Keep in mind that this review is coming from someone who normally doesn't listen to Bruce Springsteen! I wouldn't consider myself a major fan, but I was curious to listen to the new two cd live set recorded recently in New York City. True Bruce fans have always told me that the best way to appreciate this artist is to see him live. I've seen Bruce play live as a solo artist (his acoustic tour that was just himself playing live). But, with the E-Street band, Springsteen has been known to be the most exciting performer ever. After listening to this solid set, I probably couldn't argue with anyone who says this!
Disc one features more of Springsteen's "hits" that span the majority of his career. "Atlantic City", "Born to Run", "Prove it all Night", and "Murder Incorporated" are a few of the well-known songs here. All these songs can be heard regularly on classic rock radio, but they seem to take on a new life when performed live. It's almost as if you are hearing them for the first time. My favorite on Disc one would have to be "The River". A jazzy sax solo from Clarence Clemons eases the song in nicely. The electric piano and harmonica actually gives you chills when hearing this nicely done rendition.
But the true power and personality of this live performance reaches it's peak during Disc two. Disc two starts out with the great "Fifth Avenue Freeze-Out". Springsteen adds bits of "Take Me to the River" and "It's Alright" to the middle of the tune, and the crowd is more than happy to sing with him. "Reverend" Springsteen also chimes in his creative rock and roll sermon. By the time the 10 plus minutes are finished, it leaves the listener literally exhausted! Also featured here is the controversial "American Skin". The tune received a ton of media attention because of it's subject matter concerning the accidental death of an immigrant at the hands of the police in N.Y.C.. The song is very powerful in it's dramatic sound and message. Even if you agree or disagree with this song, it's refreshing to hear an artist in 2001 writing material that actually makes a profound statement. Springsteen reminds the New York crowd that "it ain't no secret" and that you can "get killed just for living in your American Skin". Although I would normally pass on the over-played "Born in the U.S.A.", the version featured here is much different and very "mystical" sounding. The slide acoustic guitar gives the track a Louisiana-delta-blues flavor that is very... well, cool. The mellow and heart-felt "If I Should Fall Behind" finishes off a very strong cd in a nice fashion. Springsteen allows others in the band, including Nils Lofgren, Clarence Clemons, and his wife Patty Scialfa to sing lines of the song, which brings in nice diversity.
What few criticisms I've read concerning this cd would be the lack of tunes off the "Tunnel Of Love" album. With the large amount of material that this band has churned out over the years, it's usually the case that some great material gets left off. This is an almost perfect collection of Springsteen's music for any fan... casual or die-hard. I can easily rank this up with some of my favorite live albums, including The Who's "Live at Leeds", and The Allman Brothers "Live at the Fillmore". The sound quality is top notch, and the performance of the E-Street Band is tight without sounding too rehearsed. I have a new found respect for this band after hearing this release! It's also the perfect cd for driving around during a hot summer day.
