HAPPY
HOLIDAYS FROM BACKSTREETS!
What a year, huh? With E Street Band stadium
shows around the world, "boutique" concerts from
Somerville to Asbury Park, and even a couple new shiny things
for the CD and DVD shelves, 2003 has been one of the busiest
we can remember. (As our new issue,
which just rolled off the presses at a massive 64 pages,
can attest.) We just wanted to take a sec and say thanks:
Thanks for following it all with us this year; for your
patronage; for your patience while we reconstructed BTX
in the spring; and for all the kindnesses we've received
from fellow fans this year, whether it was a nice email
out of the blue or a beer in the parking lot. We've got
high hopes for the new year, too whatever happens
in the world of the Boss, may 2004 bring you many sunny
days.
Holiday
hours: We'll be here up until the end of the day on
December 23, making sure holiday packages get out to everyone
in time. Don't forget, we do offer overnight service, if
you need a last-minute gift for a Boss fan. You can place
an overnight order as late as 2 p.m. on December 23, for
delivery to anywhere in the U.S., for arrival on Christmas
Eve. While the website and online shop will remain open
24/7, the Backstreets office will be closed from December
24 until the first Monday of the new year, with our normal
hours resuming on January 5. We hope your holidays are happy
and safe!
-
December 22, 2003
ROLLING
STONE POLL ENDS DECEMBER 23
Vote for Bruce and Backstreets.com in RS Readers' Poll
The
end-of-the-year lists are right around the corner, and once
again one of the most watched will be from Rolling Stone. Springsteen
fans should be quite familiar with the magazine's annual "Artist
of the Year" award, something Bruce himself has won approximately
57 times. The format will be similar to years past, with both
a critics' poll and a readers' poll, and there are just a few
days left to make your voice heard and your vote count
polls close on December 23.
Fill
in your choice for Artist, Tour, Video, and Band of the year
and then skip on down to #19 and let 'em know where
you heard about the poll in the first place! That's right,
this year you can also vote for the BEST FAN WEBSITE. If you
do appreciate our site, we would most definitely appreciate
your vote. Sure, we might be a tad biased, but Backstreets.com
really looks good in a swimsuit, and her Mama thinks she can
sing like an angel. She wants the flowers, she wants the tiara,
and she wants the "Best Online Fan Site 2003" sash
that comes with it. If she does win, Backstreets.com promises
to promote world peace, uphold all the duties of the title,
and never pose nude for amateur photos. So check it out now
at RollingStone.com,
and we'll be sure to post any interesting results right here
on the news page. It's your civic duty!
-
Updated December 19, 2003
FUNERAL
FOR A FRIEND
Shortly after financier and philanthropist John
Mulheren died on Monday, Bruce Springsteen said in a statement:
"When my friend John Mulheren died last night, it felt
like our town had lost half of its population, such was the
size of his presence and the feeling of loss among those of
us who knew him. He was always doing, always building, always
moving. Whatever he touched he changed, whether it was our
community or your life. His great generosity, spirit and friendship
will be deeply missed." On Friday, December 19, Springsteen
and Jon Bon Jovi were among those attending Mulheren's
funeral in Rumson; at the request of Mulheren's wife,
Bruce closed the ceremony with a performance of "Santa
Claus is Coming to Town."
-
December 19, 2003
THE
BOTTOM LINE: DOWN BUT NOT OUT
While a judge ruled against The
Bottom Line at a December 3 hearing in the Greenwich Village
club's rent dispute vs. NYU, the struggle continues... but who
knows for how long. For now, the Bottom Line has yet to be evicted,
and on December 19 a demonstration was held outside the club
to try and save it. For more, including what you can do to help,
visit www.savethebottomline.com.
-
December 19, 2003
100
DAYS BURNIN' DOWN THE ROAD, THEY GAVE IT A NAME
As a Reuters
story reports, "Attention Bruce Springsteen: you have a
friend at the San Diego zoo." The cool rockin' giant male
panda born there in August (and by Chinese tradition, not named
until 100 days after birth) has just been given the name Mei
Sheng which translates to "Born in the USA."
Mei Sheng is only the second US-born giant panda to survive
past 4 days.
-
December 17, 2003
WHAT
A DIFFERENCE A STADIUM MAKES
Touring grosses are in, and according to Billboard.com,
Springsteen's 2003 tour for The Rising was the second-highest
earner of the year, at $181.7 million. Springsteen and the E Street
Band were topped only by the Rolling Stones (and, as several readers
pointed out, the Stones were raking in quite a bit more $ per
ticket). The rest of the year's top ten touring acts in descending
order: Fleetwood Mac, Dixie Chicks, Eagles, Dave Matthews Band,
Aerosmith/Kiss, Metallica's Summer Sanitarium, and Billy Joel/Elton
John.
-
Updated December 17, 2003
PETE YORN GETS ON THAT COAST CITY BUS
Pete Yorn has been known for throwing in Springsteen
covers at his live shows, and he's already released his versions
of "Dancing in the Dark" and "New York City Serenade."
True to form, the singer/songwriter's first live album, due January
6, will include his take on "Atlantic City." The two-CD
set, called Live from New Jersey, was recorded in October
in Morristown, and will be available only from www.peteyorn.com.
-
December 16, 2003
2003
HOLIDAY SHOWS: PEACE, LOVE, UNDERSTANDING, AND SOUL
After
a 2002 hiatus, the Springsteen & Friends holiday shows returned
to Asbury Park's Convention Hall for three nights in early December.
A snow day moved the 12/6 concert to 12/8, but otherwise the shows
went off without a hitch, the Max Weinberg 7 impressive as usual
(despite only two days rehearsal time) as the hard-working houseband.
The nightly peak had to be Sam Moore's set -- getting over a cold
(though you'd hardly have known it), Moore's voice grew more powerful
each night, and Bruce seemed to be as awed as we were. "Soul
Man" in particular, with the additional power of the MW7 horns
and the Alliance Singers, had Convention Hall rocking like it was
"Rosalita." Other highlights were the live premiere of
"None But the Brave," a "prayer for peace" in
the blistering "What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding,"
Bruce and Jimmy Vivino's mind-blowing guitar duel in "Thundercrack,"
Nils Lofgren's fearless center-stage turn on "Because the Night,"
Little Steven's tribute to Joey Ramone, and what has become an annual
holiday gift, a horn-filled "Kitty's Back." Danny Devito
and Jon Bon Jovi each put in a night's work, with multi-night guests
including Moore, Jesse Malin, Garland Jeffreys, Southside Johnny,
Bobby Bandiera, Willie Nile, the Victorious Gospel Choir, the Alliance
Singers, Lisa Lowell, Soozie Tyrell and other E Streeters Little
Steven, Nils Lofgren, and Danny Federici (only Patti Scialfa, Roy
Bittan, Clarence Clemons, and Garry Tallent were missing). And this
one was for the kids: proceeds from these benefits went to the Asbury
Park High School Band and the Asbury
Park Blue Bishops Junior Pee Wee football team.
Additional
beneficiaries: City of Asbury Park Community Center Fund, Boys &
Girls Club of Monmouth County, Epiphany House, Family & Children's
Service, Hispanic Affairs & Resource Center of Monmouth County,
Hope Academy Charter School, Interfaith Neighbors, Prevention First,
Save Tillie, S.T.A.R.S. Community Development Corporation, and The
Center.
-
Updated December 16, 2003.
Photo: Mike Brazinski
For
the full setlists from each Holiday Show, as well as from Springsteen's
other recent performances, go to our setlists
page.
THE
NEW REPUBLIC: A FAIR AND BALANCED LOOK AT BRUCE?
For
the cover of their latest issue, The New Republic asks: "Tramps
Like Who?" Well, for starters, there are the Tramps who would
notice an error in the cover story's very first sentence: "Thirty
years ago this fall, Bruce Springsteen released his first album,
Greetings From Asbury Park, New Jersey." (Bruce's second
album was released that fall; Greetings came out in January
of '73.) In any case, if this kind of thing grabs you -- "The
image of Bruce Springsteen is one of the greatest inventions in
the history of rock and roll. But what is the reality?" --
head on over to The
New Republic website.
-
December 10, 2003
SATURDAY
NIGHT HOLIDAY SHOW MOVED TO MONDAY
"We're going to blow this storm out of Asbury Park!"
Bruce said on Friday night, and while it was by several accounts
one of the strongest holiday shows yet, it wasn't enough to affect
local weather systems.
Because
of current conditions, tonight's show (Saturday, December 6) has
just been rescheduled to Monday, December 8. Tickets for the Saturday
show will be honored on Monday. If you have tickets but are unable
to attend Monday night's performance, call Ticketmaster to refund
your tickets immediately. This information comes from the shows'
promoter, Concerts
East. Nothing has changed regarding the Sunday, December 7,
show, which is still expected to proceed as planned.
If
you're already in the Asbury Park area, The Stone Pony will
be open on Saturday night, with Bill
Chinnock performing.
-
December 6, 2003
ASBURY
PARK HOLIDAY SHOW PROCEDURES
The weather outside may be frightful, but new rules for
this year's Holiday Shows seem designed to keep standing outside
in the cold to a minimum (at least, there's no good reason to stand
on a wind-whipped boardwalk all day). As of noon Friday, here's
the word on how it's gonna work:
G.A.
ENTRANCE:
-
THERE
IS NO LOTTERY OR LISTS FOR GA ENTRANCE.
-
ENTRANCE
WILL BE ALPHABETICAL, LINED UP BY LAST NAME OF THE TICKETHOLDER.
-
FOUR
(4) LINES WILL BE FORMED AT 5:00 PM A-F, G-L, M-R,
S-Z.
-
ALL
FOUR LINES WILL ENTER SIMULTANEOUSLY.
-
THE
LINES WILL BE IN STRICT ALPHABETICAL ORDER, NOT IN THE ORDER
IN WHICH YOU ARRIVE. THUS, EVEN IF "APPLE" HAS
BEEN WAITING AROUND SINCE TUESDAY, "ACORN" WHO
SHOWS UP AT 4:55, GETS ON LINE AHEAD OF APPLE.
-
IF
"APPLE" AND "FISH" BOTH HAVE TICKETS
IN THEIR OWN NAMES, EVEN IF THEY CAME TO ASBURY TOGETHER
AND WANT TO STAND TOGETHER, FISH IS STILL AT THE BACK OF
THE LINE.
-
AFTER
CONVENTION HALL PERSONNEL CUT OFF THE LINE AT 5PM, ANYONE
ARRIVING AFTER 5 WILL BE ADDED TO THE BACK OF THE LINE IN
THE ORDER THEY ARRIVE.
-
PLEASE
COOPERATE BY GETTING YOURSELVES IN LINE IN ALPHABETICAL
ORDER. HAVE PHOTO ID AND THE CREDIT CARD USED FOR PURCHASE
READY.
ALL
TICKETMASTER TICKETHOLDERS USE THE SOUTH BOARDWALK ENTRANCE.
THOSE LUCKY ENOUGH TO AVOID THESE PROCEDURES (I.E., BAND WILL-CALL)
USE THE NORTH ENTRANCE. NO EXIT AND RE-ENTRY.
DROP
LINE: DROP IS EXPECTED TO BE MINIMAL. IT WILL BE DONE
BY LOTTERY. ONE (1) TICKET PER PERSON ON THE DROP.
THE
GOAL: DOORS AT 7:30, MUSIC AT 8:00.
DRESS
WARMLY.
And
travel safe! For any additional details or clarifications,
visit the promoter's website at Concertseast.com.
-
December 5, 2003
ZEVON
AND SPRINGSTEEN SHARE A GRAMMY NOD
It's already Grammy time? But the scars had just
started to heal! Well, you might have thought this would be
a sitting-it-out year for Springsteen, but he is indeed is
on the list of Grammy nominations announced this week. Together
with Warren Zevon, Bruce is up for the Best Rock Performance
by a Duo or Group with Vocal award, for "Disorder in
the House" (from Zevon's final album, The Wind).
Even better, they're not up against Norah Jones. The competition:
"Times Like These" by Foo Fighters; "There
There" by Radiohead; "Calling All Angels" by
Train; and "Seven Nation Army" by the White Stripes.
"Disorder in the House" also got a nomination for
Best Rock Song (a songwriters' award) for Zevon and Jorge
Calderon; The Wind received five nominations in all.
The 46th
Grammy Awards
will be held on February 8 in Los Angeles and broadcast on
CBS.
-
December 5, 2003
HOLIDAY
SHOWS BEGIN TONIGHT!
Springsteen's 2003 Holiday Shows begin Friday night
December 5, the first of three benefit concerts in Asbury
Park this weekend. Surprise guests have been a regular part
of this new holiday tradition, with the bill including the
Max Weinberg 7 "and Friends"... this time, some
guests have been confirmed in advance. Returning for a second
year will be Garland
Jeffreys, who was part of the 2001 Convention Hall festivities
(and who has already played with Bruce this year at Giants
Stadium, Shea, and the Stone Pony). And new to the Holiday
Show stage will be Jesse
Malin, whose cover of "Hungry Heart" appeared
on the Uncut and Light of Day tribute CDs earlier
this year. If you want to prep for this weekend, we highly
recommend picking up Jesse's The Fine Art of Self Destruction.
Others coming down Santa Claus Lane: Soozie
Tyrell also confirms that she'll be there, Southside Johnny
will be bringing his usual holiday spirit, and soul legend
Sam Moore is expected as well. Moore, who contributed vocals
to "Soul Driver," "Real World," and "Man's
Job" on Human Touch, last joined Bruce on 10/15/99
for "Soul Man." According to www.foxnews.com,
look for Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and the possible return
of Elvis Costello on Sunday night.
UPDATE:
The Associated
Press has reported a couple beneficiaries of this year's
Holiday Shows: the Asbury Park High School band (to which
Springsteen will be donating not only some of the proceeds,
but also 30 instruments and complimentary tickets to band
members) and the Asbury Park Blue Bishops Junior Pee Wee football
team.
-
Updated December 5, 2003
BACKSTREETS
#78 AT PRINTERS NOW
The upcoming issue of Backstreets Magazine is a
wrap. Issue #78 covers the entire Summer Tour 2003 from Giants
to Shea stadiums, in detail with full-color photos. Plus the
Backstreets Interview with Shane Fontayne (marking ten years
since the '92-93 tour came to a close), the fourth annual
Light of Day benefits, new and forthcoming Boss books, Essential,
and more a new record for our biggest single issue
ever. We'll post more on the new issue after the Holiday Shows,
including when you can expect it to arrive, but for now this
is a last call: if you've moved, be sure to submit
your change of address, and
if you've been meaning to subscribe
or renew your subscription, now's the perfect time.
-
December 4, 2003
NEW CONCERT SHIRTS IN STOCK NOW FROM SUMMER TOUR 2003
Just in time for holiday shopping at Backstreet Records
So: you've been making a list and checking it twice, and still
don't know what to get your favorite Boss fan? From 2004
Bruce Calendars to new summer tour T-shirts,
Bruce books,
CDs,
video,
and more, Backstreet Records specializes in Springsteen and
nothing but. "Santa
Claus is Comin' to Town" on CD? Got it. And now is a great
time to visit our online shop, as we're gearing up to help
get holiday gifts sent to our customers in plenty of time.
For
orders placed before December 10, our "standard shipping"
will guarantee delivery before Christmas to any address in
the U.S. If you need something fast, we also offer Expedited
shipping to U.S. addresses, either 2-Day or Overnight. For
orders shipping internationally, we recommend ordering just
as soon as you can if holiday delivery is important, as it's
harder to gauge exactly how long overseas delivery will take
at this time of year. Follow this link to the Backstreet
Records storefront, or go straight to the Latest
Additions page to see what's new.
And
don't forget: in addition to all the Bruce items in our shop,
you can also give the gift of Backstreets Magazine. Use our
gift subscription
form to send a year's worth (or two, or three) of Backstreets
to a friend. The form also allows you to let us know how you'd
a card to be signed. We'll take care of it from there. When
it comes to gifts that keep on giving, it sure beats the jelly-of-the-month
club.
SHOP
ASBURY PARK MERCHANTS FOR A CHANCE AT HOLIDAY TIX
Tickets sold out lickety-split for this year's Holiday
Shows, but once again you've got a chance to win a pairand
to meet Springsteen himself as part of the prizeby shopping
and dining in Asbury Park. Beginning Friday, November 28 and
continuing through Saturday, December 6 at 3 p.m., shoppers
will receive a contest entry for every $10 they spend at a participating
Asbury Park retail store or restaurant. A grand prize drawing
will be held on December 6 at 3:30 p.m., with two lucky
winners. Each winner will receive a pair of tickets for the
final night in Convention Hall (12/7), a backstage visit with
Bruce, and the chance to join in onstage during "Santa
Claus is Comin' to Town." Visit asburypark.net
and cityofasburypark.com
for detailed contest rules and a list of participating merchants.
-
Updated December 5, 2003
FIRST
"DIFF'RENT STROKES," THEN "JAKE AND THE FAT MAN"...
...now "My
Wife and Kids." Watch for a guest turn from Clarence
Clemons on the Damon Wayans sitcom, Wednesday November
26 on ABC (8/7c). Titled "Michael's
Band,"
the episode features the Big Man (star of prime-time tellyvision!)
as Johnny "Saxophone" Watson.
-
November 25, 2003
SAVE
ON "GLASSIC LYRICS" BARWARE
Our
friends at Tenth Avenue Productions have made some pretty cool
barware based on Springsteen songs they've got two different
sets of glasses, a Wild & Innocent collection and a Born
to Run
collection. (Each has four different designs, with Wild &
Innocent glasses inspired by "The E Street Shuffle,"
"Kitty's Back," "Rosalita," and "Wild
Billy's Circus Story"; the Born to Run collection has "Thunder
Road," "Jungleland," "Backstreets,"
and "Born to Run").
Just
in time for the holidays, they're
now offering a special deal to Backstreets readers: Order either
complete set of glasses, and save $10 off the set. You can tell
'em Backstreets sent you by following this link to the Tenth
Avenue Productions website, order one of the Glassic Collections,
and enter coupon code "btr" in the coupon field to
subtract $10 from your order.
WHAT
TIME IS IT?
It's B-b-birthday Time. A happy
one to Little Steven, born 11/22/50
|
THE
TRADITION IS BACK: 2003 HOLIDAY SHOWS ARE ON!
Well, lookee here at what Santa's got in his bag:
Just two months after the Rising tour ended, Springsteen will
take the stage again for three shows at Asbury Park's Convention
Hall, spreading his own brand of holiday cheer as he did in
2000 and 2001.
As in years past, Springsteen shares the bill with the Max Weinberg
7 and Friends, and proceeds will benefit local charities. This
year's shows are planned for the first weekend in December:
Friday 12/5, Saturday 12/6, and Sunday 12/7. Tickets go on sale
through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone only (no outlet
or internet sales) this Saturday, November 22, at 10 a.m. Eastern.
Be sure to see our tour/ticket info
page for additional ticket sale specifics.
And
a merry ho ho ho...
-
Updated November 21, 2003
DROP
THE NEEDLE DON'T PLAY?
Many fans have been experiencing problems with disc two of "Live
in Barcelona," with some DVD players unable to navigate the
on-screen menu or access the special features. Sony is aware of
the problem, and says that they will replace defective discs by
mail. If yours doesn't work correctly, you'll find contact information
for their Quality Management Department on the back of the DVD
package.
In
the U.S., the number to call is 1-800-255-7514 (New Jersey residents
call 856-722-8224).
You'll be asked for the DVD's catalog number (which is C2D56390),
so have that handy, along with your name, address, and telephone
number; according to the QM Dept., Sony will be sending out envelopes
for the return of the defective discs, to be replaced with copies
that actually work. It seems not everyone has gotten a bum disc;
we'd recommend testing yours before calling Sony.
-
November 19, 2003
ESSENTIAL
CHART WATCH: A TOP 15 DEBUT
Essential enters the Billboard charts this week
at #14 with 90,000 copies sold. Nipping at its heels is "Lost
Dogs," Pearl
Jam's two-disc set of rarities, which came in at #15 with 89,600
copies sold, just a few hanging chads away...
-
November 19, 2003
GOBBLE
GOBBLE! "FENWAY PARK SPECIAL" SET FOR NOV. 27
A tellyvision special focusing on Springsteen's Fenway Park stand,
to be broadcast by New
England Sports News (NESN), is scheduled for Thanksgiving night
at both 8p.m. and 10 p.m. The special will be re-broadcast on Wednesday,
December 10 at 10:30 p.m. and Monday, December 15 at 7:00 p.m. NESN
is available on basic cable for the majority of the New England
region, as well as on some satellite dish services.
The
half-hour program, "The Boss in Boss Town: Bruce Springsteen
at Fenway Park Special," is a "making of"-style feature
on the Fenway shows, the first time the network has produced an
original program that is not sports-related (the special was written,
videotaped and produced by NESN). It documents the massive undertaking
required to transform Fenway Park from a baseball stadium to a concert
venue and features footage of Bruce and the E Street Band performing
live on stage.
NESN
President Sean
McGrail says, "The
concept for the program stemmed from the historic nature of these
concerts. The
two shows marked the first ever rock concerts at Fenway Park, and
NESN wanted to provide a documentary of the event to Red Sox and
Springsteen fans alike."
-
Updated November 18, 2003
COME ON COME ON COME ON COME ON COME ON COME ON COME ON!
Yeah, "Essential" has been the soundtrack here at Backstreets
HQ as we've been taking care of CD and DVD orders and working on
the new issue of Backstreets Magazine y'know, in between
playing "count the errors" in the booklet. Look for our
report on Essential in Backstreets #78, due in December. The "Live
in Barcelona" DVD hits store shelves tomorrow and in
addition to the full Barcelona show, that
"Night of the Living Boss" Fenway video is included.
If you missed it online (as part of Amazon's Holiday A-List, reported
below), or just wanted to see it in better quality, you're in luck.
You won't find "Night of the Living Boss" in the on-screen
menus, but it's on disc two, after the "Drop the Needle and
Pray" documentary. (And Essential isn't the only one with credit
errors; the Fenway performance of "Diddy Wah Diddy" is
incorrectly listed and credited as "Do Wah Diddy Diddy,"
rather than the 1966 hit for Barry
and the Remains.) Thanks to everyone who ordered one or both
of these titles from Backstreets, we always appreciate the support,
and we've done our very best to get this new Bruce Juice out to
you quickly. Check back soon for Essential chart action...
-
November 17, 2003
BRUCE
INCLUDED IN LEIBOVITZ'S NEW "AMERICAN MUSIC"
Famed photographer Annie Leibovitz launched her new exhibition,
"American Music" at the Experience
Music Project in Seattle on November 7. The exhibition coincides
with her book by the same name, with portraits of musicians around
the country including a two-page, color shot of Springsteen. Taken
in Philadelphia in 1999, the photo shows Bruce taking notes for
his setlist for the next show. Answering questions at EMP, when
asked how she decided to shoot color versus black and white, Leibovitz
pointed out pictures of legends like June Carter and Johnny Cash
and and Emmylou Harris, saying the timelessness of their work made
black and white seem the right choice. When asked why Springsteen
was shot in color, she explained that she'd photographed Bruce many
times over the years, and he's been pictured as a "rock star"
icon so frequently, she felt that it'd been done. So her photo is
in color, showing him sitting at a table with his guitar, making
noteswith a bowl of soup within reach.
The EMP show runs through January 19, 2004. (Thanks to Christine
Hess for the report.)
-
November 12, 2003
A
PLACE WHERE THE DANCIN' IS FREE... BUT THE GUITARS AIN'T!
It
was Bruce and his baby on a Saturday night as Springsteen and Patti
Scialfa attended a November 8 fundraiser, with Bruce treating the
crowd to "Jersey Girl." At the Muscular Dystrophy Association
Gala in Aberdeen, NJ, Bruce donated a signed guitar that went for
$15,000 in a live auction. On "Jersey Girl," played for
an audience of roughly 550, Springsteen strapped on another guitar
and sat in with the house band. One person in attendance tells Backstreets,
"A great performance, considering it was probably unrehearsed
with the band. The band started a little shaky but finished extremely
strong."
For
setlists from other recent performances, go to our setlists
page.
TICKET
ALERT: SOUTHSIDE'S NEW YEARS SHOW ON SALE NOV. 10
While we're still waiting for official word on possible Holiday
Shows from Springsteen this year (with fingers crossed that he'll
return to the tradition he started in 2000 and continued in 2001),
it's not too early to start making plans for some holiday rock 'n'
roll. Southside Johnny has announced his annual New Years Eve show,
with the Asbury Jukes, back at the Ocean Place Resort in Long Branch,
NJ. Tickets for the show will go on sale for $65 on Monday, November
10 at 9 a.m. through Ticketmaster.
The festivities also including a signing session with the band after
the show. Ring
in the new year with the Jukes!
-
November 8, 2003
ORDER
"ESSENTIAL" AND "LIVE IN BARCELONA" FROM BACKSTREET
RECORDS
As reported below, two Springsteen releases are coming in mid-November:
the Essential CD set (due 11/11), and the Live in Barcelona DVD
set (due 11/18).
We'll
be carrying both in our online shop, where your order directly supports
Backstreets.com and BTX. Plus, if you place your order with us early,
you'll take advantage of a special sale price, below retail. We're
taking pre-orders for both Essential
(with the bonus Disc Three) and Live
in Barcelona now, with a pre-order discount for each, and we'll
ship each title as soon as they're available. (We recommend ordering
these individually for fastest delivery, unless you don't mind one
combined package.) As always, we appreciate your support.
UPDATE:
Our pre-order sale for Essential has ended; thanks to everyone who
pre-ordered the 3-disc set from us, we'll be working hard to get
them shipped out just as quickly as possible. We're continuing to
take orders for Essential and pre-orders for the Live in Barcelona
DVD (still at the sale price) in our online
shop. Thanks for supporting Backstreets!
-
November 8, 2003
THE
MUSIC HAS GOT TO BE RIGHTEOUS
Bobby Hatfield, half of the Righteous
Brothers (and vocalist on Springsteens I Wish
I Were Blind), died at 63 on November 5.
R.I.P.
|
DIDDY
WAH DVD? "LIVING BOSS" FENWAY CLIP ONLINE TODAY
Halloween may be over, but brace yourself for "Night of the
Living Boss" no, not a Jersey swamp-zombie flick, but
a video clip of footage from Springsteen's second Fenway show, 9/7/03.
It's a one-song video montage, currently streaming online "as
a special gift to his fans," to kick off Amazon.com's Holiday
A-List. "Night of the Living Boss" shows Bruce and the
Band arriving at the ballpark and taking the stage to the strains
of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," before busting into
"Diddy Wah Diddy," with a montage of footage and stills
from the show as the live audio plays (for an effect much like the
classic "Born to Run" video, which used stadium footage
from '85). "Night of the Living Boss" is
being called "a special Live in Barcelona DVD Preview,"
leading us to believe that this mini-feature may be included on
the Barcelona DVD itself. In any case, check out "Night of
the Living Boss" today at Amazon.com,
with no purchase necessary though you will need Windows Media
Player.
-
November 3, 2003
FOUR
YEARS RUNNING, BRUCE PLAYS LIGHT OF DAY BENEFIT
The
first of this year's two Light of Day benefit concerts brought Springsteen's
first public performance since the Rising tour. At the packed-to-the-gills
Stone Pony on Saturday night, Springsteen stood by the soundboard,
UNC cap pulled low, to check out Willie Nile (including "I'm on
Fire") and Soozie Tyrell do their thing. After watching most of
Garland Jeffreys' set, Bruce finally took the stage, taking a guitar
lead toward the end of one of Jeffreys' songs before going into
"96 Tears." "See you later," Bruce said at the close of the set,
and that was the truth: At 1 a.m., after Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers
played a few songs, Joe brought the Boss back onstage for an hour-and-a-half
blowout. Their set together included a mix of Grushecky songs, Springsteen
songs ("From Small Things," an impromptu "Fire," "Johnny 99," "Murder
Incorporated," "Light of Day"), and some -- like "Code of Silence,"
with Joe and Bruce sharing lead vocals -- that they wrote together,
with the Houserockers never missing a beat. The show closed with
a pair of covers: "Dirty Water," and a sprawling "Twist and Shout"
that brought many of the night's performers (like Jeffreys, Nile,
Boccigalupe, Joe D'Urso, and JoBonanno) back onstage. Other guests
during the course of the set included Johnny Grushecky on "Murder
Inc.," and on "Light of Day," Michael J. Fox, star of the movie
that brought us that title song, sharing a mic with Springsteen.
Like concert organizer Bob Benjamin, Fox suffers from Parkinson's;
the Light of Day concerts benefit the Parkinson's
Disease Foundation. The players also saluted Benjamin with "Happy
Birthday." With this Saturday night performance, Springsteen has
been part of the Light of Day benefits four years in a row. (Joe
Clark Photo)
No
Bruce for Night Two: This was the first year that Light of Day
stretched over two nights; but traditional headliners Grushecky
and the Houserockers were unable to make the line-up for the Sunday
night show, and Springsteen followed suit. As John Eddie told a
crowd bracing for a Bruce no-show, "I'm just like you
I hope he shows up, too...." Springsteen's music was still
well-represented, with Eddie including "She's the One"
in his set, the righteous Jesse Malin doing "Hungry Heart,"
and Dan Bern's take on "Thunder Road. The incomparable Gary
U.S. Bonds, whose set was the highlight of the night, offered up
"Rendezvous" but that was as close as Sunday night
got to another meeting with the Boss.
For
the full setlist from 11/1/03, as well as setlists from Springsteen's
other recent performances, go to our setlists
page.
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