Tonight I had seats in the real world. And, I have to admit, it does affect my appreciation both of Bruce's show and his audience. From the bowl, the show is distant. The sound is good enough, but I'm not there. As for the audience, tonight's was one of the best I've been in for a Springsteen show. Except for the occasional mass exodus to the concession stands anytime the pace slowed down, tonight's crowd seemed noticeably more attentive than on previous nights.
As for Bruce, well, what is there to be said that's new? Flawless performances are becoming so common that they are more or less expected. Oh, another great show. Sure. Tell me something new.
Well, for starters, there's starters. "Adam Raised a Cain." Bold choice, and one that set a dark tone for the evening. Later selections of "Mansion on the Hill" and "Independence Day" continued the tone. But, as is typical for a Springsteen show, with darkness there is light. An exuberant rendition of "Sherry Darling," with Bruce egging the audience to participate. Silly dancing during guitar solos, ad libbing into raps, cracking into unrestrained laughter several times. The man was on a mission, and he was having a good time, too.
There were many highlights, as usual. "Mansion on the Hill" was simply perfect. "Light of Day," with the rap shortened and spiced with lines such as "I've been all over this fucking state!," was finally the 3 dueling guitars show stopper that must have been envisioned when the tour started. "Cadillac Ranch" became the latest encore to get a great debut and an Obie in a car. And "Racing in the Street" was magic again.
In one of the more unexpected twists of the night, "Land of Hope and Dreams" was moved up from the final encore, as "Thunder Road" was moved into the final slot. When I saw Bruce last week, the mass exodus during "Land of Hope and Dreams" was, to say the least, disconcerting. Bruce found a solution: for "Thunder Road," they'll stay. I'm not sold on it, but it did seem to work.
As I write, Lowell Kern is sending music into my parents' living room, via the WNEW airwaves. My insides are feeling the effects of the chicken fingers I ate before the show. I'm remembering all the people I finally met for the first time in the parking lot tonight. And I'll be back tomorrow, 'cause there's gonna be another great show in just a few hours.
The Setlist
Adam Raised A Cain
The Promised Land
Two Hearts
Prove It All Night
Be True
Mansion On the Hill
Independence Day
Youngstown
Murder Inc.
Badlands
Out In the Street
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out
Sherry Darling
Working On the Highway
The Ghost Of Tom Joad
Racing In the Street
Light of Day
Cadillac Ranch
Bobby Jean
Born To Run
If I Should Fall Behind
Land of Hope and Dreams
Thunder Road