FINALLY just listened to this one, and just about the time I was thinking, man, even for him, Bruce is just ON FIRE tonight! As he's giggling and laughing and giving the songs his all...he brings it way the hell down for "Shut Out the Light" and down it stays for some time.
A couple things struck me, and perhaps this first is far from original but it wonder if this night wasn't when he really started thinking about putting the band back together. I know it's usually putting together Tracks and the Hall of Fame induction, but so much of this night (and the previous Freehold show) were about looking backwards in a way he'd seemed to avoid for most of his career and, seemingly, finding it delightful.
(Yes, there's an irony in saying that a guy who wrote compulsively about his experiences growing up avoided looking backward, but I trust the folks on here understand that I'm talking about going backward musically on a personal level.)
The other thing is that when we talk about Most Underrated E Street Band member I don't feel Sooze Tyrell gets her props and based entirely on this show that is a miscarriage of justice. She is fabulous here, with absolutely sumptuous solos and accompaniments. It's perhaps weird to consider her an E Street Band member, and maybe she's not. But if she is, she's a damn worthy addition.
By 2002, the band also included Soozie Tyrell (violin, guitar, vocals). Tyrell had earlier worked with Scialfa touring with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes and sporadically with Springsteen dating back to the early 1990s. Whether Tyrell became as full-fledged a member as the others remains unclear. Some press releases refer to her as a "special guest", the cover notes of Live in Barcelona list her as a "with" member, the liner notes of We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions refer to her as "violinist with the E Street Band", and some press releases don't mention her at all. When asked about the lack of mention in a press release prior to the Magic Tour, Springsteen just said in response, "Soozie will be with us."
There is something special about this time of year...in spite of it all, there is a certain kind of magic here in this release. When I was expecting a "Magic" tour show, I was mildly disappointed. Then this morning I downloaded this and played it in my dark office with headphones on. It has it's own magic and we get another great show. I will say it is a Joad show, but like 11/24 is different with all the guests and old songs which brings something out of our friend the Boss. It makes sense it was a holiday week back in 1996...The part that bridges "Racing" and "Across the Border" is very moving to me. That story about coming downstairs and hearing those pop songs as a kid...how those old songs will whisper secrets in our young ears. Yes, there is a party going on and all you need is to wish you were on board that train to salvation with all those winners and losers. My mom loved Steinbeck and used to regale me with that story of being in the dark amidst the joy and struggle. I think about her on these cold dark mornings as I listen. She is with me now in spite of my depression and you are with me now as we share this music.
I've got a lot of love for this show. I listened to the boot ad nauseam during my second year of University - during the early days of First Friday no less!
FINALLY just listened to this one, and just about the time I was thinking, man, even for him, Bruce is just ON FIRE tonight! As he's giggling and laughing and giving the songs his all...he brings it way the hell down for "Shut Out the Light" and down it stays for some time.
A couple things struck me, and perhaps this first is far from original but it wonder if this night wasn't when he really started thinking about putting the band back together. I know it's usually putting together Tracks and the Hall of Fame induction, but so much of this night (and the previous Freehold show) were about looking backwards in a way he'd seemed to avoid for most of his career and, seemingly, finding it delightful.
(Yes, there's an irony in saying that a guy who wrote compulsively about his experiences growing up avoided looking backward, but I trust the folks on here understand that I'm talking about going backward musically on a personal level.)
The other thing is that when we talk about Most Underrated E Street Band member I don't feel Sooze Tyrell gets her props and based entirely on this show that is a miscarriage of justice. She is fabulous here, with absolutely sumptuous solos and accompaniments. It's perhaps weird to consider her an E Street Band member, and maybe she's not. But if she is, she's a damn worthy addition.
By 2002, the band also included Soozie Tyrell (violin, guitar, vocals). Tyrell had earlier worked with Scialfa touring with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes and sporadically with Springsteen dating back to the early 1990s. Whether Tyrell became as full-fledged a member as the others remains unclear. Some press releases refer to her as a "special guest", the cover notes of Live in Barcelona list her as a "with" member, the liner notes of We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions refer to her as "violinist with the E Street Band", and some press releases don't mention her at all. When asked about the lack of mention in a press release prior to the Magic Tour, Springsteen just said in response, "Soozie will be with us."
Sorry I'm publishing these later than release weekend these days, I was just getting myself all worked up for a while trying to get them done.
https://cantfindtickets.wordpress.com/2022/11/09/new-from-the-springsteen-archive-november-26th-1996-asbury-park-nj-paramount-theatre/
Hopefully Christmas Eve's release won't end up overlapping with my New Year's Day blog!
Only managed to listen to the first hour tonight, but that "Tougher," damn I can't remember being as struck by this version in the past.
What he said about the song on Stern, I think he might be right...
There is something special about this time of year...in spite of it all, there is a certain kind of magic here in this release. When I was expecting a "Magic" tour show, I was mildly disappointed. Then this morning I downloaded this and played it in my dark office with headphones on. It has it's own magic and we get another great show. I will say it is a Joad show, but like 11/24 is different with all the guests and old songs which brings something out of our friend the Boss. It makes sense it was a holiday week back in 1996...The part that bridges "Racing" and "Across the Border" is very moving to me. That story about coming downstairs and hearing those pop songs as a kid...how those old songs will whisper secrets in our young ears. Yes, there is a party going on and all you need is to wish you were on board that train to salvation with all those winners and losers. My mom loved Steinbeck and used to regale me with that story of being in the dark amidst the joy and struggle. I think about her on these cold dark mornings as I listen. She is with me now in spite of my depression and you are with me now as we share this music.
YES! Love this tour!
I've got a lot of love for this show. I listened to the boot ad nauseam during my second year of University - during the early days of First Friday no less!
Audience member: "Yo Patti, who's the Boss?!"
Bruce: "I'll defer!"
I forgot it's First Friday. And I've got a rare late-start at work, too, so I don't have to wait.
Me too... Love Joad... So much..