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Coal and The Boss

Taking a day out from a very busy music weekend, all sorts of new experiences! Thursday, M and I ventured to the Wales Millennium Centre for a somewhat unusual (for us, anyway) evenings entertainment from Welsh National Opera. The first half of the performance was a performance of Prokofiev’s orchestral score to Eisenstein’s 1938 Russian film Alexander Nevsky. The story of the film centres on Nevsky, the Grand Prince of Novgorod and Vladimir in the 13th century. The film is a portrayal of Russia under and fighting Mongols in the east and Germans in the west [a very suitable accompaniment to recently released Sergei Bodrov film Mongol, then], and is apparently an impressive work, although I haven’t seen it (very tempted now, though!). Prokofiev’s work (reworked for voice and orchestra after the release of the film), is very good, although from some of the lyrics it is obvious that the film, and score, was written in 1938 –very nationalistic and, according to M, labouring the point somewhat. I believe the score has been of profound influence to later composers and filmmakers, as some parts did seem familiar.

The second half of the show was a performance of Welsh National Opera’s new work, Carbon 12. This was highly interesting and often amusing, focusing on an unnamed Welsh mining community. Through the story of respected local John Jones, coal is put ‘on trial’ by the community, with both its economic impact and social and environmental consequences investigated. An excellent performance, although I still don’t really like opera, and any future trip would very much depend on the work. Interestingly, the (reasonably priced, for once!) programme came with a CD of songs inspired by Carbon 12 and performed by local youth music groups.


Saturday 14th, a completely different show, as The Boss himself arrived in Cardiff for a show at the Millennium Stadium. I was highly excited about this, especially as the lack of support indicated a long set to come! For once, the stadium roof was open, and I think that improves the sound somewhat. First negative (there aren’t many), the show was due to start 7.30pm with doors 2 hours before, but actually started at 8.15. Ok, the show was still 2hours 50 minutes, but the extended wait was rather irritating as a support band could have played in some of the time. But no matter, Bruce and the E Street Band were excellent once they arrived on stage, very mixed set with old and new songs alike. Slightly disappointed that they didn’t play Backstreets, but the start of the ‘encore’ (although the break was only about 2 minutes) was Jungleland which is almost as good! There were only a few songs M and I didn’t know, and a lot that everyone did –making for a very large choir!

Set list courtesy of www.brucespringsteen.net:

From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come) Tour Premiere
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
Radio Nowhere
No Surrender
Lonesome Day
The Promised Land
Blinded By The Light
Magic
Atlantic City
The River
Gypsy Biker
Darlington County
Because The Night
She's The One
Livin' In The Future
Mary's Place
Working On The Highway
Devil's Arcade
The Rising
Last To Die
Long Walk Home
Badlands

Jungleland
Thunder Road
Born To Run
Rosalita
American Land


Of the E Streeters, Clarence was by far the most favourite member, with huge applause for his many sax solos, especially on Jungleland!

Would I go again? Maybe. Excellent value for money in time on stage, but I’m not sure the show overall was as impressive as the Rolling Stones.

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