I think Bruce's performance was good, but the highpoint for me was Lady Gaga's performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner". She really rose to the occasion.
I only had a chance to see this today. That moved me in the way only those rarefied A level Bruce performances can. Bruce and televised performances haven't always been the best of friends, but not only is that possibly the greatest Bruce tv performance I've seen but it's probably already, on one listen, a personal top twenty favourite Bruce moment. Absolutely soul stirringly magnificent.
In the UK we have an expression to describe people who are loved by the populous and embody a characteristic, or characteristics of their nation - a "National Treasure". Who have contributed greatly to their nation. Bruce is surely a national treasure for America. A treasure America can show off to the world., with words that must demonstrate Trump was an aberration.
Bruce is a global treasure. Scratch that, a universal treasure. I challenge anyone from Proxima Centauri or, indeed, the third star from the right to prove otherwise.
@Jerseyfornia I never watched the Dick Van Dyke show - hoping after a quick Wiki that it'll be parodied in Wandavision on Disney+ - and my love for DVD was built by Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and, strangely, watching Diagnosis: Murder at my grandad's when I was little. He's a man of many talents, no doubt about it!
@Bosstralian I love the alternate universes theory, that there are thousands of us scattered throughout the galaxy, each one doing a different thing. So there might be a Bruce Springsteen somewhere teaching University courses about John Ford's cinematography, one making thousands cry tears of laughter on a comedy tour with a joke about a voodoo penis, one releasing his debut single "Blinded by The Light" right now and getting a #1 hit out of it, etc. etc.
And each one will have a group of moonstruck fans declaring them to be... Honestly I don't have the words anymore.
It is wonderful how Bruce has something for every occasion- be it 9/11 or Inauguration after some harrowing four years. Never mind that the songs in each case weren't written to fit the event. They do.
It seemed like Lincoln was his only audience. Yes, it's a stark contrast to that joyful crowd at Obama's inauguration. But these are somber times, - pandemic, getting away from that vile person in the White House by the skin of our teeth. A country divided and half of it blinded by conspiracy myths and prejudice.
So this performance of my old friend Bruce - old in more meaning than one - was the right thing.
@karenburke247 Ha, being grey with that short of hair though, he might look reallllllly old. Not that that would be a problem seeing as old people can look old all they want, just with his maintenance so to speak, he doesn't embrace the complete natural.
I enjoyed all the performances, except Jon Bon Jovi's. Definitely lip-synched. Reminded me of the old television performances from the 70s and 80s with the band up there pretending to be playing. The recording itself was very lackluster and Jon's voice sounded weak.
@Jerseyfornia I wouldn't say I 'enjoyed' JBJ's performance, but man did I laugh all the way through it. Hearing him cover a Beatles classic and watching his body language evoke an expression of "the fuck are you gonna do about it?" had me buckled 🤣
A graceful and somber performance, but perfect for the occasion. The setting was so powerful, the darkness and the lack of audience just added to the message.
Expectedly, and undeniably, a tremendous performance, I couldn't help but watch this and feel a bit saddened.
Looking at Bruce standing there, alone on a cold, dark night, I kept thinking about the inauguration of January 2009, him playing with Pete Seeger and Seeger's grandson (and also the choir) on that windy morning with the sun hidden oh so slightly by the clouds, and how Pete isn't with us anymore. In a way I felt that thought added to the significance of this performance and what we're living through (regardless of where you're from). Time comes for us all, and as we've found out extensively in the last twelve months, sometimes it comes a lot quicker than you'd hope. After all, one minute they're there, next minute they're gone.
January 2009 to January 2021. Time is fragile, unforgiving and frightening. I'm really happy Bruce was there in person tonight: for Pete Seeger, for those who time has taken, for you, and for me. Big wheels roll...
P.S. Sorry if I was a massive downer with this 😂 Thanks for reading it!
Your words are heartfelt and beautiful, I am sitting here in the dark thinking of what to write as well...I feel this moment matters in a way that is hard to address, as my musical world and political one have combined. The day flew by yesterday as I watched the whole unroll...more to come. Watch trhis space.
Within the hour, Bruce will be playing live somewhere in America and I don't care what he plays. I want to see him alive and strong with a guitar strapped over his shoulder and hear his voice. Over the last few months, maybe the last year, I've needed Bruce Springsteen as much as I ever did when I was a kid.
I wasn’t paying attention and took the afternoon as vacation. I managed to make use of the time by giving my bathroom vanity a turnout and reorganization. Not what I’d planned for the day. So, when should I turn my tv back on?
I think Bruce's performance was good, but the highpoint for me was Lady Gaga's performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner". She really rose to the occasion.
Carl didn't have a comment. He just sat quietly and watched, and as I was expecting another sarcastic comment, he swallowed deeply and said nothing.
I think watching this was the moment he understood the many reasons I'm loving Bruce for, and that his integrity is really something to admire.
I only had a chance to see this today. That moved me in the way only those rarefied A level Bruce performances can. Bruce and televised performances haven't always been the best of friends, but not only is that possibly the greatest Bruce tv performance I've seen but it's probably already, on one listen, a personal top twenty favourite Bruce moment. Absolutely soul stirringly magnificent.
In the UK we have an expression to describe people who are loved by the populous and embody a characteristic, or characteristics of their nation - a "National Treasure". Who have contributed greatly to their nation. Bruce is surely a national treasure for America. A treasure America can show off to the world., with words that must demonstrate Trump was an aberration.
Posting this in here solely for the reasons I wrote it: Posterity purposes and for the fact it would irk me if I didn't.
I took some of the words I posted last night and wrote a short review.
It is wonderful how Bruce has something for every occasion- be it 9/11 or Inauguration after some harrowing four years. Never mind that the songs in each case weren't written to fit the event. They do.
It seemed like Lincoln was his only audience. Yes, it's a stark contrast to that joyful crowd at Obama's inauguration. But these are somber times, - pandemic, getting away from that vile person in the White House by the skin of our teeth. A country divided and half of it blinded by conspiracy myths and prejudice.
So this performance of my old friend Bruce - old in more meaning than one - was the right thing.
Some of Roy's flies making an appearace here.
Those of you who watched the whole show, was everybody in Washington? Is the rest of the show worth watching?
Inspirational performance.
The perfect choice of song, beautifully performed.
Beautiful and fitting. Can't think of anyone else who should have been standing there nor a better song.
It makes me feel so proud to know that I have stood on those very steps, and during a time when Joe Biden was Vice President.
God Bless and keep you President Biden and Vice President Harris. And Bruce. We love you.
A graceful and somber performance, but perfect for the occasion. The setting was so powerful, the darkness and the lack of audience just added to the message.
@Mario Brega I felt the same as I was watching...
Expectedly, and undeniably, a tremendous performance, I couldn't help but watch this and feel a bit saddened.
Looking at Bruce standing there, alone on a cold, dark night, I kept thinking about the inauguration of January 2009, him playing with Pete Seeger and Seeger's grandson (and also the choir) on that windy morning with the sun hidden oh so slightly by the clouds, and how Pete isn't with us anymore. In a way I felt that thought added to the significance of this performance and what we're living through (regardless of where you're from). Time comes for us all, and as we've found out extensively in the last twelve months, sometimes it comes a lot quicker than you'd hope. After all, one minute they're there, next minute they're gone.
January 2009 to January 2021. Time is fragile, unforgiving and frightening. I'm really happy Bruce was there in person tonight: for Pete Seeger, for those who time has taken, for you, and for me. Big wheels roll...
P.S. Sorry if I was a massive downer with this 😂 Thanks for reading it!
Land Of Hope And Dreams straight out of the fade in. Beautiful.
Bruuuuuuce!!!!!
Within the hour, Bruce will be playing live somewhere in America and I don't care what he plays. I want to see him alive and strong with a guitar strapped over his shoulder and hear his voice. Over the last few months, maybe the last year, I've needed Bruce Springsteen as much as I ever did when I was a kid.
I'm hoping Patti is there beside him.
I have my DVR set to record.
The special runs from 8:30-10pm Eastern Standard Time.
I wasn’t paying attention and took the afternoon as vacation. I managed to make use of the time by giving my bathroom vanity a turnout and reorganization. Not what I’d planned for the day. So, when should I turn my tv back on?