Hard News by Russell Brown

Read Post

Hard News: Friday Music: Both sides of the Boss

44 Responses

First ←Older Page 1 2 Newer→ Last

  • seabeew,

    As a longtime fan of Bruce Springsteen, I thought the Saturday night concert was superb. 3,5 hours wasn't enough for me. Best song? The Ghost of Tom Joad. The addition of Tom Morello to the band has been inspired. And for a ChCh lad, the dedication of My Hometown to ChCh was very moving. Can't wait for him to come back!

    Christchurch • Since Mar 2014 • 1 posts Report Reply

  • Gaz Tayler,

    I want the t-shirt Murray Cammick is wearing... it's superb

    as for the Springsteen concert, could I be the only person who thinks his version of Royales is pretty awful, it's neither clever, funny nor entertaining and I generally rate him quite highly

    Auckland • Since Aug 2012 • 14 posts Report Reply

  • Hugh Sundae,

    Thanks for the mention, Russell.

    Individual songs will be up over the course of next week, as will a full non-interview version, and a full interview only version (probably 10m left on the cutting room floor).

    cheers

    Hugh

    Auckland • Since May 2011 • 16 posts Report Reply

  • Robyn Gallagher,

    As he'd done the night before, Springsteen kicked off with a solo blues interpretation of 'Royals'.

    Ooh, he dropped an F-bomb, which didn't attract any sort of fuss, not like when Lorde said it.

    It reminds me of Michele A'Court's brilliant piece on the subject of women in comedy. Why are lady comedians so sweary? They're not, says Michele. It's just that some people notice swearing a lot more when a woman does it. Fuckin' oats.

    Since Nov 2006 • 1946 posts Report Reply

  • Kiri Carter,

    Saw Bruce on Saturday night at Mt Smart and the Saturday night before - in the Hunter Valley, Australia. Two different but amazing concerts that I wouldn't have missed for anything.

    Huge apologies to Samuel Johnson for this, but I say, "When you're tired of Springsteen, you're tired of life."

    Auckland • Since Apr 2009 • 4 posts Report Reply

  • Richard Stewart,

    I'll freely admit to not liking pretty much anything Springsteen has done musically, but the Royals cover is truly awful. I've witnessed some pretty lame attempts by touring artists to endear themselves to the home crowd but that one takes the biscuit.
    I quite like this though - recommended by my teenage son...

    Pt Chev • Since Feb 2012 • 73 posts Report Reply

  • Dastardly Bounder,

    Attachment

    Thanks for posting my tune Russel, and I must commend you on choosing one of West Coast Fruit's tunes. The fellow responsibel for the sonic crafting also makes amazing collectable robots. Check this one out as a great example of his style:

    http://michael-day.deviantart.com/art/pOt-BelLy-The-r03Ot-402248796

    Auckland • Since Dec 2012 • 61 posts Report Reply

  • Richard Aston,

    Your mention of Murray Cammick , Howick in the 60s, Triggered me back to my teens in Howick , playing in a band - well trying to - Hauraki was where I heard all the good music , that and test listening to records - but not buying - in that shop in Lorne st - forgotten the name.
    Couldn't wait to get out of Howick though.

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report Reply

  • michael day,

    Hey Russell, thanks so much for giving my track" You Burn Golden" some exposure. Tis a tough world for the creatively minded out here ,and I am chuffed that you saw fit to mention it and post links. Thanks again and keep up the great work!

    Auckland • Since Mar 2014 • 1 posts Report Reply

  • Dastardly Bounder, in reply to Dastardly Bounder,

    The initial link wasnt working. A gallery of Michael's work: http://michael-day.deviantart.com/gallery/45983998

    Auckland • Since Dec 2012 • 61 posts Report Reply

  • davesparks,

    And utter madness from the Dastardly Bounder

    Utter genius! Feel the burn when the acid really kicks in about the 7 minute mark. This is one track I'm definitely dropping into my sets* for now on.

    * Disclaimer: I don't actually have 'sets" as such. I just listen to music on my computers by myself.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 45 posts Report Reply

  • TracyMac,

    Love that Son Lux collaboration. Love it. A lot more than any offering of Bruce Springsteen's, to be honest, although certainly not quibbling with the dude's influence. And general "good guy" nature.

    Canberra, West Island • Since Nov 2006 • 701 posts Report Reply

  • Peter Darlington, in reply to davesparks,

    * Disclaimer: I don't actually have 'sets" as such. I just listen to music on my computers by myself.

    Well played.

    Nelson • Since Nov 2006 • 949 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    DisOrientation
    Home Brew brouhaha brewing...

    A performance by award-winning band Home Brew was shut down early after a member of the group jumped from the stage and allegedly punched a teenager in the face.
    Another member of the renowned Auckland-based hip-hop group then gave a "shout-out" on the microphone to the first-year university student left bloodied on the dance-floor.
    The alleged attack unfolded at a toga party at Lincoln University on the outskirts of Christchurch overnight.
    Police were called just after midnight, about 12.10am.

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Ken Double,

    I saw The Job Creator himself at the Rod Laver in Melbourne last year and felt my relationship with him had been consummated. So I kinda didn't have the need to see him in a much bigger, draftier venue. I must say, when the climax arrived, all the house lights went up and a 16 piece E Street went through "Born to Run" for the millionth time, it was a rock moment like few I've ever experienced. I know he's got more schtick than a Borscht Belt comic, but he's still a phenomenon. No one else in rock has used the artist/audience relationship in the way he has. And he has a mofo of a back catalogue.

    I suspect his Royals cover (unlike the Saints) was worked out half an hour before going on. For a guy who drills his band like James Brown he's completely at ease winging it. The night we saw him the band did an unrehearsed Red Headed Woman because Bruce missed his wife and someone waved the right sign. That sort of thing makes an impression on a jaded punter.

    Wellington • Since Dec 2012 • 119 posts Report Reply

  • alobar,

    I wonder how close to 80,000 individual fans it was when so many went twice , I was one of them and recognised a couple of others . Both nights were great and sunday was the better set in my mind , tho the crowd seemed more lively on saturday. The East stand especially looked subdued on sunday . I guess those who went only on sunday hoping to hear Born in the USA were disappointed . But it was fantastic to hear the full Born to Run album along with so many other hits . I wouldn't even call myself a big fan - until recently I hadn't bought (or even copied ) an album of his since The River , (and I don't remember much of that except it bored me) , but he rates as one of my favourite live performers .

    auckland • Since Apr 2010 • 63 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Bruce wouldn't do that.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    DisOrientation
    Home Brew brouhaha brewing…

    Those guys just cannot keep out of trouble.

    I was going to sympathise with them -- I've been at gigs at Lincoln and they weren't pretty -- but it doesn't seem like the poor kid did anything to warrant it. Dick move.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand,

    Graham Reid over at elsewhere has had some interesting Springsteen playing this week, including a bootleg of a 1978 concert in LA. This was recorded one year before I saw him in concert in Cleveland, Ohio where he seemed to set the pattern for 3 hour+ long performances. Won a ticket in a contest run by a Toledo OH radio station after being in the country for 3 days--which was kind of fitting, seeing part of the reason why I journeyed to the US to start a doctorate was a desire to encounter the mythic America Springsteen was singing about.
    I like how he draws on his extensive back catalogue, but not exclusively--unlike bands like the Stones who haven't done anything new for yonks. And he does seem genuine in his politics (can't imagine Jagger donating to the City Mission).

    No disgrace in leaving before the encore. Did so for Neil Young, after three hours of standing in a crammed space on sticky plastic.

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to alobar,

    80,000 individual fans

    Them's Springsteenagers
    thank you very much!

    ;- )

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Geoff Lealand,

    I like how he draws on his extensive back catalogue, but not exclusively–unlike bands like the Stones who haven’t done anything new for yonks.

    This is a very good point. In general, I enjoyed hearing his new(er) stuff way more than his old stuff.

    No disgrace in leaving before the encore. Did so for Neil Young, after three hours of standing in a crammed space on sticky plastic.

    Well, you knew it was going to be four old dudes jamming for half an hour. But it bears noting that two of my highlights from that show were from his current album.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Geoff Lealand,

    Good Ship Lolly Pop
    Geoff, I see your article on Shirley Temple lookalike competitions is in a recent issue of New Zealand Memories magazine. (#106)

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Peter Darlington,

    * Disclaimer: I don't actually have 'sets" as such. I just listen to music on my computers by myself.

    Well played.

    +1

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Thanks, Ian. It was fun to write and I even got paid a modest sum. Hope it might winkle out another lovely old lady or two. I did a talk in Wellington last week and someone who was there told me about her father winning a contest in Rotorua as a four year old, curly-haired boy. It could make for another interesting twist on the story--the first Shirley Temple cross-dresser?

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Grigg, in reply to Richard Aston,

    in that shop in Lorne st – forgotten the name.

    Taste Records, owned by the late Dave Perkins, bless his soul. It had a listening booth with extractor fans so you could get in the right state of mind to *understand* the music.

    I managed the shop briefly when it moved to High Street.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report Reply

First ←Older Page 1 2 Newer→ Last

Post your response…

Please sign in using your Public Address credentials…

Login

You may also create an account or retrieve your password.