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Live Review
by SashaS
28-10-2002
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More on: Bruce Springsteen
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| The Boss in his popping element |
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Live: Bruce Springsteen
Wembley Arena, London
Sunday, October 27, 2002
Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band rule
There was ‘The Chairman’ – Frank Sinatra, there was ‘The King’ – Elvis Presley and there is ‘The Boss’ – Bruce Springsteen… It is a short list of music titleholders but Bruce’s place is well earned, as he is the single greatest star America has produced since Presley left Graceland. But, it is a crown Springsteen find uncomfortable to wear.
There is no more modest artist and whenever he’s interviewed he looks like being apologetic about success and, even, talent. That feeling is even obvious when he steps on stage, following his backing nine known as The E Street Band, and smiles almost regretfully. Springsteen is so passionate about his music to always deliver it to the last sweaty drop. No surprise the show was sold out and there wasn’t even any standing room!
As individual members stepped onstage, the welcoming applause was increasing: 80 decibels for Little Steve, 90 for Clarence Clemens and 110 for ‘The Boss’! When the music starts it is like being at a master class of playmanship, this lot does it so effortlessly that they have plenty of time for poses, moving about, animating audience, singing from every mike onstage during a show that is vintage rock. Springsteen will celebrate 30 showbiz years in 2003.
The décor and props are non-existent, just the usual assortment of lights that were used to a greater effect, with two jumbo-screens bringing performers closer to everyone in the auditorium. Music keeps it close and tight, this being modern rock, as Americans love to term it, of the highest calibre: the sounds, the vocals, the spirit, pathos, hope… Later on, in response to a heckle, he’d quote Jerry Lewis, “Too much loving makes a man go crazy.”
Bruce is a true working class hero, a bit age-frayed on the edges but still as cool as to do his knee-slide to the delight of the crowd. And the fans were more than responsive, they loved every instant of every single note. Naturally the songs from the current ‘The Rising’ album did not stir as many emotions the older material could.
By the second song Bruce’s already perspired enough to require a shower but he plays his usual long set. Never short on quality, never cheating on quantity. ‘Badlands’ sounded magnificent, as well as ‘Thunder Road’, ‘Born To Run’, Ramrod’… Bruce was ‘Born In The USA’ but rightfully adored around the globe, providing people with the soundtrack to their lives.
Alas, my most vivid Springsteen-related memory is of an auto-accident: it had been my first new car of few months only, XR2 (if you are so interested), and I was on the way to watch ‘The Boss’ at the Newcastle FC ground. Some woman-in-a-hurry overlooked the breaking procedure and landed in my rear-bumper almost in front of the Hammersmith Odeon (as it were known at the time). Bruce and the E Street’s songs ‘cured’ me of the shock with the first strum.
Drive to and fro was uneventful tonight aside a little congestion in Chiswick… But, there was a total sonic gridlock onstage with Bruce proving, needlessly but he can’t help himself, who ‘The Boss’ is!
SashaS
28-10-2002
Bruce Springsteen’s album ‘The Rising’ is available now on Epic
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