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Springsteen to Perform “The River,” “The Wild” In Full at MSG

11/4/09, 8:17 am EST

Photo: Lovekin/Getty
Earlier this year Rolling Stone asked Steven Van Zandt about rumors that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band were going to play complete albums on their tour. “It could be something like that,” he said. “If I could pick, it’s gotta be The River. I’d want to include the outtakes on the Tracks collection. Then you have a hell of a show.”

It took a while, but Steve is getting his wish. According to the band’s official Website, the group will play the 1980 double album in its entirety (no word on the outtakes) when they play Madison Square Garden on November 8th. The day before, they will play 1973’s The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle at the same venue. For the past month Springsteen has been playing either Born to Run, Born in the U.S.A. or Darkness on the Edge of Town in full at his shows.

The only date without an announced album is the finale in Buffalo on November 22nd. What do you want to hear then? Greetings From Asbury Park? Tunnel Of Love? Our vote (and we know this is an unpopular opinion) is for the best tracks from Human Touch and Lucky Town. The songs sound much better when played with the E Street Band. Check out this performance of “Souls Of The Departed” from Charlotte in 2008:

Last week, Springsteen played a marathon set at MSG as part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 25th anniversary celebration, then came back the following night to join U2 for “Because the Night” (with Patti Smith) and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” Check out photos from the historic shows here:

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 25th Anniversary: Night One

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 25th Anniversary: Night Two


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Comments

C | 11/4/2009, 8:23 am EST

Tunnel of love or Lucky town would be great….

Nebraska | 11/4/2009, 9:36 am EST

Impossible that Nebraska didn’t come up in this entire conversation.

Jeff | 11/4/2009, 10:54 am EST

It would be interesting if he did electric Nebraska. He’s basically put together an electric Nebraska set through the past few years.

Of all the shows I would love to be at The River concert. Unbelievable.

Bruce is simply the greatest. OF. ALL. TIME.

MB | 11/4/2009, 11:00 am EST

Tunnel Of Love is my favorite album from Bruce! Its a very dark personal album. It would be fantastic to hear it live!

your mom | 11/4/2009, 12:40 pm EST

Maybe because it’s not an E Street song, but he REALLY needs to do Light of Day. His performance from MTV plugged is one of the greatest live tracks I’ve ever heard.

Steve | 11/4/2009, 1:05 pm EST

If he really had any faith in the devotion of his fans he would play the new album in its entirety instead of using the classic albums as a crutch to boost ticket sales.

Amy | 11/4/2009, 1:12 pm EST

If those were my choices I’d have to go with Greetings. But I’m still hoping he’ll do The River in Buffalo.

And I agree with Jeff’s comment – hands down the greatest of all time.

Coyote | 11/4/2009, 1:19 pm EST

How is he boosting ticket sales when these shows are already sold out?

Coyote | 11/4/2009, 1:19 pm EST

And only hipsters would ask for Nebraska. Get over it, morons, authenticity is in again.

Richard | 11/4/2009, 1:23 pm EST

How about playing ‘Live 75/85′ in its entirety?

Everyone goes home happy.

Chris | 11/4/2009, 4:06 pm EST

hey, coyote, how is nebraska not authentic? sorry us hipsters want (even what bruce has called) his most personal and honest album. moron.

CrystalSpyder4 | 11/4/2009, 4:19 pm EST

One thing to remember in this whole debate…how great is it that Bruce has so many albums that would sound epic when played live, in their entirety? Not something most bands can claim!

Anyone who has seen Bruce live would agree that he could probably play a Tony Orlando & Dawn album in its entirety, and rock the f–k out of the entire stadium!

I personally would kill to hear Born to Run or Wild & Innocent. Darkness and Greetings would probably come next.

Jon | 11/4/2009, 4:23 pm EST

Bruce has done Light of Day a lot with the E Street Band and I believe that it got its start as a live song with the band years ago and before it became of staple of “the other bands” shows.

I saw BTR, Darkness, and BITUSA in Philly. The live album shows have been AMAZING. I wish I could be there to see these other albums in their original line up but- I am not able to get back east for it- too soon.

I think it would be awesome if Bruce finally get around to doing the lost Nebraska tour. Bruce and a guitar. That would be fantastic!

Joe Puma | 11/4/2009, 5:22 pm EST

I’m envious of the fans getting to see “The River”at MSG,should be a great show.I’m still pipe dreaming,wishing the tour would get extended and “Darkness” would get played fully here in Houston.

Weegie | 11/4/2009, 5:27 pm EST

Lucky Town ? I could barely get through my 25 cents at a garage sale copy ONCE…..

Bruce Fan In CT | 11/4/2009, 6:35 pm EST

Tunnel of Love in its entirety would be great, so would Nebraska, Born To Run, The River, Born in The USA…..but Human Touch/Lucky Town? WHY?

Richard | 11/4/2009, 7:32 pm EST

there are some very good songs on both LT and HT, but unfortunately, they don’t hold up as individual albums.

If you made a mixtape of the best songs on those two albums, I think it would have made a nice record.

Human Touch
Living Proof
Gloria’s Eyes
If I Should Fall Behind
Better Days
Roll of the Dice
Souls of the Departed
Lucky Town
Book of Dreams
Leap of Faith
I Wish I Were Blind

to gd | 11/4/2009, 8:03 pm EST

As a fan going to Buffalo I don’t really want a full album played. Part of the fun being at a Springsteen concert is the way his setlists are altered all the way through a show, not just the encores. Playing an album all the way through certainly kills the spontaneity for that part of the concert.
That being said it’ll be great whatever he plays!

Stan the Man | 11/4/2009, 8:44 pm EST

nebraska is turgid and unlistenable…while the dynamic duo of human touch and lucky town had to be the worst double album ever…only a sucker would continue to support this greedy has been…botox not withstanding.

wil | 11/4/2009, 8:46 pm EST

go away you old botoxing fart

leslie | 11/4/2009, 11:22 pm EST

Little Steven mentioned doing some songs from the Tracks collection…that would be incredible. There’s an amazing song called The Fever which is just the best!!! Never really knew this song until I stumbled upon while cruising YouTube. If you havent heard it before, FIND IT NOW! BTW, scored tix to the Buffalo show, cant wait!

Anonymous | 11/5/2009, 8:36 am EST

Playing albums is nothing more than a way of getting fans who have been to multiple shows to come back to see something new.

Meatwad | 11/5/2009, 8:45 am EST

I would love to see Darkness on the Edge of Town live. One of my favorites of all time.

Jordan | 11/5/2009, 1:52 pm EST

@ Anonymous-
The msg shows have been sold out for months, he announced the albums this week. ’nuff said.

J. W. Awa | 11/5/2009, 8:30 pm EST

He should also consider The Church’s “Starfish” for a complete album.

He’s about due.

Charles | 11/6/2009, 1:17 am EST

I would love to hear his best hits from this decade.

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