Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you're trying to describe the seemingly indescribable? I'm not talking about some whacked out piece of jazz or even the color of a sunset. While those phenomena are surely full of subjective elements, a good amount of thought and wordsmithing can get you at least part of the way there.
I've known Blogcritics' own Josh Hathaway for several years now, and during that time we have spent many hours on the phone and exchanged countless emails all about one topic: music. We both sort of hate to admit it (okay, Josh hates it more than me), but we seem to agree more than disagree. This is what happens when people adopt music as a new and necessary food group — we're all drawn into an enigmatic brotherhood. No, we don't have robed ceremonies. We do have a passion that borders on the spiritual.
I have spoken and written more than a few words on what a Bruce Springsteen concert is like. In some ways, it's a tough thing to grasp. Glen Boyd refers to being in a "big room with about 20,000 of your best friends." That's certainly true. There's also an element of instantaneous shared experience: a particular song begins and the room erupts with emotion as we all draw our collective pasts into the moment.
One thing is for certain — it's not just a rock show.
After tonight, further attempts at description will be unnecessary as Josh will attend his first Springsteen and the E Street Band show in Atlanta. As a member of the brotherhood, I'm just about as excited as he is.
Josh and his mysterious and erudite cohort "11" are seeing the band at a particularly interesting moment in its history. This leg of the Magic tour has seen some new traditions emerge, from fan callouts via cardboard signs, to the welcome reappearance of "Rosalita," to Bruce kicking off each show with a different song. With the tragic death of original E Streeter Danny Federici, Bruce has thrown any sort of caution right out the window. Post-Danny shows have included an opening video tribute to Danny (accompanied by "Blood Brothers"), very old tunes like "Does This Bus Stop at 82nd St?" and "Lost In The Flood," a beautiful "I'll Fly Away," and even a guest appearance of the Byrds' Roger McGuinn for "Turn! Turn! Turn!" and "Mr. Tambourine Man."
Article comments
1 - Lisa McKay
Funny coincidence, this piece. I had Magic in my CD player on the way to work this morning and was thinking about Josh's show tonight.
2 - Mark Saleski
we're willing a great show.
by the way...what's up with the amazon artwork lately? the back of album thing?
3 - Lisa McKay
I agree the artwork's a bit weird. We have no control over it on our end so it's entirely Amazon's weirdness.
You and I both know, of course, that regardless of setlist, it will be a great show.
4 - Josh Hathaway
Thanks, guys. I'm pacing the apartment like a madman. I know exactly what to expect and yet I don't have a clue. I can't wait. It's really going to happen!
ATL HERE WE COME!
5 - El Bicho
"the back of album thing?"
Could it be a sign that one day Bruce will turn his back on his fans?
I would tell you to enjoy the show, Josh, but I think you've already started. Bud Lights all around.
6 - Glen Boyd
They threw the setlist out the window completely in Orlando. I mean, Completely.
Half of Magic -- songs like "Gypsy Biker" (which I love, and which has been a highlight of the shows) weren't even played. Whatever happens, Josh is in for a hell of a night. I got email from Gibson both nights he went in Florida, and he sounded completely floored.
The way things are going, I wouldn't be the least surprised if Josh actually got his "Santa Ana." I would have to kill Josh though if he got "The Price You Pay."
-Glen
7 - Mark Saleski
The OFFICIAL Josh Hathaway/11 Atlanta setlist:
8:20 Video Tribute w/band on stage... Blood Brothers
8:26
1. Reason To Believe
2. Out In The Street
3. Radio Nowhere
4. No Surrender
5. BLINDED BY THE LIGHT ~ For Danny
6. Your Own Worst Enemy
7. Trapped
8. Murder Incorporated
9. Prove It All Night
10. She's The One Wink
11. Livin' In The Future
12. The Promised Land
13. Bobby Jean
14. Point Blank
15. Devil's Arcade
16. The Rising
17. Last To Die
18. Long Walk Home
19. Badlands
20. Thunder Road
21. Born To Run
22. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
23. 10th Ave Freeze-out
24. American Land
a vice nice show indeed.
8 - Glen Boyd
Very nice. Trapped, Murder Inc, Blinded. Okay, No Santa Ana. But my guess is that Josh and "11" went home happy.
-Glen
9 - Mark Saleski
i called josh before the show and he picked up just as they were "crossing the border" into georgia (i'm not kidding about that)...boy did he sound psyched.
10 - Mark Saleski
Trapped is great live...
and the encore segment? man, relentless.
11 - Donald Gibson
Did Bruce write American Land? Or is it something that he adapted with some of his own lyrics (like he did on How Can A Man Stand Such Times And Live?)?
As the lyrics scrolled on the screen the other night, the words struck me with their blend of more traditional imagery and then "the beer flows from faucets" kind of stuff. Just curious, love the song.
12 - Mark Saleski
that's a good question donald. i don't know. some people don't like it because of the Seeger association.
all i know is that when Bruce hurled himself into it in hartford, like some mad brother of Shane McGowen, man...it was fabulous.
13 - Donald Gibson
According to pointblankmag.com, among the songs Bruce and the band played during the Tampa soundcheck were "My Beautiful Reward" and "Across the Border". Josh's head may actually explode at that news.