We also got “I’m Goin’ Down” and even though that tune has been at the top of my “must hear live” list, I really couldn’t enjoy it as much as I should have.  And for that, I blame the Webmaster.  Yes, it’s because I was having such a good time with the Webmaster that I broke my cardinal rule:  never have more than one beer at a Bruce show.  By the time “I’m Goin’ Down” came on, the Webmaster and I were about 6 deep into a 12 pack and that’s all it took to get me off my grove.  It must have been the beers that caused me to short-arm a hat toss to Bruce during an epic sing-along.  That’s right, when Bruce moseyed down to stage left, 10 feet in front of where Geegs and I had made our way up to, I put up one of the biggest air balls of all time, throwing Geegs’ flaw Tigers lid right to Bruce’s left foot.  He didn’t even notice it and I had to beg one of the security guys to pick it up and give it back to me.  Sorry Bruce, I promise never to drink at one of your shows again.

At any rate, now that it’s over, I can’t help but feel a bit down, as if there’s a void in my life.  I’ve often said that the night before a Bruce show feels like Christmas Eve when I was a little kid.  Now, after having witnessed my final show of the tour, after having seen 2 shows in Chicago, 2 in Detroit and 1 in Bruce crazed New Jersey, I can’t help but recall the feeling of sadness I had growing up watching the last night of the Olympics (no, not those gay figure skating or gymnastics “let’s draw the female audience” exhibition events, but real events like the gold medal hockey game or the steeplechase).  I may have panned the album, but The Rising tour was one to remember.   

 In case you’re wondering where Sunday night’s show ranks compared to the other 5 I saw this tour, although the energy level of the crowd was a bit of a disappointment I’d have to put it number 2 behind New Jersey for the set list alone (including “Because the Night,” “Jungleland,” “Night” and “Souls of the Departed” in addition to the other 3 mentioned above).  As expected, this show was infinitely better than last August’s show at the Palace during the first leg of the US tour (which ranks at the bottom of the list).  Historically, shows at the end of a Springsteen tour always tend to be better than those at the beginning.  The band is tighter, Bruce is looser and the set list is usually a lot more varied.  And Sunday night’s show at Comerica Park was no exception.

Related:

Lew's in depth review of The Rising album

Bruce concert setlists from backstreets.com