I wanna be sedated!

The title of that is not because today is "take your kid to work day," Maddy is at the office and I need some help (although that is all true - say hello, Maddy - "Hello, Maddy"). It's my intro to my Bruce Springsteen concert.

Now usually when you see an artist in concert for the first time, it tough not to enjoy them (if they have even a little talent/skill). My first Bruce Springsteen concert was like that. Classic songs, incredible energy, three hours of intensity but joyful. This was when he first returned to touring in 98/99. Then I saw him two more times and it turned out what appeared spontaneous was choreographed and planned. not to take away from the mans work ethic, it was still a little disappointing to know what was going to happen next. He played the same hits, did the same speeches, same guitar solos. Like watching the same movie over and over.

But I got call from a buddy who had to unload some tickets at face value, I took a flyer. And boy am I glad. This show was either for the fans,t he guys who want to hear the fifth cut from side two of 1980's album ("born to run" is must own, musical masterpiece and then I loose track) or people like me who just want to hear good music. He played some hits, but over three hours focused more on obscure tracks. This allowed me to focus more on the music and playing than on the songs.

This was a revelation. This is a great band, but not necessary great musicians (although guitarist nils loghren and drummer Max Weinberg are). The key to "born to run" is the layered effect: piano on guitar on sax on drums on keyboards. Each part doesn't have to be technically challenging, but with four guitars, two keyboards, one base, one sax, one drum kit, three singers (and sometimes accordion, extra guitars and banjos) it's tough to pull off. More like an orchestra than a rock band. So I was able to sit back and enjoy the music, rather than singing along. Both the playing and writing.

Now, Bruce is a great performer and a legend for a reason. I would describe him as the link before Bob Dylan and Elvis, combined with a shrewd musical mind. His work ethic as a performer is incredible. A great voice (why aren't there any good alternative singers?). He's got a way with words that is like a poet (i.e. the opposite of sadness is "joy", not happiness) even if his message is a bit pedantic (I've never turned to entertainers for political guidance as they are not the most disciplined thinkers or factcheckers). His charisma is undeniable and he loves being at the center of things (see Elvis). But he is clearly much stronger with a backing group. They make both him and the music better. Whether its a folk song, rockabilly or straight rock song, his (and the bands ) layered approach comes through. I don't want to say genius, but he's been doing this for thirty years for a reason.

One of the more spontaneous moments was when he took suggestions from the audience. This is usually requests for Bruce songs, instead they play the Ramones. It took a minute to figure out the chords and then they ripped into it.



At the end, they brought on Boston's Dropkick Murphys. One of them asked his girlfriend to marry him, then they jammed to a Bruce song followed by A Pete Seeger song, Irish style. I'm pretty sure no one will see Bruce/Ramones or Bruce/Dropkick Murphys nexus again for a long time. This is what music is suppose to be: spontaneous joy, not corporate rock.





The night really captured what appeals to me about a Bruce. He's a lefty, liberal, cheatin' sob, but a great musician and an incredible performer. You get your moneys worth, there is no doubt.

Give it a listen. Once of these has 96 bootleg concerts to choose from (that's over the top but you gotta love the internet):

http://theultimatebootlegexperience.blogspot.com/search/label/Bruce%20Springsteen

http://captainsdead.com/you-can-trust-your-car-to-the-man-who-wears-the-star.html

http://addictedtovinyl.com/blog/2009/03/21/bruce-springsteen-the-e-street-band-10-years-back-still-burnin-down-the-road/

"Thanks for coming out on a weeknight"

Me and Liz went to see Lucero at the Paradise Thursday night. A couple of pina colada margaritas, burritos and a big starbucks for me and we were ready for a late night with the hipsters.

Titus Andronicus opened up. What can I say about them? The less the better. They're from New Jersey. They were loud. They played indy punk. There were potentially one or two good songs in there. Did I mention they were loud?

Lucero is a band Liz discovered, I believe on Last.fm. Could have been Pandora. They're from Little Rock by way of Memphis. They are somewhere between alt-country and Southern rock (not really sure the difference anymore). They're more Murry Hammond than Rhett Miller, but don't take it too seriously. Here's my top ten list:

1. Slide guitar on 90% of the songs. I don't know why but I love the slide guitar. It makes everything better.
2. After Titus left the stage, I told Liz that I felt bad for opening act at the Paradise because they have to pack up their own equipment - no roadies. Then these fat redneck guys come out and start setting up for Lucero. Turned out they were the band - no roadies. How cool is that?
3. The personality of these guys is your crazy Southern uncles. A bunch of guys you meet in a bar at one in the afternoon and spend the day shooting pool and drinking beers and doing shots (it's been a while for me.) At one point, they pulled a fan out of the audience to sing a Replacements cover and I came off as fun, not staged.
4. The Paradise was packed (but not sold out). But when the music started, there was a phalanx of 100+ people pumping fists and singing along. Bear in mind this is a band that I have never heard on the radio. But you got a 100+ rednecks in Boston singing along?
5. Lead singer Ben Nichols has a great voice and a great accent. More of a growl than singing, his drawl is out of my youth (Little Rock/Memphis) and makes me feel at home. But the banter is superior. Funny, amusing and comfortable, but not staged. Sure the excessive drinking helped. But nice guys. They wrote a song called "shut up play your guitar" which is either self-referential or down to earth sentiment.
6. "Whats next? How 'bout a drinking song? Oh who am I kidding? They are all drinking songs." nothing to add here.
7. Hard working. They hit the stage a little after 10 and played until 12:20. Going to bed at 1:30 wasn't good for us but worth it.
8. Solid musicianship. They are not eddie van halen or the best rehearsed band. The drinking didn't help either. But top to bottom, they can all play great riffs.
9. I don't know what their songs are about. They're about war, family, girls, love and drinking (see above). Not exactly sure the specific content, but I do enjoy listening. Next time, I'm going to learn the words so I can drink beer and sing along.
10. Did mention the slide guitar?

So two and a half hours of ass-kickin' tunes. Highly recommended. When they come to your town, spend your $15 dollars. It's worth it. A couple of videos:












Update: blog with pictures from Boston show (and downloadable mp3)

http://ryanssmashinglife.blogspot.com/2009/04/live-photography-lucero-in-boston.html

Contra NPR

http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2009/04/ten-things-i-hate-about-npr.html


lol...by the end, it's clear he's a hater but makes some funny points along the way. writing on a college radio blog in nyc too.