Sam Grisman Project Portland Concert reviews
Born To Run In Chi Town
This show was my 59th Springsteen concert of all-time, the 4th Springsteen show in Chicago over the last couple of years. More saxophone than in most shows on recent tours, Clarence sounded phenomenal. Nils was also at the top of his game playing a variety of guitars from traditional leads to slide. The crows was into it from the first note, "Seeds" was an interesting and somewhat surprising show opener. "Johnny 99" was a standout early on, as well as "Cover Me." The band played "Working on A Dream" with a little humor. Bruce said, "well tonight you got to see the E Street Band 'mess-up' a song."
The stand out part of the show came next, with the entire "Born to Run" album played in sequence. Complete with audience participation, "Show a little faith, there's magic in the night." A trumpet player named Curt Ramm joined for "Tenth Avenue Freeze-out" and "Meeting Across The River." The gentlemen who played upright bass on the original "Meeting" studio track also performed. "Night" lacked its usual intensity, and "Jungleland" was one of the best versions ever heard. A classic Clarence sax solo followed by a very passionate Bruce singing "tonight..in..Jun..gle...land"!
The rest of the main set was pretty standard, with "Badlands" ending the show. The encores included a tribute to Elle Greenwich with "Da Do Ron Ron" and "Rockin' Robin." Ending with "I'm Going Down" from "Born In The USA." "Rosalita" was requested and marked the end of the 2 HRS, 58 MINUTES & 28 Songs show. What a great night? Shame on you if you missed it. This was one for the ages.