Robert's Review of Bruce Springsteen at Continental Arena , 7/24/99

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Brucemania strikes. The BOSS is back and although he has slowed a step or two he can still rock. This was a hardcore Jersey audience. They were singing along (even with the horn parts), standing and cheering for a full 2 1/2 Hours. The future of rock and roll is still here but how about some new songs. The ones that opened (Wanna Be With You) and closed (Land of Hope and Dreams) the show were just okay. They lacked the drama of earlier songs. Still - nothing like a Bruce show for what ails you. The theme of the night was the band was back, Bruce and his band - his soulmates joined at the rock n roll hip - once were lost but now were found - back on the streets and yes the fans are part of it.

The second song brought the Boss back as he wailed his harmonica on The Promised Land with the crowd singing along. The band was tight and continued to rock with Two Hearts from the River. A dramatic version of Atlantic City was followed by quick succession of Darlington County and Factory. Then a surprise - the moody Point Blank from the River. A long slow moment that gave the crowd a chance to breathe.

But the band kept rocking with Youngstown, Murder Inc., and the anthem Badlands. Everyone knew the words to this one. Then Miami Steve joined in with Out in the Street before they began 10th Ave. Freeze Out. Here the crowd was singing the horn parts and Bruce broke into a story and introduced the band. Once again Bruce evoked the bonds that draw him and the E street together. And when he finally got to Clarence - big bad Clarence with his "stare" - they howled. And then Clarence played. He roared with his sax through some of the greatest rock solos ever recorded.

More rock followed with You Can Look, and Working on the Highway before Bruce broke down to The Ghost of Tom Joad. Then another magical moment - the opening strains of Jungleland. Talk about anthmns. This was worth the trip.

Another surprise, Bruce brought out his closer from his Post-E street days the rocking - Light of Day to close the first part of the show. He came back to sing a new solo song about growing up called In Freehold. He returned to his themes of growing up and the familiarity of an old town - the sense of belonging or as he says he wont go hungry in Freehold. Another poignant number with the crowd cheering at the racery parts of the song.

Then the hits, first Hungry Heart (another sing along), then another song called Born to Run, and finally Thunder Road. All full force ahead with band - nothing held back. The songs are fresh again.

To end the night Bruce returned to having his friends come back on stage and testify to the bonds that bind. As each singer - Miami, Patty, Nils, and Clarence each added a verse or two to If I Should Fall Behind. Possibly calculated - maybe, semtimetal - yes, did it work as a performance - yes. They finished with Land of Hope and Dreams, and the crowd went back into the night.

The band was the usual - great great great. Some nice solos by Nils, a little less Roy then I would have liked, but Clarence, Max, and Danny were great. The sound was booming through the arena but with everyone singing along it didn't much matter. This was Brucemania not a regular concert - hard to beat.



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