Though I have seen Bruce many times over the years, including an amazing New Year's Eve show at the Nassau Coliseum in 1980 this was deffinately a very good show. I don't think that there is such a thing as a bad Bruce show so when critiquing one you are really saying one was better than another perhaps because of the setlist,you never know exactly what you are going to get when you see a Bruce show but you can be sure it will be good. Bruce has now and always has had an incredible stage presence. He puts amazing energy into his shows and truly loves to perform live because he can do things impromptu, which is so often part of a Bruce show, that he can not do in a studio and he seems to enjoy interactions with his audiences.
The show was called for 7:30 but finally got started at 8:20. I was disappointed that Danny was still not back and that patti was also not there, I understand the issues but was still disappointed. However, the band was tight and played very well. Bruce as usual was smiling and having fun, Steven was on and playing well with bruce as usual, Nils guitar was great, max is a great leader(people often forget the importance of the drummer and how he keeps the pace for the band) Aside from the fact that Clarence seemed to be having problems moving around (I think he has problems with his leggs)his playing is so good, he truly makes the East Street Band. You can replace if necessary, though missed, as with Danny Federici a band member but imagine their music without his sax, I can't. As for the rest of the band they too were on and did there thing.
As for the music, it was great. They played for just about two hours and thirty minutes. I loved "Adam Raised a Cain" Bruce played a great guitar solo. As well "Incident on 57th Street" "Ramrod" and "Jungleland" were sooo good, The entire encore was great (six songs)the whole audience was standing and rocking with the band. The night ended with "American Land" which I really loved especially when they got the violin (Soozie Tyrell)accordian and mandolin going. I only hope that this is not the end for the East Street Band as many feel due to various health and or personal issues with the members. (Danny Federici-health, Clarence Clemmons-health, Max Weinberg-Conan O'brien 2009) definately a great concert night and then home in only twenty minutes.
