I remember the standing in line to buy tickets... the waiting... then finally getting our turn at the ticket counter. You see, in those days you had buy your tickets in person at Tower Records. The line had formed early... before sunrise... it was cold but the excitement kept us warm!! Bruce was playing the Richfield Coliseum in Cleveland for New Year's Eve and what a celebration it would be... if we could just get to the counter before the tickets sell out... the line was moving... we could only hope to make it in time... and then finally we did it! My best friend, Tina, who had turned me on to Bruce just that last August, was there with me as we counted out our money and purchased the last two seats! There was still at least 100 people behind us in line... I heard the heavy sighs filled with disappointment as they announced that the tickets were gone... but then before we could walk away from the counter the casheir makes the announcement that Bruce had just added a second show for the following night!! We were still standing at the counter and were now FIRST IN LINE!! We bought our seats: 3rd row center!! This would prove to be one hell of a double wammy celebration!! New Years Eve 1978... 30 years ago today... what a night... Bruce rocked the house... and we never made it to our seats... they were too far back... not that we cared since we knew that the next night we would be up front!! But we were having so much fun dancing in the aisles that seats weren't even an issue. We counted down to midnight with Bruce... he was in a great mood... but then just after midnight someone got too excited and threw a firecracker on stage... it went off very close to Bruce's face and he grabbed his eye... Stevie yelled at the crowd... he was very angry... but then Bruce calmed the crowd and asked that everybody please consider everyone else's safety before he continued the show with Point Blank... this was my 2nd show at the Coliseum... I had seen Bruce at the Agora as a guest... once with SSJ and once with Gary "US" Bonds and once he did a little radio gig... so if you count those times then this was my 5th show in 5 months... and I was officially hooked. It would make me so happy to share this show with you... although it is missing the encores and it was taped just a little too fast... here is the soundboard recording of New Year's Eve 1978 ~ Richfield Coliseum HAPPY NEW YEAR!! See ya next year!!
Wait... Althought I was not at this next show, I would still love to share with you... maybe someone was there that can share their story with us?!! As you know I believe that can't or at least shouldn't review a show that I didn't attend... but I can share it!! New Year's Eve 1980 ~ Nassau Coliseum!! Please have a safe and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Midnight Hour ~ Nassau Coliseum 1980 New Year's Eve countdown into 1981
Thank YOU, Bruce!!
(and an extra special "Thank YOU, to John Kelly for his amazing pics!!) xo
We met down in the valley, where the word of love and destruction flows There in that curve of Darkness where the flowers of temptation grow I left the rest for the others it was you or nothing else You felt so good to me baby... as good as life itself You were life itself, rushing over me Life itself, the wind in the black elms Life itself, in your heart and in your eyes I can't make it without you
I knew you were in trouble, anyone could tell You carried your little black book, from which all your secrets fell You squandered all your riches, your beauty and your wealth Like you had no further use for, for life itself
You were life itself, rushing over me Life itself, the wind in the black elms Life itself, in your heart and in your eyes I can't make it without you
Why are the things that we treasure most slip away in time Till to the music we grow deaf and to God's beauty blind Why do the things that connect us slowly pull us apart Til we fall away in our own darkness and stranger to our own hearts
And to life itself, rushing over me Life itself, the wind in the black elms Life itself, in your heart and in your eyes I can't make it without you
So here's one for the road Here's one to your health and to life itself You were life itself, rushing over me Life itself, the wind in the black elms Life itself, in your heart and in your eyes I can't make it without you
They say that you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover... the heart of a woman by the beauty of her skin... or a song by it's 30 second snippet... but we all do it and I am guilty, as well. I wish I had the strength as I have witnessed with a few fans to refrain from listening to the snippets of Bruce's new Working On A Dream CD... but I don't... I've always been a taster... Yes, I "lick the spoon when I bake, too!!" And so as each new single has been offered I've partaken. After listening to the snips I found myself drawn to Life Itself... almost obsessed with the few lines that we got in the snippets... what can I say other than, I love Life Itself? Everything about it feels so... so right... and in just 30 seconds it seems so honest... I can't wait to hear more!! So you can just imagine how delighted I am to find that Bruce's choice for the next single is Life Itself! Yes... Life Itself will be available on Amazon on Sunday Dec 28th!!I believe that 30 seconds is more than enough to tell that Life Itself is a precious gem among the treasures that we will find in Working On A Dream.
"Life Itself...
In your heart & in your eyes... I can't make it without you... I knew you were in trouble... anyone could tell... You carried your little black book... from which all your secrets fell..."
Bruce continues to pour out blessing on us as he prepares us for both his new CD "Working On A Dream" and his upcoming tour!! I'm thrilled that Bruce and The E Street Band will be hitting the road in February... but even more thrilled that Bruce has realized the value of internet promomotion!! It is so cool to see him utilizing the gift of cyperspace to promote his goods!! And when I say goods, I actually mean GREATS!! ;) As promised, by Bruce, this album is pointing to a collection of pure POP and just like POP is supposed to, these lead singles leave you "feeling good." Personally I think that "My Lucky Day" is wonderful... upbeat... encouraging... happy... and brings a great message of "YOU are MY lucky day" "YOU are special" "don't hide what YOU have""Come out and live and play and make my day lucky" I think it is a wonderful message of hope.
Here are the two newest videos... and links with pre-order info:
My Lucky Day was the one new song that I was most interested in hearing... The title had caught my attention. What could/would Bruce consider to be his "lucky day?" I fully expected to be kept waiting for that answer (since it is his turn to be the god!)... Little did I know that this Thanksgiving morning would turn out to a my lucky day indeed... So as I snuck into the wild blue of my "cyber"world for a quick peek... the "you've got mail" icon flashed at the bottom of my screen. Such a nice surprise was waiting!! Thank you, Bruce, for another sweet holiday treat... How thoughtful!! If the rest of this song gives off even a fraction of the good feeling that this snippet gives to me... then it is My Lucky Day that will be my choice!! This one is guarenteed to ROCK live and I can just see us dancing in the pit!! Which is, by the way, just another reason why I am sitting on the edge of my seat awaiting each new song... imagining the live experience of each!! You can bet that with the anticipation of the announcement of the Working On A Dream Tour dates coming soon the excitement is high in the Bruce community!! I can hardly wait!! Until then, the #2 single, My Lucky Day, will be available in full @ Amazon on Dec.1 but tomorrow is the official release date... so keep your eyes open and your hopes high!! Please, keep in touch!! Have a happy happy Thanksgiving and remember that when I count my blessings I count you twice!!
I remember when I was a little girl my dad used to tell me, "If you don't dream then it can't come true." and so many of my "little dreams" came true... so many wishes granted... but there was one dream that was so great that I feared to dream it... so I hid it... and soon the adventures and challenges of life buried it... and without my dream life was missing the hope that it needed to inspire me to... dream... and I soon forgot what my dad had told me so many times before, "If you don't dream then it can't come true." Sometimes we need to be reminded to dream... and not only to be reminded but somehow inspired to continue to climb that ladder... and to not give up... to expect doors to open and seas to part... and for the heavens to make a way for our dreams to become real someday... and that is what Bruce's newest song, "Working On A Dream" does for me... It's simplistically beautiful melody is sweet... with a wonderfully uplifting baseline. This one leaves me smiling... and I think that it is enchanting to know that Bruce (who represents a man) is working on a dream and that he believes that the power of love can make that dream real. I don't know who decides whose dreams come true and whose get pushed aside... but I think that I will keep climbing... and keep dreaming.
If this is any sign of what the new CD will be...
then put on your dancing shoes and dip yourself in sugar!!
Anticipation grew as we gathered around our Television sets Sunday night for the world premiere of the studio version of Bruce's newest single Working On A Dream. My mouth dropped open to see this beautiful song cut to pieces and set to football clips I tried to look beyond the horrendous way that it was debuted to see the beauty of the song... not an easy task... but if you listen closely you can see it's beauty hidden behind the grunts of the football players.
"It's been extremely comfortable at night here in south Florida lately and we have been sleeping with the windows and doors open. Hitting the pillows just before midnight we giggled at the sound of a few cars driving by honking their horns and the drivers shouting "OBAMA"!!!! The 60 degree weather makes for sound sleeping here in the south .... minus the constant hum of the air conditioner ... in spite of our joint let down from the outcome of the election ... I slept like a baby. My eyes opened right at 4:30 this morning ... a slight breeze was blowing the shears my wife just put up last week .... palm fronds were lightly rustling from our patio. The only other sound was that of the crickets. My wife was sound asleep ... the dogs at our feet snuggled up on the comforter ... when a thought hit me, "buy a paper before they're all gone"! So I slid as quietly as I could to the side of the bed, dropped my feet to the tile floor ... one good one ... then the other with a cast still on it from reconstructive surgey last month ... reached for my crutches trying not to make a sound and successfully hobbled down the stairs. Pulling a pair of shorts and a shirt from the dryer I slipped on my clothes, found a left foot flip flop, scooped up about $3 in change on the kitchen counter, poured the coins into my pocket, reached for the car keys and began my early morning search for a newspaper box. Not a soul on the road .. didn't expect to see anyone anyway .. which was a good thing as I left my wallet on the nightstand and should I get stopped by a cop for any reason wasn't sure how I would explain driving without out it or what to say to convince the officer I really could drive a car with my right foot in a cast. Driving out of our developement I spotted a car pulled next to a newspaper box so I drove past it, made a u-turn and pulled up just behind the car. A door opened and a young black woman emerged with an arm full of newspapers. Wooohoo! Not only did I beat the rush ... but I get a fresh paper with the new paper smell ... sniffffff ahhh ... couldn't wait.
This was no ordinary morning paper ... it was history right there in a full page color spread! I opened the door, gathered both crutches and headed for the young lady just as she closed the door to the paper box. She looked up at me in the dark, the only light being a streetlight down the street about 40 yards. Guess her night vision was working well as she didn't seem startled ... she simply said, "oh .. sorry ... did you want a paper"? I responded, " yes I do .... especially this morning". She apologized for closing the box and for not giving me a paper for free ... but I assured her it was no problem, I didn't mind paying for a paper. She ducked into her car and handed me one of those fresh ... still warm newspapers and said " here .. take it ... it's free". I took it with one hand while handing her all the change from my pocket ... she smiled the biggest smile, thanked me and asked, Did you vote for Obama"? "Did you vote for Obama" ...... ? That question ran through my morning fogged noggin' again .... Like one of those moments we always hear about when someone slips close to death and their entire life flashes before them. A compilation of every noteable conversation .. every crossroad ... a seemingly endless fast forward view of defining moments in ones life. The entire lifespan of this campaign .. the last two years ... conversation with family and friends .. and of course the debate here at PW. It was all compressed in a moment when she asked, "did you vote for Obama"? In the early morning light ... I didn't see politics. It was a joyous and giddy black woman, standing there talking to a white man at 4:30 in the morning wanting to bubble. She was a bottle of carbonation someone shook endlessly and left on the side of the road to explode ..... it was not the time to answer her honestly. I was not going to slowly loosen the top and let all the pressure out. It was not the time for a political debate .... it was time for one human to feel the excitement of another and help facilitate an outburst that was begging to be let go. "Did you vote for Obama"? I took the paper from her and lied, "yes I did"!
She let loose a smile so large I though her face would crack then shouted at the top of her lungs .... at 4:30 in the morning on a quiet street with some strange white man holding a warm, fresh newspaper. "It's a great day in America"! She jumped into her car and drove off shouting something from her open window ... I couldn't quite make it out .... and didn't need to. Hobbling back to my car trying to hold on to the paper and operate my crutches I clumsily fell into the drivers seat .. tossed the damned metal contraptions into the back seat, layed the paper on the passenger seat, started the car and drove back home. All this time spent debating the candidates .... holding my nose while voting this tuesday and still holding a suspect eye toward the 44th elected President of the United States I remembered to keep this in perspective. No matter how this shakes out we are all Americans. We share equal emotion in that we all have dreams, experience great joy, suffer tragic loss, feel euphoric highs and devistating lows ..... and we are here together hopefully not judging each other by the color of our skin but by the content of our character. - vast out"
"When did selfishness become a virtue?" Barack Obama asked as we stood in the pouring rain while hope was poured into the hearts of so many of us once more. These words still echo loudly within me as I am one of those who Bruce has talked of in his message... one who has justifiably lost faith... but Sunday was just want I needed. I had been hoping to get to an Obama Rally to hear him speak, to see him and get a feel for him in person rather than on camera... and so I went to see Barack Obama speak Sunday in Cleveland... but it was Bruce who had motivated me to go. Why is that? It is because Bruce does not have to care... he is set, financially, and he could go to any land, making it his home, and his land of hope and dreams... he doesn't need America... or it's failed ways. As well, he is a very busy man... not only does he have plans to release a new album in the near future with a tour to follow soon after his Super Bowl halftime performance... but he is busy with his family as well. Having just spent the last few days before the Cleveland Rally with his family in Syracuse, NY supporting his daughter, Jessica's dream to become an Equestrian champion... whom I am sure can attest to the importance of having someone believe with you in your own potential, he still found time to support the candidate that he believes is the right person for president. So after Jessica took first place in the competition... the whole family came to Cleveland to give their support not only to Obama but to America. I felt that if they could give their time and support to those of us who the current administration could care less about... then I should at least try to care... or try to believe that someone else still cares. So I went.... and I went early hoping for a spot close enough that I could see into Obama's eyes. I was the 11th person in line at 8 am. To arrive there around 9 or 10 had been my goal but I forgot to change my clock back as did the 10 people in front of me... but by 2 the line stretched for blocks... thousands waited in the cold wind... I had decided to not take a bag or anything that would hold me up at the security scanners but silly me... the shirt that I chose to wear had a piece of metal in the neckline that I had forgotten about so I got held up in the metal detector and had to settle for a second row spot right in front of Bruce. (hehehe). As I watched Kevin (Bruce's guitar tech) set up the mics I noticed that there were 2 mic-stands so I asked him "Why 2... who's here?" He grinned and asked, "Two what?" before moving the mic to the back as to not spoil the surprise.
The sun came out as Bruce took the stage. Impressed by Bruce's ability to see inside my soul and sing about my issues and my pain... this time he was understanding my disconnection to America... yes I pay my taxes... but I feel so disconnected... barely even wanting to be here any longer... let alone give more to such a selfish society... a society that embraces the rich and turns it's back on the poor... But there stood Bruce... giving. Why does he care? What could he possibly gain from this? He has everything he needs... or could possibly want... but there he stood... singing... for us... for America... singing that he still believes in the Promised Land. Oh... and about that second mic... Patti joined Bruce for the debut of a very beautiful "Workin' On A Dream" dedicated to Senator Obama.
Workin' On A Dream
Out here the nights are long the days are lonely I think of you, and, I’m working on a dream I’m working on a dream Now the cards I’ve drawn is a rough hand darlin' A straight and I'm back in.... and I’m working on a dream I’m working on a dream, I’m working on a dream, Though sometimes it feels so far away I’m working on a dream, and I know it will be mine someday Rain pouring down I swing my hammer My hands are rough from… working on a dream I’m working on a dream I’m working on a dream, Though trouble can feel like it’s here to stay, I’m working on a dream, Well our love will chase the trouble away I’m working on a dream, Though it can feel so far away I’m working on a dream, Our love will make it real someday The sun rises up, I climb the ladder A new day breaks and… I’m working on a dream I’m working on a dream I’m working on a dream I’m working on a dream Come on.... I’m working on a dream, Though it can feel so far away I’m working on a dream, Our love will make it real someday I’m working on a dream, Oh it can feel so far away I’m working on a dream, And our love will make it real someday
Bruce's words rang true as he shared his views...
"All a nation has that keeps it from coming apart is the social contract between its' citizens. Whatever grace God has deemed to impart to us resides in our connections with one another, in honoring the life, the hopes, the dreams, of the man or woman up the street, or across town. That's where we make our small claim upon heaven. In recent years that contract has been shredded and as we look around today, it is shredding before our eyes. But today we are at the crossroads.I'm honored to be here on the same stage as Senator Obama. From the beginning, there has been something in Senator Obama that has called upon our better angels, I suspect, because he has had a life where he has so often had to call upon his. We're going to need all the angels we can get on the hard road ahead. Senator Obama'll help us rebuild our house big enough for the dreams of all our citizens. For how well we accomplish this task will tell us what it means to be an American in the new century, what's at stake, and what it means to live in a free society. So I don't know about you, but I want my country back, I want my dream back, I want my America back. Now is the time to stand together with Barack Obama and Joe Biden and the millions of Americans that are hungry for a new day, roll up our sleeves and come on up for the rising."
Personally, I have learned to question the honesty and integrity of anyone I choose to line up with... I've seen over the years that the people that Bruce surrounds himself with are good and honest... or at least seem to be... and I have learned that I can usually trust Bruce's judgement for the most part but still this decision of who I'd give my vote to for president was one that I made on my own... so as Barack Obama took the stage and I watched... looking for a reason to believe.
So what did I see? I saw a man with integrity... explaining precisely what he believed... what he would change and what he hoped to accomplish for Americans... He shared his plans and his goals... he spoke bluntly and honestly about America's future. All was good until he brought up the current administration and McCain and with just the mention of his name came a sudden downpour... and I hoped that it was a sign of a washing away of the old that would bring us a fresh new day! But still of all the great things that Barack said, the line that is still in my mind,
"When did selfishness become a virtue?"
As Senator Obama made his way around the front of the stage shaking hands, as he past by I reached my hand over the top of the lady's shoulder that was in front of me and waited hoping that he would take my hand which much to my surprise he took... he has a good handshake... then as we let go I gave him a little extra gentle squeeze and let go... he had been walking past but when I released his hand he turned back to me and looked me straight in the eyes... and at the exact same moment we both spoke the same two words to each other... looking directly into each other's eyes, we said, "Thank you."
This guy is amazing!! What an awesome Halloween treat Bruce surprised us with this morning wrapped in A Night With The Jersey Devil!! It's spooky and chilling with a haunting allure that makes you just want to SCREAM!!! I am so delighted that Bruce knows how to celebrate a holiday... but this is so intense that it scares me to the bone!! At times I'm not quite sure if Bruce is the preacher casting out the devil or the devil himself! :o Thanks for a frighteningly wonderful treat!! Happy Halloween to you, too, Bruce!! Now how am I gonna sleep?!
On a more serious note: This is pretty scary stuff! :o
The Jersey Devil, sometimes called the Leeds Devil, is a legendary creature or cryptid said to inhabit the Pine Barrens in southern New Jersey. The most accepted origin of the story as far as New Jersians are concerned started with Mother Leeds and is as follows: "It was said that Mother Leeds had 12 children and after given birth to her 12th child, she said if she had another, it would be the devil. In 1735, Mother Leeds was in labor on a stormy night. Gathered around her were her friends. Mother Leeds was supposedly a witch and the child's father was the devil himself. The child was born normal, but then changed form. It changed from a normal baby to a creature with hooves, a horses head, bat wings and a forked tail. It growled and screamed, then killed the midwife before flying up the chimney. It circled the villages and headed toward the pines. In 1740 a clergy exorcised the devil for 100 years and it wasn't seen again until 1890." "Mother Leeds" has been identified by some as Deborah Leeds, who was the wife of Japhet Leeds. This indentification may have gained credence from the fact that Japhet Leeds named twelve children in the will he wrote in 1736, which is compatible with the legend of the Jersey Devil being the thirteenth child born by Mother Leeds.(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
Hear me now! I was born 13th child, 'neath the 13th moon Spit out all hungry and born anew Daddy drag me to the river tie me in rocks Throw me in where it's deep and wide I go down, I don't die Hole in the river bottom, I crawl through Come back kill six brothers and sisters, kill papa too Sway down Mama, sway down low They gonna know me wherever I go Into my bed with her kerosene my mama creep Set my flesh to burning, whilst I sleep I burn, burn, burn, till my soul burn black Black rains fall, I come back, I come back Get down Mama, get down low They gonna know me wherever I go 16 witches, cast 16 spells Make me a guitar outta skin and human skull Sing you a song like the wind in the sandy loam Bring you baby out your happy home Ram's head, forked tail, clove hoof, love's my trail I sup on your body, sip on your blood like wine Out world theirs, this world mine So kiss me baby till it hurts God lost in heaven, we lost on earth Sway down Mama, sway down low They gonna know me wherever I go Wherever I go, wherever I go Well I got a brand new lover I love her yes I do, She's my one and only and her name is Baby Blue...
"Now everyone dreams of a love lasting and true, but you and I know what this world can do..." but we don't have to let the world separate us or tear us apart... do we? Let's look closer at how we can stop ourselves from losing one another...
"We said we'd walk together, baby come what may..." we promised to be friends forever... "That come the twilight should we lose our way... if as we're walkin a hand should slip free..." I believe that "twilight" represents two things here: the dark hour... the bad times that could and would make our hands slip free... and the quiet times... sleepy times when we are not on guard... when other people and things can sneak in and steal our love leaving us concentrating and focusing on anything but the one that is slipping away. Will that promise still stand if my "hand should slip free?" If I wait for you... will you wait for me?
"We swore we'd travel darlin' side by side. We'd help each other stay in stride... But each lover's steps fall so differently..." I love that Stevie sings this line... as I feel that it moves the meaning deeper from a love between a man and a woman to a friendship that has nothing to do with sex/love... but a deep bond between two friends... two friends whose steps fall so differently... two friends who find love apart from each other yet they vow to remain close... even though they have separate lives. Two friends who will still travel side by side and help each other along the way.
This song is not for the lackadaisical lover or friend... the world is out there trying to score... it will tear you apart from the ones you love... it will come between close friends who are not strong willed enough to hold fast with a determination to remain friends. Yes, they say that friends come and go... but I do believe that a true friend will not walk away from you nor will they let the world tear your friendship apart... they will be there with you till the end... and you will be there for them as well... and even if you are busy... you will find a way to let them know that you are still here for them... and they will let you know that they are thinking of you and wishing you well. In today's world with email, instant messaging, cell phones and let's not forget Skype there are so many ways to keep in touch that there is only one reason for friends to lose each other along the way... and that is if they have not made or honored that vowed in their own hearts to remain vital to each other and to hold their relationship as precious and dear.
Two more votes for Barack... thanks to Bruce!! When I heard about the free concert that Bruce was giving in support of Barack Obama of course I was interested and decided to look into becoming a volunteer... so I googled Obama and found out where I needed to sign up... that is when I noticed a little icon that said "check your registration statis. I've been a registered voter for years and had planned to go to the polls on Nov 4th and vote... I hadn't even considered that due to my recent name change my registration had become invalid and I needed to re-register. There was only one problem: Monday was the last day to register and it was already late Friday night... I would have to wait and go Monday... so first thing this morning I went down to register and took my sister with me... since Ohio has early voting we were able to go ahead and vote!! I am so glad that Bruce decided to get involved because I probably would not have realized that I needed to re-register and therefore would not have been able to vote in this election.
The Obama Rally on Saturday @ OSU's oval was so much more inspiring than I had imagined... Bruce's sincere support of Barack gives me hope that there is still someone that cares... and that maybe... just maybe there is still hope... not only for America... but for our children.
Thank you, Bruce for caring... especially since you don't really need to care... you could go anywhere and live like a king... living happily ever after... forgetting about us... but you didn't walk away... and I honor you for that.
I got a call from Obama's volunteer center today and agreed to work the phones... if Bruce can care... so can I... and together... "yes we can" take our dreams back.
"I've spent 35 yrs writing about America, its people, and the meaning of the American Promise. The promise that was handed down to us, from our founding fathers, with one instruction: Do your best to make these things real. Opportunity, equality, social and economic justice, a fair shake for all of our citizens, the American idea, as a positive influence, around the world for a more just and peaceful existence. These are the things that give our lives hope, shape, and meaning. They are the ties that bind us together and give us faith in our contract with one another. I've spent most of my creative life measuring the distance between that American promise and American reality. For many Americans, who are today losing their jobs, their homes, seeing their retirement funds disappear, who have no healthcare, or who have been abandoned in our inner cities, the distance between that promise, and that reality, has never been greater or more painful. I believe Senator Obama has taken the measure of that distance in his own life and in his work. I think he understands in his heart the cost of that distance, in blood and suffering, in the lives of everyday Americans. I believe as president, he would work to restore that promise to so many of our fellow citizens who have justifiably lost faith in its meaning. After the disastrous administration of the past eight years, we need somebody to lead us in an American reclamation project. In my job, I travel around the world, and I occasionally play big stadiums, just like Senator Obama. I've continued to find, whereever I go, that America remains a repository of peoples' hopes, possibilities, and desires, and that despite the terrible erosion to our standing around the world, accomplished by our recent administration, we remain for many, many people this house of dreams. One thousand George Bushes and one thousand Dick Cheneys will never be able to tear that house down. They will, however, be leaving office -- that's the good news. The bad news is that they'll be leaving office dropping the national tragedies of Katrina, Iraq, and our financial crisis in our laps. Our sacred house of dreams has been abused, it's been looted, and it's been left in a terrible state of disrepair. It needs care; it needs saving, it needs defending against those who would sell it down the river for power or a quick buck. It needs a citizenry with strong arms, hearts, and minds. It needs someone with Senator Obama's understanding, temperateness, deliberativeness, maturity, compassion, toughness, and faith, to help us rebuild our house once again. But most importantly, it needs you. And me. It needs us, to rebuild our house with the generosity that is at the heart of the American spirit. A house that is truer and big enough to contain the hopes and dreams of all of our fellow citizens. Because that is where our future lies. We will rise or we will fall as a people by our ability to accomplish this task. Now I don't know about you, but I know that I want my house back, I want my America back, and I want my country back. So now is the time to stand with Barack Obama and Joe Biden, roll up our sleeves, and come on up for the rising." ~ Bruce Springsteen
Thanks 2Hearts (bottom 3) & seibu1 (top) for the photos!! And this last one... I TOOK!!
Can you remember where you were when you heard the news that "America was under attack?" I do... I was filling up my gallon jugs with fresh spring water at the park. Shocked when a little elderly lady asked me if I heard about the attack, I rushed to the church that I was attending... it was just down the street... and I knew that they would have a television on as both of their children had gone east just the day before. Dana (our pastor and first born son) had gone to Washington for a prayer meeting that was planned for Sept 11th... I wonder if they realized just how much that prayer would be needed within the next few days... weeks... months... Dana's sister had gone to New York to meet with a gospel recording producer and had decided to do some site seeing early that morning. On her way to the World Trade Center, where she would be able to get some great shots from the top... she had a thought that first she should take some shots of the Tower and directed her cab driver to go to a nice spot far enough away to get the whole picture... she tooks her pictures and got back in the cab to head toward the WTC when the first plane hit... horrified she hurried to the scene ready to help and to pray... while we waited at the church with her parents... praying for a phone call... first her call came... she was safe but had no idea about her brother... he was supposed to be at the Pentagon early that morning... but was running late... the call finally came... and he too was safe.
But there were thousands of others who were not safe... and thousands more that would be effected by this terrible act. Americans of every race and nationality came together to help each other... to give what they could give to help lift some of the burden.
Our world was shaken on the morning of Sept 11th... 7 years ago... but...
"Will hate bring it all back?"
Arnie aka njklutz has written a piece about his memories and posted it on Btx...
With his permission, I would like to share it with you...
"When I got into my car this morning I thought how different today was than 7 years ago. 7 years ago I left my house on a beautiful sunny day, not a cloud in the sky. I was feeling sorry for myself and my family having been diagnosed with bladder cancer just 4 days prior. How that day and my feelings changed so much just a few hours later. It is party cloudy this morning unlike that perfectly blue sky. Driving this morning I put on Springsteen’s poignant 9/11 story, the Rising, and started thinking as the songs played. I started thinking of the widows and widowers, the children who we don’t know but who remember 9/11 every day.
Once I thought I knew
Everything I needed to know about you
Your sweet whisper, Your tender touch
But I didn't really know that much
Joke's on me, It's gonna be okay
If I can just get through this lonesome day
How about 30 minutes prior to the first plane hitting Avrom and I walked through the World Trade Center for the last time. Up the escalator from the PATH train, past the shops and the people. All gone later in the morning. How I got to my office on the 40th floor, 4 blocks away, with a beautiful view north and east and then noticing all the large papers flying around. I knew there wasn’t a tickertape parade, what was happening? Then the call from Avrom telling me to look at CNN a plane hit the World Trade Center. I walked to the other side of the floor and saw the WTC on fire with its big gapping hole. I remember calling Randi to tell her I was OK and she had no idea what I was talking about; the confusion, the unknown. Then we heard and felt the second plane hit. We knew it wasn’t an accident and I told those on the floor, this was no accident. It’s a terrorist attack. We are the next tallest building, let’s go downstairs. I called Randi to tell her I was leaving the building.
As I was driving Bruce sang:
The sky was falling and streaked with blood
I heard you calling me then you disappeared into the dust
Up the stairs, into the fire Up the stairs, into the fire
I need your kiss, but love and duty called you someplace higher
Somewhere up the stairs into the fire
I started to think of all the Fireman and rescue workers who rushed into the fire, up the stairs to do their jobs to save lives, only to lose theirs. I thought of Jacob sleeping in his office that night after working all day as an EMT volunteer. When Bruce started to sing It's rainin' but there ain't a cloud in the sky Musta been a tear from your eye Everything'll be okay I remember going to the lobby and finding Anne. Anne was crying, having witnessed the second plane crashing into the WTC. I told her Norman, her husband, was OK in the World Financial Center. He was heading to the Staten Island Ferry and wanted her to do the same, get off Manhattan and meet at home. I thought of Michael arriving at the WTC on one of the last, or the last Path train to arrive at the WTC and coming out of the building that I had left so peacefully only a short time earlier to a building on flames with bodies falling. This morning I remembered my walk north to get away from the disaster as fast as I could. I remembered meeting Chris who was trying to get to a reinsurance arbitration but the subways were out. Not knowing the impact of what had happened. I remember telling him there won’t be an arbitration today, go home. I remember standing by City Hall and listening to a police car’s radio telling us that the Pentagon was hit and there were several other missing planes and the look of feat that came over everyone. Trying my cell phone to call Randi and not getting through. Starting to walk again up Broadway when the first Tower fell. The rumble at first and not knowing what it was. Then the cloud of dust rushing up the street. Even though I was 4 days after my bladder resection, wearing a suit and tie and carrying a brief case, I don’t think I ever ran so fast away from that cloud. Every few moments trying my cell to call Randi or my parents to tell them I was alive but only getting a busy signal. Concerned how worried there were, but knowing that I would get back to Fair Lawn even if I had to walk all the way. Not being as inventive as Steve and buying a bike to peddle home. I remember making it to Washington Sq Park and finally sitting and resting. Sitting with a few people who escaped the Towers. One woman completely in shock.
Darlin' give me your kiss
Come and take my hand
I am the nothing man
We spoke and I learned that this woman had almost been hit by a body flying out of the WTC. She looked and it was a pregnant woman she worked with. I often wonder what happened to this woman. Did she ever recover? Is she still a nothing man? As I was driving this morning I started to think of all those souls who lost their lives that day. How we would read the NYT for months after looking at the pictures and the names. Knowing some from work and feeling the pain each day again, over and over again.
So let's take the good times as they go
And I'll meet you further on up the road
I thought how I finally found a phone booth that worked in the Village and was able to speak to Randi, telling her I was alive and will get home somehow. Days after my surgery I needed a bathroom so badly but for security purposes no one would let me in to use a bathroom, until the Church on West 4th that let us in and served us water. I thought of the kind stranger who when I finally made it to NJ and heard me talking to Randi on the phone offered that when his wife arrived at Giants Stadium would drive me home too. When I got home late that afternoon, all our lives had changed forever. We no longer felt sorry for us and my cancer. We only thought of the thousands that had died that day for nothing. We worried what the future would bring, which we still do. As I sit in my office, the first time not in NYC, I feel a strange disconnect to 9/11. I remember going to the 1st Memorial Service with Brian and now I am on the other side of the river. I look out my office window and see the Manhattan skyline that is still not right.
Empty sky, empty sky
I woke up this morning to an empty sky
Empty sky, empty sky
I woke up this morning to an empty sky
I hope you don’t mind my rambling thoughts this morning but I wanted to jot them down and share them with all those that lived through that day with us and to those who still live 9/11 every day.
One thing that I won't do... at least not yet... is to review a show that I did not attend. I believe that it is impossible to judge a show by it's set list... so I will not attempt to do it. But what I will do is show you what we missed that second night in New Jersey... I've been thanking tapers from all over the world for bringing us MAGIC... this time it's the "NYC Bitch Committee" that I want to thank!! You've done a wonderful job!! I simply LOVE the close ups!!
Drive All Night & The Rising Magic Night II @ Giant Stadium July 28, 2008
I happened upon a picture today of Alex and me in the crowd at our first Magic show in Chicago... and wasn't I surprised to see that my request sign was FOR YOU!! What an awesome time I had this last year chasing FOR YOU... from town to town... and then from country to country... just missing it in Paris... ending my European shows in Italy just one show too soon... and then unable to join the American Leg II until Hershey I was one show too late... Bruce played FOR YOU the very show before Hershey... in Richmond. Again I give thanks to tapers all around the world who make it possible to for us to see what we've missed... This time Steph/DevDev1189 has won my heart with this amazing clip of my favorite song...
Not knowing what the future holds for us makes it so very hard to write about my last week of Magic with Bruce Springsteen and The E-Street Band... So with a box of tissue close at hand I'll attempt to share my thoughts... or at least my stats.
With 2,500 in the Hershey Pit I was happy to be one of them... and to find my friends... as you may already know one of my favorite things about the "GA" experience is the fellow-shipping with other Bruce-fans before the show... but as soon as the band hit the stage I focused... not wanting to miss a thing. I am not much of a fan of Stadium shows but this would prove to be an unforgettable night... I personally love the sign collecting and the silliness of picking out requests... and was quite happy with Stevie's choice of Boom Boom which took me back as if I were in a time machine... although Darlington County and Waitin On A Sunny Day brought me right back sooner than I'd have liked... they were light and fun. Then a very pleasant surprise came with the introduction of "I'm gonna send this one out to the Dover parents... and a good science education... which just brings more glory to God." just before Part Man Part Monkey... a song that I have been wanting to create a page for for some time now. The night was enchanting as Bruce pointed out the full moon... but it seemed to pass by much too quickly. Almost as if Bruce wanted to give a little extra to the crowd he pulled out the big guns giving us one of the best encores this tour... starting out with Thunder Road... then much to my surprise... I was ever so thrilled to finally get Jungleland after chasing it half way around the world... not having seen it live since 1985... I stood in awe... as he whispered "Beneath the city, two hearts beat..." an ultimate highlight. But it didn't end there... as they forged ahead into Seven Nights To Rock... Born To Run... Rosalita... Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out... American Land... Good enough... great show... but Bruce wasn't done and he invites his friend, Joe G. on stage and they bust out GLORIA hitting it out of the park!!
Exhausted we head out... next stop, Nashville!! I'll start by saying, I had a great time at the pre-party... Thanks Gypsy!! As I am standing in the pit waiting for the show to start I realize that I know the young man standing next to me... his mother and I sat next to each other at the Cincinnati show the night of my birthday... he thought that it was really cool that I recognized him... then I noticed his sign and we laughed as I told him of the dream that I had the very night before... In my dream I was in the pit with a friend and Bruce played the song that was on his sign!! I thought that it was on omen... we high fived each other when Bruce came out for the encore and took his sign from him... but Bruce didn't play it... though I had a feeling that we would get it the next night. Hopefully that meant that I would be in the pit again! Well... now... as incredible of a show that Nashville was... with a tour premiere of Good Rockin' Tonight followed by Growin' Up... I'm Going Down... and Held Up Without A Gun... we also got Loose Ends... Youngstown... and Murder Incorporated... and one more premiere, I Fought The Law... there was even a sweet highlight of a few lines of I Walk The Line intro-ing I'm On Fire...
But I don't think that the Nashville show will be getting much praise since it's bookends are Hershey Stadium and one of the best shows of the Magic Tour... St. Louis. What can I say about St. Louis? I had a dream... and tonight that dream came true... as far as I could tell... Bruce was on fire... playful and in great spirits... as he pulled out love song after love song... First he blew my mind when he started the show with the very song from my dream And Then She Kissed Me and there I was in the pit... 2nd row... just left of center. You can just imagine my joy when finally at my 17th Magic shows... I get For You... which to me is the ultimate "love song"... they played it "full band" but it was wonderful all the same... then the next thing I knew we were "high" on the Mountain of Love. How could it get better?? That is the best question you can ask at a Bruce Springsteen show... I waited for the answer... and much to my surprise... Bruce pulls out Cover Me... another one that I had really wanted to hear... and I stood reminiscing as I was taken back to 1985... but soon tears began to flow as the opening notes of Drive All Night filled the air... another that I had somehow missed... it was such an emotional night, I could feel the desperation in the air as the band sought to make this night count... there was an urgency to get their message through... I was so close that I could see Bruce reaching out with his eyes for that connection... song after song... then as he blew the first notes of Thunder Road through his harmonica he looked up and our eyes met and once again it was 1980... and I was 20 years old again... my dress swayed as the radio played... Bruce Springsteen was singing for the lonely... and there was Magic in the night once more... but if that wasn't enough Bruce pulled out one more tour premiere and dance we did... to Little Queenie!!
One more night... Kansas City... Starting the night with Ricky Wants A Man Of Her Own and Cynthia this was sure to be a fun night... so when Bruce honored a sign request to let Max sing one... we got BOYS... but the treats were just beginning... and when Bruce called Soozie to the spotlight we were in for quite a surprise... Soozie belted out It's All Over Now just after Bruce praised her for standing in for Miss Patti... and stand in she did!! Keeping the energy high with Candy's Room and Gypsy Biker, guitars were blazing hot. Then turning the mood... Bruce brought out his acoustic and gave us Devils & Dust... preparing us for the heart of the Magic Tour: Last To Die / Long Walk Home / Badlands... These three songs closed the main set of each and every Magic show for a reason... The Magic Tour protested more than the war... it protested bad government... bad choices. Strategically placed... Bruce urges... calling us to rise above these Badlands once more. Then the encore began with a sweet dedication to Danny... yes Sandy... but the most tender moment was just before the official ending of the Magic Tour... just before breaking into Dancing In The Dark followed by Rocking All Over The World... Bruce sang the sweetest little rendition of Save The Last Dance For Me... as the tears ran down my face once more...
"You can dance ev'ry dance with the guy who gives you the eye and let him hold you tight... You can smile... you can smile for the man who holdin your hand 'neath the pale moonlight... but don't forget who's taking you home and in whose arms you wanna be... and darlin', save the last dance for me... Now I know that the music's fine like sparkling wine... go and have your fun... Laugh and sing... but while we're apart... please don't give your heart to anyone... and don't forget who's taking you home and in whose arms you wanna be... oh and darlin', save the last dance for me... "
Just before the band left the stage several signs went up in the pit... thanks to Melody's great idea... we held them high... Bruce giggled as he took one from the crowd and held it up as Clarence beamed, basking in the love!! You could see the appreciation in their faces as Stevie and Roy looked at each other as to say, "Do you see that?" Max pointed into the crowd and Charlie waved... Nils reached down to shake an outstretched hand... Garry seemed in awe as he stood quietly cool... nodding graciously and Soozie smiled brightly as she wiped a tear from her eye. You could feel the magic as "Thank You!!"s were exchanged.
It's not been quite a year yet since the release of Magic last October 2, 2007... but it has been an amazing tour.... and just like the debuting single promised... Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band remained determined to fulfilled that vow... and as they went boppin through the wild blue they made that connection to me and to YOU!!
In this massive world of the Internet... with multitudes of blogs to sort through... all reaching out to the masses... pouring out vast amounts of knowledge to literally thousands of readers... with site meters registering numbers as egos are fed... I have to stop myself from being sucked into the vacuum of blogging for numbers.
This was no ordinary morning paper ... it was history right there in a full page color spread! I opened the door, gathered both crutches and headed for the young lady just as she closed the door to the paper box. She looked up at me in the dark, the only light being a streetlight down the street about 40 yards. Guess her night vision was working well as she didn't seem startled ... she simply said, "oh .. sorry ... did you want a paper"? I responded, " yes I do .... especially this morning". She apologized for closing the box and for not giving me a paper for free ... but I assured her it was no problem
