The Contented, The Experienced and The E. Street Shuffle
Bruce Springsteen and the E. Street Band
Value City Arena
Columbus, Ohio
December 16,2002
*****

What immediately struck me the first time I saw Bruce and the E. Street Band way back on the Born to Run tour (am I old as dirt or what?) was that the crowd was as loud when he first walked on stage as most artist's encores. This night was no different. What WAS noticeably different was the man himself. Mr. Springsteen's life has come full circle. Sure there would be a party … but there was a communion to be celebrated.

Beginning with the title track from The Rising, his latest release inspired from the events of 9/11, and segueing into another new song from the same CD "Lonesome Day", Bruce made it clear that he had something to really say. I couldn't believe the response for two brand new tunes. Usually when someone who has been around as long as the Boss tours on a new release, songs are sandwiched in the middle of a set list rather innocuously and receive polite applause. But amazingly the crowd seemed to know the lyrics and sang along. And as the concert moved along almost flawlessly I realized that we all were not merely having a good time … we were celebrating the essence of Springsteen's music.

You see … a lot of people I've talked with who don't appreciate this man, have never listened to say … Nebraska … an album recorded in his living room on a simple 4 track recorder many … many moons ago. When you hear his songs stripped down to guitar … lyrics … emotions … it may very well dawn on you as it did me. By that I mean his relationship in the context of American music spanning generations … his permanent … and well-deserved place in our musical past. He is a rock and roll Woody Guthrie if you will. A real salt of the earth, blue-collar guy … with intellect. And what touches your soul when you listen is Bruce's subtle and genuine character. This show spoke to us about 9/11. "You're Missing", "Empty Sky" … all songs from the new CD with obvious references to that horrible day, brought us together in a real sense … with no political agenda … no American flag waving…neither literal or implied. No one ever said "9/11" or uttered a "God Bless America". No one had to.
Bruce and his superb band mates (Is there a better all around drummer alive than Max Weinberg? I think not) played 10 songs from The Rising … TEN SONGS! And the show never bogged down. People KNEW these tunes. We SANG along to these songs! And of course there was "Born to Run" and "Badlands" and "Thunder Road" … many of Bruce's standards. And he delivered them with an unbridled religious fervor that would have made Little Richard throw his head back, laugh and shout, "Mr. Boss! You SHUT UP!!!". During "Glory Days" the E. Streeters did a couple verses of "Hang On Sloopy" which delighted everybody. And by then everyone … and I mean to the very last row of the highest row of seats both in front and behind the stage … was standing … singing along … dancing. No one mentioned the words "Buckeye" or "football" either. Once again no one had to … and that wasn't the point anyway. Ironically, it wasn't until I began writing this review that I realized Bruce did "Sloopy" in the middle of a song dealing with people reliving their past glories. It was as if he was hinting that whatever happens in the near future to be sure to enjoy yourself … because these experiences will all too soon be "Glory Days".

Springsteen has lived the fantasies of many men … fame … fortune … a super model wife. Yet during the introductions of the band members … when it came time to introduce backup singer … and current wife … Patti Scialfa … he immediately began singing the old Fontella Bass anthem "Rescue Me". Bruce strolled over to Patti … dropped to his knees and sang to her, "Rescue me. Take me in your arms. I need you … to rescue me!" And Ms. Scialfa appeared genuinely beside herself. Apparently Bruce has learned that beauty is a package deal involving many, many parts both inside and out. Much is the same with his relationship to the other members of his band. The most ineffective way to sing harmonies is sharing a microphone with someone else. Yet Bruce many times shares his with three or four … and they all look each other in the eyes when doing so. Perhaps the importance is in the sharing … the beauty in the ability to do whatever is being done together. And the audience … whether consciously or not … was participating in this.

So the celebration even included "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" … a wonderful touch of child like levity punctuated by Clarence Clemens' early 60's "Yakkity Sax" playing style. And when the "Ho, ho, ho's" faded … no sooner than you could put a finger alongside your nose we were all … every one of us to the very back rows … "Dancing in the Dark". And although the lights were low … by this time of the evening … I sincerely doubt many of us were actually … "in the dark."