Concert Review: The Boss and Joe raise the roof at Soldiers & Sailors

Friday, November 05, 2010
By Scott Mervis, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/

Joe Grushecky and Bruce Springsteen perform "Atlantic City" at Soldiers & Sailors Hall in Oakland Thursday night. (John Heller/Post-Gazette)

With the tour itinerary for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band a blank page in 2010, The Boss has come out to play only about a dozen times this year.

He did the Hope for Haiti telethon and a handful of benefits in the Jersey area. He also made surprise appearances with Rosanne Cash and Alejandro Escovedo, and, at that Sting Rainforest Foundation gig, he actually got up with Lady Gaga.

Thursday night at the sold-out Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall, he was on more familiar turf with his old pals Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, tearing through one of his longest and surely most rousing sets of the year.

The occasion was the 15th anniversary of their collaborative effort "American Babylon," but even more than that, it was that itch to get out and have some fun.

That they did.

It was another roof-raising slugfest from Joe and the Boss, who hit the stage first with his acoustic guitar, saying, "I'm opening for Joe tonight." He launched into a rare reading of "Pittsburgh" from the "Tracks" album, followed by a clenched teeth version of "For You" and a heartfelt "This Hard Land."

The Houserockers, still one of the best bar bands in the land, came out blazing with "American Babylon" and welcomed him back to jam together on "Another Thin Line," a "Gloria"-like stomp topped with a blistering solo from Bruce, who was clearly thrilled all night to get out front and play guitar hero.

The explosive buildup on "Atlantic City" took on a religious fervor, while "Never Be Enough Time" was another ferocious guitar summit. A tentative "Homestead" was sandwiched between the walloping "Adam Raised a Cain" and "Darkness on the Edge," both worth the price of admission.

A late set surprise was "Save My Love," a more lighthearted pop song from the forthcoming "The Promise," a collection of buried treasures from the "Darkness" era.

Grushecky's roots-rocker "Talking to the King" brought a round of smiles, as did a rumbling version of "Fire," with playful input from the loud crowd. The Grammy-winning "Code of Silence" came with guitar sparks from Rick Witkowski and a shout-out to former Penguin Bill Guerin on his 40th birthday.

The climax was pure bar-rock ecstasy with the likes of "Down the Road a Piece," "Wipeout," "Pumping Iron," "The Promised Land," "La Bamba/Twist and Shout" and a lovely conclusion of "Thunder Road," with just Bruce and the crowd.

If it had been the ol' Decade, you can bet there would have been broken bottles everywhere.


Scott Mervis: smervis@post-gazette.com; 412-263-2576.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10309/1100918-501.stm#ixzz14PE80L2M


Set list

For You
This Hard Land
American Babylon
East Carson Street
Another Thin Line
Atlantic City
Never Be Enough Time
What Did You Do In the War, Daddy?
Adam Raised a Cain
Homestead
Darkness on the Edge of Town
I'm Not Sleeping
Save My Love
Talking to the King
Murder Incorporated
Fire
Code of Silence
Down the Road a Piece/Wipeout

Encore:

Pumping Iron
The Promised Land
La Bamba/Twist and Shout
Thunder Road