With the great John Fogerty, doing "Fortunate Son," Springsteen also reiterated the social consciousness that has always been at the center of the best rock and roll and that represents everything I love most about it. It's something about that whole free your ass, and the mind will follow thing.
But then, Bruce topped it off with "Jungleland." Pete Townshend may have written the double-album rock operas Tommy and Quadrophenia — and I love both of them. But if ever there has been written a more perfect street aria than "Jungleland" — channeled into about seven minutes and topped off by what is arguably the greatest sax solo ever recorded — I challenge anyone reading this to reproduce it.
Seriously, I double dare ya'.
I've seen Bruce and the E Street band perform this song many times over the years, and to be perfectly honest, most of them were better than this.
But in this case, it was a perfect bookend to an amazing thirty-minute performance that encapsulated everything I love most about the Boss, and everything I love about rock and roll itself.
The social consciousness, the sense of history and, more than anything else, the promise of escape from both the mundane and the ordinary. For my money, there is nobody still working today that represents those original promises of rock and roll the way that Springsteen and the E Street Band does.
If there is always something left to remind me, Springsteen reminded me of it once again tonight. End of story.
Article comments
1 - Greg Barbrick
I will not comment on yet another case of Rocksport - Bruce delusion.
2 - Glen Boyd
Ahh, but thats the thing Greg. You just did.
3 - Jet Gardner
Greg?
4 - roger nowosielski
Great article, Glen. Though I haven't been following rock of late, you make want to listen to these artists.
5 - El Bicho
I still need to watch this
"arguably the greatest sax solo ever recorded"
WTFrench? I see you are not a jazzologist
6 - Glen Boyd
I will be the first to admit that, no, I am not a jazzologist. I also don't speak French. Well, at least not that kind of French...
-Glen
7 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Decent Article...
All this from a R'N'R Hall of Fame concert?! Fergie vocally towering over a withered Bono and probably the worst singer of all time - Jagger. Jeff Beck dropping down several notches to play with a highly overrated Blues plucker(where's Eric Johnson when you need him?). And one of the worst rock acts in the history of rock'n'roll - Springsteen.
I guess this is why they always get,like, seventy washed-up artists on stage to play together because no one can hold their own anymore. I wish I was as easily impressed.
Maybe, they should rename it to the "Rest'N'Relaxation Hall of Shame"
Anyways, Glen, I'm pretty sure your article held more emotion and passion then any of those "artists" performances did.
8 - Glen Boyd
Wow, you really loaded that one up didn't ya' Gupster?
For the record, Beck and Guy are two of the best ever. Period. Guys like Eric Johnson learned much of what they know from those two guys.
Springsteen at 60-something years old has more energy than 90% of the guys out there doing it at half his age, and the E Street Band are still one of the tightest bands in the business. You are simply misguided Brian, but I promise I wont hold it against you.
-Glen
9 - Glen Boyd
With regard to comment #1 by Mr. Barbrick, I have two rules when it comes to writing...
1. When you think you've got a potentialy good idea in your head, write it immediately no matter what. And...
2. Never write after you've been out to the Rocksport.
Oh well. One out of two here I guess...LOL...
Not that you've never been guilty of WWD of course...
-Glen
10 - FCEtier
Is the 30 min performance you saw on Youtube? If not, how can I see it?
11 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Just tryin' to put that mainstream mess into some perspective, ya know?
Actually, I wasn't dissing Jeff Beck(come on Glen, READ!) and, for the record, whatever Eric Johnson learned from those two, he definitely took it to a new untouchable plateau that even the new axe slingers can't fathom.(Especially with the Electromagnets)
Glen, I don't believe I'm misguided. I just wasn't apart of that Dylon loving, Springsteen beholding, "Free Love" era. And I wouldn't count out RUSH, Heaven & Hell(Black Sabbath),Motorhead, Judas Priest & possibly a few others that could very well hold their own against "The Boss" nowadays.
But, I won't hold that fanboy statement against ya...*smirk*
12 - Glen Boyd
FC,
I doubt this will be on YouTube as HBO is pretty strict about copyright issues, but I'd be very surprised if there isn't a DVD somewhere down the line.
Brian,
I've no doubt the acts you mentioned are all great live performers. As for not being part of the Dylan loving, Springsteen beholding generation...well, that's your loss I guess. I'm not sure I make the same connection to "free love" there that you do. In fact the thought of that is just...ya' know, "icky." LOL...
-Glen