Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

"Read Al Franken’s new book!” Bruce urges crowd (Summer closes with Bruce bringing down the house)
Bergen Record ^ | Monday, September 1, 2003 | JIM BECKERMAN

Posted on 09/01/2003 8:36:27 AM PDT by dead

The party-hearty Bruce Springsteen almost - but not quite - brought another kind of party into the climax of his final blowout gig at Giants Stadium on Sunday night.

"The question of whether we go to war in Iraq is not a liberal or a conservative question," The Boss said in one of several "public service announcements" during his ebullient show. He then recommended that the audience read humorist Al Franken's "Lies and the Lying Liars who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right" before he launched into "Land of Hope and Dreams."

But apart from this and his customary plug for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, rocking - not politicking - was at the heart of Springsteen's agenda on this memorable last Sunday of his Meadowlands run.

"Cynthia," a little-known tune from Springsteen's back catalog, launched the finale of his unprecedented, marathon 10-show engagement at Giants Stadium. Call it a small gift for the faithful who returned night after night to see Springsteen on his home turf - for many, the one redeeming feature of an otherwise dreary, rainy summer.

"Welcome to the last New Jersey house party," he said to the cheering crowd. "I think we're gonna try to take it out in style."

Which he did. After running through a catalog of his most righteous songs, many from "The Rising" album - "The Rising," "Lonesome Day," "Lucky Town," "Empty Sky," "Waiting on a Sunny Day," and "Mary's Place" - he closed his first set of encore numbers with a "Born to Run" for the record books. He stretchedthe final dramatic pause near the end almost to the breaking point before bringing down the house with the final verse about a highway jammed with broken heroes.

And yes, he came back for "Rosalita" and "Dancin' in the Dark" (no lucky girl from the audience came up this time). And then the biggest surprise: "Jersey Girl," which fans had been hoping for throughout the 10-show run, but which did not appear in the set until Sunday night.

Springsteen seemed in exceptionally high spirits, at one point grabbing a mike stand and flipping himself upside-down like an Olympic gymnast, and then propelling himself across the stage on his knees like the younger Bruce of his "Born in the U.S.A." glory days.

"Playing this summer was a big thrill," Springsteen said toward the end. "Thank you for your support." And then the words the fans were waiting for: "And we'll do it again sometime."

On Sunday night, 50,000 fans cheered the Freehold-born performer.

"We have a group of friends who talk on the computer, and we have a thing called PBD - Post-Bruce Depression," said Marcy Jurek, 39, who traveled from Schererville, Ind., to see her third Meadowlands show (she also saw shows in Chicago, Indianapolis, and Duluth, Minn.). "We also have what we call PBE - Pre-Bruce Euphoria."

In the Giants Stadium parking lot, where cars and vans began their daily Springsteen tailgate party as early as noon, PBE was running rampant. Meanwhile, down at the shore, everything was alright.

The shore was a narrow strip of sand in the shadow of Gate C, along an equally narrow boardwalk equipped with a quasi-midway: Ferris wheel, dunk-the-clown, krazy kans, volleyball, sausage and burger booths, and raised lifeguard chairs towering over the bare asphalt - a special home-state feature of "The Rising" tour, now in its second summer. "We wanted to see if anybody needed to be saved in the parking lot," said Susanne Flannelly, 51, of Jackson, sitting at one of the lifeguard stations.

The unprecedented 10 days at the Meadowlands has been a bonanza for hard-core Springsteen fans - their hands sagging under multicolored wristbands of blue, yellow, orange, red, and white from previous concerts. Many wore commemorative T-shirts with numbers on them - "6," "8," "9" — the souvenirs of other Meadowlands shows.

"This has really made my summer," said Steve Moger, 27, of River Edge, who had seen all nine of the previous Giants Stadium shows and, like many others in the stadium parking lot, was trying to score tickets to the 10th. "Need 1 GA" [General Admission] placards were everywhere.

"I couldn't think of a better way to end the summer than at a Bruce concert," Moger said.

If nothing else, the heavy-duty fans were clearly keeping The Boss on his toes during his 10 Giants Stadium gigs, seven in July and three in August. Having so many fans return night after night to the same venue has led Springsteen to boost the novelty quotient and energy.

"It's like going to the buffet line," said Rick Shear, 50, of Union, who has been to all nine shows and was about to attend the 10th. "After you go there a few times, you want to get different things."

The tour that began last summer as a conventionally good, by-the-numbers Springsteen show has evolved into a much looser, more interesting affair, with unscheduled guest appearances (Bobby Bandiera on Thursday, Emmy Lou Harris on Saturday night) and obscure songs from early albums elbowing their way into a set heavy with new songs from "The Rising" and the obligatory Springsteen classics like "Born to Run."

"Roll of the Dice," "Raise Your Hand," and "Pretty Flamingo" are among the lesser-known Springsteen tunes and covers the Boss has trotted out in recent shows for savvy Jersey audiences, for whom even the excitement of the newly resuscitated "Rosalita" has begun to pall.

"Rosalita, Rosalita, Rosalita - it's getting tedious," said Sam Missimer, 48, of New Brunswick, sitting at his parked Winnebago awaiting his sixth Bruce show of the summer.

At 5:30 p.m., there was a buzz among the parking lot tailgaters. From inside Giants Stadium, Bruce and the band could be heard sound-checking a tune that would be heard later but for now was not immediately recognizable.

"It's 'Cynthia,'Ÿ" announced Ted Whitby, 47, of Princeton Junction, returning to his parking lot encampment after comparing notes with another bunch of hard-core fans.

"I take it Bruce feels an obligation," Whitby said. "You have to introduce new tunes occasionally, or else you're just going through the motions. And if a Bruce show just goes through the motions, it's dead in the water."

E-mail: beckerman@northjersey.com


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: springsteen
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-49 next last

1 posted on 09/01/2003 8:36:27 AM PDT by dead
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: dead
All of you folks attending Springsteens Shea stadium concert should make sure you pick up Frankens book at the front door...
2 posted on 09/01/2003 8:38:09 AM PDT by TomServo ("It says that one time this big lobster came and attacked a lady, but Mr. Ed saved her.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dead
He then recommended that the audience read humorist Al Franken's "Lies and the Lying Liars who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right" before he launched into "Land of Hope and Dreams."

Bruce is not known for his intellect.

3 posted on 09/01/2003 8:39:14 AM PDT by facedown (Armed in the Heartland)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TomServo
Bruce... in the immortal words of Frank Zappa: "Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar!" :)
4 posted on 09/01/2003 8:40:50 AM PDT by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle ("The Clintons have damaged our country. They have done it together, in unison." -- Peggy Noonan)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Nitro
No $$ from my pocket will ever go to Springsteen nor to Franken!
5 posted on 09/01/2003 8:41:05 AM PDT by nutmeg (Is the DemocRATic party extinct yet?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dead
Well, now..I thought my opinion of that ignorant pretender could go no lower...whatta maroon...such a bore.
6 posted on 09/01/2003 8:42:07 AM PDT by jwfiv
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dead
After his third album, Bruce has devoted himself to socialism and negativity to America. I think that guilt rather than intellectual depth drives him.

With that being said, I believe that "Thunder Road" is in the top 5 all-time rock and roll songs ever written.

7 posted on 09/01/2003 8:48:38 AM PDT by Pharmboy (Dems lie 'cause they have to...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dead
Al Franken's "Lies and the Lying Liars who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right"

Pardon me, but that has to be the most stupid not to mention redundant title ever.

8 posted on 09/01/2003 8:49:37 AM PDT by 4mycountry (You say I'm a brat like it's a bad thing.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dead
I saw the light after the 51 shots or whatever that song,
Bruce has shown the side I hadn't caught before.
He's staying true to form then.
What a waste.
9 posted on 09/01/2003 8:49:37 AM PDT by BobbyK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dead
I'm sorry to admit that I am just as UNIMPRESSED by his politics as I am by his dubious musical skills.From what I've discerned,an audience is superfluous inasmuch as he plays to himself with little or no regard towards his audience!!
10 posted on 09/01/2003 8:50:13 AM PDT by bandleader
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dead
And "Public" Radio is similarly pushing Al Franken and his book! Should we expect a skunk to change its stripe? All part of the liberal whining.
11 posted on 09/01/2003 8:50:18 AM PDT by blackangus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dead
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: Irrelevant since 1987.
12 posted on 09/01/2003 8:51:20 AM PDT by Petronski (I'm not always cranky.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pharmboy
I'll listen to Bruce Springsteen on Social Policy Matters about the same time I'll listen to Martin Sheen on Defense Issues. His music is great, but he is out of his depth.
As I am so fond of shouting at these concerts--"Shut Up and Play! My buzz is fading!!"

13 posted on 09/01/2003 8:52:43 AM PDT by ConservativeStandUP (Your Glory Days were the 70's? No wonder your cranky!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Pharmboy
I'll listen to Bruce Springsteen on Social Policy Matters about the same time I'll listen to Martin Sheen on Defense Issues. His music is great, but he is out of his depth.
As I am so fond of shouting at these concerts--"Shut Up and Play! My buzz is fading!!"

14 posted on 09/01/2003 8:52:43 AM PDT by ConservativeStandUP (Your Glory Days were the 70's? No wonder your cranky!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: 4mycountry
Well, it is by Al Franken, one of the most stupid and redundant people ever.
15 posted on 09/01/2003 8:53:10 AM PDT by Paul Atreides (Bringing you quality, non-unnecessarily-excerpted threads since 2002)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeStandUP
Don't ever Double Post again you dirty JERK! It makes us mad!
16 posted on 09/01/2003 8:53:30 AM PDT by ConservativeStandUP (Double posters need beatings.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Petronski
He started going downhill when he did that AIDS song for the movie Philadelphia.
17 posted on 09/01/2003 8:54:31 AM PDT by Paul Atreides (Bringing you quality, non-unnecessarily-excerpted threads since 2002)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: dead
"The question of whether we go to war in Iraq is not a liberal or a conservative question," The Boss said in one of several "public service announcements" during his ebullient show. He then recommended that the audience read humorist Al Franken's "Lies and the Lying Liars who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right" before he launched into "Land of Hope and Dreams."

What an embarrassment -- Springsteen, the "artist," has become an political advertising shill for the Left.

Hopefully, audiences will either dismiss the Franken request as either a joke, or merely consider it penance for the "honor" of basking in the presense of the "god-like" Springsteen.

If the audience is anything like me, they're just content to concentrate on the entertainment value of the band and the selection of music pre-'85. IMO Bruce hasn't created anything worthwhile since including the exploitive anthem, 'The Rising.'

18 posted on 09/01/2003 8:56:01 AM PDT by F16Fighter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dead
Bruce and Al are brain dead drugged out little boys.
19 posted on 09/01/2003 9:00:18 AM PDT by bmwcyle (Here's to Hillary's book sinking like the Clinton 2000 economy)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Petronski; Paul Atreides
Petronski: "BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: Irrelevant since 1987."

Paul Atreides: "He started going downhill when he did that AIDS song for the movie Philadelphia."

You're both right.

20 posted on 09/01/2003 9:01:20 AM PDT by F16Fighter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-49 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson