Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band

I'll admit I've never been a fan of Bruce Springsteen, and this year, for the first time, I had the good fortune to attend one of his concerts. I've never witnessed an "event" of this magnitude, and I doubt other artists will ever match this true monster of the stage. The "Boss" (only now do I understand why they call him that) rode the stage of Bologna's Palamalaguti for three (3!) straight hours, performing mostly the moving songs from his latest album (one above all, the acoustic version of "Empty Sky" with his excellent wife, Patti Scialfa, on vocal counterpoint). A concert brimming with emotion, fueled also by the warmth of the Italian crowd, who, for instance, literally forced the band to play "Lonesome Day" again at the end.

Springsteen played many songs from "Born To Run", "The River" and "Born In The Usa.", something none of us thought likely… Finally, the "Boss" and his band didn't spare the 14,000 people in attendance a few hilarious vaudeville-style skits, which confirmed the leader's epic, showman temperament.

Among the best concerts I've ever seen: it's rare to witness a show that's this gripping, full stop, and the three hours standing in the parterre flew by even though I didn't know all the songs performed by the exceptional E Street Band (each member has a "role", a mask carved out just for them, like the wonderfully likeable Little Steven and the gentle giant Clarence Clemons).

Do whatever it takes to get tickets for next year's Italian shows — it's worth it (even for those who aren't fans of this genuine, great, one-of-a-kind figure of American culture).

Ride the wave of great music

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