Benefit at Count Basie Last Night

Another magical night at the Jersey Shore.

I guess you could call this Bruce Springsteen's 2008 Christmas show as he played with Jon Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny, Gary U.S. Bonds and Nicole Atkins at the Hope Show at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank on Monday night.

Bruce as in a great mood, in great shape and really playing like he was in the middle of a tour: jumping around the stage, leaping with the guitar, working all sides of the stage and smiling throughout.

There was very little buzz around the Jersey Shore about Bruce playing this show this year.

He did play it in 2006, did not play it last year, and most people I talked to didn't even bring it up that we would see him this year. Of course it was a possibility, but when a friend called me at 5 p.m. today and said "Bruce is playing tonight" I was genuinely surprised.

It was 10:20 p.m. when Bruce first came on stage. Bon Jovi, wearing a red T-Shirt that said "Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes" on the front and "Stone Pony 1976" on the back said to the crowd, "Do I hear that sound?" And people starting Brooocing. "It's not Santa," said Bon Jovi "It's a lot better than Santa" and out from the right -side stage came Bruce.

He was wearing a black shirt and jeans and is in great shape. Bruce came out with the electric guitar, Bon Jovi was playing an acoustic and they broke into....

1. Run, Run Rudolph
2. Merry Christmas Baby
3. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
4. 634-5789
5. 10th Avenue Freeze-out
6. Having A Party


The show began exactly at 8 p.m. with Tim McLoone and the Shirleys doing a few Christmas songs. Tim is a Jersey Shore institution, especially at Christmas time, and they did about five songs.

There was then some speeches about how the show raised $250,000 for the Parker Family
Health Center in Red Bank.

They also announced the winner of a raffle for an autographed guitar.

Brian Fallon played next and did a couple of songs. Nice set.

Bobby Bandiera came out and talked to the crowd.

He said "It's going to be a fun show. The cats are hanging and waiting in the wings."
Bobby introduced Nicole Atkins who sang "Be My Baby" and "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree."

I would have liked to have seen Nicole do a couple more songs.

The backing band all night included Bandiera, Bob Burger, Joe Bellia, Ray Andersen, Kevin Kavanaugh, Tony Tino, Mike Mancini, Mike Mahoney and others. On backup vocals were Lisa Bouchelle, Maureen McCrink and Layonne Holmes.

There was then some 1960s songs sung including "Monday, Monday," The Doors' "Touch Me," "White Rabbit" (sung nicely by Lisa Bouchelle) and "Someone to Love."

At 9:20 p.m, Southside Johnny came out to join Bobby Bandiera on "Come On Caroline."

Ten minutes later, Gary U.S. Bonds came out and began with "Action In the Streets." Yes, the Bruce song from the 1970s. Great job by the horn section on this. Gary also did a couple other songs including "This Little Girl." Would have been nice if Bruce came out on that song.

Southside Johnny and the entire Jukes took the stage at 9:55 p.m. and started with "You Don't Know, Like I Know."

He then played a song from his new Tom Waits album, "Down, Down Down" (great with all the horns) and then did "I Don't Want to Go Home."

Bon Jovi then came out to sing "This Time It's For Real" with Southside.

Next up was Bon Jovi who had a violin player with him. Jeff Kazee and Kevin Kavnaugh were on the keyboards.

Jon looked great also and started with "Lost Highway." He later said, "I hope you've all been good in these crazy times. But we're in for some exciting times ahead so lets say goodbye to 2008. And it's good to be home in New Jersey." Jon then performed "Blue Christmas" and followed that up with "Who Says You Can't Go Home."

It was now 10:20 p.m. and Jon then introduced Bruce.

~ Hath

source

Here's another article on the concert.

Here are a bunch of other pictures...