My Bruce Springsteen Review

Winston-Salem, NC -- Last night, I had the good fortune to attend the Bruce Springsteen Magic Tour concert at the Greensboro Coliseum. It was easily the best show that I ever attended for not knowing half of the songs. The melodies and rhythm are very rich, in that, you can parse all nine instruments by the naked ear. Bruce Springsteen, for his age, is extremely mobile (Bono-esque mobility). Little Steven and Nils Lofgren are amazing guitar players. During "Trapped," Bruce and Little Steven were exchanging the lead of the solo guitar section. Max Weinberg has his own unique style of playing drums. His elbows are never raised above his heart. He makes playing the drums look so easy. Here's the set list from the nearly 3 hour show:

Roulette*

Don't Look Back*

Radio Nowhere

Out In The Street

The Promised Land

Magic

Gypsy Biker

It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City

Trapped

Because The Night

Darkness On The Edge Of Town

She's The One

Livin' In The Future

Mary's Place*

Waitin' On A Sunny Day

Devil's Arcade

The Rising

Last To Die

Long Walk Home

Badlands

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Backstreets

Bobby Jean

Born To Run

Ramrod

American Land

* = Tour Premiere

I really had no idea how a significant portion of Bruce's lyrics are about America, heartland, and the seasons. But, I guess, if you stop to think about it, look at the classics -- Born in the USA, Glory Days, The River, Hungry Heart, Secret Garden, etc.

I've always had the theory that a show is a hundred times better when you're standing on the general floor, rather than having a seat. You're not liable to sit down during some songs (so the grouch behind you can see) and standing up during the fast-paced ones. You can "dance" to the music -- another way for you to enjoy the music. But you're suspect to that "know-it-all" fan, who stood behind me singing obnoxiously loud to every song. Although, while he would yell out the song title at the start of the first chord of the guitar, he reminded everyone around him that it was a new set list from last night's show in Charlotte. I definitely enjoyed the music and show, despite standing on concrete for 4 hours and listening to the president of the Springsteen fan club attempt to sing every lyric in my right ear. Ah... glory days!