Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band – London Calling – Live In Hyde Park music review from modmove

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Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band –
London Calling: Live In Hyde Park
A few things become immediately apparent with this two DVD live set. First is that this is a giant gift wrapped present to all hard core fans with its three hour running time and expansive production and second is that this sixty year old man has more energy than most performers a third of his age.

He opens the mammoth set with an intense take on The Clash’s London Calling and never lets up from then on. The E Street Band sound like a group that has played venues from small clubs to large stadiums and can still deliver an intimate take on their music even in as big a space as Hyde Park. This feel is supplemented by the multiple camera angles that capture every sweaty moment.

In a set this long, The Boss covers a large number of the big hits, but it’s when he plays the less anthemic songs that the band’s interplay and depth shine through. Drummer Max Weinberg is always in the pocket, keyboardist Roy Brittan plays great fills throughout and guitarist Stevie Van Zandt (go Sil!) and Nils Lofgren give Springsteen all the fireworks a set this big requires. Sax player Clarence Clemons is also a big presence.

Springsteen’s voice at times sounds a bit ragged and the song’s tempos could have used a bit more variety but the energy level and communication the performers share with the huge audience of fans is very impressive. Few live DVDs have as much to offer as this set does.
Rob Hudson
www.brucespringsteen.net

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