Bruce Springsteen | 11.18 | Boston

Words by: John Reed

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band :: 11.18.07 :: TD BankNorth Garden :: Boston, Mass

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

Is it true? Is “The Boss” really back?

Now, I’m not just talking about Bruce Springsteen – the guy who had recently been experimenting with musical styles and singing the songs of Pete Seeger – but The Boss, the oh-so-proud to be from New Jersey native who’s been pouring his heart out on stages since the ’70s alongside his crew of E Street hooligans. You know, the guy with his own vision of real America that struck a chord with millions who gladly scarf up tickets at any cost to witness his concerts (with the E Street Band that is).

His longtime faithful fans who justifiably brag about witnessing his marathon-like, passion-filled concerts (which sometimes ran nearly four hours) were no doubt more than relieved when Springsteen reunited with the E Street Band for his latest album, Magic, (which debuted at Number One on Billboard) and current tour, which recently stopped at TD BankNorth Garden in Boston.

From the opener “Radio Nowhere,” one of the strongest tracks from Magic, it was clear that Springsteen’s kinetic showmanship and presence was back in full force. While he did spend a bit too much time plugging the new CD, there were so many stellar moments that the audience was thrilled to let Springsteen show off his newer creations.

Strong versions of classics “She’s the One,” “The Promised Land” and “Badlands” were more than enough to make up for an unfamiliar cut or three, although a few more chestnuts from the ’70s and ’80s would have been welcome. Enough cannot be said about having the E Street Band back in the picture. They are essential, perhaps even mandatory, to ensure a classic Springsteen rock show. The triple guitar threat of Springsteen, Nils Lofgren and Steve Van Zandt were often the main focus as the trio showed unbelievable chemistry.

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

Sadly understated was Springsteen’s former onstage foil, saxophonist Clarence Clemons. He stood for the most part as if he was a hired sideman. The onstage antics with Springsteen, which were once a centerpiece of the show, were now almost a memory as interactions between the two were very minimal. One wonders if hard feelings from Springsteen’s original dismissal of the E Street Band in 1989 still linger. However, Clemons did shine at points such as the impressive sax work on “Jungleland.” Drummer Max Weinberg, on loan from his gig with Conan O’Brien, was the most arresting E Streeter the whole night, adding controlled, yet powerful beats to Springsteen’s palpable intensity.

The sole five-song encore – once again a major downsizing from past tours when Springsteen seemed as if he never wanted to stop, though to be fair he is 58 now – was when the Boston concert reached its zenith with the machine gun presentation of “Jungleland,” “Born to Run” (easily the best performed song of the night) and “Dancing in the Dark,” which proved enough to send the crowd into Bruce nirvana.

While the halcyon days of the ’80s when Springsteen was the unofficial American hero and the marathon four hour shows are long over, his drive to be one of the best performers around is still very alive.

Setlist:
Radio Nowhere, Night, Lonesome Day, Gypsy Biker, Magic, Reason to Believe, Darkness on the Edge of Town, Candy’s Room, She’s the One, Livin’ in the Future, This Hard Land, 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy), The E Street Shuffle, Working on the Highway, Devil’s Arcade, The Rising, Last to Die, Long Walk Home, Badlands
Encore: Girls in Their Summer Clothes, Tenth Avenue Freeze-out, Kitty’s Back, Born to Run, American Land

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