Bravo Bruce.......

Well! A couple of Bruce thoughts.

1. The BTR 30th anniversary box set. Bravo!! The 'new' CD sounds great, with a cleaner sound and more of a speration of instruments than ever before. Gary's bass is awesome in some of the songs. The Hammersmith DVD is worth its weight in gold. Could this be a sign that the vault door is starting to open? I truly hope so!!!

2. The end of the tour. I was strong. Despite 5 offers from folks to join them at one of the two CAA shows this month (including free tickets) I stood my ground and politely declined....even when Bruce brought out Thundercrack and Santa Ana in Philadelphia. I wanted my final show of the tour (Trenton #1) to be THE SHOW for me, and Bruce did not disappoint me at all. Trenton was a great show and the night would have been perfect if it didn't rain the WHOLE way down and back. Atlantic City, Spare Parts, Meeting Accross The River, Fade Away, DRIVE ALL NIGHT, Santa Ana, Thundercrack!!!!!, This Hard Land, and SONGS OF THE ORPHANS!!!!! As we left the arena I told Sue Potters that "I'm good, no need to come back for the final show". Yeah, I know, I would have heard Fire and Zero And Blind Terry and Mansion and Backstreets but you know, you can't have them all!!!! 139 songs on this tour. Bravo Bruce.....you did a fine job.

3. What I have learned - As on The Rising tour, the last month or so on this tour was totally different than how it started. In September 2003 Bruce started performing songs from Tunnel Of Love, Human Touch and Lucky Town, which made the September and October (Shea) shows that much more enjoyable. At the end of this tour not only did Bruce start to play songs for the first time from his official releases, but songs that never made the light of day until Tracks (if that) and songs that can only be found on various studio bootlegs and outtakes, plus songs he has not performed live in ages.

4. 139 songs!!!!!! I know I said that already, but who would have thought he would play that many? I know, its easier for him to say one night "Let me see what's in my notebook that I haven't played in awhile" and rehearse it a bit in his hotel suite, soundcheck it so the sound guy can mix it right as opposed to having the band learn the song again. However, to boldly go down the path he did on this tour with some of the songs is mind boggling (to me at least). Thank you!!!

5. What's next? Only Bruce knows for sure, and its a good possibility that he doesn't. Hopefully we will see a return to the Convention Hall Christmas shows this year. These have always been personal favorites of mine. As for what is next starting in 2006 lets hope we have a new release that rocks, followed by another ESB tour. The clock is ticking on how much mileage he will be able to get out of this band, especially with Clarence. However, if the Stones can do it and do it well then I believe Bruce and the ESB should be able to do it as well.