Ken Gargett Posted March 28, 2013 Posted March 28, 2013 Now, those who know me will be aware that I avoid hyperbole at all costs and that any form of exaggeration does not sit well with me – I’ve said that a billion times – so you'll know that what I say here is as I believe it! Indeed, it may be that I do not go far enough. When I refer to the 'greatest four hours in the history of the planet', I am not talking minor individual events such as family births or marriages etc etc. Indeed, put aside such other 'pretenders' as the discovery of the wheel, the moon landings, virgin births, ending of wars and so on. In Melbourne last night, the stars aligned at the Rod Laver Arena for, not just the finest concert ever held anywhere but, without any hint of exaggeration, the greatest four hours (some said it was three – it was at least that, but I don't think anyone really cared exactly how long) ever experienced by mankind. Bruce gave his third Melbourne concert. And it was special. I’ve seen him 5-6 times but I would have swapped the lot for last night. I would have swapped every concert I have ever seen just to see that one. It was that brilliant. That much fun. I had heard rumours, almost urban myths, that on rare occasions, his concerts just go up about ten levels. The other times I had seen him were fabulous but this was one of those times when it was on a different plane. It just doesn't get better. No one, absolutely no one, no matter how much you thought you were not a fan, could have been there and not be his most devoted disciple now. A million highlights but when he held up two signs to see what the crowd wanted – 'Incident' or 'Candy's Room' (a song I have always desperately wanted to hear live) and Candy's Room won!!!! Sensational. And then, near the end, he pulled up a torn and tattered sign from someone in the crowd and showed the band. He shrugged at them as if to say, 'you know we have to'! And then.... 'Jungleland'!!!! He hardly ever plays it (I believe he also did it in Sydney this year) and only did so once on the last tour – in Brizzy! I could go on – indeed, almost certainly will. But worth mentioning that as much as the crowd loved this transcendental moment in history, I reckon Bruce loved it even more. He could not stop grinning and laughing for the last hour or more. And what an effort – there was no real encore. He just didn't stop. Full on the entire time. He was wetter than a fish by the end from sweating but never slowed down. For a 63 year old, how the hell can he do it, more than 100 times a year? I have completely lost my voice all day just from singing along on one night. Just the greatest experience!
Coolio Posted March 28, 2013 Posted March 28, 2013 There's nothing like a great live gig that exceeds your expectations! Bruce is a legend. I'm glad your trip to Melb was worthwhile Ken. You should make the most of it and visit the MCG tonight to watch a game of real footy!
AndrewNR Posted March 28, 2013 Posted March 28, 2013 It's warming to hear your still experiencing things that give you such an overwhelming enjoyment ole boy, Especially as its something it sounds like you've done allot of. While Bruce isn't personally my cup of tea.. I had been planning to try get out to more live musical performances of such a scale, And in general I suppose. Kudos to you Ken.
Ken Gargett Posted March 28, 2013 Author Posted March 28, 2013 There's nothing like a great live gig that exceeds your expectations! Bruce is a legend. I'm glad your trip to Melb was worthwhile Ken. You should make the most of it and visit the MCG tonight to watch a game of real footy! i'm back in brizzy, sick as a parrot and with no voice at all. can't even whisper. but it was worth it.
markmurase Posted March 28, 2013 Posted March 28, 2013 Ken, Thanks a lot for sharing your experience of the concert. Glad to hear The Boss put on a really special one. Cheers, Mark
Munts Posted March 28, 2013 Posted March 28, 2013 sick as a parrot Very strange saying...... i dont get it.... **Edit** Google says that " to be as sick as a parrot about something is to be very disappointed, unhappy, or depressed about something. This expression is British informal English and it is often used in a humorous way in sporting contexts; for example, to express disappointment at losing a football game. The sporting contexts comes from the origin of the saying in 1909, when the Tottenham Hotspur team toured Uruguay and Paraguay. On the voyage back home they were gifted the ship’s parrot by the captain of the vessel. The parrot lived happily at the club for 11 years until it keeled over and died in 1919 on the very day Spurs were relegated from Division 1 and Arsenal promoted in their place. Still dont get it in this context......
Ophidion Posted March 28, 2013 Posted March 28, 2013 When I was in grade school I was trespassing on his property (accidentally) while fishing and was told to leave by his security guards who were able to find me on his 500 or so acres of property... scary.
Puros Y Vino Posted March 28, 2013 Posted March 28, 2013 Friday August 24, 2012. Springsteen plays in Toronto. The longest four hours of my life. Along the lines of "I once spent a week one night in (insert town name here)" lore. The seats were one row shy of the last row and the highest seats in the stadium. Seated up in our section were a dozen reprobates from NJ that somehow managed to put shame on that fine state. The droning, zombie like calls of "Brrrrrrrruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucccccccce" still ringing in my brain. Four hours of overplayed, self indulgence and self aggrandization that rotted my ears, eyes and my very soul. Never again. The things I do for love.
Ken Gargett Posted March 28, 2013 Author Posted March 28, 2013 Very strange saying...... i dont get it.... **Edit** Google says that " to be as sick as a parrot about something is to be very disappointed, unhappy, or depressed about something. This expression is British informal English and it is often used in a humorous way in sporting contexts; for example, to express disappointment at losing a football game. The sporting contexts comes from the origin of the saying in 1909, when the Tottenham Hotspur team toured Uruguay and Paraguay. On the voyage back home they were gifted the ship’s parrot by the captain of the vessel. The parrot lived happily at the club for 11 years until it keeled over and died in 1919 on the very day Spurs were relegated from Division 1 and Arsenal promoted in their place. Still dont get it in this context...... never heard that. tho as a gunners fan... but my mates and i have always used it - not that often - on occasions when we are not well. not necessarily from being pissed but it can be. just another way, for us at least, of saying we are crook.
stargazer14 Posted March 28, 2013 Posted March 28, 2013 Bruce has always been rather impressive live, like him or not. A concert at the now gone 'Spectum' in Philadephia - Bruce's almost hometown - he played until about 2am which was hours past the time allowed without fines and such. I had a last minute ticket which was 'behind the stage' and turned out to be the best seat in the house with the stage being open on all sides and Bruce rocking about 12 feet from me as he worked his way around the band. Was a pretty awesome performance, it is impressive when you see he WANTS to play, and not stop, it's just not 'another gig'. No, I dont have every album (do I even have any?) but I have really enjoyed the 5 or so shows I have seen. Good on you Ken.
CanuckSARTech Posted March 28, 2013 Posted March 28, 2013 Oh gawd. Ken's in love....again....with the same dude....
Fuzz AI Posted March 28, 2013 Posted March 28, 2013 Ken is gushing like a 13 yr old over Justin Beiber.
LeafLover Posted March 28, 2013 Posted March 28, 2013 Now, Ken, tell us how you really feel. Kidding aside, congrats for having experienced something so memorable in your life.
laficion Posted March 28, 2013 Posted March 28, 2013 Fantastic Ken !!!!!! It's like being an adolessant again. kid .!!!!!! GREAT !!!!!!
canadianbeaver Posted March 28, 2013 Posted March 28, 2013 Seen the Boss twice and he gives a great show. But the night he performed for you just sounds like an all time great one. Thunder Road???
Ken Gargett Posted March 28, 2013 Author Posted March 28, 2013 thunder road was one of the very few classics he did not play but i had heard him do that every other time so that was okay (only song i have not heard him ever do that i want to hear from him is 'for you'). and a couple of mates and i managed pretty much the entire 'thunder road' outside the stadium for the assembled masses after the concert. it may not have matched bruce for talent but certanly did for enthusiasm. rather embarrassingly, one of my mates had his wife video the whole thing. it is one video that will NOT ever be appearing on FOH. they sell beer at these things and we had been to lunch. i will try and get up some photos of the concert (not that i would illegally take any but if some happen to fall into my hands...) and recently found out why it was originally 'angelina's dress waves...' and not mary. apparently he felt mary gave the song more of a religious overtone better for redemption. angelina suited when the song was still called wingsfor wheels.
Ken Gargett Posted March 28, 2013 Author Posted March 28, 2013 From the first Melboune concert: http://www.facebook....478871539492975 Agree, he's in great form and more spontaneous than I've seen him since the Tunnel of Love tour in 88. Loved the intensity Tom Morello brought to the band & Jake Clemons filled in well musically for his uncle. One of the top two shows I've ever seen. that is great. we were on the other side about level with the front of the stage. it is a terrific venue. way better than ethihad stadium - or emirates or whichever (place he played last time in melbourne). have seen him do the massive stadium thing. QE2 in brizzy with about 100,000 plus. back in 85. one of his biggest crowds to that stage. also a small theatre in 93 and a few others of mixed size. i preferred this to any of them. agreed re both morello (he was sensational) and jake - though morello seemed to have a sign on his guitar saying 'arm the homeless'? yes, give guns to the disenfrancised and grumpy. brilliant. at least he is a fabulous guitarist.
Cohiba Stevie Posted March 29, 2013 Posted March 29, 2013 I know exactly what he means... When kings of Leon (my second favourite band) played Belfast... It was one of the most surreal experiences of my life, one of the few times the band were on true form. When they did their encore it was like the stars aligning as ken spoke about lol. I then saw them play slane castle, one of the biggest outdoor gigs in the world after Glastonbury, and they were sh!t. When the moments right, the moments right.
Ken Gargett Posted March 29, 2013 Author Posted March 29, 2013 Friday August 24, 2012. Springsteen plays in Toronto. The longest four hours of my life. Along the lines of "I once spent a week one night in (insert town name here)" lore. The seats were one row shy of the last row and the highest seats in the stadium. Seated up in our section were a dozen reprobates from NJ that somehow managed to put shame on that fine state. The droning, zombie like calls of "Brrrrrrrruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucccccccce" still ringing in my brain. Four hours of overplayed, self indulgence and self aggrandization that rotted my ears, eyes and my very soul. Never again. The things I do for love. not being there, it is hard to comment and the seats didn't sound great but self indulgent and self aggrandization is something i just cannot associate with the bloke (you could possibly argue voice or politics or whatever but those two are harsh). at the melbourne concert, it was so obvious that he just loved being there. obviously doesn't need the money and to work so hard for so many fans around the world is, i would argue, the very opposite of self indulgent. he knew he was somewhere where is was very much loved and just wanted to make as many people as possible as happy as he could.
OZCUBAN Posted March 29, 2013 Posted March 29, 2013 Glad you had such a great time Ken, i would have loved to have been at one of the Melbourne shows,the critics have been raving about them maybe next time now i am still spewing about missing these ah well thats life
Hugomarink Posted March 30, 2013 Posted March 30, 2013 I saw Bruce twice in 2012 and both were brilliant shows. There are moments during his shows that are probably the closest thing I'll have to a religious experience. Plus there's the emotional angle of no Clarence by his side on this tour, but with Clarence's nephew filling in so brilliantly -- well, it's just something you gotta see. I can't wait to see them again!
canadianbeaver Posted March 30, 2013 Posted March 30, 2013 I am actually not in a big rush to see Bruce Springsteen again although I am sure this concert was incredible. I would however love to see Neil Young, David Bowie or Joan Osbourne if she ever came around.
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