FROM THE ARCHIVES: Springsteen live: moving like spirits in the night
William Smith
Issue date: 5/9/05 Section: A & E
"When the change we made uptown, and the big man joined the band," was when the ingredients necessary for Bruce Springsteen's success came together with the e Street Band.
Clarence Clemons, the big man, is one of the main reasons why Bruce Springsteen can pack concert halls, amass many followers, and sell large numbers of records. The big man's enormous presence, his shiny white suit, and his intense saxophone solos provide most of the power for the Springsteen machine.
While the rest of the E Street Band members are good musicians, and Springsteen plays a better than average guitar, it is Clemon's solos which provide the moody feeling of Springsteen's music.
Though it was Springsteen' name which recently brought the crowd to the Santa Barbara Bowl, it was the backing band which produced the feeling of youthful New Jersey passion. Though Springsteen wrote the lyrics and the music, it is the synchronization of all the parts, which moves the Springsteen machine.
The highlights of the concert were the feelings of the band on stage, the band providing the solid wall of sound, the big man adding the penetrating solo, the backing horn section, and Springsteen.
Springsteen possess the youthful exuberance and an open and inviting manner, which lets the audience know that he too is excited. His leaps and stage prowling moves are genuine and not choreographed, and make up for his lack of vocal range.
The excitement Springsteen generates was evident during the "Spirit in the Night," when his standard leap into the crowd, still fresh and exciting, brought a roar from the audience. This antic is especially effective when he incorporates the lyrics of the song into his crowd actions.
While in the crowd he recites the lyrics, 'Well now hazy Dave got really hurt, he jumped into the lake in just his socks and a shirt. Me and Crazy Janey was makin' love in the dirt, singing our birthday songs," and then grabbed a girl and disappeared under the level of the crowd, dropping from sight.
Clarence Clemons, the big man, is one of the main reasons why Bruce Springsteen can pack concert halls, amass many followers, and sell large numbers of records. The big man's enormous presence, his shiny white suit, and his intense saxophone solos provide most of the power for the Springsteen machine.
While the rest of the E Street Band members are good musicians, and Springsteen plays a better than average guitar, it is Clemon's solos which provide the moody feeling of Springsteen's music.
Though it was Springsteen' name which recently brought the crowd to the Santa Barbara Bowl, it was the backing band which produced the feeling of youthful New Jersey passion. Though Springsteen wrote the lyrics and the music, it is the synchronization of all the parts, which moves the Springsteen machine.
The highlights of the concert were the feelings of the band on stage, the band providing the solid wall of sound, the big man adding the penetrating solo, the backing horn section, and Springsteen.
Springsteen possess the youthful exuberance and an open and inviting manner, which lets the audience know that he too is excited. His leaps and stage prowling moves are genuine and not choreographed, and make up for his lack of vocal range.
The excitement Springsteen generates was evident during the "Spirit in the Night," when his standard leap into the crowd, still fresh and exciting, brought a roar from the audience. This antic is especially effective when he incorporates the lyrics of the song into his crowd actions.
While in the crowd he recites the lyrics, 'Well now hazy Dave got really hurt, he jumped into the lake in just his socks and a shirt. Me and Crazy Janey was makin' love in the dirt, singing our birthday songs," and then grabbed a girl and disappeared under the level of the crowd, dropping from sight.