So, I went to go see Alanis Morrissette at the 02 Arena with Drew (the boyfriend) and friend (called Alana...and is also from Canada.) This was my second time seeing Alanis live in concert so I knew what kind of experience to expect. You see, Alanis is not your average live performer...most definitely not.
'Jagged Little Pill' is Alanis' greatest hit's album. It's as easy as that. All her releases since, while are adequate and are very listenable, none of them come close to the monster that 'JLP' is. The proof? Her setlist for the concert on the 28th of November was 20 songs long. 9 of those were from 'JLP'. 6 were from the new album 'Havoc and Bright Lights' and the remaining 5 from other albums and the like.
Now, most artists have that one record, their most popular, the one with the most recognisable tunes on that they rely on for live performances, but to be playing 9 songs from your debut album more than 17 years after its first release? It surely is proof of the album's lasting appeal.
I've been a fan of Alanis's since hearing 'JLP' for the first time back when it was released in 1995. I remember feeling like such a rebel at 11 years old listening to 'You Oughta Know' on my headphones at school. I've not been a dedicated fan, more a casual fan but one who counts 'JLP' as one of his favourite albums of all time.
Alanis was due to come on at 21:00 but didn't make it on until 21:35. I personally think 30 minutes is fine to wait as it helps build up the anticipation. However, on this occasion, people seemed a little annoyed. Not Guns 'n Roses at Reading Festival a few years back annoyed, but more a stern look from a teacher who's not best pleased with your tardiness. Also, what may have helped is that we drove in so we didn't have to worry about making trains or buses or other such malarkey.
She opened with a song I didn't know called 'Woman Down'. First songs are always generally awful as the technicians are still sorting out any sound issues and other such things. This one was no different. It didn't take too long though to get to our first taste of 'JLP'. 'All I Really Want' started with its beautiful harmonica and guitar intro. Beautiful stuff. This was followed by 'You Learn'.
Now, I can get emotional at concerts with certain songs that have special meaning to me. If you've read my previous blogs on seeing Bruce in New Jersey you'll know. However, I was not expecting to get emotional during this one. My favourite song off 'JLP' is 'Mary Jane' and always gets me going. I'm not sure what came over me but I shed a tear (or two) during 'You Learn'. I couldn't tell you why. Maybe as I've grown older the lyrics finally make sense to me or some other similar bullshit, who knows. Anyway, below is the video of 'You Learn' :
After another song I didn't know came 'Mary Jane'. I'm not going to say anything about it. Instead I'll just put the video here for you to watch.
She is a strange performer live. I get the feeling that if she could be a singer and never have to tour she would. She seems so awkward on stage. The way she walks back and forth, to and fro, from one side of the stage to the other only to stopping for the odd song that she would sing with a mic stand. It could get a little distracting at times but you soon forgot about it when the chords of a familiar 'JLP' song started up. Her head banging during the frantic climax to 'Uninvited' is quite something else as well. She looks like she's having a seizure of some sort. But, somehow, it fits her. She doesn't engage with the audience at all. Literally only saying 'thank you' multiple times throughout the concert. There's no small talk, no shenanigans with the band members. Nothing. But, again, it somehow fits her personality.
I may come across as being very critical of Alanis as a performer but I will happily go see her again. She's a legend, simply put. Alanis comes across as an awkward, shy, phenomenally talented teenager at the age of 38. She may be happily married and all that but to me, she'll always be the angry 21 year old girl who could quite possibly pull a Glen Close and boil your bunny.
I've been watching re-runs of 'Malcolm in the Middle' for going on four hours now. I remember watching it for the first time back in 2000 (twelve years ago!). Times were much simpler then. All I had to worry about was how I could get off not going to school for the day.
I grew up in South Africa. Ten years spent in Jo'burg (Johannesburg to the less informed) and eight years in Durban (Kwazulu-Natal to the pedantic). Obviously, Durban trumps Jo'burg in pretty much every category, so naturally, looking back, I couldn't have asked for a better place to spend my childhood.
I have this terrible problem of starting a blog and then not posting it. The above was written at least two weeks ago. I really need to finish what I start. Just commit to a 'writing sprint' and write non stop for an hour and see what happens....maybe next time.
This blog is a little delayed considering the concert I want it to be about took place on the 22nd of September 2012. But hey, better late than never,right?
If you read my previous blog 'NYC in 3 Days' (and let's be honest, you probably didn't) you'll be aware (or not, in this case) that the trip to NYC was a birthday present. Actually, going to see Bruce was the birthday present. Going to New York was just an added bonus.
This concert was the holy grail for myself (and perhaps a fair few other Springsteen fans.) It was his final concert in a three night residency at the new MetLife Stadium, it was in his home state of New Jersey, and, coincidentally, it was his birthday the next day (the 23rd). That didn't happen to be a factor until other unexpected factors took place later that evening.
We made our way to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Times Square, which proved to much harder than first thought. The Port Authority happens to be the biggest bus terminal I have ever seen (I'm not sure if it doubles as a train station as well) but it was massive. It took us about 15-30 minutes to try and find the Coach USA ticket window just to be able to buy our tickets to the stadium (which were an absolute steal, $10 return!? Get In!)
Leaving a nice sunny NYC, we headed across the river to a wet, rainy and ever so slightly miserable looking New Jersey. If ever you need a contrast for how amazing New York is, just head across the river. New York felt a million miles away, New Jersey felt like it could be Any Other Place, USA.
Still, it was exciting. We were now in the state that gave us Frank Sinatra, Jason Alexander, Bon Jovi (I know, I know) and, most importantly, Bruce Springsteen.
As MetLife came into view I got a little shiver down my spine. I have weird thing for big buildings, structures etc. I'm always in awe at how a project like that comes together. I just have trouble setting up a decent (or in this case, sub par) blog. Imagine what those guys must go through to get a stadium built!?
Moving on, we got dropped off and started to make our way through the parking lot. This is where I saw my first ever 'tail gate parties'. This is also where I decided that next time I will actually have to attend a tail gate party. What could be better than sitting in a parking lot, drinking, eating and having in depth discussions about the artist you're about to see? Yes, I'm the kinda guy that would sit in a parking lot and drink it seems.
We entered the stadium and straightaway headed to the merchandise booth (as is customary for me at any gig I go to) and purchased two even specific T-shirts. Pricey but you gotta, ya know? We then made our way to one of the many many many food stalls. Loaded up with our burgers, BBQ steak rolls and beers, we made our way down to our seats. Seats that were pretty pretty pretty good.
The seating bowl and upper levels had pretty much filled up. Perplexingly, the GA's had not been allowed in yet. What were they waiting for? Better Days (get it?) Regardless of that, there we waited for Bruce Springsteen, the saviour of rock 'n roll, to grace us with his presence and bring forth the power of the mighty E-Street band. We waited with baited breath.
'EVACUATION ANNOUNCEMENT' Huh? We were being asked to evacuate the seating bowl due to severe weather and lightning in the area. This was a first. We were then moved into the foyers of the stadium to wait for the weather to pass. We waited for two hours. Two hours of doing absolutely nothing. Not even drinking ($8 a beer is excessive, even when in a holiday mindset). We found a nice little hideaway under some stairs where a few others were also waiting. I spent the time playing 'Shoot Bubble' on my phone. It was as exciting as it sounds. After waiting for what seemed like ever the weather never came. We just got a bit of heavy rain but that was it. Better they evacuate us than not and have people struck by lighting. Understandable.
They then let everyone back in to find their seats and get comfortable. At about 22:28 Bruce took the stage. With Springsteen gigs routinely going over the three hour mark, we were pretty much guaranteed a past midnight show. Thank God for no curfews at MetLife ;)
'I think I just invited 55,000 people to my birthday party' and with that they band launched into a very well received 'Out In The Streets'. The set list would prove to be quite varied throughout the evening. Playing eleven songs that I've not heard live before, including a song I thought I'd never EVER get to hear live...it also happens to be one of my favourites. But we'll get to that one later...
A varied first 1/4 offered up a few songs that I wasn't overly familiar with or didn't care much for. Songs such as Cynthia (didn't know it, I know it now though), Who'll Stop The Rain, Cover Me and Downbound Train (familiar with them all but never cared much for them.) This, though, is the beauty of seeing someone live singing songs you've not heard of or cared for. It somehow, almost magically, makes the songs resonate with you and gives you an appreciation you never had for them.So is the case for these songs, especially Downbound Train.
We then started to hit the Wrecking Ball songs. Wrecking Ball is a fantastic album. It's just so anthemic and inspiring. My song of choice of the album is Wrecking Ball. Which was actually written for the tearing down of the old Giants Stadium to make way for the new MetLife Stadium. Put Wrecking Ball on full blast and I ask you, are you not inspired' 'Hard times come and hard times go, hard times come and hard times go, just to come again.' I won't lie, I welled up and got shivers during this part. It's inexplicable considering I know the song and heard live at Hyde Park just two months earlier.
So far so sort of unexpected. We then hit my first surprise of the evening. 'Pay Me My Money Down' was played regularly on the Seeger Sessions tour. It had been played only three times in 2012 and then six years prior during the actual Seeger Sessions tour. So, to have this song played was quite a strange choice I thought. It did make sense though, due to the expansion of the band and that the sound of the Wrecking Ball album was, indeed, more Seeger Sessions than 'Magic' or 'Darkness'. It did provide a good sing a long for the crowd as well.
As we heard the final chords of 'Janey, Don't You Lose Heart' the clock hit midnight. And so began a mass birthday song to Bruce, The Almighty. I mean, how often do you get to sing Happy Birthday to Bruce on his actual birthday? As he alluded to earlier, the last time he sang on his birthday was 'in the days before manually operated hair dryers.' A rare treat for us fans indeed. He then launched into 'In The Midnight Hour'. Another song he'd not played live for many years, this time, however, that gap was 32 years. It was a rocking song and, obviously, a very fitting song.
Hitting the half way mark, he followed 'In The Midnight Hour' with one of my favourites. Another song that hadn't been played since 2009. 'Into The Fire', which Bruce dedicated to Rich Nappi, a FDNY Lt. that died in April while putting out a fire at a warehouse in Brooklyn. The song already packs an emotional gut punch. Dedicating it to a deceased fireman who saved lives, made that punch even more powerful.
The songs that followed were all expected. That is, until, what followed 'Waitin' On A Sunny Day'.
The dream for me, at a Springsteen gig at least, has been to not only see him in New Jersey but also to hear 'Meeting Across The River' live. This, Bruce decreed, was the night.
The first piano chords to that beautiful, sublime intro, followed by the gentle trumpet. I've not got this emotional during a song since my first live 'Jungleland'. It was just amazing. I was stunned into silence. Wanting desperately to sing a long but every time I tried, my voice just cracked. I decided it best to shut up and just take it in. It has long been one of my favourite songs...ever. And here I was, hearing it live. What, on this earth, could possibly make it better? As it turned out, the following song...
'Jungleland' has only been played a handful of times this tour. Mainly, due to Clarence's death last year. 'Jungleland', was his song. 'Jungleland' is all about the sax solo. I've heard it live a few times. My first time hearing it was at Cardiff '08. And that has remained my greatest concert going experience ever. The goosebumps I got. It felt like they were little daggers all over me. But now, as precious as that moment was. I was now hearing 'Meeting' into 'Jungleland'. It just does not get better than that. Now, please take 15 minutes out of your day and watch this. (Meeting Across the river is about half way through)
After the epic one-two of 'Meeting' and 'Jungleland', we needed a come down. We needed a 'Rocky Ground' to give us a break. We got 'Rocky Ground' but not before we got 'Thunder Road'. 'Thunder Road' is usually widely regarded as Bruce's masterpiece. it is usually alway in 'TOP 100' type lists. The only song of Bruce's that could realistically beat it in such lists is 'Born To Run'. Anyway, 'Thunder Road' offers the crowd the chance to take part in the ultimate sing a long. It is a fantastic and , at the risk of sounding like I'm a member of a cult and trying to get you to drink the Kool-aid, life-affirming song.
We then hit the encore which was filled with the only predictable part of a Springsteen gig. We get the usual; Born To Run (to breath new life into this song it either needs to move further up the set list, maybe make it an opener or start doing a different version of it). It is a great song but, personally, I think it's getting a little tired. This was followed by Glory Days, then Seven Nights To Rock, Dancing In The Dark, 10th Avenue and Twist and Shout (now with added fireworks!)
In between 10th Avenue and Twist and Shout, Bruce brought out his sister, mother and mother in law. The band then brought a big guitar cake which Bruce dished up and gave to people in the pit and on the stage. It was definitely a fun and unique way to end a rock concert.
Truth be told, If I look at the set list on paper, it wouldn't rank up there with my favourite Springsteen shows. It was not a bad show by any means, just an unexpected one. What clips it for me is many of the outside factors involved; getting evacuated due to weather, the late start of the concert, Bruce's Birthday, seeing him live in New Jersey and, most importantly, hearing 'Meeting Across The River' followed by 'Jungleland'. And let me tell you, there's no greater joy than to hear a rare, favourite song of yours live, for the first time...
I just got back late morning on Tuesday (25th September) after a whirlwind three day holiday in New York City. I've been to New York once before about five years ago with my sister and a group of her friends and mine. I did all the touristy things then. Statue of Liberty, Empire State, Rockafeller Centre, Central Park. You name it and I most likely did that week.
This time was different for many reasons. One; I was going with my special someone and he had never been to New York (as a tourist), two; the trip to New York was my birthday present, three; I was going as the, if possible, 'experienced New Yorker' and fourthly, and most importantly, we had tickets to the final night of Bruce Springsteen's 3rd and final night of this three night residency at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey. But more about that experience later.
New York is a beast. A fast moving, non-stop, 24 hour assault on the eyes, ears, feet...and wallet. Landing at JFK at about 14:00 and, thanks to traffic. As Elaine Benes said 'No ones ever beaten the Van Wyck...' I understand what she's talking about. The traffic is nightmare. Nothing compared to other countries such as New Dehli but still, I wouldn't want to be driving around in New yOrk at any time...any place. We got to our hotel in Times Square about 17:00. A little later than planned.
We didn't have much time to take in the hotel as as soon as we had checked in and gone to our room, we were on our way out again. Times Square is quite amazing. A constant buzz, constant smells of street vendors, constant sights of the Naked Cowboy....and Indian. Times Square sums America up in one word. Excess. The billboards that light up the Square, the absurdity of a store devoted to M & M's (!?) But despite that, you can't help but be awed by it all.
We decided to take in a last minute show on Broadway. Our choice of show was based on what we most likely would never get to see on the West End. A show specific to Broadway. A show that originated on broadway and would die on Broadway. That show turned out to be Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark.
Spider-Man the musical is regarded as one of, if not the biggest, flops in Broadway history. It's cost a reported $65 million + and has been ripped apart because of its songs (written by U2) that aren't catchy, Broadway tunes, it's storyline and the accidents that have happened due to the high-flying aspect of the show. Despite this, it does...somehow....work. It really shouldn't...and in parts really doesn't, but it most definitely is not the car crash I was expecting it to be.
After Spiderman, we decided we needed food and headed on to the Olive Garden. The food was quite delicious and there was plenty of it. Seriously, they just throw such huge amounts at you it's no wonder there's this obesity problem!
That was Friday done with. Saturday we accidentally overslept and only left the hotel at about midday. We made haste (?) to our first 'sight to see', the Empire State Building. It's a massive building that you can go the top of to see a nice view of New York. And it's the building King Kong climbed up.
Faced with having to walk everywhere and walking taking up much time, we decided to buy one of those 'hop on/hop off' buss passes. Best. Decision. Ever. We hopped on the bus at the Empire State, and rode the bus until we got to Ground Zero.
Last time I was at Ground Zero it was literally a massive mess of a construction site. now, you have to pre book a free ticket to go walk around the tribute fountain. It has turned into a very strange experience. we didn't book a ticket so just pretty much wandered around until we made our way back to the bus stop. We then 'hopped on' again and stayed on the bus until it dropped us off at our stop at Times Square. We were debating getting off at Battery Park to have a wander and see the Statue Of Liberty from afar. My nerves put a stop this, however, as it was getting on a bit and we had a concert to get to in New Jersey. Although, we did get off at Rockafella Center to have look around. We stumbled across the LEGO store. I accidentally bought a R2D2 for the boyfriend and myself a mini Rockefella Replica. I'm a sucker for buildings and skyscrapers.
Saturday night was booked up with a concert. The main reason for our trip. My REAL birthday present. A Bruce Springsteen concert. In his home state of New Jersey. Don't think it gets better than that. But Saturday night was so special that it deserves it's own blog entry...that'll be coming later.
We got back to our hotel Sunday morning about 03:00/04:00 in the morning after the concert. We somehow, magically, were able to wake up at about 09:00 and make the most of our one full day of sight seeing. We started Sunday off as most New Yorkers do (I assume), getting out morning fix of Starbucks. I was slightly disappointed with my Pumpkin Spiced Latte and found my pumpkin and cream cheese muffin to be particularly sweet. Sickly sweet.And the boyfriend just plain hated his Chai tea Latte. Regardless, we got to our bus stop and boarded our bus. This time, we were headed straight to Battery Park to make use of our voucher for a ferry ride to Liberty Island or a cruise around the Hudson. We opted for the cruise, seeing as how you can't get inside Lady Liberty (giggedy!)
We got back to Times Square early evening and saw there was some sort of flea market thing going on. Turns out this is a flea market for rare (or mass produced, not sure which) items form various Broadway musicals. Not being a massive musical fan, I didn't care too much about it. The other half sure did though. After the flea market madness, we decided to eat at Guy's American (that blonde dude who does the Diners, Drive-ins and Dives show? His restaurant). It was Ok. Nothing spectacular.
We thought about maybe taking in another show but then decided...not sure how or why, to go to Ripley's Believe It Or Not instead. What a waste of time. So incredibly boring. Although I felt weirdly bad for them. How can an attraction like that remain relevant in this day and age? There are all sorts of weird oddities out there that we can view on youtube or something less age restricted out there, that is far more entertaining than paying $90 dollars for the both of us to wander around and look at pictures of the oddities. I suppose that's the power of the tourist. We'll do anything and pay anything while on holiday. We spend like kings with an unlimited fortune. If only that were true.
Monday was the day we were flying back. We had to check out the hotel by 11:00. We were being picked up at 13:30, our flight leaving at 18:20. Not much time left to make the most of NYC but we tried. Leaving the hotel at 10:30 (our luggage there as well) we decided to just spend the morning in Times Square. Got our coffee from a van (and it tasted much better than the Starbucks the day before) and just wandered around. We decided to have lunch before leaving. We went to Ruby Tuesdays which was quite nice. I had BBQ Ribs and Jumbo shrimp...just gone 12. Was it too early for a meal like that with ample cocktails? Who cares! When you're on holiday your normal rules and routine do not apply.
And with that, we ended our whirlwind three days in NYC. I'm sure that all the above made for a boring a read and it seemed like we just 'wandered about' in a nice calm state. This is not the case. It was hectic.
I'm currently sat on the couch watching 'Lucky Number Slevin' with a very shirtless Josh Hartnett and was suddenly reminded how much I love this film (not just the first 15 minutes ;). Some might say its a convoluted story that takes a long time to get nowhere and is, well, convoluted just for the sake of trying to make it different. To stand out from the usual revenge fair. I agree. But who cares!? It's a fun movie.
There's a song Joni Mitchell sang called 'Both Sides'. It's sublime and just awe inspiring. Spare 6 minutes of your life, will ya?
As you can tell there is post is not about anything in particular. I'm just bored and lamenting the waste of the three days off work I just had. I did nothing. Literally nothing. Finished work on Friday, stayed in. Woke up Saturday morning, stayed in...all day. Woke up Sunday, went to my parents for lunch then came home. And stayed in. Woke up Monday morning, stayed in. Now, I didn't stare at the wall or anything. I played some PS3, did a little time wasting on the internet, I mean, I did stuff, just nothing productive. Which, as is typical for me, I regret when its too late to do anything about it. I could have taken Larry (my puppy in my profile pic. He's actually just over a year now) for a walk and do some training with him. I could have charged my camera and tried to 'develop' (see what I did there?) a skill I'd love to have. I could have done something creative. Instead, I've spent three days doing things other, more creative people have accomplished. Good going me.
I could go on a 'life is too short' rant or 'youth is wasted on the young' (I think 26 is still considered young these days...but not by much...). I'm starting to get an overwhelming sense of life not being lived to the full. Of a live just passing me by. Don't get me wrong, I love my love and everyone in it but it just feels like something is missing. I'm not quite sure what.
Anyway, I better go. Slevin is about to exact his revenge!
