Monday, November 12, 2007

BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCE!

Kat and I had an unbelievable time at the Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band concert at the Verizon Center in DC last night.
I've seen Bruce live about... maybe eight times? Last night was definitely in the top two concerts. The band sounds incredible, and if Bruce is talking a bit less than usual, there's no shortage of sheer musical power up on the stage.
Lots of Bruce-and-Steven nose to nose on microphones (he called out "C'mon, Steven!" about five times during the show), and did the same with Patti on one or two songs (their duet on "Tunnel of Love" was fantastic).
Here's the set list:

  • Radio Nowhere
  • No Retreat, No Surrender
  • Lonesome Day
  • Gypsy Rider
  • Magic (introduced with a few words about Washington DC and spin)
  • extended harmonica solo by Bruce, leading into...
  • Reason to Believe
  • Night
  • She's the One
  • Living in the Future
  • Promised Land
  • I Work for Your Love
  • Tunnel of Love
  • Workin' on the Highway
  • Devil's Arcade
  • The Rising
  • Last to Die
  • Long Walk Home
  • Badlands (absolutely the most high-energy song of the concert to that point)
  • Girls in Their Summer Clothes
  • Growing Up
  • Kitty's Back
  • Born to Run
  • Dancing in the Dark
  • American Land

A little surprise on the way out: we were making our way out of our row and reached the steps when we saw Tim Russert and his wife. He's really youthful in person! Had on glasses and a huge grin. I asked him (probably shouted, 'cause my ears were ringing) how he liked the show and he said "Amazing!" I said this was Kat's first Bruce concert and he said, "My first was in '73!" I added she was first in line for this concert and they said it was a great show to have as a first. Could not have been a better way to say "Hi!" to someone we watch nearly every Sunday morning. Gonna have to send a fan letter...

(Note: the Wikipedia entry above has an interesting paragraph about Mr. Russert's Bruce connection.)

Anyway, Kat's off at work this morning and I'm home, enjoying Veterans Day off. I'll post on Veterans Day later, as my dad and two of my uncles were WW2 vets, but for now... Bruce absolutely rules.

Great article on Bruce's show here.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

So glad to hear you had a great time. I saw the setlist this morning and thought you got a great setlist. Tour premier of Growin' Up. I hope it was everything Kat was hoping it would be. Sounds like you both really enjoyed it.Talk to you soon.

Drew said...

Yeah, Bruce even said it was the first time they'd played Growin' Up on this tour-- the article I link to is terrific, btw.
And yes, it was everything Kat could have wanted (except they didn't play Jungleland, oh well!).
later!
Drew

Kat said...

Other fun moments from watching the band and the crowd not mentioned.

A great part was when Bruce threw a harmonica into the audience for one lucky fan.

Noticed someone in a wheelchair in front of me in the pit was given a setlist during the show which was a really nice gesture.

An older gentleman (possibly in his 70s) rocking out the whole show wearing a Bruce cap and shirt. Man I want to rock like that when I'm his age.

Also they didn't play Thunder Road which would have been nice. There's always next round.