Bowie and Bruce (dancing, albums, springsteen, irish, concert)

adidasss · 06-25-2006, 12:43 AM

the only two songs i've heard from springsteen that i love is the ghost of tom joad and streets of philadelphia....

jr. · 06-25-2006, 01:20 AM

Being a Springsteen fan for the last 30 years, I can say it has been interesting to watch him grow from skinny kid from Freehold, NJ, into the 50 something guy I just saw in concert earlier this week. (Wow! Whatta show!!)

He's doing a tour playing all folk songs from his new cd 'We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions'. It was recorded in 3 one day sessions, one in 1997, 2005, and 2006.

I have to admit, when I learned it was 'folk songs', my first thought was 60's protest music. Boy, was I wrong! I was guilty of pidgeon-holing folk music into one specific time period. When in fact, the cd covers songs that span nearly 200 years, with one song's origins being traced back to the 1500s.

The show was one of the best I've ever seen. There were roughly 17-18 people on stage. Accordian, mandolin, guitars, washboard, banjo, trumpet, tuba, trombone, sax, drums, upright bass, 3 backup singers, and more. It was a full, rich sound, and a really, really entertaining show. The average age on stage was probably 45, so you know these guys and gals weren't up ther for 'image'. They could PLAY. 2 1/2 hours of raucous fun. A carnival ride, I'm telling you.

That being said, I thought about it how Springsteen is now at a point in his career where he can play what he wants, you know? He's doing folk music. And what is folk music? Music by folks, about folks, right? So, in essence, Springsteen has been writing folk music all his career. Take any one of his first 5-6 albums, and they're all songs about little snippets of life in his little corner of the world, New Jersey.

"The amusement park rises bold and stark,
Kids are huddle on the beach in the mist"

Just that line right there paints a vivid picture, doesn't it?

"The screen door slams, Mary's dress waves
Like a vision she dances across the porch as the radio plays"

Another strong piece of picture painting. Springsteen is very good at capturing specific moments.

Anyway, I own all his stuff, and I'll try to pick a little from each phase of his career.

1. It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City
2. Rosalita
3. Growin' Up
4. The River
5. Jungle Land
6. Downbound Train
7. One Step Up
8. Bobbie Jean
9. Atlantic City
10. Johnny 99

There are plenty more, but I am in a rush to get out the door. I'll give a more in detail list later

MURDER JUNKIE · 06-25-2006, 10:05 PM

I saw the boss on Conan this week and he kicked ass. Just like JR. said, there were about 20 people on stage and Conan helped out on an unmiked acoustic guitar.

We Shall Overcome is awesome and Devils and Dust is his best yet

jazzfromhell · 06-25-2006, 10:18 PM

In the past two months, I've become obsessed with Springsteen. He's now in my top ten. The Wild, The Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle > Born to Run > Darkness on teh Edge of Town is probably the best three albums in a row that I've ever heard. Not so much a fan of what I've heard from Born in the USA (highly overrated album in my opinion, 70's stuff is far, far better) through whatever came before Ghost of Tom Joad. Have only heard a song or two of everything after Nebraska, actually (and only a couple off of the River), but...I don't feel as eager to explore that stuff as I was for the 70's material.

Anyway, if you want albums:

Born to Run
Darkness on the Edge of Town
Wild, the Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle
Nebraska
Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. (I don't like this as much as the other four I listed because it just feels more like a collection of good songs, instead of songs that feel like they're put on the same album for a reason, that really have a mood. Songs are good, though)

Could list a ton of lyrics, too, might later. Wish I'd seen him on his recent tour, but his tickets are expensive, and if I'm gonna pay $50+ to see him, I want to see him with the E Street band.

Merkaba · 06-25-2006, 10:56 PM

I really like 57 Channels (and Nothing On), this is from the early 90's rather than the 70's, don't know how different the writing is to the 70's stuff JazzfromHell is familiar with. Bruce plays the bass for this one, pretty cool tune. Lyrics:

I bought a bourgeois house in the Hollywood hills
With a trunkload of hundred thousand dollar bills
Man came by to hook up my cable TV
We settled in for the night my baby and me
We switched 'round and 'round 'til half-past dawn
There was fifty-seven channels and nothin' on

Well now home entertainment was my baby's wish
So I hopped into town for a satellite dish
I tied it to the top of my Japanese car
I came home and I pointed it out into the stars
A message came back from the great beyond
There's fifty-seven channnels and nothin' on

Well we might' a made some friends with some billionaires
We might' a got all nice and friendly
If we'd made it upstairs
All I got was a note that said "Bye-bye John
Our love is fifty-seven channels and nothin' on"

So I bought a .44 magnum it was solid steel cast
And in the blessed name of Elvis, well, I just let it blast
'Til my TV lay in pieces there at my feet
And they busted me for disturbin' the almighty peace
Judge said "What you got in your defense son ?"
"Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on"
I can see by your eyes friend you're just about gone
Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on
Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on...

BIG3:::::>>> hxxp://www.megaupload.com/?d=S1ZTXRDU

don't forget the xx's to tt's

mosesandtherubberducky · 06-25-2006, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MURDER JUNKIE

I saw the boss on Conan this week and he kicked ass. Just like JR. said, there were about 20 people on stage and Conan helped out on an unmiked acoustic guitar.

We Shall Overcome is awesome and Devils and Dust is his best yet

heh, I saw that same show. The first song he played was a wee bit repeatitive but now I want to hear some more Springsteen so someone suggest to me something good.

Frances · 06-25-2006, 11:30 PM

Well, I don't know much Springsteen but Downbound Train is an awesome song.
As for Bowie:

Time - Aladdin Sane
We Are The Dead - Diamond Dogs
Rock 'n' Roll Suicide - Ziggy Stardust
I'm Afraid of Americans - Earthling
Queen Bitch - Hunky Dory

I have all his albums so that was hard.

jr. · 06-26-2006, 03:13 AM

57 Channels is from his Human Touch cd, released simultaneously with his Lucky Town cd. That was a really weird time in his career. He had married that girl from California. Some model, I forget her name.

He was actually living out there for a while, and his music reflects that. Both those cds have an odd, distant feel to them, like he's an outsider, looking in and relating what he sees. I don't think he was very happy during that time.

Tunnel Of Love is one of his cds from the late 80's that has a lot of very good songs about relationships. One Step Up and Brilliant Disguise are excellent studies in miscommunication between lovers.

I agree with the above statement about Born In The USA. It's easily his most commercial album, and the one that put him on the map 'for the masses'. Up until that point, I think the highest he'd charted was maybe around #30 or so, even though all his albums had sold well up to that point.

jazzfromhell · 06-26-2006, 02:08 PM

Really? I remember reading that Greetings and Wild and the Innocent didn't sell very well, and he didin't really break through until Born to Run. I don't like most of his post-Nebraska work because what I've heard feels cheesier, synthier, like you said, more commercial. I've heard Human Touch is his worst (or one of his worst) albums, but maybe that was just one person's opinion.

Merkaba · 06-26-2006, 05:45 PM

^ Really? Well I guess since I haven't heard his other stuff it could well be his worst.

06-25-2006, 12:43 AM	#11 (permalink)
adidasss Slavic gay sauce Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Abu Dhabi Posts: 7,993	the only two songs i've heard from springsteen that i love is the ghost of tom joad and streets of philadelphia.... __________________ “Think of what a paradise this world would be if men were kind and wise.” - Kurt Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle. Last.fm

06-25-2006, 01:20 AM	#12 (permalink)
jr. Seeker of Peace Join Date: May 2005 Location: Newark, De. Posts: 341	Being a Springsteen fan for the last 30 years, I can say it has been interesting to watch him grow from skinny kid from Freehold, NJ, into the 50 something guy I just saw in concert earlier this week. (Wow! Whatta show!!) He's doing a tour playing all folk songs from his new cd 'We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions'. It was recorded in 3 one day sessions, one in 1997, 2005, and 2006. I have to admit, when I learned it was 'folk songs', my first thought was 60's protest music. Boy, was I wrong! I was guilty of pidgeon-holing folk music into one specific time period. When in fact, the cd covers songs that span nearly 200 years, with one song's origins being traced back to the 1500s. The show was one of the best I've ever seen. There were roughly 17-18 people on stage. Accordian, mandolin, guitars, washboard, banjo, trumpet, tuba, trombone, sax, drums, upright bass, 3 backup singers, and more. It was a full, rich sound, and a really, really entertaining show. The average age on stage was probably 45, so you know these guys and gals weren't up ther for 'image'. They could PLAY. 2 1/2 hours of raucous fun. A carnival ride, I'm telling you. That being said, I thought about it how Springsteen is now at a point in his career where he can play what he wants, you know? He's doing folk music. And what is folk music? Music by folks, about folks, right? So, in essence, Springsteen has been writing folk music all his career. Take any one of his first 5-6 albums, and they're all songs about little snippets of life in his little corner of the world, New Jersey. "The amusement park rises bold and stark, Kids are huddle on the beach in the mist" Just that line right there paints a vivid picture, doesn't it? "The screen door slams, Mary's dress waves Like a vision she dances across the porch as the radio plays" Another strong piece of picture painting. Springsteen is very good at capturing specific moments. Anyway, I own all his stuff, and I'll try to pick a little from each phase of his career. 1. It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City 2. Rosalita 3. Growin' Up 4. The River 5. Jungle Land 6. Downbound Train 7. One Step Up 8. Bobbie Jean 9. Atlantic City 10. Johnny 99 There are plenty more, but I am in a rush to get out the door. I'll give a more in detail list later __________________ Be strong then, and enter into your own body; there you have a solid place for your feet. ~ Kabir

06-25-2006, 10:56 PM	#15 (permalink)
Merkaba Whitewater! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Zealand Posts: 2,885	I really like 57 Channels (and Nothing On), this is from the early 90's rather than the 70's, don't know how different the writing is to the 70's stuff JazzfromHell is familiar with. Bruce plays the bass for this one, pretty cool tune. Lyrics: I bought a bourgeois house in the Hollywood hills With a trunkload of hundred thousand dollar bills Man came by to hook up my cable TV We settled in for the night my baby and me We switched 'round and 'round 'til half-past dawn There was fifty-seven channels and nothin' on Well now home entertainment was my baby's wish So I hopped into town for a satellite dish I tied it to the top of my Japanese car I came home and I pointed it out into the stars A message came back from the great beyond There's fifty-seven channnels and nothin' on Well we might' a made some friends with some billionaires We might' a got all nice and friendly If we'd made it upstairs All I got was a note that said "Bye-bye John Our love is fifty-seven channels and nothin' on" So I bought a .44 magnum it was solid steel cast And in the blessed name of Elvis, well, I just let it blast 'Til my TV lay in pieces there at my feet And they busted me for disturbin' the almighty peace Judge said "What you got in your defense son ?" "Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on" I can see by your eyes friend you're just about gone Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on... BIG3:::::>>> hxxp://www.megaupload.com/?d=S1ZTXRDU don't forget the xx's to tt's __________________ She thinks I'm a reclusive genius, she's going to be very disappointed when she finds out i'm a reclusive wanker

06-26-2006, 03:13 AM	#18 (permalink)
jr. Seeker of Peace Join Date: May 2005 Location: Newark, De. Posts: 341	57 Channels is from his Human Touch cd, released simultaneously with his Lucky Town cd. That was a really weird time in his career. He had married that girl from California. Some model, I forget her name. He was actually living out there for a while, and his music reflects that. Both those cds have an odd, distant feel to them, like he's an outsider, looking in and relating what he sees. I don't think he was very happy during that time. Tunnel Of Love is one of his cds from the late 80's that has a lot of very good songs about relationships. One Step Up and Brilliant Disguise are excellent studies in miscommunication between lovers. I agree with the above statement about Born In The USA. It's easily his most commercial album, and the one that put him on the map 'for the masses'. Up until that point, I think the highest he'd charted was maybe around #30 or so, even though all his albums had sold well up to that point. __________________ Be strong then, and enter into your own body; there you have a solid place for your feet. ~ Kabir

06-26-2006, 05:45 PM	#20 (permalink)
Merkaba Whitewater! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Zealand Posts: 2,885	^ Really? Well I guess since I haven't heard his other stuff it could well be his worst. __________________ She thinks I'm a reclusive genius, she's going to be very disappointed when she finds out i'm a reclusive wanker

06-25-2006, 10:05 PM	#13 (permalink)
MURDER JUNKIE The Wetter The Better!! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: SH1TTY London Ontario Canada Posts: 2,504	I saw the boss on Conan this week and he kicked ass. Just like JR. said, there were about 20 people on stage and Conan helped out on an unmiked acoustic guitar. We Shall Overcome is awesome and Devils and Dust is his best yet

06-25-2006, 10:18 PM	#14 (permalink)
jazzfromhell SHAKE! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: On the A train. Posts: 205	In the past two months, I've become obsessed with Springsteen. He's now in my top ten. The Wild, The Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle > Born to Run > Darkness on teh Edge of Town is probably the best three albums in a row that I've ever heard. Not so much a fan of what I've heard from Born in the USA (highly overrated album in my opinion, 70's stuff is far, far better) through whatever came before Ghost of Tom Joad. Have only heard a song or two of everything after Nebraska, actually (and only a couple off of the River), but...I don't feel as eager to explore that stuff as I was for the 70's material. Anyway, if you want albums: Born to Run Darkness on the Edge of Town Wild, the Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle Nebraska Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. (I don't like this as much as the other four I listed because it just feels more like a collection of good songs, instead of songs that feel like they're put on the same album for a reason, that really have a mood. Songs are good, though) Could list a ton of lyrics, too, might later. Wish I'd seen him on his recent tour, but his tickets are expensive, and if I'm gonna pay $50+ to see him, I want to see him with the E Street band.

06-26-2006, 02:08 PM	#19 (permalink)
jazzfromhell SHAKE! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: On the A train. Posts: 205	Really? I remember reading that Greetings and Wild and the Innocent didn't sell very well, and he didin't really break through until Born to Run. I don't like most of his post-Nebraska work because what I've heard feels cheesier, synthier, like you said, more commercial. I've heard Human Touch is his worst (or one of his worst) albums, but maybe that was just one person's opinion.