2008 Woodie Awards
The Boss rocks out
Carol A. Dwyer
Issue date: 10/29/07 Section: Entertainment
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On Friday, Oct. 5, Bruce Springsteen, a.k.a., "The Boss," was back in Philadelphia with the E-Street Band to promote the new album, "Magic." As a New Jersey native, whenever Springsteen makes a stop in the local tri-state area, there is definitely the feeling of being in "Springsteen Country." Along the way to the show, one car had a sticker on it reading "Thunder Road," paying tribute to one of Springsteen's classic hits.
In anticipating the start of a concert, it always seems like you are forever waiting for a great music act to step out onto the stage. When the lights finally dimmed, signaling Springsteen's time to rock, the crowd offered up a rowdy, wild cheer to welcome The Boss back to Philly. In following the theme of the new album, a circus-themed ornament was lifted off the ground behind the stage. Circus music played as it lifted high enough to allow Springsteen and the E-Street band to head out on stage.
Once on stage, Springsteen opened the concert with a song entitled "Radio Nowhere," which is from his new album. Other new songs on the set list for the evening included "Magic," "Gypsy Biker," and "Devil's Arcade." After a few songs, Springsteen said intros for drummer Max Weinberg, sax player Clarence Clemons, and guitarist Steve Van Zandt AKA "Little Steven." Springsteen's wife and E-Street guitarist Patti Scialfa was also present on the new tour, as well as other band members and a violinist.
Sitting in the mezzanine level, stage right, the view of the show was good enough to sit through, at least during the ballads. During one song accented by Springsteen's harmonica, I caught a glimpse of a woman in the front row - lucky her! Every time Springsteen turned in her direction, she held up a sign that read, "Harmonica Please." As an artist who often interacts with his crowd of fans beyond singing to them, Springsteen went right into notes on his harmonica.
In another moment of interacting directly with a fan, Springsteen sang and walked towards the crowd at the rear of the stage. One guy threw his cowboy hat out to The Boss, who then posed with the fan's hat on his head as he continued singing. After tossing the hat back to his fan, Springsteen headed out to another area of the stage, taking turns engaging the crowd on all sides.
In anticipating the start of a concert, it always seems like you are forever waiting for a great music act to step out onto the stage. When the lights finally dimmed, signaling Springsteen's time to rock, the crowd offered up a rowdy, wild cheer to welcome The Boss back to Philly. In following the theme of the new album, a circus-themed ornament was lifted off the ground behind the stage. Circus music played as it lifted high enough to allow Springsteen and the E-Street band to head out on stage.
Once on stage, Springsteen opened the concert with a song entitled "Radio Nowhere," which is from his new album. Other new songs on the set list for the evening included "Magic," "Gypsy Biker," and "Devil's Arcade." After a few songs, Springsteen said intros for drummer Max Weinberg, sax player Clarence Clemons, and guitarist Steve Van Zandt AKA "Little Steven." Springsteen's wife and E-Street guitarist Patti Scialfa was also present on the new tour, as well as other band members and a violinist.
Sitting in the mezzanine level, stage right, the view of the show was good enough to sit through, at least during the ballads. During one song accented by Springsteen's harmonica, I caught a glimpse of a woman in the front row - lucky her! Every time Springsteen turned in her direction, she held up a sign that read, "Harmonica Please." As an artist who often interacts with his crowd of fans beyond singing to them, Springsteen went right into notes on his harmonica.
In another moment of interacting directly with a fan, Springsteen sang and walked towards the crowd at the rear of the stage. One guy threw his cowboy hat out to The Boss, who then posed with the fan's hat on his head as he continued singing. After tossing the hat back to his fan, Springsteen headed out to another area of the stage, taking turns engaging the crowd on all sides.
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John Kosta
posted 10/30/07 @ 9:15 AM EST
I have seen Bruce in concert 3 times in my life so far. Once at the Garden and twice at the Meadowlands Arena. He puts on a great show. After you see one of his concerts, there is so much energy you feel like going out and changeing the world for the better. (Continued…)
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