Ya know that list some people make of the things they’d like to do before they “kick the bucket”?  Not that I’m planning on checking out anytime soon, but one thing I have on my list is to see Bruce Springsteen perform live in New York or New Jersey (his hometown). 

Well after seeing Springsteen and the E-Street Band here in Vancouver on Monday night (March 31st) that item is quickly moving to the top of my “bucket” list, and how fortunate that Springsteen is performing live in New Jersey in late July.  Shawn/Lesa….you might have to get that couch ready for me if I can swing it! ;-)

For those that don’t understand the Springsteen “Magic” it’s hard to explain; either you get it or you don’t.  I just thank God that I get it and have for over 25 years now.  Springsteen brought his magic and then some to Vancouver on Monday night, and while the Vancouver crowd was somewhat lacking in energy throughout most of the show (I guess as Springsteen ages so do his fans, although that’s just an excuse if you ask me), thankfully Bruce and the E-Street Band had it in abundance.

Opening with a tour premiere of Atlantic City I knew I was in for a spectacle that only The Boss could deliver, and he did not disappoint.

The Set List:

Atlantic City - Tour Premiere (an amazing way to kick off the night).

Radio Nowhere – Fabulous cut from his latest CD, Magic.

No Surrender

Lonesome Day

Gypsy Biker – Great on his new CD, even better in person.

Magic – My brother, not as big a fan of The Boss as I, loved this one.

Trapped – Saw this performed during the Born in the USA Tour in ’84 (if possible, it was even better and more powerful this time around).  (Click song name for video.)

Reason To Believe – Springsteen always gives ya a reason to believe.

Because The Night - I was the only one in my row standing for this – old farts! Nils Lofgren’s guitar solo kicked ass on this one; definitely a highlight of the night for me. (Click song name for video.)

She's The One

Livin' In The Future – He took a few jabs at the current political situation in the U.S. ;-)

The Promised Land – Always mesmerizing and more so live.

Waiting on a Sunny Day - At one point he “teased” the crowd saying their singing was pathetic (not enough enthusiasm). Sadly, he was right about that.  (Click song name to link to my video.)

None But The Brave - Tour & World Premiere (as he intro’d: “this is an outtake from the Born in the USA album, if you know this, you know your stuff” – it had then appeared on 2003’s The Essential Bruce Springsteen CD but had rarely if ever been performed live before. (Click song name to link to my video.)

The River – The one song my brother wanted to hear most, and he got it. (Click song name for video.)

Devil's Arcade – Great cut from his latest CD.

The Rising – Still powerful seven years after 9/11.

Last To Die

Long Walk Home

Badlands – Joint was rockin’ on this one.

Encore:

Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out – The crowd woke up for good after this one; better late than never I guess. (Click song name for video.)

Rosalita – Rosie never sounded better.

Born To Run - Never get tired hearing this done live. (Click song name for video.)

Dancing In The Dark

American Land - Folks on the floor were doing the Irish jig. ;-)

Sadly, both Patti Scialfa (Springsteen’s wife) and band mate Danny Federici were not with the band this night. Federici took a leave of absence from the tour in late 2007 to receive treatment for melanoma, while Scialfa was at home (as Springsteen put it, “we have 3 teenagers now and the fort must be guarded”).

On the way home from the concert my brother and I were listening to the FM station that had presented the concert play nothing but Springsteen, and while we were amazed by the songs we had heard live that night, we were even more amazed by what we didn’t hear. Very few musicians have a catalogue of music as full and as rich as Bruce Springsteen, which is why he is, was and always will be my all time favourite “rock star” and why seeing him perform live anywhere, but in his hometown especially, is high on that “bucket” list.

~ Sly