FINALE IN THE TEMPLE OF BRUCE
Charlotte, December 14, 1996

The sudden insight came at about 9am in Elkin.  I didn't realize it as sudden
insight, of course, but I recognize it as such now, because what I thought
was, "oh, I fucked up reeeeaall bad."  And so, this past Saturday, I headed
down the highway for Charlotte, North Carolina, and the close of the 2nd US
leg of The Ghost of Tom Joad Tour.

The decision to go wasn't made until 10pm on Friday evening.  Doug was holding
a 5th row seat for me, and Chris and Bryon were driving from Columbus.  Putting
sanity aside, I figured out that if I could make Columbus before they left...
well, if you've become sufficiently obsessed over the years you get the idea.
The house was being painted so we had to be out anyway, at 7 months Lori wasn't
about to travel and I wasn't about to stay at her parents' house.  It seemed so
logical, and Lori even supported the idea.  That her birthday is next Sunday is
entirely coincidental.

In Elkin we learned that Southern hospitality is not just a myth.  To the
pretty young woman in the Maxima with the cell-phone and tissues, wherever you
may be, my deepest thanks.  Officer Hall, and Jimmy the human glue of Yadkin,
and Tommy his friend and others who went out of their way to help, you gave us
a finer look at North Carolina than I could ever have hoped for.

So, at 3pm we made it to Ovens Auditorium, ready for one last show.  Asbury
Park was wonderful, but it really wasn't a show of this tour.  I needed a fix.
I expected -- and believe it or not -- *wanted* the standard recent set.  To
hear the new song and the song I hadn't heard and the new arrangement.  To hang
out with friends made over the years who would be there, and with the friend
I've never met on the stage.

I listened to a sound check for the first time, and got better sound there 
than at some concerts I've attended.  I bought a birthday card for Lori --
which meant experiencing a Win-Dixie -- and passed it around to our digest
friends to sign.  That'll be nice, even though it is missing the one last
signature I wanted for it.

Ovens Auditorium is not a particularly attractive building.  Very plain '60's
stuff.  Blue walls, no ornamentation at all, and the balcony set way too far
back for my taste.  But, when Bruce went on, none of that mattered.

The setlist was fairly standard, but Bruce nailed just about every song
perfectly.  Some songs have been updated, and Bruce simply attacked several
of the songs with a vengence that somehow surpassed previous shows I've seen.
"A Long Time Coming" is a wonderful addition to the set, and "Pilgrim in the
Temple of Love" shocked me -- I liked it!  And, the closer of "The Promised
Land" at its faster pace was simply inspirational.

During "If I Should Fall Behind" (and excuse me for sacrilege here, but Dion's
version of it is *much* better), I looked back at the audience, now standing.
All at attenetion, as if Bruce was the flag during the pledge of allegience.
All eyes focused on the man.  No conversations anywhere.  Just soaking it in.
No one made a peep.  This had been true during "This Hard Land" as well -- not
a single voice raised for "Stay Hard" or "Stay Hungry," so Bruce finally sang
"Stay Alive," which was for me the most thrilling line of the night.

I suppose I still have small nits with parts of the show, most notably the
manner in which it comes to a screeching halt when Kevin slams that stool down
on the stage.  The stool comes out, eyelids start to droop.  Or, the ever
lengthening story preceding "Across the Border."  But, even those songs worked
for me Saturday night.

And, so, having escaped this latest insane decision with only minor wounds,
we left North Carolina with one last wonderful fix.  If you're going down I-77,
look for our souvenir just past exit 82, we made our dent just past the
entrance ramp.  Then go say hi to officer John and Jimmy, go get yourself some
grits, and don't try too hard for that sudden insight.

--Matt