Bruce Springsteen put on a fantastic show at the Bradley Center last night.
He and the E Street Band did what they do best -- make great music.
In this era of Obama, Springsteen left political rants out of the show.
It's funny that all the things Springsteen would complain about, like the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and what he called "illegal wiretapping," are still going on. Apparently, he's not troubled by Obama's handling of the wars and the surveillance and not closing Gitmo, etc., or at least he's decided not to preach about the evil government if he is troubled.
Whatever the reason, I'm so glad Springsteen elected to leave the overt partisan political commentary out of the show.
As usual though, he encouraged people to support the Hunger Task Force. He mentioned the difficult economy and the suffering as a result, but he didn't blame anyone. He simply suggested that people take care of their neighbors in need. Very appropriate.
Last night, he wasn't here on business. He was only here for fun.
When it was announced that Springsteen and the band would be playing Born to Run in its entirety, I was thrilled.
Last weekend in New York City, November 7, Springsteen performed The Wild, the Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle live for the first time. On November 8, also in New York, The River, a double album, was performed in its entirety. When Springsteen and the Band go to Buffalo, they'll play Greetings from Asbury Park for the first time.
I would love to be in the audience for all of those performances. But if I could only choose one Springsteen album to hear live, it would be Born to Run.
I have no idea how many times I've listened to it. There's no way I could even guess, but it's safe to say that there isn't another single album that I've listened to more.
There was a dreamlike quality to hearing it performed live, "Thunder Road" all the way to "Jungleland." I've never been at a concert when I knew exactly which song was coming next for eight straight songs. I thought it would be an incredible experience, and it was.
To think that Springsteen and the Band played those songs as very young men and they're still playing them so many, many years later, still together -- it was quite poignant. Then, add to that all the many personal flashbacks and memories triggered and it's a real emotional wallop.
Upon finishing, when the band gathered in front to take a bow, Springsteen mentioned Danny Federici. That was very touching.
I suppose you could consider the playing of entire albums kind of gimmicky, a twist to sell tickets and turn the same old, same old into an "event."
That's not how it came off at all. It was very, very special.
There were plenty of other high points in the show.
During "Waitin' on a Sunny Day," Springsteen gave the microphone to a young boy and he sang the refrain. Very sweet. Springsteen directed the boy up on stage. He handed a note to Max Weinberg and Weinberg give him drumsticks.
"Santa Claus is Comin' to Town," with Clarence Clemons doing his signature lines, was fun. A homemade sign of a Christmas tree, outlined in working Christmas lights, was brought on stage. Red Santa hats were tossed up as well. Max Weinberg wore one and Clarence put one on, too. Springsteen directed that all the lighting be turned off, including the spotlight on him, to allow the audience to see the Christmas lights.
"Living Proof" was a request the Band wasn't prepared to play. A sign with a photo of an infant, "future Boss fan," born two weeks ago Sunday night, prompted Springsteen to tackle the song. It took a while for him to get everyone together. It was like a glimpse of a rehearsal, very relaxed. That moment gave a feeling of intimacy, not sloppiness.
Watch video of the Milwaukee performance of "Living Proof" here.
During "Dancing in the Dark," a woman came on stage to dance with Steve Van Zandt. She wasn't the least bit shy.
"Kitty's Back" provided the opportunity for some awesome solos by E Street Band members.
They performed a rousing version of "Rosalita." That's not unexpected, but it was appreciated.
At times, it was hard to tell who was enjoying the concert more, the crowd or Springsteen. What could be better than that?
It was an exhilarating concert all around, a memorable night.
ARE YOU LOOSE?
Are you kidding? Of course.
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From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "'Born to Run' just as fresh as in 1975," by Jon M. Gilbertson
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SETLIST
November 15, 2009
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Bradley Center
Cadillac Ranch
Badlands
Hungry Heart
Working On A Dream
Born To Run
Thunder Road
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
Night
Backstreets
Born To Run
She's The One
Meeting Across The River
Jungleland
Darlington County
Waiting On A Sunny Day
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
Loose Ends
Jole Blon
Growin' Up
Into The Fire
The Rising
No Surrender
Living Proof
Kitty's Back
American Land
Dancing In The Dark
Rosalita
Higher & Higher
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