A Reason To Believe: Bruce Springsteen Live in Atlanta 2008
Phillips Arena brought The Boss to town once again with the E Street Band, and once again I was there to witness the action.
When I last saw Bruce, it was on the 2002 Rising tour and I stood on the floor in amazement of his show. Now six years later, I found myself sitting in the rafters (worst seats I've ever had, but I won't complain) watching him alongside my girlfriend and new Springsteen fanatic, Audrey.
The show opened up with an emotional "Blood Brothers" tribute to recently passed keyboardist Danny Federeci. Brother Dan lost his three year battle with cancer less than two weeks ago. Our show was not the first show since his death, but it was the first one back on schedule for the band.
Bruce hit the ground running with a hyped up version of "Reason to Believe" that was emotionally charged and got the crowd going. The audio was a little off up top where I was, not sure if it was my seat or the band, but by the third or fourth song it either got better or I got used to it.
Strong songs "Out In The Street," "Radio Nowhere," and "No Surrender" followed without pauses in between them. Finally Bruce welcomed us and went into the tour premiere of his seventies classic "Blinded By The Light." My jaw hit the floor when the vocals hit my ear. It was awesome to get to hear this one live. Although Manfred Mann and the Earth Band made it famous, I like the E Street Band's version better.
"Trapped" was excellent as well, my father raved about the song after the show.
"Prove It All Night" was a highpoint of the show for me as Nils Lofgren shredded on his guitar. Spinning, jumping, tapping, and headbanging all the way through a huge solo, Nils proved he still has more talent in his hands than Steven Van Zandt has in his whole body. (No offense to Miami Steve, love his style, but Nils is a true technician with a bottomless pit of abilities)
"Livin' In The Future" was empty sounding compared to how it sounds on the album. But it still was good. "Promised Land" is a beautiful song. I love the lyrics and the melody is strong and hopeful.
Bruce pulled a sign from the audience and played the rare '84 track "Bobby Jean." Very cool to get to hear that one live.
"The Rising" was like a religious experience. The lyrics hit one's soul still to this day. Remembering that this song was released a year after 9/11, it takes an even deeper meaning now in 2008.... Time to bring our boys home from the East....
"Badlands" ended the set and my favorite song of all time opened up the encore set. "Thunder Road" is just as perfect now as it was in the late 70's. Houselights came on for "Born to Run" like usual and stayed on through "Rosalita," which was a nice change from "Dancin' In The Dark." "10th Avenue Freeze Out" was nice, learned to play this one on piano not long ago and it was cool to be able to see Roy Bittan playing what I have been practicing for the past year. "American Land" closed out the night and the E Street Band walked off the stage. Audrey and I exited the building discussing the show and trying to recall everything that had just happened. Thanks for another wonderful night Bruce.
Setlist-
"Blood Brothers" Tribute to Phantom Dan
1. Reason To Believe
2. Out In The Street
3. Radio Nowhere
4. No Surrender
5. Blinded By The Light
6. Your Own Worst Enemy Has Come To Town
7. Trapped
8. Murder Incorporated
9. Prove It All Night
10. She's The One
11. Livin In The Future
12. Promised Land
13. Bobby Jean
14. Point Blank
15. Devils Arcade
16. The Rising
17. Last To Die
18. Long Walk Home
19. Badlands
ENCORE
20. Thunder Road
21. Born To Run
22. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
23. Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
24. American Land
Not as good as the show on The Rising tour. but only by one rating point
(The Rising 2002 show- 9/10)
Magic 2008 show- 8/10
Notes- Clarence Clemens seemed sick or not feeling well. He didn't perform or play to the audience as much as usual. In fact, he didn't even leave the stage before the encore. Age maybe?--- Steven Van Zandt can't sing--- No "Gypsy Biker" like most shows, we got "Your Own Worst Enemy has Come to Town"--- "Rosalita" sounded a bit too busy, hard song to do live--- Max Weinberg is the man, I look up to him so much as a drummer--- Where was Patty Scialfa?--- Show was very emotionally charged, I would guess that the rest of the tour remaining will be that way.
Bon Jovi on Thursday...
Just some thoughts.....
When I last saw Bruce, it was on the 2002 Rising tour and I stood on the floor in amazement of his show. Now six years later, I found myself sitting in the rafters (worst seats I've ever had, but I won't complain) watching him alongside my girlfriend and new Springsteen fanatic, Audrey.
The show opened up with an emotional "Blood Brothers" tribute to recently passed keyboardist Danny Federeci. Brother Dan lost his three year battle with cancer less than two weeks ago. Our show was not the first show since his death, but it was the first one back on schedule for the band.
Bruce hit the ground running with a hyped up version of "Reason to Believe" that was emotionally charged and got the crowd going. The audio was a little off up top where I was, not sure if it was my seat or the band, but by the third or fourth song it either got better or I got used to it.
Strong songs "Out In The Street," "Radio Nowhere," and "No Surrender" followed without pauses in between them. Finally Bruce welcomed us and went into the tour premiere of his seventies classic "Blinded By The Light." My jaw hit the floor when the vocals hit my ear. It was awesome to get to hear this one live. Although Manfred Mann and the Earth Band made it famous, I like the E Street Band's version better.
"Trapped" was excellent as well, my father raved about the song after the show.
"Prove It All Night" was a highpoint of the show for me as Nils Lofgren shredded on his guitar. Spinning, jumping, tapping, and headbanging all the way through a huge solo, Nils proved he still has more talent in his hands than Steven Van Zandt has in his whole body. (No offense to Miami Steve, love his style, but Nils is a true technician with a bottomless pit of abilities)
"Livin' In The Future" was empty sounding compared to how it sounds on the album. But it still was good. "Promised Land" is a beautiful song. I love the lyrics and the melody is strong and hopeful.
Bruce pulled a sign from the audience and played the rare '84 track "Bobby Jean." Very cool to get to hear that one live.
"The Rising" was like a religious experience. The lyrics hit one's soul still to this day. Remembering that this song was released a year after 9/11, it takes an even deeper meaning now in 2008.... Time to bring our boys home from the East....
"Badlands" ended the set and my favorite song of all time opened up the encore set. "Thunder Road" is just as perfect now as it was in the late 70's. Houselights came on for "Born to Run" like usual and stayed on through "Rosalita," which was a nice change from "Dancin' In The Dark." "10th Avenue Freeze Out" was nice, learned to play this one on piano not long ago and it was cool to be able to see Roy Bittan playing what I have been practicing for the past year. "American Land" closed out the night and the E Street Band walked off the stage. Audrey and I exited the building discussing the show and trying to recall everything that had just happened. Thanks for another wonderful night Bruce.
Setlist-
"Blood Brothers" Tribute to Phantom Dan
1. Reason To Believe
2. Out In The Street
3. Radio Nowhere
4. No Surrender
5. Blinded By The Light
6. Your Own Worst Enemy Has Come To Town
7. Trapped
8. Murder Incorporated
9. Prove It All Night
10. She's The One
11. Livin In The Future
12. Promised Land
13. Bobby Jean
14. Point Blank
15. Devils Arcade
16. The Rising
17. Last To Die
18. Long Walk Home
19. Badlands
ENCORE
20. Thunder Road
21. Born To Run
22. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
23. Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
24. American Land
Not as good as the show on The Rising tour. but only by one rating point
(The Rising 2002 show- 9/10)
Magic 2008 show- 8/10
Notes- Clarence Clemens seemed sick or not feeling well. He didn't perform or play to the audience as much as usual. In fact, he didn't even leave the stage before the encore. Age maybe?--- Steven Van Zandt can't sing--- No "Gypsy Biker" like most shows, we got "Your Own Worst Enemy has Come to Town"--- "Rosalita" sounded a bit too busy, hard song to do live--- Max Weinberg is the man, I look up to him so much as a drummer--- Where was Patty Scialfa?--- Show was very emotionally charged, I would guess that the rest of the tour remaining will be that way.
Bon Jovi on Thursday...
Just some thoughts.....
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