Springsteen at Auckland - Show 1

After Brisbane's Stayin' Alive opener, Bruce Springsteen already showed there are few limits when it comes to choosing a local cover to greet his latest crowd.

Taking to the stage in his acoustic armourment of guitar and harmonica, Springsteen had plenty of people guessing for what was going to come next, and afterwards it felt like the obvious choice. A version of Royals in honour of New Zealand's recent global breakthrough star Lorde.

(And to think a bunch of us were hoping for a full E Street Band cover of New Zealand band OMC's super-hit How Bizarre.)

It was dark, heavy acoustic that Springsteen had clearly been working on for some time as he bashed out the intricate lyrics with a slow, intense anger. Even pounding the guitar t o create the beat of the song. 

After the Kiwi tribute it was straight down to business for the band smashing out My Love Will Not Let You Down, Badlands, and Out In The Street.

It was then the second surprise, and possible highlight, of the night for diehard E Street fans as Springsteen was swayed by Stevie Van Zandt to collect a sign from the front row for Loose Ends.  He first seemed to dismiss the request as being too obscure before giving in and running down from the stadium stage to pick it up.

What followed was a full band explosion for the Tracks number with the band sounding at their ultimate best, and revealing just how complex the song is instrumentally. 

Auckland, which hasn't hosted Springsteen since 2003, was then given a taste of Wrecking Ball and High Hopes before the drums kicked in for Atlantic City.

For the several hundred fans who had flown over from Australia the line about debts no honest man can pay ringing more true than ever.

After The River, came the announcement that night one in New Zealand was to have a full run of Born In The USA. 

Complete with all the well-known stand-out performances - Max Weinberg's USA drum solo, Nils Lofgren's Cover Me cyclone, and of course the "But I'm still the same guy!" banter with Van Zandt before Springsteen launched into I'm Goin' Down.

There was even a nod to people in Christchurch who failed in their campaign to get Springsteen to head their way with a dedication before My Hometown.

Land Of Hope And Dreams finished the main set before the encore hit full steam.

Straight into Born To Run and then picking up the request, Rosalita (Come Out Tonight) took the place of Dancing In The Dark's familiar end-of-show slot.

It was of course back to solo duties for a closing acoustic Thunder Road, before Springsteen promised to be back again Sunday night for another spectacular. 

What the hell he will open with for the final night of the Australasia tour - I've no idea.

Set list

1. Royals (solo acoustic, Lorde cover)

2. My Love Will Not Let You Down

3. Badlands

4. Out In The Street

5. Loose Ends (sign request)

6. Wrecking Ball

7. Death To My Hometown

8. High Hopes

9. Atlantic City

10. The River

11. Born In The USA

12. Cover Me

13. Darlington County

14. Working On The Highway

15. Downbound Train

16. I'm On Fire

17. No Surrender

18. Bobby Jean

19. I'm Goin' Down

20. Glory Days

21. Dancing In The Dark

22. My Hometown

23. The Rising

24. The Ghost Of Tom Joad

25. Land Of Hope And Dreams

26. Born To Run

27. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)

28. Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out

29. Shout

30. Thunder Road (solo acoustic)

Show length: 3 hours, 3 minutes

Australasia tour so far: 12 shows, 336 songs, 118 different.

Springsteen in Adelaide - Show 1

For his first night in Adelaide, Springsteen made sure that the burning hot South Australia city had a personal experience, complete with heartache, regret and of course redemption.

Themes perhaps shared with many of those in the crowd who had, like Perth, waited 40 years for the spirit of E Street to be unleashed in their city.

And they're probably even more shared by those devoted fans who have spent night after night holding up signs  for Human Touch, Back In Your Arms or If I Should Fall Behind - and to be told by everyone else in the pit 'he'll never play that' - only to miss Adelaide from their tour dates.

Those three songs, on a night in which Spirit In The Night was introduced with jokes about former lovers, and alongside the bruising Jack Of All Trades, really showed Springsteen's ability to reach into the heart of an individual among a crowd of thousands.

Not before he had everyone on their feet for a good time though.

Summertime Blues was the surpising opener, and followed immediately by a sign request for Detroit Medley, in honour of Danny Federici and Clarence Clemons.

Max Weinberg had an early drum solo as My Love Will Not Let You Down came before tracks from High Hopes and Wrecking Ball established a steady pace.

Here Human Touch was one of the stand out performances of the night. Starting slowly but winning over any doubters with Springsteen's guitar solo to drive it home.

It was another brilliant three-song pillar that held up the middle of the night when it was followed by Spirit, and Back In Your Arms. When, after a little coaxing, Springsteen had most of the crowd admitting they too had fucked up something good in their lives. Before telling them sometimes you just have to get on your knees to fix it.

Springsteen's vocals and accompanied by Roy Bittan's piano and Jake Clemon's sax, meant that this song was one of the highlights of the show. And maybe even won over those who questioned the dedication of those who wave the sign every night because they are determined to hear it played.

Another sign request favourite was also answered last night with the Prove It All Night ('78 Intro). To established fans this needs no introduction, but instead comes with a lot of pressure to hear Springsteen play the immense solo as perfectly as he did 36 years ago. 

Although I wasn't around then, from what I've heard it's fair to say he did and the end result was an incredible rendition, with Nils Lofgren on reliably excellent form for his part.

Also worthy of mention are the Australia 2014 debuts of Darkness On The Edge of Town and Mary's Place - both getting the crowd back in full voice.

There were a few stumbles for Adelaide's first show however.

Springsteen's solo guitar in Ghost Of Tom Joad seemed a little out of pace at times, and no one seems to know what happened during Waitin' On A Sunny Day. During his lengthy walk around the crowd Springsteen disappeared from the screens, the sound was patchy and even the band looked confused for about a minute until he resurfaced and headed back to the stage.

The encore however soon blew away any problems.

Starting with the AC/DC cover Highway To Hell, which has become a YouTube sensation since it opened Perth's night 3, it smashed the crowd and never looked back.

When the acoustic guitar appeared for the solo closing, now a common feature on this tour, it was If I Should Fall Behind that brought the entire arena into a stunned silence.

The most powerful and moving solo song of the tour, Springsteen's vocals were again at their very best.

Setlist:

1. Summertime Blues
2. Detroit Medley (request)
3. Badlands
4. My Love Will Not Let You Down
5. High Hopes
6. Just Like Fire Would
7. We Take Care of Our Own
8. Wrecking Ball
9. Death to My Hometown
10. Jack of All Trades
11. Human Touch
12. Spirit in the Night
13. Back in Your Arms (request)
14. Heaven's Wall
15. Darkness on the Edge of Town
16. Prove It All Night ('78 intro)
17. Mary's Place
18. This Is Your Sword
19. Darlington County
20. Shackled and Drawn
21. Waitin' on a Sunny Day
22. The Ghost of Tom Joad
23. The Rising
24. Highway to Hell
25. Born to Run
26. Ramrod
27. Dancing in the Dark
28. Tenth Avenue Freeze-out
29. Shout
30. If I Should Fall Behind (solo acoustic)
31. Thunder Road (solo acoustic) 

Run time - 3 hours 30 mins. (approx)

Tour so far: 114 songs in 4 shows, 69 different.

How will High Hopes shape Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band’s new tour?

There’s plenty of reviews out there analysing Springsteen’s latest album with average to positive ratings, along with excited and disappointed fans that it’s not an album full of new material.

After a few listens now I think it’s a great album that will a few years down the line sit nicely alongside Wrecking Ball in a much stronger, more welcome, position than how Working On A Dream sits next to Magic.

The big question is how it will influence and sit with the library of material in the upcoming tour.

Will it be the backbone of shows like Wrecking Ball on the last tour? Or will the fans reactions lead it to fade away like the aforementioned Working On A Dream during that album’s tour – where by the final shows, songs from the album were mostly dropped from setlists?

In the meantime, here’s some thoughts on the new album and how the tracks might work on the upcoming tour.

  

High Hopes

This song has been on my work commute play list everyday since it’s single release now. It gets an extra imaginary fist pump as I cycle through the city on a Monday morning. For me it was a highlight of the Wrecking Ball tour in Australia so I wasn’t surprised to see it get a studio release. I was only glad that they gave it the same bursting energy in the studio as they do on the stage.

I’ve never heard the previous or original version of this song so I can’t compare, but I’m fine with that. This is a great opener and will no doubt open at least one show in Australia in February.

Harry’s Place

With an intro that feels like it should be set to a montage of people living in Manhattan during the 1980s, this is a great ‘throwback’ tune. Complete with Clarence Clemon’s saxophone within the first few seconds. One of the calmer songs vocally, it’s the guitars, sax, organs and keyboards that duel on the streets in the song. A good one for the album but I’m not sure how well this will transfer to the live show. Unless Springsteen et al have an invigorating live version coming – like they did with the track Wrecking Ball – I’d be happy if it wasn’t a regular on upcoming setlists.

American Skin (41 Shots)

Already a proven live hit, this will hopefully emerge on tour a few times in all its haunting glory. Personally I don’t think the studio version adds anything to the previous live recording, but I do feel it’s one of those underrated tunes overdue a decent reception. This tour’s Land of Hope and Dreams.

Just Like Fire Would

The more I hear this tune, the more I like it. I confess to not having any idea what it was when they played it in Brisbane last year, and I don’t think it was their best performance of the tour either.

But with the added tribute of being an Aussie band’s original song, and an excellent recording from the E Street Band I’m hoping we get to see this a lot on the next tour.

The performance on Jimmy Fallon shows how much they enjoy playing it. It’s the one song on this album I can’t get out of my head for the rest of the day.

Down In The Hole

Another song that is growing on me. And another one where the music really shines along with the subtleness of the lyrics. It reminds me of a cross between I’m On Fire, Empty Sky and the original Ghost of Tom Joad. I can’t wait to see how this one is done live and hope we get to see it a few times.

Heaven’s Wall

I’m not decided on this song. The opening 25 seconds of ‘raise your hand, raise your hand, raise your hand…’ kind of grates me a bit.

Saying that, the Jimmy Fallon performance showed the band can throw it out together pretty well with an appreciative audience. Of course the guitar solos that jump in around two minutes are brilliant, and really take the track to another level. Tom Morello and Nils Lofgren could have a lot of fun with this song, even if it is sandwiched in a setlist between a few better, more memorable show stoppers.

Frankie Fell In Love

I really want to like this song. Really I do. It’s got a good beat, fits on the album well and is easy to listen to as it is to pass by.

But… I hate the lyric about the church mouse snoring. And with it being at the start of the song I just can’t get passed it. When I first heard it I stopped the song and listened to the intro again I couldn’t get my head around it. Now I listen to the whole song trying to picture what a church mouse would look like wheezing annoyingly in his sleep and it drives me insane. Just like the ‘giddy-up’ bit in Pony Boy. Or the chorus of Bobby Jean that I could happily live without ever hearing again. Seriously, why Bruce? Why?

This Is Your Sword

I don’t mind this folk, Seeger Sessions-style song, although I’m not sure how it fit on a live show. What I would like to hear however is a stripped back, acoustic version without the rest of the band, as I feel the lyrics could stand up well with a darker, intense solo performance. Saying that, if you’re with Bruce fans in a pub on St Patrick’s Day, this would be an easy one to belt out and would suit the surroundings nicely. This could easily be placed as one of those filler tracks on the tour which come round occasionally and are easily forgotten.

The Hunter of the Invisible Game

This track could easily fall into everything I just said about This Is Your Sword, except I like it a whole lot better. It’s a subtle tune that gets inside and urges the listener to slow down and reflect. Reminds me of Nothing Man from The Rising. Not sure how we’ll see on stage, but could offer Bruce a chance to recover from any crowd surfing carnage, or could simmer the audience down before busting into one of his powerful songs. Which probably explains it’s position on the album.

The Ghost of Tom Joad

After the acoustic original, this version is another track that started life as an unforgettable live song. Every Australian show had the Morello-infused version and every time it was an incredible experience. When I listen to the studio recording I’m right back there hearing the live version, waiting for that bit where Morello just lets fly on his guitar.

This is a highlight of the album, and will no doubt be a highlight of the tour again.

Until then play it loud. Very loud.

The Wall

This album’s If I Fall Behind, or to a lesser extent Brothers Under The Bridge. A slow, pensive track that Springsteen can pull off so well in a setlist full of powerful rock tracks. Could slide in nicely on during a concert, and one that would allow Jake Clemons to come down and provide an always welcome reminder that there’s Clemons air playing on the night.

Dream Baby Dream

Another cover and one of those seemingly simple songs that somehow stops you in your tracks and just hits you. The video thank you to Wrecking Ball tour fans shows how much of an emotionally charged song this can be. If played live, the way it builds up slowly will have everyone reaching for that bit of energy left inside ready to go through an entire show all over again. Could even be the new tour’s My City of Ruins.

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Top 30 Springsteen songs to add to your playlist before the next Australia tour

Springsteen and the band are coming back and this time they're sure to be playing to more people who may not have seen them before.

In Australia in particular this means plenty of fans could be hearing tracks performed live for the first time - whether they have previously heard of them or not.

And fans who have never been to an E Street Band show you'll be happy to know that Springsteen has more than just Born In The USA, I'm On Fire, Dancing In The Dark, and Hungry Heart in his song list. Unlike most Australian radio stations which seem to only have them.

In a bid to prepare for the upcoming Australian tour, I've put together a track list of studio and live recordings for fellow fans to listen to as a warm up.

The list is what I consider to be some of the best tracks you could want to hear on the tour after seeing the band several times including all ten dates of the Wrecking Ball tour in Australia.

Some are live and some are studio recordings - all are songs that sound great from the stage. 

The order is part preference, part what I predict we can expect on the next run of shows in February and part the list of songs worth adding to your playlist if you don't have them already.

1. High Hopes - High Hopes (2013/2014)
A great crowd pumping tune that is the title track of the new album. It's gonna get played.

2. Because The Night - Live 1975-1985
One of the best live songs with a brilliant guitar solo, usually by Nils Lofgren, but at Hanging Rock 2, Bruce took on solo duties himself.

High Hopes in Sydney, March 2013.

3. Badlands - Live 1975-1985
No live show would be complete without shouting along to this classic. It gets the entire pit jumping and this live version is a blast.

4. Prove It All Night - Live In New York City
A stand out live track. Australia got this song several times, and twice with the acclaimed '78 intro. The best example of a studio song taking on new life in it's live format.

5. Thunder Road - Live Hammersmith Odeon, London 1975
A haunting rendition of this Born To Run opener with the crowd joining in. Just as it will be again.

6. Rosalita - Live 1975-1985
Often brought out to close the concerts, you don't want to embarrass yourself by not knowing those fastly-spoken lyrics, or why her momma don't like me.

7. Spirit In The Night - Live 1975-1985
When he asks you one question, you better have the answer. This song can make or break a concert for some fans it's that popular.

Bruce blasting the solo on Prove It All Night '78

8. Atlantic City - Live In New York City
A blistering performance of this track which when it comes out with a full band on stage will blow you away.

9. Murder Incorporated - Live In New York City
Again, like Atlantic, this live version is incredible, fierce and pounding. Not played every night, so you'll appreciate it when it does arrive.

10. Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out - Live 1975-1985
Recently used to tell the story of the band and remember Clarence Clemons and Danny Federici. This is a classic rendition with the energy to keep everybody going.

11. Jungleland - Born To Run
You need to know this song, the passion it invokes and the heart-wrenching tribute it has come to be when performed by Clarence's nephew and rising star Jake Clemons.

12. We Take Care Of Our Own - Wrecking Ball
Fast becoming the motto of #BruceBuds and E Street Fans who line up for hours and days to get a front row spot in the pit. It's worth your time to build the comradery that comes with being part of something huge.

13. Wrecking Ball - Wrecking Ball
The live version takes this song to another level, so you want to get a good grounding in it beforehand.

14. The River - The River
All about the lyrics. You'll want to know them when the time comes to go down to the river. It's a show-stopping moment.

15. Youngstown - Live In New York City
Up there with Atlantic City and Murder Incorporated, but also with  Tom Morello on board this version is as close as you'll get to a recording of their Ghost Of Tom Joad version. Hopefully we'll see it again.

16. Hard To Be A Saint In The City - Live 1975-1985
With Steve Van Zandt back there has to be a good chance of hearing the live duelling guitars on this tour.

17. Lost In The Flood - Live In New York City
A haunting song - this was my live request at three shows in March 2013. It never got picked up. Until of course the next night when I didn't bring it and Bruce knocked it out the park. One of my favourites, hoping to hear it again.

18. Ghost Of Tom Joad - Ghost Of Tom Joad
This song was played every night of the Wrecking Ball tour in Australia, of course this was because Tom Morello was on board and brought with him the incredible electric version. Before that one gets a studio release in January's High Hopes, make sure you give the original plenty of airplay - so you can be blown away when it appears on the tour next year.

19. Incident on 57th Street - The Wild, The Innocent and The E Street Shuffle
This one always takes me by surprise. Every show I've heard it I've always forgotten about it and been amazed just how well every other person around knows it. It's a great one that will probably sneak up on you in the setlist so get to know it first.

20. The E Street Shuffle/Having A Party - Live Hammersmith Odeon, London 1975
This another song that Tom Morello injected a brilliant electric buzz into. At one point during the song he pulled out the plug of his guitar and jabbed the plug into his free hand to create the sound of the Shuffle. Another one to look out for as he returns with the E Street Band.

21. Out In The Street - Live In New York City
Last time round this song was interchangeable with Hungry Heart. Bruce would use either one of these on a night to leave the stage with the crowd singing along and carry the beat along with him as he surfed the audience back to the stage. Hungry Heart is among half a dozen that get the occasional radio airplay, this one unjustly doesn't.

22. Death To My Hometown - Wrecking Ball
A great recent addition that adds the full sounds of the band. The live version brings out more of the guitars too. And with Stevie, Tom, Nils and Bruce all on the tour it could get a great work out.

23. City Of Ruins - The Rising
Used recently to introduce the band in an extended roll call while also urging the crowd into an eery silence for the 'ghosts of E Street', this song was powerful on release and has taken an even stronger presence in the line-up.

24. Radio Nowhere - Magic
Just a solid rock tune. Easy to join in, easy to enjoy. Play it loud.

25. Johnny 99 - Live 1975-1985
Another one that always took me by surprise and Bruce seems to really enjoy himself playing it. This live version is a great warm-up.

26. She's The One - Live Hammersmith Odeon, London 1975
An underrated tune that also gets a frequent playing on stage. For good reason too - the crowd participation is like that of Badlands in that it helps construct a whole new version of the song. So like Badlands, get to know your part.

27. Pay Me My Money Down - The Seeger Sessions, Live In Dublin
A Seeger Sessions blow out that brings the whole band into play, in particular the horns section. On first listen this rollicking folk tune may not appeal to everyone, but when the band get into it, it's impossible not to enjoy. Just ask the Brucettes from the first night in Melbourne who got pulled up on stage in their matching tops - I'm pretty sure they've never stopped playing.

Pay Me My Money Down, Melbourne 2013.

28. Backstreets - Born To Run
One of my all-time favourites alongside Lost In The Flood, and like that great tune it wasn't played every night. But when it was it brought the arena to a standstill. Prepare yourself in advance to give it the respect it deserves.

29. American Land - The Seeger Sessions
Another Seeger Sessions joyride that you might not think of, but gets thrown out when the band are in full swing and just don't want to go home. Good luck in learning the lyrics, it ain't easy to keep up but gets stuck in your head after a couple of plays.

30. American Skin (41 Shots) - Live In New York City
This silent-inducing, powerful live performance of this song is another show-stopping lesser-known track. With it getting a release on High Hopes we could hear it again soon.

Do you agree? What else should I add to the list? Let me know below...

High Hopes for a new Bruce Springsteen album

The rumours are, once again, true and a new album is indeed set to be released before Springsteen and the band return to Australia next February.

As teased last week the album High Hopes was announced today with a full tracklist.

Pre-order sites such as Amazon are already listing details that include a bonus DVD of the band performing the Born In The USA album live in London earlier this year.

For fans of this blog and those who saw the Wrecking Ball tour in Australia this year have good reason to be excited about the new album.

First of all, the excellent High Hopes is present – a brilliant highlight of the Australian-leg of the tour.

Then there’s the frequent addition of Tom Morello, Steve Van Zandt’s stand-in for the 10 down under dates in 2013. This of course includes the incredible Ghost Of Tom Joad that has been crying out for a CD release.

Along with this we also Just Like Fire Would – a cover of The Saints' song performed in Brisbane on the first date of the tour in Australia this year.

Amongst the other songs in the tracklist are the American Skin (41 Shots) already a highlight on Live In New York City release, and Dream Baby Dream, Suicide’s song Springsteen used in a video to thank fans who made it to the Wrecking Ball shows.

The lack of an album full of entirely new songs may disappoint some fans. But with the tracks in High Hopes the album feels like another ‘thank you’ to those who have followed him across the planet in the past few years (and decades). 

Meanwhile if you listen and look close enough you can already pick up on rumours already circulating of two albums being released within 12 months of each other. 

Track list: 

1. High Hopes (Tim Scott McConnell) - featuring Tom Morello

2. Harry's Place - featuring Tom Morello

3. American Skin (41 Shots) - featuring Tom Morello

4. Just Like Fire Would (Chris J. Bailey) - featuring Tom Morello

5. Down In The Hole

6. Heaven's Wall -featuring Tom Morello

7. Frankie Fell In Love

8. This Is Your Sword

9. Hunter Of Invisible Game -featuring Tom Morello

10. The Ghost of Tom Joad - duet with Tom Morello

11. The Wall

12. Dream Baby Dream (Martin Rev and Alan Vega) - featuring Tom Morello

Album due out January 14.