Powerful moment at Bruce concert last night "Bring Them Home"

First, there were many incredible moments in the Bruce Springsteen and the Seeger Session Band concert in Holmdel last night but the one which struck me was when he came out alone for his encore and performed Pete Seeger's "Bring them Home".

Most of the songs last night were raucous and wonderful with the crowd dancing and singing but on this it was Bruce and his guitar.

I've seen Bruce a few times and usually when he gets political there's a few boos or catcalls from a few jokers in the audience who love the guy's music but can't stand his politics. Tonight it was as quiet and respectful as a church except for the audience roaring "Bring them home" at the end of every line.

Another beautiful moment was "When the Saints Go Marching In". I'd never thought about the lyrics of that song before but Bruce put the lyrics front and center with just a touch of Dixieland brass to emphasize the message.

We sat on the lawn in the rain for two hours waiting for that show to start (no reserved seating--you want a good spot you gotta go early) and it was worth every minute of it. The album was great but the show was incredible with this huge band of terrific musicians freewheeling their way through everything from old folk songs to civil rights anthems to reinterpretations of some of Bruce's old material. My favorite a boogie-woogie (believe it or not) big band version of "Open All Night" with the revelation that Bruce can "Scat". (Maybe he should team up with what's left of the Count Basie Orchestra and do a Jersey Shore homeboy big band album next)

If you can possibly see this show, you should. It was the most upbeat, hopeful, optimistic thing I've heard in a long time and you will leave energized for the long struggle.

Edited for spelling & grammar

Sounds fantastic and it was just down the road!

Bruce is an amazing performer and I've been to many of his concerts. Thanks for the report.




Cher

http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2006/06/bruce-springsteen-bring-em-home.html

just posted this up on another thread.

I was trying to explain to some folks the other day what it was like in the sixties when we opposed the government and fought to reclaim America. This is getting there. You tell 'em Boss!:patriot:

--IMM

the Vietnam era and making it relevant to today . . .

"If you love your Uncle Sam,
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home,
Support our boys in Vietnam,
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home."

the performance is from Bruce's appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien last Friday . . . it's great that the song got national tv exposure . . . he and the band ended the show with an extended version of Pay Me My Money Down that totally rocked . . .

Bruce has suggested that Bring 'Em Home might be part of a "Seeger Sessions Two" album . . . sure hope so . . .

Seeger and Springstein go good together,

moving sentiment. Bring 'em Home! :patriot:

Yesterday morning I checked and there were still tickets available. Imagine that--in his home base no yet! They were pricey $45 for the lawn & $95 for reserved seats but it was great fun and well worth it.

My guess is that alot of locals love Bruce when he's singing his songs about 1970s era Asbury Park. Those are great, of course, but unlike alot of more "mature" rock stars he's not content with rehashing his early successes and has continued exploring. He doesn't always hit the mark but I think he really struck musical gold with the Seeger Sessions.

Great original stuff from a guy who could make a fortune just by touring with the E-Street Band and singing "Born to Run" & "Rosalita" for the rest of his life.

ever written, even though it is not overtly political.

It's like "This Land is Your Land" in that regard.

Years ago, I didn't like him that much because I thought he was too "urban," too New Jersey. Boy, was I wrong.

A truly great artist. Gotta see him sometime.