“Grab your ticket and your suitcase, thunder’s rolling down the tracks.”
A Bruce Springsteen concert is more like a religious experience than a traditional rock concert. Taking the gospel of song on tour, Springsteen continues to electrify audiences 30 years after breaking into the musical world.
This is evident in his latest release – the two DVD set Live in Barcelona. Documenting the entire Oct. 16, 2002, concert at Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona, Spain, Springsteen mixes timeless classics and fresh songs for a net effect of pure adrenaline.
Springsteen hit the road in August 2002, touring in support of 2002’s The Rising – the first full album to be inspired by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. At the Barcelona concert, the Boss pulls heavily from The Rising, performing eight of the album’s 15 tracks at the concert.
For the die-hard fans and neophytes alike, it’s hard not to feel the soul and jubilation those in attendance felt on that fateful night a little more than a year ago. That is especially apparent with the opening bars of such classics like “Prove It All Night” and “The Promised Land.”
That’s not to mention Springsteen’s prowess when it comes to speaking Spanish when introducing some songs and thanking them for attending.
A two-time witness to Springsteen in concert – Jan. 28, 1995, and Dec. 2, 2002 – this DVD makes me feel like I was in the audience. When Clarence Clemons belts out one of his riveting saxophone solos, it’s hard not to cheer. And when the band breaks into “Born to Run,” you better know the words because you’ll want to sing along with the thousands of fans in the audience.
Each song in the two-hour-plus setlist offers listeners a treat and is masterfully picked by Springsteen. Here’s a brief song-by-song analysis of the songs:
“The Rising” – “Come on up for the rising.” And stay a while once you’re here. The title track to Springsteen’s 2002 effort rocks hard and sets the tone for an exciting concert.
“Lonesome Day” – The opening track on The Rising, Lonesome Day, has found its niche here in the No. 2 slot. The song is much in the same vein as “The Rising.”
“Prove it All Night” – “But if dreams came true, oh, wouldn’t that be nice,” Springsteen sings. Hearing this song live must be a dream. Springsteen has so many gems it’s hard to keep count, as is the case with “Prove it All Night.”
“Darkness On the Edge of Town” – With this song in the clean-up slot, The Boss slows things down a bit from its searing predecessor. As Springsteen’s career has evolved, this song has been a bedrock of the musical foundation of his many tours.
“Empty Sky” – Springsteen, aided by wife Patti Scialfa on vocals, delivers one of the most brilliant and poignant performances of this heart-felt song, seemingly about the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
“You’re Missing” – One of the saddest ballads from The Rising, this song works surprisingly well in a stadium setting. The E Street Band has the unique ability to draw the audience into their performances.
“Waitin’ on a Sunny Day” – The album version is wonderful. And the acoustic concert rendition is a nice treat for live audiences. Besides, any time guitarist Little Steven sings a chorus, you know the song is going to be good.
“The Promised Land” – A frequent inclusion in many of Springsteen’s concerts throughout the years, the band plows through a lively rendition of the song. It is one of three songs from 1978’s Darkness on the Edge of Town to be included in the concert’s setlist.
“Worlds Apart” – Perhaps the weakest song on The Rising, “Worlds Apart” undergoes a slight alteration in its live incarnation. The song is a great showpiece for Nils Lofgren, who switches between banjo and electric guitar, providing some of the concert’s best and most drastically different, performances. Plus, it’s always a treat to see Danny Federici pick up the accordion.
“Badlands” – A true classic, first released on 1978’s Darkness on the Edge of Town and subsequently on two live albums and two compilations, it has been performed at many of Springsteen’s shows since its release. It is always a crowd-pleaser.
“She’s the One” – A true treasure from 1975’s Born to Run. Perhaps the most surprising inclusion on the tour, seeing the song performed live makes one realize the greatness of Springsteen as both a writer and a performer. I could listen to this song all day.
“Mary’s Place” – Are you ready? “Turn it up!” This song harkens back to the fun and fancy-free days of such classics as 1973’s “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight).” Springsteen has a good time performing the song, and listeners should have a good time watching the performance. Otherwise, something might just be wrong.
“Dancing in the Dark” – Reaching No. 2 on the charts in 1984, this song is one of Springsteen’s most successful commercial releases. Along with 1984’s Born in the U.S.A., this song has stood the test of time, entertaining audiences for almost two decades.
“Countin’ on a Miracle” – This song underwent little transformation from its album arrangement to its stage appearance. It’s a solid song on the album, and its live performance likewise delivers.
“Spirit in the Night” – Springsteen tackles this classic alone on the piano, showing his prowess on the keys. Midway through the song, Springsteen stumbles through the lyrics and forgets what line comes next, much to the amusement of the audience, who seemingly knew the words better than the author.
“Incident on 57th Street” – Thank you to whoever requested this song. Springsteen tackles a second straight song solo on the piano. Another one of those classics from Springsteen’s early days and the only song from 1973’s The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle to appear on this setlist.
“Into the Fire” – One of the most moving songs on The Rising, it is sure to be remembered as one of The Boss’ finest compositions. Only Springsteen and the E Street can perform such a powerful song with their signature rock and roll sound.
“Night” – This is a song that is seemingly easily forgotten about. But it is a true masterpiece that is wholeheartedly welcome on this tour and set. As was the case with “She’s the One,” this song was a surprise, albeit a pleasant one.
“Ramrod” – When this little rocker turned up on the 2001 double DVD set Live from New York City, it seemed like a rare treat. But thanks to Springsteen’s apparent newfound love for the song, here it is again, just as rollicking as ever.
“Born to Run” – The title track to Springsteen’s third album was his first hit. The album Born to Run is well represented on this DVD set, with four of the album’s eight tracks finding their way into the setlist.
“My City of Ruins” – This song, about Asbury Park, N.J., first appeared in 1998. It’s eerily descriptive of New York City on Sept. 12, 2001.
“Born in the U.S.A.” – For better or worse, Springsteen’s best-known song appears here in its 1984 incarnation. During much of the mid and late 1990s, the song was performed in its original 1982 acoustic arrangement.
“Land of Hope and Dreams” – Debuted on the E Street Band’s world tour in 2000, “Land of Hopes and Dreams” epitomizes the American Spirit. Springsteen is a true musical legend, and you don’t have to look any further for proof.
“Thunder Road” – One of the best, if not the best, songs ever written, this song never lacks energy. First released on 1975’s Born to Run, the song has been performed hundreds, probably more like thousands, of times over the last quarter century.
And when done with the concert, there’s a special documentary – “Drop the Needle and Pray: The Rising on Tour.” With bonus footage from concerts at Shea Stadium and Fenway Park, the featurette is a welcome insight into the tour. It is, however, a little too short.
In all, Live in Barcelona is a worthwhile investment. For the die-hard Springsteen fans, is there any question about whether to buy this? And for anyone who enjoys The Rising or who saw the most recent tour, this is a must. And to the uninitiated, buy this DVD to witness the power of Springsteen in concert.
