I have mixed feelings about The E Street Band's performances this weekend on Saturday Night Live.
I didn't think they were very good, and yet I got very emotional.
Bruce seemed to be struggling terribly with the lead vocal on "Ghosts," yet how could he not be under the circumstances?
The band, especially Bruce, looked both elated and frightened, at least that is how I saw it.
I am sure there were strict safety protocols regarding both the performers and the audience in attendance at NBC, but I could not ignore the irony as I watched that band, get neck to neck and cheek to cheek, while spewing and screaming "I'm Alive!" into the microphone. But then, how could you be an E Street Band member, playing live for the first time in ages, and not need to do that? Shit, I was singing "I'm Alive" and I wasn't really enjoying the song.
And then there wasn't Gary Tallent, who refused to fly into New York City because of COVID, and I thought, if only everyone thought this way from the beginning, you know? Just don't do it. For you. For everyone.
13 comments:
Oh good, I'm not crazy. Re: Gary Tallent
I thought they sounded okay but fer crying out loud, Bruce, roll your jean jacket sleeves down.
Randy
That's a really good synopsis of the SNL appearance. I was excited for it, I sat through the worst SNL sketch I have ever seen (Tiny Horse), and then all I could think was it's 2020, I'm grateful this is happening at all. Bruce had the best of intentions, Steve's mugging was a delight, but they songs are so similar and there wasn't any juice from the crowd for the band to work with. No matter what, he's alive, we're alive, and we all live to fight another day. I see Garry Tallent a lot at shows here in Nashville and talk to him every so often, and he is just a delightful person, so I knew when he wasn't there he probably made a wise COVID decision, and I'm proud of him for it.
Bryan
Saw a tweet from Nils' wife that he would be sleeping on the couch quarantining when he got back
good one Sal. Yeah when i saw no Tallent (not a pun intended) I wondered but on reading your column I totally respect his decision. I would have done the same thing. I thought Bruce's vocals where strained as well. Anyway listening to my new Spotify Play list Burning Wood: Best of The Worst Year Ever 2020
Not great performances, but they're not going on tour, probably rusty, and considering the covid, who wants to be in a rehearsal studio with a band for several hours at a time, then get into a freight elevator at 30 Rock, hang around in a dressing room for a while, to play to barely an audience, when most of the band is in the most vulnerable age group? I would have stayed in Nashville too. Fer cripe's sake, Steve, stay at your own microphone!!
It's sad to think that it'll probably be at least June before I'm comfortable going to see a live band in a club.
Totally agree. The spirit was there but things sounded under-rehearsed and rusty at best. Still happy to see them there.
I agree with you, Bruce was a little less than stellar but my overriding thought was “why are they so close to each other?“ :-)
I was wondering where Gary Talkent was. I’m glad to hear he had some sense
Damn, I think you nailed it. I thought the performance was sloppy - and you could tell Bruce agreed, by his expressions - and it's all a shame because "Ghosts" is my favorite song of 2020.
And - you WANT Bruce to be the guy in the pocket when we need him - bringin' us the rock when we're missin' it. You want him at the plate at that moment.
But it's a COVID soup, those moments - like in March at the Rock NYC show when Jackson Browne got it.
Dang.
Good for Gary. I sure HOPE it was the lack of a big audience, the band being rusty, lack of rehearsal etc. My initial thought was, "Gosh, they sound old." It's like the moment I heard Paul Simon singing creakily and thought, "I'm glad I saw him before his voice went." I think Bruce can def still kill in an intimate setting doing Nebraska-like and boy would I love to hear it. Maybe his Broadway show template is the way forward with dignity. I assume the E Street Band can still make a big noise. But it did feel like turning the page performance-wise. Hey, it happens and the great ones can adjust. Hopefully a year from now I'll see them with lots of rehearsal and a big crowd and Gary on stage with everyone else and wonder what I was thinking to question their ability. It was sure fun to see Little Steven side-kicking away in his inimitable style.
Just got around to watching SNL. Yeah, it was not good. Hope its attributed to the 2020 circumstances and the apparent lack of rehersals.
watched It again this morning and yes the vocal was strained but every time I hear that song I get chills so that's a good thing right
I want to be clear--
I don't want to come across as insensitive. I am completely aware of the conditions surrounding these performances. They were difficult for me to watch because I am a fan.
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