The Last Time

Just got back from seeing my last ever E Steet Band concert. Make no mistake, this is the end. From the events on stage to the comments to just common sense. Some could even argue if this is the E Street Band without Danny and even Patti (who's been in for 25 years beleive it or not). Also adding a trumpet and background singers means something too. Hell there are people who think Nils and Patti shouldn't be there.

None the less, while I hope I'm wrong this has to be it. How many pieces can leave/die/not come for it to still be the E Street Band?

Well here's the set list. The show featured Born To Run in order.

Setlist:

Wrecking Ball (with Curt Ramm) (ZEKE world debut)
Prove It All Night
Hungry Heart
Working on a Dream

Thunder Road
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out (with Curt Ramm)
Night
Backstreets
Born to Run
She's the One
Meeting Across the River (with Curt Ramm)(zwd)
Jungleland

Waitin' on a Sunny Day
Spirit in the Night
Green Onions (zwd)
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town
The E Street Shuffle(zwd)
For You solo piano (zwd)
Radio Nowhere
My Love Will Not Let You Down
Long Walk Home
The Rising
Badlands
* * *
Ramrod
Hard Times
Land of Hope and Dreams
American Land (with Curt Ramm and Ali Weinberg)
Dancing in the Dark
Rosalita (with Curt Ramm)
Higher and Higher (with Curt Ramm) (zwd)
Glory Days

Does this seem long to you? Me too. Some quick comments right away. I love love love Curt Ram. I had called for, expected and wanted a full horn section for this tour a la 1988. No luck but well done.

Not an original thought, but Bruce is clearly going toward soul. I wouldn't be surpised to see a seager type cover record of soul stuff. with horns back ups singers, strings etc.

I'm sad more songs from Working on a Dream weren't done live. I didn't hate the songs, I hated the production, arangements, and recordings. Ok I hated Mary Queen of the Supermarket.

I felt so happy being back in Baltimore. Probably the happiest I ever was for an extended period of time was there. still a dump and kind of scary. I felt very happy driving by where Zac was born - the single highlight and tranforming moment in my life. Had a great ride down with dorothy and wonderful hospitality at the palatial estate of my long time friend Mike. We escaped Adam Raised a Cain and any life threatening illnesses AND major intoxication.

Clarence had tears in his eyes during Jungleland and so did Bruce. They know. We know. It's over.

This was a top 5 show for me. one of the longest of Bruce's career. Well played. The sound was perfect. i can never remember hearing and feeling so much bottom end at a BS show.

"Born to Run for the last time" after the record was played. He knows.

Meeting is just spectacular. Every time I hear it I regret that Sinatra never sang it. Can you imagine the record FS could have made of all Bruce songs (or better yet Tom Waits - but this is another story for another day).

Wish I were in Buffalo right now.