The film Fantastic Beasts: the Crimes of Grindelwald, which was released in November 2018, is the sequel to 2016’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. It features fewer beasts but is equally fantastic. The film is available in both 2D and 3D. I saw it in 2D but I can imagine it works very... Continue Reading →
I had skin like leather and the diamond-hard look of a cobra
My first tattoo was a feather on my wrist. I didn't have any reason or underlying idea behind that tattoo. I just wanted a cute tattoo and that is what I chose. I wanted my second tattoo to be something simple, yet meaningful to me. I also wanted it placed on a part of my... Continue Reading →
Cadillac Ranch
For this blogpost my intention was to write about Springsteen songs in which real locations are mentioned. When I put together the list there were so many songs I realised I maybe had taken on more than I could chew. I definitely needed to break it up in different categories. This entry, which is the... Continue Reading →
Where the Bands Are (Blackberry Smoke, 24 October, 2018)
Blackberry Smoke sometimes are a southern rock band, sometimes a jam band a la the Grateful Dead and sometimes they're a country band. To me that's what makes them a damn good band. The musicians of Blackberry Smoke are all perfectly competent. Lead singer and guitar player Charlie Starr has a sweet, soft "country" voice... Continue Reading →
Trouble in Paradise (co-written songs part 2)
This entry, and Because the Night (co-written songs part 1), focus on the relatively rare occasions where Bruce Springsteen has co-credit on songs. As you will learn the reason for the co-credits are either that the collaborators have co-written or finished something he started OR had their song amended by Springsteen. I don’t claim that... Continue Reading →
Because the Night (co-written songs part 1)
This entry, and the next (Trouble in Paradise), focus on the relatively rare occasions where Bruce Springsteen has co-credit on songs. As you will learn the reason for the co-credits are either that the collaborators have co-written or finished something he started OR had their song amended by Springsteen. I don't claim that the songs... Continue Reading →
Candy’s Room
Candy's Room is one of the sexiest songs Springsteen has ever written. It has passion, power and pure lust. The buildup is absolutely gorgeous. Hand in hand with Max Weinberg's driving beat of the drums, Springsteen uses his vocals to help create an atmosphere and in the beginning he almost talks the lyrics. His voice is... Continue Reading →
Paradise by the C
In the category of great and magnificent saxophone players in rock, Clarence Clemons stands unmatched. His two-minute solo on ‘Jungleland’ is surely the best sax solo ever, delivering pure poetry from an instrument considered by many to be music's sexiest instrument. For nearly 40 years "the Big Man" gave Bruce Springsteen's music much of its... Continue Reading →
Drive All Night
My all-time favorite performance of Drive All Night is from Gothenburg, July 27th 2012 (The Wrecking Ball Tour). An unforgettable rendition that will forever be imprinted in my heart. The setting was perfect. 20 songs into the already epic show the song's unmistaken piano intro silenced the audience, who turned dead quiet while bringing out their mobile phones,... Continue Reading →
Glory Days
Written by Bruce Springsteen, who incidentally celebrates his 69th birthday today (Happy Birthday, Bruce!), this song was a huge hit off the 1984 album Born in the USA. The lyrics tell the tale of someone meeting up with old high school acquaintances in later years only to discover that conversation has changed little as the... Continue Reading →