Album Reviews
Movies
Concert Reviews

Top 10
Resources
Contact Us

The end of a long week of gigs sees Stocki in Dublin for the return of the Boss - Bruce Springtseen and the E Street Band... 

So my friend Dave Magee says just before show time, “First answer that comes into your head ­ Dylan or Springsteen?” Dylan of course! More great albums. Then again more duff ones! I did of course clarify that it would depend on the era of the gig but Dylan for sure; Rolling Thunder Revue, first leg!

As if he heard me and was stung by the answer Bruce wanders onstage eight minutes early with just an acoustic guitar and gives the night its umbrella song "Born In The USA" cringe free of the pop insensitivies of its album version and sets out his stall to change my mind. Three hours and twelve minutes later I turn to Dave and say “if it is tonight then it has to be Bruce all the way.” 

This was an astounding achievement physically never mind adding to the marathon set the tightest, most exuberant musical performances that Dublin had seen in many a long day. Four years after his last Dublin gig there seems something different about the demeanor coming from the stage. Having been reunited for a hits tour this band who had fifteen years apart found their communal gel, recorded one of the best albums of their illustrious careers and are now back on the boards with all the confidence that these past four years have harnessed and are simply celebrating each other, their roles and their songs; a triple albums worth of songs! When people talk about it as the best Springsteen gig they have ever seen there is something much more than the subjective feeling of the most recent coming through. The sprints were even back, the knee slides and a brand new gymnastic trick on the microphone stand though he is not as quick onto or off the top of the piano these days!!

After the initial slide acoustic nakedness of "Born In The USA" the band went on an onslaught of rock bluster with only enough let up to say “hello Dublin.” If anything the rock outs at the end of songs though adrenaline building were on the verge of a little tedious but it is splitting hairs. When you have two great rock guitarists as your second and third lines of attack you need to give them some work to do. The lack of chat or televangelist revivalist preaching was sadly lacking too. Apart from the band introductions there was little of the Springsteen conversational rapport until the last half hour when he and Van Zandt bantered about when to quit and go home. After the initial pounding the first rest came with the two most poignant songs from _The Rising_. "Empty Sky" and "You Are Missing" were astounding and literally opened the wounds of the New York people post September 11 and almost made you think that an Iraqi War was worth discussing. Almost! Musically it was Patti Scialfa’s vocals that were the revelation. Used much more tonight than I’d ever heard her before her quirky voice added the pain and hurt to the piece. Together the Springsteen growl in top form tonight and his wife’s gentle wavering huskiness bring a sense of loss and sorrow that few stadium bands can communicate. Soozie Tyrell’s violin also adds a texture much more satisfying than the Mellancampness of her contribution on The Rising.

The set list though concentrating on the new album that has landed Springtseen back among the major players was littered with wee surprise gems like "Candy’s Room," "Meeting Across the River," and "Kitty’s Back" as well as the obligatory "Thunder Road," "Badlands," "Promised Land," and "Born To Run." The intensity of the last hour was remarkable with the play acting in "Seven Nights To Rock," the victory sing along of "Glory Days" and then the remarkable spiritual conclusion of "My City of Ruins" and what is fast becoming a favorite "Land of Hope and Dreams" taking us to that place where he says in tramps like us want to go in "Born To Run." Again just when it looks like its over he wrings out every last piece of energy left in his 53 year old body and soul for a "Dancing In the Dark" long time removed from its eighties disco slant. One last reminder of the three hours we have basked in. early on he asked if we were hear for a good time and said he and the band were going to kill themselves trying to give it to us. He nearly killed us in trying to keep up. Rest in Peace ‘til Italy, Bossman!

SET LIST - Born in the USA - The Rising- Lonesome Day- Candy's Room - My Love Will Not Let You Down - Atlantic City - Empty Sky- You're Missing- Waitin on a Sunny Day- Promised Land - Worlds Apart- Badlands - Out in the Street - Mary's Place- Meeting Across The River - Jungleland - Into the Fire- Thunder Road - Kitty's Back - Ramrod - Born to Run - Seven nights to rock- Glory Days - My City of Ruins- Land of Hope and Dreams - Dancing in the Dark.