Springsteen in Hartford

The days of Bruce Springsteen sliding across the stage and dancing atop the piano in his grimey white tank top are over. Long over.

With that said, however, there is still something “magic” about a Bruce Springsteen show.  Maybe it’s a zen thing, where the real excitement is in the time and events leading up to the show.  From the moment tickets go on sale; wrestling with ticketmaster; being such a snob that even though you get decent lower level tickets, you turn them down in the hope that you get  better seats the next time through; and if you get shut out of tickets completely, there’s always the drop line, so there’s no need to worry.  Maybe it’s checking Backstreets.com every hour during the days leading up to the show to get the latest in general admission procedures and set list rumours.  Maybe it’s waiting in the arena for the show to start while listening to the house music that includes everything from The Beatles, to The 13th Floor Elevators to The Jesus and Mary Chain.

Or maybe it’s the show itself.

On Tuesday, October 2, Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band launched the first leg of the tour in support of their latest album, “Magic.”  I must say that the band sounded tighter and rocked a lot harder than the rehearsal show I attended last week in Asbury Park.  Although the structure of the set list remained pretty much the same the band’s playing rose to the occasion and was worthy of a opening night performance.  The sound was infinitely better, there was more enthusiasm and there was an abundance of genuine soul in the band.

Again, however, this is 2007.  Bands have come and gone, and the current state of music is absolutely abyssmal.  It makes one not want to believe in the power of music when there is such a log jam of bad music blocking one’s way.  Although Tuesday night’s show wasn’t the Capitol Theater or the Bottom Line, both of which are long gone, one must appreciate that this version of Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band that took the stage at the Hartford Civic Center played the roles of  rock stars in a manner befitting their collective ages, but more importantly, their statures.  They were more subdued, yes, and “The Promised Land” was played a little slower, but there was true professionalism, poise and grace in their approach to both the music and the performance of it. 

At the end of the day it must be remembered that there is a reason why Bruce Springsteen is called “The Boss.” And that’s a “reason to believe.”   

Springsteen review, etc.

I was fortunate enough to get a ticket for the Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band rehearsal show at Convention Hall in Asbury Park Tuesday night.  Although I had purchased a general admission ticket, there was a snafu at Ticketmaster and my seat was actually located in the bleachers, but believe me, for once Ticketmaster did me a favor.

 Since Bruce used his own stage, which covered aboout 2/3 of the floor area, the bleacher seats nearest the stage turned into the best seats in the house. I had second row, which was, at its closest point, about thirty feet from the corner of the stage.

Bruce’s song selection was pretty good, opening with “Radio Nowhere” for the new record followed by “Prove It All Night” and ”Lonesome Day.” I might have altered the sequence here, puting “Lonesome Day” before “Prove It…,” but I understand that “Prove It…” regularly occupies the second song slot.

Next up, however was a song called “Gypsy Biker” also from the new record which although probably sounds pretty good recorded did not translate well into a good live song.  I think Bruce sensed this because toward the end of a song and after a short harmonica part, Bruce angrily threw the harmonica behind him. At least that was how I perceived it.  Other highlights of the night included “Night,” “She’s the One,” “Darlington County” and “Thundercrack” which was one of the encores.  Still, you had to remember that this was a rehearsal show and it was clear the band was tight and still working out parts, etc.  they did not have that loose, having fun vibe that will probably not be evident until they get a few full-blown shows under their belts.

The lack of air conditioning and musty smell of the hall gave the night a nostalgic feel, but it was the overall size of the place that made the night truly special. I mean, the only way to describe it was that it was like seeing Bruce in your high school gym. You could see every smile, every grimace and every drop of sweat that, starting next Tuesday in Hartford, will only be apparent on the diamond visions.

Regarding the “etc.” mentioned above, we start recording the solo record tonight!