Ken Gargett Posted January 2, 2015 Posted January 2, 2015 Been listening to the newly released 'Bruce – 1978 Agora Ballroom Cleveland' CD. A triple CD set. Apparently was know as a classic concert and one of the most famous bootlegs. And it really is a cracker. Wow! The 2nd half of the third CD is interviews – have not listened to them – but the rest is brilliant. And top quality sound for an old live concert If you are not a fan or not sure, then listen to the first half of the 3rd CD, effectively the encore. An amazing version of 'Sandy' (4th of July Asbury Park), then 'Born to Run', then perhaps the best version of 'Because the Night' I've ever heard, then 'Raise Your Hand' and finally 'Twist and Shout'. If you still don't like Bruce then get someone to check your pulse because you must be dead. But for Bruce fans, it is even better. Full of great stuff but go to the middle of the 2nd CD for the real magic. There is a great 'Sherry Darling', then a fabulous 'Not Fade Away'. Then he is playing that opening wail to 'She's the One' but he is singing the lyrics to 'Gloria', which is really weird but works – not sure how – but then he is into the full 'She's the One'. Then 'Growin Up'. Have heard all the stories he does with 'Growin Up' many times (how he fought with his father, didn't get drafted etc etc etc) but had never heard this version, which is interspersed with the song – basically about his folks telling him time to get serious about his life and dump the guitar but the decision is too important for them so he has to see his priest, but the priest can't make the decision so he has to see God (no spoilers here) and Clarence won't let him go and talk to God in his mum's car so he and Clarence head off to speak to God. When the story finishes, he fires back up into 'Growin Up'. I don't know how many times I have listened to it but every time, I get chills up the spine and serious goosebumps. It is extraordinary, even for Bruce. Then into 'Backstreets' – long been one of my very fave Bruce songs. My fave from the 'Born to Run' album, and some stiff competition there, and those few times I have seen him do it live, always thought it the highlight of the night. And this is a brilliant version but as he finishes, he goes into a version of 'Drive All Night' (hardly any music, just singing), and then fires up 'Backstreets' again. Sensational. To finish that CD, 'Rosalita'. As much as I love Bruce, I did not think I'd ever get such a thrill from a CD again. I think the live performances now are the pinnacle of his life – as close to perfect as anyone could hope for – but those early concerts have a rawness and an energy and an excitement that is truly awesome. Get this CD. 2
tjohn7 Posted January 2, 2015 Posted January 2, 2015 Can't wait to get my hands on this. Heard some of these songs in the past through various outlets, but never the full show straight thru. Can't beat early Bruce. Rosalita from the Odeon show is up there in the best performances of his. If Backstreets is anything like the version on the 1975-85 Box Set I'll be very happy. Thanks for the heads up, Ken! Happy New Year! Tom
OZCUBAN Posted January 2, 2015 Posted January 2, 2015 Thanks for posting Ken,just one question "what's a CD"......LOL Seriously where did you get this album And thanks for posting Cheers Steve
Ken Gargett Posted January 2, 2015 Author Posted January 2, 2015 Thanks for posting Ken,just one question "what's a CD"......LOL Seriously where did you get this album And thanks for posting Cheers Steve UK amazon.
OZCUBAN Posted January 2, 2015 Posted January 2, 2015 Thanks mate found another source downloading now from Bruce's site now heaps of others goodies there as well lol Cheers
cpmurrin Posted January 2, 2015 Posted January 2, 2015 thanks for the review and heads up ken. my wife loves springsteen and I ordered this for her. I was a big fan back in the day but catching three shows on the rising tour soured me and I have moved on. happy new year! charley
CanuckSARTech Posted January 3, 2015 Posted January 3, 2015 ....we should start a Bruce sub-forum, just for Ken.... LOL.
coblos Posted January 3, 2015 Posted January 3, 2015 So dissapointed. Opened this thread thinking maybe someone had managed to save the film Bruce Lee ripped from the camera after a real life fight during the filming of The Big Boss.
OZCUBAN Posted January 3, 2015 Posted January 3, 2015 Listening to this now 1130 in Perth a nice pleasant 20.c smoking a JL#2 and a nice jap whiskey ***** from the barrel Good cigar haven't had one of these for a while really nice and the album is good as well hang heard touch of Bruce's earlier stuff (live) still good though but not as polished as his later stuff maybe it's because I a late comer listening to growing up as I am writing what a top song Cheers all
bogglor Posted January 3, 2015 Posted January 3, 2015 Ken, thanks for posting about this. What a great show - I had no idea that it had such a legendary reputation amongst Bruce fans, but this is apparently one of his top shows from the Darkness tour.
Hugomarink Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 Thank you for the heads up on this. I will order it!
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