Park West, Chicago

I lied, I lied.

I said I wouldn't go out of town to see this tour. I promised myself I wouldn't even think about it. But, after my brother and wife said "Why not?" and after Brian's breathless review, the little birdie in my head went nuts: "YOU WON'T GET THIS CHANCE AGAIN!!!" So, I reconsidered, and with 3 days notice, no tickets to the show, etc., we made our plans, and at 5pm yesterday we were there, ready for our first ever Bruce club appearance.

Get there, time to deposit the change of clothes in Ray's car. Going around the corner, and here's a black Ford Explorer pulling out of the Theater lot. And there's Terry McGovern in the front seat, he of bear suit fame. The back window is tinted, but yes, that's Bruce Springsteen behind it. I saluted, he saluted back, everything's cool. He's here, he's going to play tonight.

Waiting on line to get in, it becomes very clear that a substantial portion of this crowd heard of the show on the LTD. Clark, Jerry, Cheryl, good meeting you, and anyone else who recognized us from our web page (now that was spooky!). When the doors finally open, we have a choice to make -- go for front of the stage, or take a table. The stage is tempting, but we opt for the table and order beers. The tables have chairs, these will be useful later on.

15 minutes before showtime, Joe Grushecky comes into the seating area to meet someone. Almost no one recognizes him. I have the sharpie and liner notes, and he appears to be genuinely honored to have the opportunity to obliterate an image of his face (is that the picture Bruce took?) with his autograph.

Opening act was Joe D'urso and Stone Caravan. Last time we saw this band, Danny Federici was playing with them, but that was 2 years ago. The 45 minute set is a solid warm-up, including a raving rendition of Johnny Bye Bye -- the first time I've ever heard anyone cover that song.

On to Grushecky. A nice opening with No Strings Attached, one of the stronger songs from the new album. During the next song (Comin' Down Maria, if memory serves), took the last pit stop. Someone claims to have seen the setlist; Bruce will be out after the third song to do War! Come back, Lori decides her pit stop time is now. After an amazingly fast trip, I ask how she managed. She says, "I got to the bathroom and said, 'Ladies, Bruce is coming out after this song. FLUSH!!! That thing cleared out so fast...'" Bruce does come out after the 3rd song, but the song ain't War, but What Did You Do in the War, a much lesser song. After the first verse, it's clear that this is now Bruce's band. Joe's singing, but Bruce is leading, and the accelerator is fully depressed.

Songs that are nothing special on the CD suddenly explode with passionate performances. Never Be Enough Time isn't particularly memorable on the disc; but add in a monstrous extended Springsteen guitar solo at the end and it sure is. I was on my chair for that one. Joe's voice, too frequently off-pitch on the CD, is fine most of the night. The harmonies between Joe and Bruce, so awkward (or just off) on much of the CD, consistently work well in concert. Band members got in on the fun -- Joe Pelesky showing how to flex his muscles while doing a keyboard solo; bassist Art Nardini looking amazed to be out front and center during an extended version of the "solo" in Brown Eyed Girl. In short, it was pretty fucking great to be there for the show.

The setlist was basically the same as at the previous shows. Light of Day was particularly awesome, basically blowing the roof off the joint. After Down the Road A Piece, drummer Jeff "Joffo" Simmons flung his drumsticks into the crowd. Only he didn't fling them, he fired fastballs. And here's one coming straight... at... me. Ohhhh, shit. Can't judge the incoming, not enough light, try to catch? time to duck?... SMACK!! That sound you heard was not from the World Series game, it was the drumstick bouncing off my forehead and careening up the first base line. Missed my eye by less than an inch. Now, I'm sure Joffo wasn't trying to bean anyone, but as the bean-ee I can assure you that wood drumsticks hitting full-force from 40 feet hurt like hell and have great potential to cause serious injury an maim. So Joffo, don't do it again, eh? Not to me, not to anyone else. My injury will heal in a couple of days, and I feel pretty damn lucky right now. You can make it up to me by sending me an autographed pair of sticks in a padded envelope, ok? Bob, give Joffo the message for me, I'll provide the address.

Thankfully for me, there were only two songs after the beaning. Park West had no EMS, so I gathered plenty of ice for the ride home, figured hanging at the stage door would be for another time. Injury and all, an amazing night, one that will long be remembered.

Thank you to Ray and to Kevin, can't thank you enough.

--Matt