NEW YORK -- "Tonight, we're gonna do something that's never been done before. Never, ever. I thing we can do it."
With these words, Bruce Springsteen introduced one of the most thirstily anticipated concert segments of his career: all seven songs from his classic album, "The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle," played in their original order. He announced, on Tuesday, that he would play that album at the first of his two Madison Square Garden concerts, Saturday, and another album he has never played in its entirety, "The River," on Sunday.
Springsteen has played three other albums -- "Born To Run," "Born In the U.S.A." and "Darkness On the Edge of Town" -- at current shows. But never these two.
Some songs, like "Wild Billy's Circus Story" (with bassist Garry Tallent switching to tuba) and "New York City Serenade" (with percussionist Richard Blackwell, who played on the original session, rejoining the band, plus an added string section), qualified as rarities. Others, like "Rosalita" and "Kitty's Back," have been played fairly frequently on Springsteen's current tour.
Hearing the songs together emphasized how unique that album -- the second of Springsteen's career, released in 1973 -- is, with a free-wheeling, jazzy flavor that he would never actually revisit. The segment peaked with the majestic "Incident on 57th Street," whose tension set up the joyful release of "Rosalita." A Roy Bittan piano solo served as a bridge between these two very different but both intensely romantic songs.
With these words, Bruce Springsteen introduced one of the most thirstily anticipated concert segments of his career: all seven songs from his classic album, "The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle," played in their original order. He announced, on Tuesday, that he would play that album at the first of his two Madison Square Garden concerts, Saturday, and another album he has never played in its entirety, "The River," on Sunday.
Springsteen has played three other albums -- "Born To Run," "Born In the U.S.A." and "Darkness On the Edge of Town" -- at current shows. But never these two.
Some songs, like "Wild Billy's Circus Story" (with bassist Garry Tallent switching to tuba) and "New York City Serenade" (with percussionist Richard Blackwell, who played on the original session, rejoining the band, plus an added string section), qualified as rarities. Others, like "Rosalita" and "Kitty's Back," have been played fairly frequently on Springsteen's current tour.
Hearing the songs together emphasized how unique that album -- the second of Springsteen's career, released in 1973 -- is, with a free-wheeling, jazzy flavor that he would never actually revisit. The segment peaked with the majestic "Incident on 57th Street," whose tension set up the joyful release of "Rosalita." A Roy Bittan piano solo served as a bridge between these two very different but both intensely romantic songs.
As satisfying as this segment was, it wasn't a surprise. But there were surprises in this three hour show, most notably a guest appearance by Elvis Costello on the finale, a feverish cover of the Jackie Wilson hit, "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher." Blackwell and the five piece horn section that appeared on some of the "WIESS" songs also joined in.
Springsteen paid tribute to the Yankees' world series win by playing his baseball themed "Glory Days" in response to a fan request. "It must be done, it must be done. Congratulations, New York," he said.
He held up the fan's sign, which said "World Champs 27" (this was the team's 27th championship) in addition to the song title. At the end of the song, Springsteen pretended to use his guitar as a bat after guitarist Steven Van Zandt pretended to pitch a ball to him.
Another request, "Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street?", was chosen because of its New York setting. Springsteen also mentioned, before performing the "WIESS" songs, that half the album is set in New Jersey, and half is about his ideas and fantasies about New York City.
He kicked off the show with "Thundercrack," mentioning that it is an outtake from "WIESS." Springsteen released the song on his 1998 rarities boxed set, "Tracks."
Here is Saturday's setlist ("WIESS" songs are in bold):
Springsteen paid tribute to the Yankees' world series win by playing his baseball themed "Glory Days" in response to a fan request. "It must be done, it must be done. Congratulations, New York," he said.
He held up the fan's sign, which said "World Champs 27" (this was the team's 27th championship) in addition to the song title. At the end of the song, Springsteen pretended to use his guitar as a bat after guitarist Steven Van Zandt pretended to pitch a ball to him.
Another request, "Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street?", was chosen because of its New York setting. Springsteen also mentioned, before performing the "WIESS" songs, that half the album is set in New Jersey, and half is about his ideas and fantasies about New York City.
He kicked off the show with "Thundercrack," mentioning that it is an outtake from "WIESS." Springsteen released the song on his 1998 rarities boxed set, "Tracks."
Here is Saturday's setlist ("WIESS" songs are in bold):
"Thundercrack"
"Seeds"
"Prove It All Night"
"Hungry Heart"
"Working On A Dream"
"The E Street Shuffle"
"4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)"
"Kitty's Back"
"Wild Billy's Circus Story"
"Incident on 57th Street"
"Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)"
"New York City Serenade" (with Richard Blackwell)"Waitin' On A Sunny Day"
"Raise Your Hand" (with excerpt from "You Sexy Thing")"Does This Bus Stop At 82nd Street?"
"Glory Days"
"Human Touch"
"Lonesome Day"
"The Rising"
"Born To Run"
"Wrecking Ball"
"Bobby Jean"
"American Land"
"Dancing In the Dark"
"(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" (with Elvis Costello and Richard Blackwell)
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