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October 16 / New York, NY / Hammerstein Ballroom
Notes: At the "Change Rocks" benefit concert in support of Barack Obama, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel joined forces, the favorite sons of New Jersey and Long Island meeting in Manhattan to co-headline a show that also featured John Legend and India.Arie. Caroline Kennedy introduced the artists, and Bruce had a few more words before the performances began -- first of all, about the undercard: "Billy and I thought we could sing until we heard India and John rehearsing earlier. We're just pretending." As for the main event, Bruce described it as a historic meeting of New Jersey and Long Island, suggesting (as you might imagine from this old demi-rivalry) that it wasn't the smoothest of collaborations: "I like to rehearse, Billy doesn't." He went on to joke that the whole affair was somewhat Palin-esque: "A lot of last-minute cramming and confident presentation... faking it like you really know what you're doing, but you don?t. Hopefully no one will leave the room screaming like in rehearsals!"
Legend opened with his majestic solo piano take on U2's "Pride (In the Name of Love)," and was soon joined by Bruce, Patti Scialfa, and India.Arie for his new song, "If You're Out There." After short sets from Legend and Arie, Bruce was back for a little acoustic set of his own, with solo readings of "The Promised Land" and "This Hard Land." In between he gave a version of his recent Vote for Change stump speech, saying that electing Obama was just the beginning to "taking back our country," and that it would take everyone "from Jersey, Long Island, and all points west" to rebuild this hard land. Joel followed with his band (which would be the backing band for the rest of the evening) for two of his own songs, "Miami 2017" and "Baby Grand."
The main event featured the Boss and the Piano Man together. Backed by Joel's band, along with Patti and E Street pianist Roy Bittan, Springsteen and Joel traded off songs from their deep catalogs, opening with "Tenth Avenue Freeze-out" and closing with "River of Dreams." On "Tenth," Bruce sang, "They made that change uptown and the Piano Man joined the band..." and "when Jersey and Long Island bust this city in half!" Joel dedicated "Movin' Out" to George Bush and Dick Cheney. On "Thunder Road," simultaneous piano action from Billy ("I like this one!") and Roy. This was truly a blended set -- not only trading off songs, but trading off verses as they sang on each other's songs. Bruce was surprised that Billy didn't know "Spirit in the Night" -- he called out chords throughout -- but was really into his own verse on "New York State of Mind," a highlight of the night. Legend and Arie joined in as well, singing on "Spirit," "The Rising," and "Glory Days."
In the encore, one more Bruce tune: "Born to Run," Bruce leaping onto Billy's piano -- with permission! -- and the pair sharing a hug, Billy giving Bruce a kiss on the cheek. "People Get Ready" spotlighted all of the evening's performers, who then brought Barack Obama to the stage
Setlist:
If You're Out There (backing John Legend)
* * *
The Promised Land (solo acoustic)
This Hard Land (solo acoustic)
* * *
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out (from here on with BJ and his band, Roy Bittan and Patti Scialfa)
Movin' Out (BS takes a verse)
Thunder Road (BJ takes a verse)
Matter of Trust (BS takes a verse)
Spirit in the Night (with JL and India Arie)
Allentown (BS takes a verse)
The Rising (with JL, IA and PS on backup vocals)
New York State of Mind (BS takes a verse and a solo)
Glory Days (all, with BJ on guitar)
River of Dreams (BS takes a verse; features a snippet of "A Hard Day's Night")
Encore:
Born to Run
People Get Ready (verses from BS, BJ, JL, IA)
[Obama takes the stage]
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
_________________ And on a night when I needed to feel young, he made me feel like I was hearing music for the very first time. (Jon Landau - May 22, 1974)http://www.la7.it/news/dettaglio_video. ... spettacolo
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