Heading out east on I-78, and I realized it. How could I forget Dario's apples? Mille grazie per niente!
But, onward to see the act with more home games over these four weeks than either the Mets or Yankees. Tonight with my brother, who was with me on that July day 18 summers ago in the upper bowl.
No sooner had we arrived downstairs when we heard a voice: "Where are my apples?" Oh, shit. Then my brother -- who had kinda doubted that there really was a guy from Milano who had gotten a request in Sunday night -- proceeded to be regaled with the story of how Dario had bumped into Bruce on the street in Red Bank on Monday, and spent half an hour talking about Dick Dale. But, what did you request, Dario? Nothing tonight, that would be too much, but let's hope for "Rendezvous."
So now my brother is telling Dario about "Independence Day" from that show in '81. It included a long spoken rap about Bruce's father, and it hit hard. That performance -- without the rap -- was eventually included on Bruce's live album. Well, we can be pretty sure there's one song we won't hear tonight...
The show started earlier than on Sunday; I had to make a mad dash to my seat when the lights went down. And if the opening wasn't quite as intense as the previous show, it didn't miss by much. When Bruce brought out "Spirit in the Night" in the 4 spot and nailed it, I was a happy camper. Then came "Rendezvous." I didn't even bother to look up for Dario, I knew he had floated up somewhere.
We took in the show from the 5th row, center. If you have not experienced Bruce from this location, find some way to do it. I'm spoiled now. No video monitors. Every facial expression clear. Every band instruction understood. Hear the show in stereo, from the instruments. Remember just how big a baritone saxophone really is, and just how impressive it can be when played by a big man who can blow.
"Independence Day" showed up, after all, in a beautiful performance. No rap, but it wasn't needed. The "Youngstown"/"Murder Inc."/"Badlands" section is tremendous. And "Born to Run" has never sounded better. Jailbreak occurred during "Hungry Heart," and all of a sudden the first 3 rows were all right at the stage, and Bruce was milking it for all it was worth (until one woman tried to get just a bit too friendly down there).
There are nits, of course: The sound system, to be polite, needs work. And the latter part of the show needs some semblance of a flow. But these are minor, and I just gotta get back to the 5th row again.
And, Dario, get me your address, I owe you a bag of apples.
My Love Will Not Let You Down
Prove It All Night
Two Hearts
Spirit in the Night
Rendezvous
Mansion on the Hill
Independence Day
Youngstown
Murder Inc.
Badlands
Out in the Street
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out
Loose Ends
Working on the Highway
The Ghost of Tom Joad
Backstreets
Light of Day
Freehold
Hungry Heart
Bobby Jean
Born to Run
Thunder Road
If I should Fall Behind
Land of Hope and Dreams