Bruce wasn't deterred from being outspoken about presidential candidates after his participation in John Kerry's campaign in 2004. In a statement published today on his official website he announced that he is supporting Barrack Obama in the race to become the Democratic presidential candidate, referring to Obama as "head and shoulder above the rest". Question is if he will take this further and participate in any campaign rallies or even another election tour like the Vote For Change Tour four years ago. Could it be that the lack of US concert dates beyond August owes to Bruce awaiting the Democratic primary result before deciding whether to get active in the campaign? And if Obama takes the nomination (as it looks like he might) will the Magic Tour turn into the Obama 2008 Tour? This will indeed be interesting to see. Read more

   

Many years ago someone showed me a book that, as far as I remember, consisted of nothing other than photos of Bruce Springsteen playing in bars in Asbury Park. It was called Greetings From Asbury Park: A Look at the Local Scene, and for some reason the book never slipped my mind and I've been trying to get my hands on it ever since. So far in vain. But then, yesterday an email arrived in Greasy Lake's mailbox from the author of the book, Chuck Yopp, announcing the renewed availability of the book. He set up a website where you can read more about it and download an order form. I highly recommend it, but hold your horses and let me get my copy first! Read more

   

After several months of no news, another show was finally added to the US summer tour. Gillette Stadium outside of Boston will be hosting it and the date is August 2. Tickets are on sale now for members of "The Gillette Stadium Extended Family". The rest of you will have to wait till this next Saturday. Should be interesting to see if Gillette will have better luck selling out than Giants Stadium where tickets can still be obtained for all three shows. Read more

   

Three months after leaving the Magic Tour for cancer treatments, Danny Federici was back behind the organ last night in Indianapolis. Not for the entire concert though, but just for a little test run. He first appeared during a four-song stretch from "The Promised Land" to, of course, "Sandy" and returned again for the encores. However, hopefully it's only a matter of time before he's able to come back full-time, although by all accounts, his substitute, Charles Giordani, has done an excellent job filling in. See the entire setlist from last night. Read more

   

One incredible tour premiere and several almost-tour-premieres was the score after last night's Milwaukee show. "Streets of Fire" made its first appearance on the Magic Tour and only the 4th performance since the Darkness Tour, much to this commentator's pleasure. It's not just because it's been underplayed. It's perhaps one of the most overlooked gems in the Bruce canon. It's raw and ugly like nothing else. And what's more, it seems to fit perfectly with the theme of this tour. Alienation in a world where you don't know what's right or wrong and where most of what you believed in turns out to be "all just lies". Here's hoping it finally becomes a stable again. Apart from that, we got very rare performances of "My Hometown", "Meeting Across the River", "Cadillac Ranch", "Loose Ends", "It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City", all of which were different from the show in St. Paul only two nights ago. Read more

   

Several newspapers have reported today that an Australian woman stabbed and killed her husband when he didn't approve of her listening to Bruce Springsteen. The incident took place two years ago and yesterday the woman was sented to eight years of prison for manslaughter. No word on what exactly what song or album the woman was playing that triggered the tragic killing, but she may have listened a little too much to this one. Read more

   

In the last week we got it from the horses mouth: Bruce himself revealed that a 30th Anniversary Edition for the Darkness album is in the works. The statement came in a interview on Sirius' E Street Radio with Dave Marsh. Bruce did not say that it would definitely be released, but was careful to use the word "if". And while bigger projects have been scrapped even after Bruce has referred to them in public (Ties That Bind album in 1979 and Blindspot album in 1994), this is definitely looking good. First of all, Bruce seems a whole lot more willing to just go ahead and release stuff than he did 15-30 years ago. Secondly, as Bruce also says in the interview the Darkness album contains some of his strongest songs that will forever remain relevant, more so than perhaps any of his other albums. So even if this release may not be ready for the actual 30th anniversary in May, I would be surprised if we didn't see it sometime this year. Probably in the fall. Bring it on! Read more

   

We already knew that Spanish fans are among the most passionate and, some would say, crazy people you can come across, but a guy in Barcelona has now really taken the prize. He has made an almost life-size statue of Bruce.... made of chocolate! If that doesn't beat a "black velvet painting" I don't know what does. Buen apetito!

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Earlier today the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank, NJ, announced an exclusive show with a certain Bruce Springsteen to take place on May 7. No, it's not because Bruce gave up selling out big places. This show is a one-off solo performance during a break of the current Magic tour. "An Evening With Bruce Springsteen", as the show has been dubbed, will benefit the Count Basie Theater and various other benefit programs in Red Bank. Tickets will be sold through a "make your best offer" auction starting March 20 via www.countbasietheatre.org so you may want to talk to your bank about raising your credit if you want to secure one of those seats. Without knowing it, you can probably expect a show somewhat like the Doubletake benefits in Somerville in 2003 with several rarities and a talkative star. Definitely something to look forward to. Read more

   

The Magic Tour returned in style last night in Hartford with no less than three tour premieres. That seems like more than on the entire European part of the tour. And could it be that Bruce is reading this page? The other day I asked for more songs from Tracks and what happens: "So Young and in Love", "Loose Ends" and "Janey Don't You Lose Heart" all appear. All right, I also asked for songs from Devils & Dust and that has yet to happen. In return, yesterday's soundcheck included "The Price You Pay", "Fade Away" and "Roulette", so we could still be in for a few surprises in the shows to come.

On a less cheerful note, contrary to what was expected Danny Federici was nowhere to be seen on the stage. Instead, as was the case on the European tour, he was replaced by Charlie Giordani from the Sessions Band. Also, Patti still seems more busy looking after the kids than being part of the band as she too was missing.

Check out last night's killer setlist and if you were at the show, leave a comment. Read more