| Tom Cantillon |
Night 7 was simply out of this world: intense, passionate, rocking-like-crazy, soul-satisfying, overwhelming, exhausting, celebratory, redemptive and downright heartbreakingly beautiful. Downbound Train was a slow start, but Candy's Room and Prove it kicked things up. Saint in the City kept things rolling all the way through the most visceral, rockin', redemptive Mary's Place I've seen so far—becoming one of my concert favorites. Backstreets was amazing and should definitely be played more often judging from the crowd's reaction. Encore time was a wild, rockin' time with a blistering Kitty's Back, intense Born to Run, a celebratory Rosie and an over-the-top performance of Seven Nights to Rock with Bruce belting out that tune and dropping to the floor only to pop back up and continue singing. I left the show high and exhausted and wanting more. Easily the best of the 7 night stand. There is no question in my mind that Bruce and E St Band are the best live performance to hit the stage. I don't know how he does it night after night, but I for one, am totally grateful and in awe. |
| Gregg |
I was disappointed. I've seen him many times (including opening night at Giants Stadium this time) and I felt this was a really disjointed show. He usually has a theme running through his shows. Beginning of the Rising tour (911), reunion tour (brotherhood), Tunnel of Love tour (dealing with love) etc. Nothing here. He seemed to be picking songs out of a hat and then doing them. Stage would darken and then he would go into a new song. None of his excellent weaving of songs together. His performance of each song is excellent, but rote. It's hard to knock a guy for putting on a show like this but you always expect the best from Springsteen because he's set such a standard. I look forward to when he is back in arenas. |
| Kevin McDevitt |
"It's a good, hot night. We've been waiting for one of these!" It was a good, hot night. No stars, but no rain until we were told (after 23 songs) that "We'll see you in August". This was the first time I'd been to a show since last summer, having been to the opener in NJ and then again in Las Vegas. I have to admit, I was verry disappointed in the shows at the beginning of the tour. This show was the exact opposite. The best way to describe it - take the best parts of the Reunion Tour and mix them with the best songs from the new album and *poof*, magic. Candy, Kitty, Rosie, and the Saint in the City. Meeting across the River into Backstreets; and a favorite staple from the RT: Badlands (still the most ferocious live song ever) into Out in the Street. Everyone looked great and sounded great (The Big Man's timing may have been off once or twice, but Bruce didn't seem to mind, so why should we?) All in all, it was a great, great night. I'd never been to a stadium show before, and had reservations about the atmosphere, but they went out the window 30 seconds into Downbound Train. Bruce had a lot of juice, working both sides of the stage, flirting with his wife, and playing with the boys in the band (and his mic stand!). Who else is making great and relevant Rock 'n Roll at the age of Fifty-something? We all know the answer to that one. |
| Jim Mitchell |
OK, so an off night for Bruce Springsteen is still something fantastic and memorable. But this concert just didn't do much for me. Bruce seemed very tired, the setlist, while interesting, was too short, and the band just didn't seem to be terribly into the show. If it's possible for Bruce to be "going through the motions", this was it. I believe he's overextended himself with the stadium shows- they're just too big, it's too hot, and the tour has gone on for too long (and it hasn't been THAT long since the very similar Reunion tour). While I certainly enjoyed myself, the best way to I can put it is that this is the first Springsteen show of my 11 since 1988 that I didn't walk away from feeling overwhelmed. I would have thought this impossible for a Springsteen concert, but here it is. Kitty's Back is one of those songs that I feel like I should enjoy, but then realize that that's pretentious and just accept that I don't really care for it. Same with Candy's Room and Saint in the City. Just not Bruce at his best. While complaining about a show being too short is like complaining about not getting enough toys at Christmas, I think Bruce sets up expectations that he can't always live up to. 23 songs at a Springsteen concert is not that many by his standards. I don't think it's unreasonable to feel a bit disappointed when that's what you get. I really don't think that these stadium shows will be cited as a highlight of Bruce's career- seems like he's going more for the numbers than for anything really artistic. Oh well- one more in Milwaukee, and I'll call it a tour. |
| Dave Powers |
There I was sitting in Sec 313 st the top of the meadowlands. The sound up there was horrible. Message to Bruce, if you gotta play stadiums don't sell the top tier. the set list was great, loved the segue from worlds apart to badlands. The show would be even better if the so called fans would actually stay at their seats & shut up during the show. I love to get up & sing along etc… but do we need all the chatter from the fans during the show. Do we need to go & buy beer & popcorn during the performance? Well I have better seats for Fridays show. Looking forward to that. |
| Evan |
Section 323 Row 31… that's right the last row in the joint. The sound was pretty bad from up there…. I felt like I was watching the show from home on the big screen. Additionally, I had been to the Monday and Thursday shows at the stadium earlier in the week, and this one just wasn't exploding with E Street power like the others. Its got to be expected given the length of the tour…. one has to think Big Jon and the Boss should have taken that into consideration when booking these things. Anyways, bad sex is still sex in my book. |
| Kyle Pucciarello |
The final night of seven night run arrived. Unfortunately, this meant that Bruce was leaving New Jersey, and I don't think anyone was ready for that. And after tonight, that notion was certainly solidified. "Downbound Train," although a slow opener, was incredible and was a real treat to hear. Bruce's voice was at its peak, and this was surely going to be a show to remember. "The Rising" and "Lonesome Day" were great as always, but somehow especially so on this night. The atmosphere was right, the fans were all very much into the show, it was just one of those nights where everything was right. And I don't think I have gotten into a show as much as this one - I needed something to savor for the next month after all. "Candy's Room" was again a treat to hear, as was the rocking "Prove it all Night," with that guitar solo at the end sounding more inspired every night. Then of course came the beautiful "Empty Sky" followed by the incredible fun "Waitin' on a Sunny Day," that microphone bit just never got old - lots of fun. "It's Hard to be a Saint in the City" was next, and was another one of the songs I just couldn't go the run without hearing. Besides being an absolutely phenomenal song, Roy's piano solo at the end gets my vote for one of the most incredible live moments of the tour (in Atlantic City it was also amazing). Roy and Max are undoubtedly the backbone of the E Street Band musically, but somehow always get overlooked. Spending seven nights in a row with these guys it was obvious that, while all are incredible musicians in their own right, it's these two guys who hold it together night after night. "World's Apart" was next with that guitar solo that shows the band's versatility, with Van Zandt, Lofgren and Springsteen all trading riffs. "Badlands" followed as usual, and as always, was just fun to be a part of. The energy exchange between Bruce and the crowd during this song is something that really cannot be duplicated. "Out in the Street" followed and was fun to hear once again. The crowd participation and energy really makes the song what it is in a stadium atmosphere. "Mary's Place" followed and the same follows for it - the crowd makes it one of the most pleasing songs in concert. But then came the real treats. Garry's bass came out again for "Meeting Across the River," once again great to hear. Now when one hears the song, they immediately link it to "Jungleland," the song that usually follows it in concert. However, tonight would not be one of those nights, and "Backstreets" came as a complete surprise to everyone in the house - but quite possibly one of the most welcome. "No Surrender" closed the main set, but without the song it is usually linked to, "Into the Fire." This marked the first time the song was dropped during this tour, but it was missed a little. "Into the Fire" really exemplifies what "The Rising" is all about, and if these concerts are still supposed to be showcasing the album, then dropping the song was not the smartest idea. After a main set that was unlike any other, what more could the crowd expect? Well whatever they were expecting, they got more. "Kitty's Back" opened the first encore to thunderous reception and absolutely brought the house down. This has to be one of Springsteen's greatest accomplishments, and it was written when he was just twenty-three years old. The classic rocker was followed by a fun "Bobby Jean." But the encore was completed with the rocking "Born to Run," seemingly more inspired tonight and done exceptionally well as always. "My City of Ruins" started the encores as usual, and was once again dedicated to the community food band and Asbury Park. The song is one of the most beautiful Springsteen has penned, and continues to please at concerts. When he gets to the second "C'mon rise up…" verse, the crowd all rises - it really is something to be a part of. "Land of Hope and Dreams" once again took the next spot in the second encore, and again brought things down (at least for me) a little. But, fear not, "Rosalita" was here to save the day, and again was absolutely phenomenal. How great was it to hear that song seven shows in a row? "Dancing in the Dark" followed to a thunderous reception, but would this be all? Were the seven nights finished already? Not just yet! Springsteen thanked the crowd for coming to the shows and for their continued support, and rewarded them with the great "Seven Nights to Rock," a very fitting way to end the legendary run. After all of the anticipation for the seven night run, and the shows that followed, it was already over. It's amazing how quickly this run was over, but it will be replayed again and again in my head (and maybe through the help of some bootlegs). This was truly one of the most memorable experiences I've had, and it was great to share them with some great people. All we can say as fans is - thank you Bruce! |
| Steve |
This was show # 5 for me on this current stand & the energy level from the crowd was so high , so loud & just made this show one to remember. Bruce kept feeding off of this energy & turned it around into one of the best shows I have ever seen by him over the years. During this night we got a rare Kitty's back, Meeting across the river right into Backstreets & also another oldie but goodie Hard to be a saint. This may have to be the best, hardest working & tightest backing band ever to be put together . Cant wait till august 30th & the 31st………. |
