Coming to the arena, I remembered that first show, up in section 208, and the other shows when I could neither make out the lyrics nor see much of anything on the stage, and how songs from "Sock it to Me" to "99 and 1/2" still stayed with me from those shows. And I remembered that horrible ramp from the parking lot to the arena, just in time to realize that it hasn't changed.
There were outdoor gatherings, but with the temperature hovering around 100, we chose air conditioning. Once inside the arena, we started to see familiar faces. Chris and Bryon, just a few seats over in the next row. Lauren, 3 rows back. There's Joe, checking out all the speaker stacks. There's Paul O'Neill, looking... perfect. Oh, right, he's not a regular, but even us Mets fans will accept local heroes on days like today.
Next to us, a man from Milano sat down. I once lived in Milano also, so we had plenty to talk about. His name was Dario. Dario was in a great mood. He had managed to meet Bruce, briefly, when Bruce arrived at the arena. "I asked for 'Sherry Darling,'" Dario said. "He played it once in Europe. Bur Bruce just laughed, so I don't think he'll play it. So I asked for 'Loose Ends.'" I gave Dario an apple. I told him I had forgotten what I knew of Italian, but if Bruce played "Sherry," I'd be sure to say, "Mille grazie a Dario!"
It was... hot outside. But not as hot as the start of the show. Five songs in, I was sure Bruce was determined to kill all 20,000 of us. Giving it all, and having fun, too. After all this time, I start getting thrills from the details. Watching Bruce and Steve play with the harmonies during "Two Hearts" was worth all the busy signals at ticketmaster, as was seeing Max mouth out the words to all the songs. Clarence sounded great. The whole band seemed to be on this night.
Surprises? Yes, a few. "Trapped" was the first, as the fourth song. But the real fun started a bit later. After "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out," Bruce called out "Loose Ends." Chris nearly lost it. Then, Bruce said, "Ok, boys, let's try it." I looked over to Dario just in time to see him float up to the rafters. I'm bringing Dario a bag of apples tomorrow night, assuming he comes down by then.
Not that the show was perfect to my ears. For me, the transition from "The Ghost of Tom Joad" to "Jungleland" to "Light of Day" doesn't really work, and I'd probably prefer just about anything in Bruce's catalogue to "Out in the Street" after "Badlands." Nothing against "Out in the Street," mind you, I just don't want to hear it at that moment. And, to be honest, I really don't need to hear this version of "Thunder Road," it just sounds too tired to me. But in a show that's fun first and everything else second, those are minor nits, I suppose.
Tomorrow is show number 3. I'm ready for the ramp, and Dario, wherever you are, I got your apples. Ask for "Jersey Girl," ok?
The Setlist: I Wanna Be With You Prove It All Night Two Hearts Trapped Darlington County Factory The River Youngstown Murder Inc. Badlands Out in the Street Tenth Avenue Freeze-out Loose Ends Sherry Darling Working on the Highway The Ghost of Tom Joad Jungleland Light of Day --- Freehold Stand on It Hungry Heart Bobby Jean Born to Run --- Thunder Road If I Should Fall Behind Land of Hope and Dreams
The Orel Family