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(More customer reviews)The wide disparity between the previous reviewers may be likely due to the fact they may not have actually seen this DVD.
It's stunning. Absolutely stunning. Here we have an entire Springsteen show (the first half aired live on MTV Europe) in front of a rabid Barcelona audience. There are things on this disc that you can show to people that aren't Springsteen fans that will make them convert. In a heartbeat.
Barcelona is known for being particularly Springsteen-philic. It shows. I doubt if you will ever see a concert where the crowd is so enthusiastic and appreciative, yet considerate (they shut up when they're supposed to...) and knowledgeable. The "Rising" album hadn't been out all that long, yet they're singing along to most of the then-new tunes.
The picture is crisp and vivid, and the audio sounds terrific! My disc #2 had a little glitch where it wouldn't initially play, but it was momentary.
The performance itself goes without saying. It is obvious that the E Streeters are energized by the crowd. Reaction shots of the various members throughout the show tell the story. The first portion of the show was pretty standard "Rising Tour" stuff, but it seems that every time the band turns up their performance, the audience rises to the occasion. Seriously...the crowd even sang instrumental parts! They knew the lyrics to the new songs, and mind you, this is Spain we're talking about. English isn't even their mother tongue.
There's a two-song somber mini-set from "The Rising", "Empty Sky" and "You're Missing" that are simply haunting. The show then swells, a joyous "Waitin' On A Sunny Day" leading into "The Promised Land" and so on, until Bruce opens up "She's The One".
That song comes off absolutely ferocious...the band so tight you'll simply marvel. It's like they put their collective feet on some unseen accelerator pedal and took OFF.
Then Bruce turns a relatively non-descript (for him) party tune, "Mary's Place", into a barn-burner. It's a joy to watch...folding in several old Motown/Stax/soul songs into the mix. The Palau Sant Jordi literally lifts off.
After the MTV Broadcast ends, he does several "requests"...songs not necessarily done night after night. Watching him call out songs, seeing the band scramble to get the right guitar, etc., is part of the fun. It happens several times during the show.
Solo piano versions of "Spirit In The Night" and "Incident on 57th Street" are striking...it's hilarious when Bruce flubs a line during the latter tune.
The encore opens with a tour rarity, "Night" (another request), a rollicking "Ramrod"...heck, you can see the setlist for yourself. It's one highlight after another.
As he's bidding the audience farewell, after "Land of Hope and Dreams" (the standard second encore concert closer at the time), you can see him giving in to the crowd and calling out to the band for "one more..."Thunder Road".
The performers all seem to be having a great time...smiles are everywhere. Their interplay is something you rarely get on concert discs nowadays.
I honestly can't see the fault in this disc...I do not understand the negativity whatsoever! A 3-hour, reference quality complete concert DVD?
The add-on mini-documentary is fine, with brief tantalizing clips of tours gone by...but make sure you stay through the whole thing.
The "Night of the Living Boss" clip, hidden at the end, is a hoot. Shot at Fenway Park, it uses the opening "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" and "Diddy Wah Diddy" to underscore some amazing footage. It'll bring a smile to your face, Bruce fan or not.
Now, it's time to start putting together the footage from the past. It's time for "official" bootlegs. There's GOTTA be footage from the "Born In The USA" tours, if not earlier. Let's start releasing those, huh? Please?
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