Happy Birthday, Bruce Springsteen

deezee- I'm so excited to be talking to a Bruce fan on here too - when music means a lot to you - it's almost like the person making it is a brother or sister - they've gone through your life with you and you can't imagine how it would have been without him or her. I feel like that about him too - he's seen me through a lot of good times...but you've seen him many, many more times than I have. I've seen him four times - started in the eighties with the Born in the USA tour and then the Dancing In the Dark tour, then I don't remember what tour and then I saw him either three or four years ago with The Rising tour.

I would so love to see this show.. I'm in England - so she's working on tickets for Dublin. No luck yet though- and it's been a couple of weeks - so I guess it's starting to look doubtful- although I don't even know the dates for that show- I'm not being very proactive - but she told me that there's no chance to get a ticket through regular channels and she'll take over on her end with the e-bay thing.

I like his early stuff alot too - although I have to say I also love Human Touch - not sure why - maybe it's just the time of my life it came out or something - but I do love that record - even though it never made a very big impact commercially or critically.

You'll have to tell me all your early Bruce stories. Did you ever meet him? I used to hang out at Richie's Station - this pizza place in Asbury Park because I read once that was his favorite restaurant - this was back in the seventies. Never ran into him though oh well - I still have the menu- I'm such a dweeb sometimes..

Someone told me there this whole record of all the recorded versions of his big songs that he initially cut and then didn't release - alternative versions of songs like Thunder Road - Born to Run- etc. I'd like to hear that.

I'm so glad you posted on this thread. Any other pictures, trivia or impressions- I'd be into hearing them. Talk to you later.

deezee - I saw about the dates in Birmingham, Sheffield and London in a Sunday Times promotion today. They're offering a package deal with a ticket to the concert and a night in a hotel for l29 pounds in Birmingham and l49 pounds in London. Not a bad deal. It looks like I'll be able to get a ticket that way though - maybe in London so I can tie it in with a museum or something.

Thanks for your offer of help - I appreciate it.

Bruce Springsteen said:
"This song was written by Blind Alfred Reed and recorded a month after the crash of '29 that heralded the Great Depression. I first heard it on Ry Cooder's self - titled debut album (1970). To his arrangement we owe a debt. I kept the "doctor" first verse by Reed then wrote three others with a mind to the great trials the people of New Orleans have faced this year. "


Here are the full lyrics:
Well, the doctor comes 'round here with his face all bright
And he says "in a little while you'll be alright"
All he gives is a humbug pill, a dose of dope and a great big bill
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?
He says "me and my old school pals had some might high times down here
And what happened to you poor black folks, well it just ain't fair"
He took a look around gave a little pep talk, said "I'm with you" then he took a little walk
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?
There's bodies floatin' on Canal and the levees gone to Hell
Martha, get me my sixteen gauge and some dry shells
Them who's got got out of town
And them who ain't got left to drown
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?
I got family scattered from Texas all the way to Baltimore
And I ain't got no home in this world no more
Gonna be a judgment that's a fact, a righteous train rollin' down this track
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?

He did this song in the concert Saturday night. The whole thing was just incredible. What I really love about the whole thing is that he's saving these great songs from oblivion. Now a whole new generation gets a take on songs like Erie Canal, Hold On, Mary Don't you Weep, Froggie Went a Courtin', etc.

The musicians were amazing. I don't know who the guy was playing the piano, but he was so talented; the fiddlers and brass section too. The best part about the whole thing was how much fun they all were having and that translated to the audience. It was really fun to watch people of all ages just singing and dancing together and enjoying life. There was a real palpable spirit of unity and hope that isn't so easy to come by these days.
And an added bonus- watching Bruce at 58 with such energy and hope and fire for life makes getting older look not quite so scary.

What a great experience all around.