I've seen a lot of great live music in my time. I was in the VIP section at Central Park for S&G's concert, I saw the Joshua Tree tour, I've seen the Buena Vista Social Club, Bring On The Night, MM&W at CBGBs, and R.E.M. too many times to count. But never before have I been as awestruck as finally seeing the E Street Band live.
Wednesday Night at the Spectrum in Philly i got to participate in the spectacle, revival, and live show that Bruce has been putting on for over 30 years, and it really was worth it. We should all be so good at that age.
Sure, the crowd was a true South Jersey crowd and the Spectrum deserves to be torn down, but every minute was a thrill ride. Bruce and the E Street Band entertain, enthrall, and invite you to participate. No stage set, no fancy U2 spinning lemon, no pyrotechnics, just a bunch of guys and gals from the Jersey shore still rocking.
My favorite moments:
Spirit In The Night - a true classic
a great reworking of Johnny 99
Raise Your Hand - as good as it sounded from the 75 bootleg i have
London Calling - the stump the band request which delivered
Thundercrack - sounds as fresh today as ever.
Hungry Heart - i also have same wife and kids in Baltimore, and seeing Bruce pass the mic to his mom for a verse in the audience was priceless
Thunder Road into 10th Ave Freeze Out - classic live bruce
American Land - one of my favorite Bruce songs to begin with, even better seen live (get it from Live In Dublin)
and the real treat that made the whole night worth it -
Kitty's Back - how often can you say you saw this classic 70s gem live. The band jamemd for close to 15 minutes thru Kitty showing that they aren't just a rock band, not just a bar band, but a phenomenal set of musicians.
PS on the night - Sklar and I close to 18 years ago took a day off from camp and went to the stone pony to see Clarence play a solo show. Max Weinberg joined Clarence on drums that night and they saluted Max because he and his wife just had a baby boy. Guess what - 18 years later, that baby played the second half of the set on drums for Max and was a killer drummer. Proud papa Max stood by us at the soundboard to take it all in.
