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“The Boss” was in the house! And so was I!!

This was my third Bruce Springsteen concert and it was such a spectacular, wonderful, exciting, heart pumping performance. There was so much passion and feeling in this concert. You can read the review below because the Richmond Times Dispatch reviewer says it better than I could. But it was SO much fun! I’m sure I embarrassed Aquagirl because, I’m sorry, but you can’t be in the house with “The Boss” and stay seated and controlled. I was singing and dancing along with 95% of the rest of the crowd.

In fact, this IS a bit embarrassing……… but have you ever heard of exercise induced asthma? Well, I think I had excitement induced asthma. I had to use my emergency inhaler during the car ride home. And, I had another attack at 4:00 in the morning. But I’ll tell you another thing…. IT WAS WORTH IT!

I love Bruce Springsteen. And as I told my brother, when he asked why I’d gone to see Springsteen again, if ‘The Boss’ comes to sing, I will go to listen! Every time! And for this one artist, money is no object.

I have no pictures to share because cameras were not allowed. And I would NEVER break the rules and hide a small camera inside a zippered compartment inside my purse, just to post the incriminating evidence the next day. How smart would that be? But let’s just say that *some* small cameras are wonderful because they can take really nice videos too.

He didn’t sing my favorite ‘Bruce’ song, Empty Sky, but I didn’t expect him to. It’s too obscure of a song from the multitudes of choices for him to sing. But I shall content myself with my well-listened to CD, and this:

Springsteen plays to his followers

CONCERT REVIEW

Thursday, May 01, 2008 - 12:08 AM Updated: 02:47 PM

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt play John Paul Jones Arena on Wednesday, April 30, 2008. Photo By: The Daily Progress/Megan Lovett

By MELISSA RUGGIERI

TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

CHARLOTTESVILLE — The reliability of a Bruce Springsteen show is a comforting thing.

There are no off nights with this cast that is the E Street Band. And now, coming out of the sad cloud of band member Danny Federici’s death a couple of weeks ago, the band sounds as if it has a new purpose - to memorialize their friend and channel their grief through their music.

Last night’s John Paul Jones Arena stop began with a hushed vibe as Springsteen and the E Streeters filed on stage in the dark, turned their backs to the crowd and watched a video of Federici, set to the recorded version of “Blood Brothers.” With that, Springsteen faced the audience, barked out a “1, 2, 3″ and slammed into “Loose Ends.”

It was quickly apparent as the band segued into an aggressive “Radio Nowhere” that their playing was an emotional release. Spit flew from Springsteen’s mouth, sweat already dripped down his forearms - on only the second song - and even the unflappable Max Weinberg drew thunder from his tom-toms with unusual insistence.

For more than two hours, Springsteen and the crew tore through a meaty catalog - most of it directed at hardcore followers. “Promised Land” featured a ring of white lights that flared whenever Springsteen raised his arms overhead in preacher mode, while “No Surrender,” called as an audible, inspired a humorous moment when the band couldn’t figure out what song it was supposed to be playing (”Hang on, we’re getting there!” Springsteen shouted with a grin).

So yes, despite the undercurrent of loss pervading the show, there were plenty of those spirited, magical moments that only Springsteen can provide - and with the rocker in his 58th year, best to enjoy them while you can.

Even with his slight gimp, Springsteen, looking taut and muscled in his usual uniform of jeans, black T-shirt and work boots, exhausted himself by constantly pacing the stage, trading some fierce guitar licks with Steven Van Zandt on “Gypsy Biker” and, after splashing his legs with bottled water, sliding the length of the stage during “Mary’s Place.”

His anthems of loyalty and friendship, blue-collar daydreams and everlasting love never seem to wither and still resonate through the generations.

There were several of them present last night in the sold-out crowd of more than 14,000, which also included celebs Howie Long, his newly NFL-drafted son, Chris, singer Mary Chapin Carpenter and Pat Riley, the Miami Heat head coach who quit his post this week.

But no matter age or level of celebrity, it’s impossible not to get caught up in the fervor of Springsteen staples. “Prove it All Night” featured a Nils Lofgren solo so intense, the little guy almost knocked himself off his feet while playing, while “Jungleland”and the ultimate live concert moment, “Born to Run,” were as chill-inducing as ever, Springsteen’s raspy voice still hitting every note.

On the latter, performed in the traditional Springsteen manner - houselights up, everybody “Whoa-oh-ah-oh!”-ing - Clarence “Big Man’ Clemons, who was oddly stiff and sedate most of the show, churned out a blazing sax solo that put to ease any concerns about his well-being.

During the encore, Springsteen also mentioned local musician Robbin Thompson, his good friend and onetime bandmate in Steel Mill, and recalled their days playing in Richmond.

Springsteen’s vigor refused to wane during the brisk “10th Avenue Freeze Out,” which began with the man demonstrating his flexibility with an impressive backbend on the stage floor.

But really, would you expect anything less from the master?