Like A River That Don’t Know Where It’s Flowing…

By Paul Gotham

Not sure when I began paying attention to omens – those funny precursors of events to come. Finding the exact moment of their relevance is unimportant right now.

Tuesday, as Kel and I headed east toward the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), I wondered about the significance of  possible omens. In preparation for that night’s Springsteen show, I popped in the player a copy of the 2008 show at Rochester’s Blue Cross Arena. About eight songs into the disc, Kel asked: “Was this concert in the middle of the week? There had to be some reason why I didn’t go.”

Yeah, she liked what she was hearing. Since Tuesday would be her first Springsteen show, the prospects looked good for a special event.

Omens continued from there. Google provided us with a serpentine route through part of the Adirondacks. We questioned why. Answers came. First, we stumbled upon this homey place to eat – Romano’s. My calzone arrived. “That’s a small?!?” Do I need to comment further about the serving sizes? A few miles down the road we arrived at SPAC. Unfamiliar with the layout, I was unsure about the parking lots. Kel noticed a $10 lot. I was surprised to get anything below $20. We were in the wrong lane. I planned to turn around when we happened upon our spot for the night – at no cost. Yeah, things were going well. The stars were aligning.

As we left the car behind, Kel grabbed a fleece and I a sweatshirt. Okay, the previous statement ranks high on the absurdity meter. Like I would need something to keep me warm at a Springteen show. By the time Clarence muffed the saxophone part during the second song of the night (Badlands), I dripped with sweat. The perspiration caused me, for an instant, to recall a recent conversation with the better two-thirds as we walked along Ontario Beach Park. With bare-chested, middle-aged men ambling about, we discussed when it is inappropriate to go sans shirt in public. An actual age we did not determine. But I know I’m two decades removed from such a prospect.

After opening with a tight version of ‘No Surrender,’ the E Street Band hopped into a rollicking rendition of  ‘Badlands’ and another sign of things to come. The Big Man got so caught up in the moment that he missed his sax lead bringing on laughs from the Boss and Little Steve. Rather than the mistake ruining the moment, the fans picked up the slack by providing the classic ‘Badlands’ hum. Nothing could stop this show.

From there the band kicked into the guitar-driven ‘Radio Nowhere’ before heading into ‘Outlaw Pete.’ I gained an appreciation for the latter Tuesday night.

Lawn seats at the SPAC created a dilemma. Positioned on a hill, the incline easily distorts a concert goer’s balance. Never was this more apparent than during the next song – a stomping version of ‘Spirit In The Night.’ Thankfully, Kel sat on the blanket. She served as a fulcrum while I teetered between upright and face plant. 🙂

In the wake of ‘Spirit,’ Bruce led into ‘Working On A Dream’ and ‘The River’ outtake, ‘Rendezvous.’

From there Bruce busted out full-band versions of ‘Atlantic City’ and ‘Johnny 99.’ Throughout the years Springsteen has taken these acoustic songs from the 1982 release, ‘Nebraska,’ and turned them into rockers. ‘Atlantic City’ takes on an anthemic feel, but ‘Johnny 99’ was extraordinary. After hearing the revved up version of ‘Reason To Believe (another cut from ‘Nebraska’) on the ‘Magic’ tour (no doubt, building engineers checked the roof supports after that show), I was intrigued when I read about the new version of Johnny. Bruce noted how backup singers, Cindy Mizelle and Curtis King, provided the locomotion driving the train.

No stopping this engine. Bruce and the Band kicked into a bone-chilling rendition of ‘Darkness On The Edge Of Town.’ Three decades later and the Boss recaptured the angst: “If she wants to see me, you can tell her that I’m easily found.”

Don’t know when Bruce initiated the request segment of the show, but at this point fans began holding up signs with their choices. The result? A sizzling version of ‘Summertime Blues’ that would have made Eddie Cochran proud. With the band starting the song, Bruce commented: “Oh, that’s a little fast.” The next request was a spitirted version of ‘Two Hearts’ – a first-time hearing for this fan. Little Steve obviously had fun with this one joining Bruce at the lead mike throughout the song. ‘Surprise Surprise’ closed the request segment with birthday wishes for one of the fans – “Surprise, surprise, come open your eyes; let your love shine.”

‘Because The Night’ provided more evidence that nothing could stop this show. When Nils Lofgren blew the lead while frolicking on the stage floor, Bruce took over with his own fire on the fingertips.

‘Waiting On A Sunday Day’ gave everyone some goose bumps. Bruce plucked a lad (I’m guessing 12 years old) from the crowd and hoisted him on stage. The young ‘un proceeded to nail an entire verse. Great stuff. I couldn’t help but think of our own Crossword Pete and the possibility of his grand son pulling off this feat some time in the future.

Bruce followed with two more from ‘Darkness’ – ‘Promised Land’ and ‘Racing In The Streets.’ Counting ‘Because The Night,’ (written for the ‘Darkness’ sessions) Bruce busted out five songs from the 1978 release. These latter two songs were nothing if they weren’t inspirational.

‘Lonesome Day’ and ‘The Rising’ kept the show bopping into ‘Born To Run.’ Try as I might, I can not tire of this classic. Yes, I fully participated with fists pumping in the air – “Tramps like us…….” With the final notes hanging in the air, Bruce kicked into ‘Rosalita’ with reckless abandon. At one point during the Springsteen classic, the song fell apart, and everything came to a screeching halt. Never mind. The Boss gave a quick count off, and the band continued on its merry way.

The band joined Bruce at the front of the stage for a round of applause. Springsteen took the opportunity to introduce young Jay Weinberg (son of Max) who, at the tender age of 19, has taken over on drums for the summer leg of the tour.

A loose version of ‘Girls In Their Summer Clothes’ opened the encores. ‘Thunder Road’ sounded slower than usual – perhaps a respite before the sprint to the finish.

‘American Land’ is clearly a band favorite bringing even Gary W. Tallent to the microphone to join in with the vocals. ‘Bobby Jean’ kept us bouncing and singing through the night.

At this point, the E Street Band kicked into a rocking version of ‘Dancing In The Dark.’ Juxtaposing rocking with that song may have been an oxymoron for me in the past, but not after Tuesday night. In classic fashion, the band extended the song as Bruce invited a few females on stage for a two-step. While this happened, I brought my own frolicking to a halt as a group of youths took to dancing on a nearby open patch of grass. With an unconventional style that could only be described as their own, these teenagers twisted and shook with the emotion of the moment. I couldn’t help but thinking that…well…I caught a glimpse of myself some 25 years ago.

Closing out the night Bruce let the audience carry the first verse of ‘Hungry Heart.’ I recalled my youth when Rochester’s 96 WCMF gave us our morning dosage of Bruce Juice.

There is life before a Bruce show, and there is life after a Bruce show. I’m not talking about some life-altering event. It’s not like that. You’re not going to run out after seeing Springsteen and join the Peace Corps. Well, maybe you will, but I’m not talking about that. It’s a subtle effect. Like when you get cut off in traffic. Instead of getting upset, you’ll figure the other driver has more pressing business and then you’ll hum a few bars of ‘Racing In The Street.’ It might happen as you approach the checkout line at the local grocery store. You’ll have a twelve pack tucked under your arm with a couple bags of snacks in your other hand. You’ll notice a house wife who looks a little tired. She has a cart full of groceries, but you let her go first. Then you’ll think of ‘Queen Of The Supermarket.’

“I took a wrong turn, and I just kept going.”

Wonder what omens today will bring.

Buffalo on the 22nd of November. How many days is that?