Bruuuuuuce
Well, I have tried all day not to write about last night’s Springsteen show. But I can’t help it. I’ve seen a lot of shows, a lot of his shows. And I cannot remember a better, more heartfelt, more open and generous show in my life.
Of course, I am predisposed to love him and the E-Street guys and I always feel my life flash a little bit before me when I watch them onstage — for a lot of different reasons which those of you who know me well will understand. And last night, they all looked just a little older, a little stockier. Even Bruce. So there was that. And then they started the show (I am TERRIBLE with set lists but there’s one and a good review here). He took us through the whole Born to Run album (I saw that tour when they hit Oxford Ohio in the mid 70’s) and the songs, which we’ve all heard in concert before, had such a new resonance when you heard them strung together as they originally were. It was just as it was when he seemed to spring on us all back then. After the last song from the album, he stepped forward with his original band minus Federici and said “these are the guys that put together the album” and you felt all their history and yours in that moment.
But he wasn’t morose or even really nostalgic. He played those songs with all the heart he ever poured into them and it just broke my heart wide open with everything a heart can experience. He played Back In Your Arms as if he might not make it through the song. I looked behind me and saw a woman rocking back and forth sobbing. The whole night was like that. He walked through the crowd, was lifted to the stage (a la Peter Gabriel); hands, almost every hand swayed in the light. Of course we sang every word as loud and as long as we could.
It was even poignant to see that they lifted a disco ball to the ceiling for the points of light that we might have all raised up with our lighters way back when. (sorry, now I am getting maudlin).
Anyway, for three hours and more he and the band gave us everything they had until it was clear we all needed a rest and I am so thankful I was there.
Tags: Born to Run, Springsteen
November 20th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Eliza, That was a great show. Nicely done on the memories and places that whole albim takes you. By the way, I miss albums..the artwork, etc.
I just saw both Steely Dan shows..it was my Christmas present from Mrs. BCee. So good. So tight. BTW, keep writing. I enjoy reading your blog when I think of looking for it!