2021-07-01 St. James Theatre, New York City, NY

Scheduled: 20:00 Local Start Time 20:02 / End Time 22:35

Info & Setlist | Venue

Bruce Springsteen
Patti Scialfa (Guest)

Stan Goldstein

For me a show that was outstanding in 2017-18 has gotten even better. This is now a fine-tuned machine that has some refined stories from the past show, some new stories, some new songs and for me, it's at a whole 'nother level.
While Bruce has always given us 100%, I felt now, maybe because of the pandemic, him not being able to play, none of us being able to go out for more than a year , he's now giving 125%. Most of you who have been following the posts of the shows, know what's been played so I'll give you some different highlights for me and some unique things.
The start of the show is a bit different. Yes he does play "Growin' Up" but with a bit of a different intro.
Bruce talked about his DWI and said, "I didn't wake up that morning and say to myself, 'I want to see what the inside of a New Jersey jail looks like!'" He has a good sense of humor about the whole incident, but like most of us, you can tell he just thinks the whole thing was totally ridiculous.
Bruce talked about seeing Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show when he was seven and he said "F*** Bonanza!" I remember him in an interview once saying it was a battle for the TV on Sunday nights because his Dad wanted to watch "Bonanza" and he wanted to watch the "Ed Sullivan Show." A funny incident prior to the start of "The Promised Land" (I think it was this song). Bruce strummed the guitar and it was a dud note. He looked to the side of the stage and said "They're in panic mode right now. It's panic mode time." Kevin Buell then brought him out a different guitar and Bruce said, "They're going to remember this. The time they were all in panic mode!" When talking about his Dad, Bruce mentioned how his Dad had a bottle of Old Spice on the sink which always surprised him. Bruce said "I always wanted to get on that boat."
When talking about the cross-country trip with Tinker in late 1969, Bruce mentioned again about having no cellphone back then and expanded on the story a bit. He said back then, "No one knew where you were and when you got home late, you were asked: 'Where you been?'" He was very animated with his guitar during this.
I thought Bruce really looked at Patti with such adoration during "Tougher Than the Rest." Maybe it was that way in 2018 but I didn't pick up on it. I liked them doing the duet on "Fire." Patti even solos on some of lyrics."
Overall I thought Bruce was much more animated throughout. No tears tonight though, from the audience yes, but I didn't see any from Bruce.
Some other notes: A lot of souvenirs. Caps, tote bags, shirts, key chains, two different types of posters (limit of two per person). Show started at 8:02 p.m. and ran about 2:33. The orchestra section of the theater looks similar to the Walter Kerr. It's the mezzanine and balcony that are bigger.
Bottom line: There's only 26 shows left now. Don't think about it. GO! There are still a lot of box office tickets for the July segment and early part of the August segment. The final show is sold out. And if you have the patience, there are bargains to be found on SeatGeek.

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