Rising Tour lately, and I’ve come to really appreciate (even further than I realized) how much the Big Man changed the band. His horn would make songs come alive, and he’d get the bigger cheers. Bruce would always go “Come on C!” before Clarence would chime in. While Clarence’s role haven’t been truly instrumental in Bruce’s music since Darkness, it’s always a welcome addition, creating the sound that very few other bands possess – from a man that no other band ever had.
It makes me upset to think about the shows without him. Maybe I’m just obsessed. Obviously you can replace the sound (C’s nephew, Jake, has been picked to play the horn on tour with the big boys) and it will sound great, but it won’t be the same. Depending on how many beers I have before the show, and if I hear Jungleland, I bet I’ll tear up. I teared up when I heard Jungleland the first time, so it only seems fitting to do it when Big Man’s not there.
The sound will live on. It isn’t going anywhere. We have YouTube and bootlegs and audio recording to carry us for all of our lifetimes. It’s just sad that the sound won’t be the same.
On a lighter note, I’d like to do a countdown of my top ten songs I hope (but really, I’m praying) that I hear live on this set of shows. I’ve been fortunate enough to hear some rarities (Sandy, E Street Shuffle, Kitty’s Back, Darkness, and more) but there’s always those songs that have eluded me (or his playing are so rare that you get mad when you read his set list from another show and are furious that he played THAT song. That’s basically what this list is about). Also included are my expectations for hearing them played. Since I’ve seen so many already, most of them are low.
1) Dancing in the Dark
You’d think this would be an easy one – he plays the damn thing enough, but not once at the shows I’m at! If he’s playing this on a regular basis, I’ve got a good shot.
2) Incident on 57th Street
I have zero shot in hell. He only plays this in Europe and once in a blue moon. But I have to dream. Working on a dream. This song is actually so great, it’s a shame it doesn’t get the credit it deserves amongst the casual Bruce fan.
3) Racing in the Street
Same deal as Incident. I’d think I’d have a better shot of hearing this than Incident. Either would be great, but my expectations are sadly low – which will make it a great surprise when he plays it from the Garden and I explode!
4) Streets of Philadelphia
My only shot is to see this in Philly. Unfortunately (for me, but not for my bank account), Bruce is playing in Philly during the week. If he comes back to Philly after Europe, count it.
5) Jersey Girl
Seeing 2 (maybe 3) shows in Jersey gives me a chance. Please Bruce!
6) My City of Ruins
For 10 years since The Rising?? Please Bruce!!!!
7) Janey Don’t You Lose Heart
8) My Love Will Not Let You Down
I bunched these two together because they’re both off Tracks, which decreases the chances even further. Both great concert staples – would be great.
9) Backstreets
Such a beautiful beautiful song. When I heard Bruce was playing the Born to Run album in 2009 I almost went on a cross country tour to see it – for the whole album, but because this is the one song off that album that I hadn’t seen live. I’ve seen Jungleland twice. Thunder Road twice. She’s the One four times. JUST LET ME HEAR THE WHOLE ALBUM
10) The Price You Pay
Just for the record, this song was far from my radar until Bruce played it to open his last show at the Philly Spectrum, and ever since I’ve loved it. It’s been 2.5 years. Can’t get enough.
Bonus songs that would be awesome but I’ve given up:
Bobby Jean
Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town
The Ties That Bind
Jackson Cage
Hungry Heart
New York City Serenade
My Hometown
