Review: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

Photos by Joe Ledford/The Star

That church from Topeka that preaches the blasphemy of (among other things) rock and roll exercised its freedom of speech across the street from the Sprint Center on Saturday night.

But the more spiritual and evangelical expressions of the heart and soul occurred inside the arena, where for more than three hours Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band unleashed a show for the ages. It was one steeped in love, respect, compassion, sorrow, elation, grief and regret and one that rocked, stirred and inflamed the congregation from the floor to the rafters nearly all night.

The inferno was ignited immediately, when Springsteen and his band, now bulked up with a big horn section and several more background vocalists, greeted the crowd with a brassy, soulful version of “Kansas City.” After that came two songs from “Darkness on the Edge of Town”: “Prove It All Night” and an urgent version of “Candy’s Room,” one highlight in an evening of many.

The setlist this night was stellar, drawing both hits and deep-album cuts from across his bountiful catalog. It included favorites like “Hungry Heart” and “Badlands” and standards, like “Born to Run,” but also a few classics for his early fans, such as “The E Street Shuffle” and “Incident on 57th Street.” That one, performed upon request from a fan bearing a handwritten sign, isn’t necessarily a great live song, but it was a much-appreciated treat for anyone who has followed Springsteen since the music that preceded his career-changing “Born to Run” album.

As appreciated as the redemption of that request was, it was probably the only lull in a show that was otherwise relentless and soul-stirring from start to finish. Since 2008, the E Street Band has lost two founding members: Danny Federici and, more recently, saxophonist Clarence Clemons.

For this Wrecking Ball Tour, named after Springsteen’s latest album, the band has absorbed its losses by expanding, adding a vocal section now called the E Street Choir and a five-piece horn section that includes Jake Clemons, nephew of Clarence, and Kansas City native Curt Ramm.

The additions have transformed an already stout and steady rock/soul ensemble into a brawny and brassy rock/soul/gospel orchestra. At times the differences were profound, as during the remodeled version of “The E Street Shuffle.” Other times the band showed its diversity, as during “Shackled and Drawn,” a rousing gospel ballad from “The Wrecking Ball” album.

The orchestra deserves a torrent of hosannas for its freewheeling precision, and they all start with the leader of the band, who still lives up to a reputation born in the early 1970s: for being a fireball of energy and unrepentant zeal. He is a preacher, a salesman, a secular revivalist, a healer and a huckster, hokey at times, but never insincere.

During “Hungry Heart,” he waltzed along the satellite walkway halfway up the floor, then crowd surfed, on his back, back to the stage. And what he’s selling is exactly what his congregants ordered: a blitzkrieg of rhythm and soul and rock and roll and sermons that promise justice, deliverance and redemption, no matter how dire the circumstances that precede it.

Springsteen was an open supporter of President Obama, yet there was no overt political pandering this evening, only songs like “We Take Care of Our Own,” a rock-hymn whose themes are as spiritual as they are political. But most of this show was about themes deeper than politics. In the wake of the storm that destroyed so much of the northeast, songs like “My City of Ruins” evoked a heavier gravity.

On the other hand, in these anxious times, songs like “Dancing In the Dark” — which rocked the joint as hard as any song — evoked an even warmer message of hope and perseverance. During that one, Springsteen responded to more signs in the crowd, pulling women on stage to dance with Clemons, Nils Lofgren and himself (Bruce got the mother/daughter combo). For the bright and poppy “Waitin’ On a Sunny Day,” he brought on stage a girl who looked no older than 7 years old to sing a verse or two. Things got really cute for a while.

They ended with one of his most beloved songs, which became a tribute to one of his most beloved band members. After he sang the signature line in “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” — “as the change was made uptown and the big man joined the band” — everyone on stage froze and the video screens broadcast images of Clarence Clemons (and Federici, too). For several minutes, the crowd applauded and cheered and whistled and roared as it regarded those images. Then Jake Clemons ripped into the song’s signature saxophone riff and the room went berserk one more time.

There could be no better ending to this evening, which preached a few sermons: that life survives the deepest of sorrows; that the heart may not forget but it does heal and forgive and discover redemption and salvation; and that if you’re going to hand-paint signs for public display, better they promote music and love than hatred and intolerance.

Setlist: Kansas City; Prove It All Night; Candy’s Room; She’s the One; Hungry Heart; We Take Care of Our Own; Wrecking Ball; Death to My Hometown; My City of Ruins; The E Street Shuffle; Fire; Incident on 57th Street; Because the Night; Cover Me; Downbound Train; I’m On Fire; Shackled and Drawn; Waitin’ On A Sunny Day; Raise Your Hand; The Rising; Badlands; Land of Hopes and Dreams; Light of Day. Encore: My Beautiful Reward; Born to Run; Dancing in the Dark; Santa Claus Is Coming to Town; Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out.

| Timothy Finn, The Star

Comments

[Gary Dean]

Nice Nine review Mr Tim. You were right behind me for the first 3-4 songs

Thanks for getting a few good pics Joe Ledford/The Star

The show was on FIRE

[Gary Dean]

Ohh and I got a decent Audio Boot of the show :)

[Geordan]

As I mentioned in the Nils Lofgren thread, I liked this show even better than the show at the Sprint Center back in '08, which is also pretty friggin' wonderful. To see the joy on the faces of everybody in that crowd is worth the price of admission alone. Had a tremendous time last night. You mention “Incident on 57th Street,” and that was the only time I left my seat during the show, to replenish fluids, as a Springsteen show involves you physically, as well as emotionally. "Thankfully, I entered the Sprint Center, like I always do, on the less busy Oak Street side, so I missed the protesters. One of their flock called me a derogatory name when I was crossing the street to see Bill Maher at the Midland a few years back. It only made me laugh, coming from them. Anyway, Great review, Tim. Your last paragraph says it all......

[ABC]

I agree this was a better show than in 08. The crowd was one of the best I have ever seen at a Springsteen concert, complete high energy for the whole show.

[Bubba Brown]

Yeah, nice review of The Boss. Anyone know the crowd size? I'm guessing maybe - 12,000? Did Fred Phelp's goon squad really show up for BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN? Now, tell me if I am wrong but SPRINGSTEEN is about as authentic and as good moral as a rock star could ever be? Maybe I've missed something.

[erin]

Awesome review, Tim. I feel like I was there. I saw him years ago and loved the show. Sounds like he's still got it going on. Thank you!

[Natasha VonBraun]

"Torrent of hosannas" indeed. I saw Bruce in '08. His energy and passion were just what you described here, and quite well.

[Gary Dean]

Bruce said...Ain't no twinkies but theres still jaw breakers

Then someone tosses up a huge bra, and bruce says THATS a jawbreaker

[KB]

The look on the daughters face when her mom was dancing with Bruce on "Dancing In The Dark" was priceless.

[RogerWilco]

Springsteen reaffirms the spiritual power of Rock and Roll

[Naturelle]

Saw my first Bruce show in 08 way back on the floor. Was going to be in the first 100 in the pit for 09. With the luck of the draw, we got first in line on this one so the ghosts and angels were definitely looking out for me and company. Being right in front of the stage was a first for me and awesome at such an excellent, significant show. I couldn't stop smiling all night. Though it was a good show in 08, this one blows it out of the water - tops my list. I was glad he talked of that canelled show and cousin Lenny. He paid us back big time and opening with "Kansas City" was oh so right.

Mr Finn, thank you for writing the excellent review and I thought that final paragraph was beautiful. Well done Tim and of course Bruuuce and band!

[fran]

oh my god, oh my god, this was like the best concert i ever went to, it was so awesome. springsteen is better than god. bruce should start his own church, he should start his own religion. i would join him and do whatever he says, i would devote my entire existence to him. who needs jesus when you have bruce? i would go love to go door to door spreading the gospel of springsteen. oh bruce, oh bruce you are my lord and savior.

[913KCKKID]

Wouldn't pay to see him if the price of admission was a pile of shit. Commie lib, union loving hypocrite whose own tax dodges have not been looked at by the state of NJ or the Feds. Perhaps a quid pro quo?

You better not work
You better not try
Get your handout
I'm tellin you why
Barackaclaus is comin to town.

Get a free phone
Get some food stamps
Use em to buy some new Marshall amps
And play
Barackaclaus is comin' to town.

[fran]

913KCKKID have you accepted bruce springsteen as your lord and savior? have you seen the light? have you attended one of his masses? if not, then you need to spend some time with him and you will praise the springsteen. he is no mere mortal, he is the greatest person of all time, not really a person, he is more godlike and you need to accept it. you need to accept springsteen as your lord and savior, you need to accept him right now!! the power of bruce compells you!! the power of bruce compells you!!

[onthemark]

Phenomenal show! Loved every minute of it. Would have liked to have heard some songs from ‘Nebraska’ but I cannot complain about the song selection. Just high energy throughout, and the tribute to Big Man and the Phantom made me tear up!

Full house, everyone up and dancing, singing along and having a great time. That show is easily my concert of the year and moves into the top 3 all time of Bruce concerts I have attended!

[pellboy]

Great show, as good as I've seen him except for the very first time from the 2nd row @ Kemper in 1981. The setlist as TF said, was outstanding (first time for me seeing a full-band treatment of 57th St. was an added bonus), the beefed-up band and even the much-derided Sprint Center (from my advantage anyway) sounded great and Bruce displayed the same kind of energy and enthusiasm that he did when I first saw him over 30 years ago...fcking amazing. And yes, the tribute to Clarence/Danny was very emotional and cool that he touched on the cancelled show and Cousin Lenny before that heartfelt and rare rendition of My Beautiful Reward off the underrated Lucky Town.

[Geordan]

....so many highlights. "Downbound Train" was also great to hear. Love that song.

[Musicgal]

This was my 4th Bruce show and this one was absolutely my favorite. I loved every minute of it. My mouth was tired from grinning all night! I loved the people being invited up on stage, the tributes, the song request signs and especially the tweens rocking out with their parents. That gives me hope for the future. Once every few years is not enough. I see a road trip in my future for another show.

[jjskck]

My wife and I are only casually acquainted with his music, so we settled for cheap tickets near the top of the arena. Even with limited familiarity and bad sight lines, our first brush with the Boss ranks as our favorite concert ever. I think we'd dismissed a lot of the hype about his shows as nostalgic fervor.
Our mistake. We were wrong.
We were captivated for 3+ hours, starting with that fantastic rendition of Kansas City. What an amazing entertainer. We'll never miss a Springsteen show again.

[Rod Parks]

Thanks for the spot on review. What tells me the world may be okay is this: anyone that has been going to Springsteen shows for 30 years, like I have, can see the evolution of the audience to include not only us, but at least two more generations of devoted fans. The crowd saturday night was the best one I've seen since 1984. Bruce is truly a human phenomenon and can give a lesson in rock and roll to any band in existence today. If you've seen The Boss and the E Street Band then you have seen the best live act in the history of Rock and Roll. And that's a fact.

[TrueFan]

AMEN, BROTHER!!!!

[pellboy]

I agree with Rod. Other acts may have had their moments, but Bruce and company can unequivacally lay claim to be the consistently greatest live act ever over an entire career. In fact, to reference a song title of his, there is reason to believe that at his advanced age, when you factor in all the elements at work at Saturday night's show as TF referenced above, he might just be better now than he's ever been. Wow.

[Joe]

I never thought I would consider one of his shows now to be as good as if not better than the first time I saw him in 1981. But after last Saturday night, I can truly have that discussion. It was one of those nights where Bruce gave and the crowd gave back and the show went to levels not seen very often. Amazing.

[Jack]

Did he say one word about about sorry for canceling last time and not making it up to you?

[Darrell]

Yes, Jack, he did. Have you read the comments below the review?

[billy ray's horse]

Good show!! I'm surprised he didn't play "like a rock" "tube snake boogie" or "rock n roll hoochie cue" some of his more known songs. But the crowd seemed to really be into the show..

[KC Jones]

you forgot "blinded by the light".

[Milt]

Yes, Jack, he did. Have you read the comments below the review?

I tired to read some, but some of these wanna be (actually lame amateurs ) concert reviewer morons just go on and on and on with their drivel, like that geordan idiot. He doesnt know how to make a proper comment and then move on, he want to write book, but he has no talent.

So I am guessing springsteen did apoligize?

[Tim Finn]

so did Bruce.
http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/bruce-springsteen/2012/sprint-center-kansas-city-mo-63daf6b7.html

[KC Jones]

hey Tim, if you're referring to my comment, it was a lame attempt at a joke towards DT probably thinking that "Blinded by the Light" was by Manfred Mann. I was not inferring that Bruce played it.

Although, looks like he played it solo acoustic earlier this year in Finland.

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/bruce-springsteen/2012/olympiastadion-helsinki-finland-33dce8e5.html

[Brucetapes]

Just noticed this review, and added it here: http://brucetapes.com/2012/11/17/bruce-springsteen-2012-11-17-sprint-center-kansas-city-mo/

Thanks for the great review. :)

[Milt]

Poor jones, so sad how he really tries so hard, but he just cant keep up, poor little fella. Ya almost feel sorry for him, but he just is too mean spirited to care about.

Poor jones... just a dumb, mean moron.

[KC Jones]

is that supposed to rile me up or something? *eyeroll*

[Milt]

Sadly jones, we do not really expect anything much out you anymore. Go back to sleep junior.

[Larry Luper]

There are other great artists to hear and concerts to see. But if there is only one it is only one, it is Bruce Springsteen and The E-Street Band. nice job Tim

[Jeppers]

There are other great artists to hear and concerts to see. But if there is only one it is Bruce Springsteen and The E-Street Band if you like your music boring, homogenous, crappy, preachy and full of crap... actually it is a tie U2 is just as monotonousness as springsteen's crap. It is like eating at taco bell, there are 3 songs abut they make a full menu out them.

[Jason: ForTheMix]

There is no one better than the BOSS!

[Doug]

Anyone know where you can find a boot of the show?

[Musicgal]

Milt: At least Geordan knows how to spell and form a sentence along with everyone else here except for you. For someone who thinks we're all morons, you sure do spend a lot of time on here.

[Milt]

Oh man... oops.... I mean,
Oh gal, you really told me, didnt you Mg? and now I feel really bad.

sigh:(
If only I hadn't been raised by wolves and instead be able to attend a quality KCMO public school, then I might be able to spell and form a sentence. Unfortunately though springsteen would still suck, and you and geordan would still have an issue with someone stating that opinion

Oh well, its too late to do anything about it now. So lets move forward, and try not to be so mean, everyone has feelings you know, even the less fortunate.

[Kurt]

I had a chance to go to this show with my cousin but, didn't go to it. She emailed me and said it was just Bruce and 17 others on stage and said it was a good show but, didn't worship the guy like some here. I do respect that Bruce plays a long show and keeps the ticket prices fairly low. I'm just not a real fan of him. I think Bruce made a mistake to get into politics and support a candidate. Doing this can distance yourself from your fans. The same cousin that went to Bruce is going with me to TSO on Dec 9th for the 3:00 show. I saw some early U-Tube videos and the show looks awesome. TSO changes their tours a lot every year and this tour just blows you away. I saw a searing version of Child Unseen and it rocked.

There are other acts that are holding up very well on tour in addition to Bruce. Rush has been playing 3 plus hours since, their 1996-1997 Test for Echo tour. Maybe it's only 3 hours and Rush has a 15-20 minute break in their show. I saw Bon Jovi on May 12, 2011 in Des Moines, IA and they were a terrific live act. I admire that they just play the music and not get into politics and such.

My sister in law that lives in New Jersey said that she was running on a treadmill next to Bruce once. She said he was a greasy man. I just don't get why that many see him as an idol or, a god.

[onthemark]

Saturday night was Springsteen concert number 14 for me. Great show, one of the best ever! So even though I do not consider him a god or an idol, I still hold him in very high esteem.

I first heard Springsteen’s ‘Blinded By The Light’ and ‘Spirit In The Night’ off his debut album, back in 1973. I liked the songs okay, but they did not really register with me. I remember hearing ‘Rosalita’ off his 2nd album and really liking the high energy sound of the band. At that point I did not own any of his albums.

Then in the summer of 75 ‘Born To Run’ was all over the radio. That was the year I bought my first car and I got an 8 track tape of that album to play while I was out cruising! Even at the tender age of 17 I realized he was singing about different stuff from other songs I heard, it really felt like a story being told. Plus, there was this sense of desperate longing in his songs that I could relate to. Something unformed but still there, hard to describe.

Later that summer radio station KY-102 broadcast a live Springsteen concert from the Bottom Line in NYC. Sweet! I stocked up on cassette tapes and got ready to record. Well, that concert totally rocked! I had not heard anything like that performance before and I was hooked, I had to have more!

Bruce then dropped off the radar for a few years due to legal issues with his former manager. There was no internet back then, so no way to really find out what was going on. I would see occasional bits of info in Rolling Stone or Creem magazine, that was about it.

Then ‘Darkness On The Edge Of Town’ was released. From the opening notes of ‘Badlands’ I was blown away. That album is the one that turned me into a lifelong Bruce fan. He wasn’t just singing songs, he was singing about my life. Like I have told friends, some songs he was singing to me and other songs he was singing about me! I am guessing I am not the only fan to have that feeling. His songs just really resonated with me and throughout the years his lyrics have matured and changed as has he and his fans.

So, yeah, I am an unabashed Bruce fan. His performances do more for people’s souls and happiness than you can imagine. It is such a thrill to see him perform live, he never does the same show twice, every night it is a different set-list and you know he is going to bring it full force non-stop. His music has provided me with untold hours of enjoyment throughout all these years!

You know, it ain’t no sin to be glad you’re alive…

[Pat]

Nice review and great show. I like that he is self-deprecating on stage. He flexed his old body as he left and was cracking up. He projects joy and everyone can use more of that. Favorites were Land of Hope and Dreams and 10th Ave but tops was Beautiful Reward. I got to hear it first when waiting in the concourse during the sound check. My Lucky Day.

[pellboy]

Nice piece, otm. My trajectory as a Bruce fan is almost identical to yours. Darkness came out when I was a senior in high school and while I liked much of his previous stuff as music, that album grabbed me on a completely different level. As great as Born To Run was, Darkness was almost the antithesis to that album...raw v. produced...angry v. spirited...an album just dripping with emotion. Even though I missed him on that tour (Memorial Hall?), I've been a huge fan and a regular concertgoer since.

[NEW]

I remember that Bottom Line broadcast so well, OTM. (Sept '75). I heard it on WNEW in NY. I'm not sure if it was syndicated or not. Perhaps you can fill in those blanks. IMHO, if there was any one crossover moment in Bruce's career, it was that show. I did not get to see him for real until the Capital Theatre show in '78 but I got the idea. Thanks for evoking some precious memories

[RogerWilco]

My Sentiments Exactly, OTM!

[Guy]

and not that it is noticed, but I typically DO NOT mess around too much on these real McCoy concert review threads...

just saying...

[gsp]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_(Internet)

[Fran]

the only thing worse than online whiners and criers is online spammers, like gsp.

[gsp]

http://i.imgur.com/Yy0ah.gif