for really hard-core fans..
OK then the party started. I don't remember much specifically, except pure engery and just incredible, incredible music. He ripped through "The Badlands" and we all punched the air with him and you could just FEEL his intimacy with this music, as if he's lived every line he's written about. "She's The One" was awesome, just awesome. Soo cool to hear it live!! "Mary's Place" was the highlight of this buildup- with incredible crowd encouragement from Bruce, as he strolled up and down and up and down the length of the stage. He introduced the other band members during this song, having a great time with it. That song was a lot of fun. Then he grabbed onto the mic stand (which is bolted to the floor) and people started yelling "bruuuuuuuuuuuuuce" and he makes a face, and everyone laughs and it quiets down and then the yelling starts again, and he pretends to be sick b/c everyone is cheering for him, it's soo cute. He makes all these faces and is hanging onto the mic stand, sort of leaning to the side.
"Countin' On A Miracle" was fun, and then "My Hometown" which he dedicated to Zachem & his family who were there. He sang "your hometown" instead of "my."
Then came a surprise- and he went to the piano by himself, and talked a little, he looked a little nervous, and then sang "For You" which is another song I didn't know, but it was very beautiful with just him. It's cool to hear just his voice and see how powerful that is by itself.
Finally he ended the main set with "Into The Fire", yet another tear jerker!!
The first encore was another favorite stretch of mine. Totally rocked the house. He came out with "Dancing in the Dark" which he just had a really really fun time with, and I started to see a Bruce I'd never seen before, which emerged even further during "Ramrod" when he seriously let it all hang loose. He just started making goofy expressions as he sang, and then would open his eyes wide and look at the audience, and then slam a few chords, and do it again. It was a LOT of fun and he totally let himself go. "Ramrod" was also awesome for another reason-- during the middle of it he jumps down to the lower stage and walks right up to Kim. He grins and turns around and then SHAKES his booty at the audience. It was hilarious. And then as he keeps doing, my friend reaches up and slaps his ass with both her hands- like drumming on his butt. It was sooooooo fucking funny and everyone burst out screaming/laughing/fainting. Bruce, btw, had a BIG grin on his face!!
(This was even put in the Boston paper! lol!)
"Workin' On The Highway" was reallllllly cool, it sounded like something that would be played at a ho-down. They had accordians and, the woman who played the fiddle (was it the fiddle?
) was unbelievableeeee by the way, she came down too- Bruce gestured for all of them and the guitarists/bassist to come forward and line up along the front of the stage with him. It was really cool and the song rocked in that raw form. He led them like in a train around the stage, up behind and then in front again. A really great performance of that song.
"Born to Run" I particularly love (sorry to be cliched! But my friend pointed out- those songs don't become classics for no reason!) and for him to play it live was just awesome. It really rocked and I remember losing my head during the song, and my favvvvvorite lines,
I want to guard your dreams and visions Just wrap your legs 'round these velvet rims and strap your hands across my engines made me totally go nuts and lose it! The crowd, by this time, was SO with him they were practically ahead of him!
They say goodbye but shortly come back on again! With the whole band on stage but in almost-darkness, Bruce being the only one softly illuminated, and at the piano, he starts "My City of Ruins." You guessed it: tears. Unbelievable. All I could think of was how much he touched me seeing him sing this on the Tribute To Heroes. But then he stood up and the lights came on more and they got into the rest of the song, which was beautiful but also fun. It doesn't all have to be sad! Really gorgeous rendition.
Bruce spoke then about supporting different groups, and how it was our responsibility (I heard a cymbol or drum and
knew what was coming next! whoo!) if we were "born in the usa" and they busted into the 'album-version' of this song, not the slowed version they did (on I don't know what tour?). It really rocked (ok, sorry for getting repetitive! it's hard to describe these songs, but they were really really incredible to hear in person!!) It was just amazing to me to hear this song that I remember from when I was a kid and didn't know a thing about music!