Bruce Springsteen and the Seeger Session Band

I was in the pit last night. I have seen Springsteen too many times to count, the first time in 1977 at the Music Hall. Last night was probably the best Springsteen cooncert I have ever seen. I have seen many performances that seem contrived and orchestrated - last night one of the most telling things I could see from the pit was the actual making of the music versus the performing of the music. Bruce was loose, having a great time, and you could feel the genuine comraderie of the musician on stage. Surrendering to the experience was blissful, and I am sorry Matt was unable to join in.

Matt, Your smugness as a cool, Phoenix music critic is to be expected, but isn't it the job of a critic to stick around for the whole thing? My wife and I brought along our 12 year old son and 10 year old daughter and they loved it too! From our vantage point, folks from 2 to 82 were dancing and enjoying timeless music that has been re-introduced to us by Bruce. Perhaps civil rights songs and the stories about tough people in tough times dont appeal to you, but my kids were asking us what the songs were about. Have a doctor give you a sailva test because if you couldn't enjoy the concert, you just couldn't get past your smug media trappings!! The 17 piece band was amazing and the pure joy exhibited in the music was undeniable. Stick around next time and learn something from the "old folks."

You sure sound like an expert on smug-ass safety bubbles. There was a noticeable improvement in the air when you left. Keep on listening to sports radio, music man wannabe....there's your future.

Yeah you're right, we all needed to hear Thunder Road one more time.. Man, I got to tell up that you are in fact a pompous ass. In the interest of full disclosure, as you would so smuggy put it, I thought it was not only the best I have seen Springsteen, but one of the best shoes i have seen in general. From where I stood, all I saw around us were people who were moved to dance, clap and even brought to tears. Sorry we didn't get more excited to hear Bruce's own Johnny 99, maybe it was because we were excited by all the music that was being played. Maybe it was because it was wonderful to hear Pete's music brought to life at this all to alful period of time. Hell, the only thing that would have been better was if he added some Woody and Phil Ochs. The only thing that I might agree with you on was that it was an old crowd. I guess I'm old myself. Yes I remember singing along to We shall overcome back at the Viet Nam protests. That to me was the only problem with the show. This music should be shared with today's youth. As the saying goes "if you're not outraged, You're not paying attention. I must also admit to being totally confused by your referance to your appreciation to the fun Bruce brings to his material? Is it just me or maybe the other 13,000 or so people who were there that he seemed to be having the best time he's had in years. When I saw him with the E Street band in Foxboro a few years ago, I would have to say he was just going though the motions. He appeared to to be having a hell of a lot more fun Sunday. Just because you switch up a few songs from show to show, doesn't mean it's fresh. Any way why I'm wasting time even replying to your review is beyond me. Can't imagine anyone with any sense would give a shit what you have to say. Guess that's why they call you a credit.

I feel the need to defend Matt since he's getting beaten up so badly on this one. I saw Bruce for the first time at this year's New Orleans Jazz Fest where he debuted the new Seeger Sessions material. EVERYBODY, from what I could tell, was blown away... except me. I was so excited to see him beforehand and so disappointed afterwards. It seemed to me that, as Matt said, there was "no sense of danger" in the performance. I appreciate the comment by Hope who says that she is sorry Matt (and I) was unable to surrender to a blissful experience. I am sorry, too. I really wanted to get lost in it (as I have with so many performances at Jazz Fest and elsewhere), but it just felt too contrived. I can see why you all are mad about Matt's tone in his review, but I, for one, happen to agree with a lot of the substance. Obviously, few people concur.

CMT recently aired a special on the recording of this album. I've watched it three times, and it gets better with each viewing. Despite your cranky review, next week six of us plan on driving three-and-a-half hours from Sioux City, Iowa, to Des Moines, Iowa, to watch the concert. The "horn section" you mention includes outstanding players, including Mark Pender on trumpet and Ritchie "Labamba" Rosenberge. In the era of Brittney, Jessica, Lindsey, and the like, it's so refreshing to see and hear professional musicians and singers like those on this tour. Read Matt Ashare's thoughts, discount them, and then go ahead and watch a great show.

Poor Matt. A mighty wind indeed. I bet you are really really young and A Mighty Wind is probably the closest you have ever come folk music. It didn't feel like a hootenany or a hoe down. It did like a picnic. Sorry you missed the whole show. Oh well, maybe next time.

I Saw the show in the Point In Dublin Ireland and everybody from 10 years of age to 60 joined in on what was undoubtably one of the best concerts I have ever seen and had a truly uplifting experience..Unfortunatly Matt the "CRITIC" doesnt share in the masses point of view..Roll On The Legend that is Mr Bruce Frederick Springsteen..

I just came from the last tour show, in Holmdel. Assuming it resembled the Tweeter show at all, then I am honestly not certain how you can even be a music critic. The irony of your comment about safety is that Bruce took a huge risk here, going in an entirely different direction. "Safe" would have been what the Stones or CSN do year after year (after year . . .) Instead, he assembled a crack group of musicians and worked them, and himself, hard. If it sounded "safe", that's just a tribute to rehearsal and skill, but certainly not to musical cowardnice. I am not a blind Springsteen loyalist -- I thought Devils and Dust, tour and album, was maudlin and boring -- but what I heard tonight will resonate for a long time. Three hours of cajun, bluegrass, dixieland, folk, country, all delivered with joy and skill. It was a very happy party by an artist who plainly loved it. And Matt, seriously -- lose the attitude.