NORFOLK - It’s been more than 20 years since Bruce Springsteen performed in Hampton Roads during the height of his fame following the release of 1984’s “Born in the USA.” Fans who flocked to the Constant Center on Friday night to see the 56-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer on one of the last dates of his solo acoustic tour were in for a much different show than the rollicking E Street Band performances of earlier years. One fact, however, was crystal clear: Bruce is still The Boss. If that were ever in doubt, fans only needed to check out the rules Springsteen insisted on posting in and around the venue. No talking. No standing. No concessions during the show. No cell phones, etc. For the casual fan, these restrictions probably dampened the fun of seeing one of rock music’s most legendary performers. There was no fist pumping, no jumping around on stage, no dancing arm in arm with the Big Man, saxophonist Clarence Clemmons.
Without his E Street Band cohorts, the evening was quiet, and at times almost somber. The show opened with the sparsest possible version of “Born in the USA,” which Springsteen played only on harmonica. He sang through a vocal effect rendering his voice into something that resembled a scratchy old record album. This version of one of his biggest hits really underscored the often-misunderstood lyrics, which lament the poor treatment of Vietnam veterans.
Perhaps in honor of Veterans Day, Springsteen performed “The Wall,” which he said was written about a former musical influence from his hometown of Freehold, N.J., who died in Vietnam. Bruce spent time between songs talking to the audience in his whispery voice, still flecked with the blue-collar rhythms of his New Jersey upbringing. The low-key atmosphere was perfectly natural and even necessary for the mood of Springsteen’s latest CD, “Devils and Dust.” More>>>
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posted by ADMIN @ Sunday, November 13, 2005
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