About the video; "Following Saturday's appearance at the Glastonbury Festival, Bruce appeared on Sunday, June 28, at the Hard Rock Calling Festival in London's Hyde Park. Like Glastonbury, this turned into another magical show making the back-to-back U.K. festival appearances an all time highlight for Bruce and the Band. Here, in full, is the opening song from Bruce's set, "London Calling." (Joe Strummer/Mick Jones)."
Bruce and E Street crank out a credible version of the Clash's classic call to arms.
It's Bruce Springsteen's 60th birthday today and I have no idea what a popular culture icon/music master such as he could possibly want or need as a gift. He's shared with me and millions of others so much of himself over the past 40 years. Not being able to offer him anything for his 60th b-day, instead I'll share some of what he's shared in his sublime command of imagery and artistry.
Bruce does indeed grace the September/October issue of AARP, the Magazine, published by the organization formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons, now simply known by their initials. "Red, White, and Bruce" here.
Two Springsteen-based re-posts of mine:
Now that it's 2008 I can say that I'm seeing Bruce in the spring which is something that makes me happy. This is one of my favourite of his many songs that touched me--maybe more so now than years ago. Anyway, the lyrics started playing in my head tonight, especially these:
Oh girl that feeling of safety that you prize
Well it comes at a hard hard price
You can't shut off the risk and the pain
Without losing the love that remains
Were all riders on this train<awesome guitar break>
So you've been broken and youve been hurt
Show me somebody who ain't
Yeah, I know I ain't nobodys bargain
But, hell, a little touch up and a little paint...The entire lyrics are after the video which has a definite mid-1980's feel to it. Bruce does look pretty great in it though I miss "Miami" Steve Van Zant and Clarence Clemons on camera. I'm curious too who is doing the female vocals. edit/checked--some were (now wife) Patti's.
You and me we were the pretenders
We let it all slip away
In the end what you don't surrender
Well the world just strips awayGirl, aint no kindness in the face of strangers
Aint gonna find no miracles here
Well you can wait on your blesses my darlin'
But I got a deal for you right hereI ain't looking for praise or pity
I ain't coming 'round searchin' for a crutch
I just want someone to talk to
And a little of that Human Touch
Just a little of that Human Touch
Ain't no mercy on the streets of this town
Ain't no bread from heavenly skies
Ain't nobody drawing wine from this blood
Its just you and me tonightTell me, in a world without pity
Do you think what I'm askin's too much
I just want something to hold on to
And a little of that Human Touch
Just a little of that Human Touch
Oh girl that feeling of safety that you prize
Well it comes at a hard hard price
You can't shut off the risk and the pain
Without losin' the love that remains
We're all riders on this train
So you've been broken and you've been hurt
Show me somebody who ain't
Yeah, I know I ain't nobody's bargain
But, hell, a little touch up and a little paint...You might need somethin' to hold on to
When all the answers, they don't amount to much
Somebody that you could just to talk to
And a little of that Human TouchBaby, in a world without pity
Do you think what I'm askin's too much
I just want to feel you in my arms
Share a little of that Human Touch
Feel a little of that Human Touch
Give me a little of that Human TouchCopyright © Bruce Springsteen (ASCAP)
Update/Danny Federici, Springsteen and E Street's Longtime Keyboardist, Dies At 58
More after the jump...
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Sunday, September 20, 2009A Love Reaction
By Bethaney Dale
Shortly after Born to Run was finally released, Bruce famously said, "I hated it! I couldn't stand to listen to it. I thought it was the worst piece of garbage I'd ever heard." Well, last night in Chicago there was nothing but love all around. Love for BTR, love for the band, and love from the band. It was a big city show, and the crowd packed the United Center to the top of the rafters all the way around: ready to witness, ready to participate, ready to love that pants-dropping, heart-stopping, legendary E Street Band. You could feel it, the anticipation was electric... and when BTR arrived in the middle of the set, it delivered on all expectations. A particularly beautiful "Meeting Across the River" spotlit that soulful trumpet as well as Richard Davis on stand-up bass (Bruce told us Davis played it on the album). After the primal screams of "Jungleland," the band took a round of bows center stage. It was as though Bruce could finally exhale, commitment made and met, in spades.
Elated, we sing along to "Sunny Day," pledge our allegiance to "The Promised Land," and then we're off to "Radio Nowhere" with Max doing Jay proud on what's become the younger's signature solo. The mutual love keeps flowing with a killer "Badlands" and once again the request segment soars, now shifted to the end of the show. Almost better than the songs is the interaction among the band as they react to Bruce's choices—"Rockin' Robin"? Are ya sure? It shows up on a paper plate sign, so Bruce cracks himself up, calling it the "pie plate special" over and over. An incredibly rollicking "Rosalita" sends the crowd away on a love-struck high.
As the lights come up and the band leaves the stage, I'm lucky to glimpse a private moment that says it all. Clarence descends the stage from a hydraulic lift to avoid the steep stairs. Bruce is there to meet him on the arena floor, helping him from the platform and planting a kiss sweetly on his cheek. True love is always best revealed in the smallest of gestures. I choke up, smile and sigh and step out into the Night.
Set list from Chicago show.
LINK to hand written list
September 20, 2009
Chicago, Illinois
United Center
Seeds
No Surrender
Johnny 99
Cover Me
Outlaw Pete
Hungry Heart
Working On A Dream
Thunder Road
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
Night
Backstreets
Born To Run
She's The One
Meeting Across The River
Jungleland
Waiting On A Sunny Day
The Promised Land
Radio Nowhere
Lonesome Day
The Rising
Badlands
Hard Times
Da Do Ron Ron
Rockin' Robin
I'm Going Down
American Land
Dancin' In The Dark
Rosalita
http://www.brucespringsteen.net/live/2009setlists.html#20090920
Springsteen: From 'Darkness' To 'Dust'
Photographer Frank Stefanko first worked with Bruce Springsteen in 1978, when he shot the iconic cover and liner art for Darkness on the Edge of Town. Over the years, the two New Jersey natives have reconnected several times, and the pictures from their sessions trace the arc of an astonishing rock 'n' roll career. Below, Stefanko shares his memories of his favorite Springsteen shots
Bruce Springsteen - "Brilliant Disguise"- Album Tunnel of Love
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