THE Boss is back – so far back that his gig at the Asbury Park Convention Hall last night could have been an old-time barn dance.
With just a few days until Bruce Springsteen releases his all-acoustic album of American folk music, “We Shall Overcome,” he turned his dress rehearsal into a local charities benefit where fans paid $100 a pop to hear his new music a week before the tour officially bows at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 30.
The music Springsteen played was mostly gleaned from his new album, which is subtitled “The Seeger Sessions,” because of its association with the legendary folk musician Pete Seeger. But those familiar with Seeger and Springsteen may not be able to readily connect the dots.
Still, at the risk of being too cute, Springsteen was born to strum, and these classic numbers such as “Old Dan Tucker” and “Erie Canal” fit his voice like an old flannel shirt.
Since this two-hour show was the first of four rehearsal dates (concluding Wednesday), this isn’t a strict review; even so, over the course of the 20-song program, there was little to be critical about.
The Boss barked out the lyrics from the back of his throat, often with his eyes clamped shut as he powered through the songs with the same passion he gives to his own compositions.
Springsteen and his 19-member band, which featured tubas, fiddles and banjos, came on like gangbusters with the spiritual “O Mary Don’t You Weep,” transforming it into a second-line Crescent City march.
Despite the folk origins of most of the songs, Springsteen made good on his show-opening promise: “We’re gonna tear the house down.”
As with any Springsteen concert, whether he’s with his E Street Band or this Seeger Sessions Band, the audience punctuated every song with long chants of “Bruuuuuuuuce.”
You might wonder, what’s the point. Why is Bruce doing this old music?
The question is easily answered when you hear this stuff live. It’s then you realize it’s about how a good song, even when it’s really old, is still good after the dust is polished off.
Springsteen continues this rehearsal series at the Convention Hall Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Limited tickets are available.
