For the casual concert-goer it was probably the usual mindblowing experience seeing Bruce and the band tear through their high-energy show, but for the hardcore fans with many shows under the belt, this must have felt even more special than usual. For the first time since 1993, and for the very first time with The E Street Band, Bruce pulled out "Better Days" at last night's show in Houston. And as if that wasn't enough, Bruce also gave a surprising performance of "Mary Queen of Arkansas" played only for the second time on the tour. And "Cadillac Ranch" was aired as the first encore complete with Nils wearing a big foam hat. See the complete setlist and read Vince's gripping tale. Read more

   

Texas rocker and old friend of Bruce's, Joe Ely, guested onstage at last night's show in Austin. Together they did a duet of Ely's "All Just to Get to You" from his Letter to Laredo album on which Bruce also provided vocals. The show also featured "Downbound Train". We haven't heard any word of whether or not Patti was present. See the setlist here. Read more

   

A local Italian radio station announced that Bruce will play two shows in London this summer at either Wembley or Finsbury Park as well as in Manchester at Old trafford. Our comment: "Yeah, right!" In other words, there's probably nothing in it. Read more

   

Bruce is still unpredictable. While Nashville got the most standard setlist of the year so far, last night Louisville was blessed with the majestic, but rarely played "Back in Your Arms" and a great "Spirit in the Night". The show opened with "Don't Look Back" and "My Hometown" was played in Patti's absence. Yes, she was missing again, but the word on the street is that she wants to be home with the kids. Read the complete setlist and a fresh eyewitness account from David Dukes. Read more

   

Bruce made the confession at last night's show in Nashville. Fortunately the theft was only that of the title to "Mansion on the Hill", which Hank Williams first conceived. The song was dedicated to the old country star in a show which was otherwise standard when it comes to the setlist. Read it here. Read more

   

American singer/songwriter Heather Nova will release a cover version of Bruce's "I'm on Fire" on her new live album, Wonderlust, due out in June. Heather Nova has performed the song in concert for years and actually already released it as a b-side of a single 4-5 years ago, but this is a different version recorded in 1998. So if you collect covers of Bruce's songs this is a must. And if you don't, buy it anyway. Heather Nova is one of the finest female artists around. Read more

   

The official MP3 site, where MP3 files are sanctioned by the artists, now has the five- year-old Elliott Murphy/Bruce Springsteen duet available for download. The beautiful ballad with Bruce on lead vocal on one verse was originally released in Murphy's album Selling the Gold from 1995 Read more

   

No less than four 2000 premieres was the result of last night's show in Kansas City. "Take 'Em As They Come", "Downbound Train", "Candy's Room" and "Racing in the Street" all made their way into the new millenium. "Candy's Room" hasn't been played since September 20. See the complete setlist and read Erin's eyewitness account. Read more

   

St. Louis was the place to be last night when Bruce and the band, including the returned Patti, conquered the city with an unusual set. The concert included rare songs like "She's the One", "Brilliant Disguise" and "Spirit in the Night" and semi-rare songs like "Atlantic City" and "Rendezvous". It was also a long show at three hours and ten minutes, and Bruce, as usual, seemed loose and into it. The soundcheck before the show featured an alleged new song called something like "Meet Me Further Up the Road" and "I'm on Fire" in a new arrangement. Anyway, here's the setlist. Read more

   

Patti was still missing from the band lineup at last night's show in Tacoma. Rumors and suggestions are swirling as to what the reason might be, ranging from trouble in the marriage to her expecting a new baby. Both of these suggestions seem highly unlikely. Even if she was pregnant that wouldn't prevent her from performing for another several months. As for the show, the setlist included no unusual selections, but of course it still managed to convert the reviewer of the Seattle Times in this article. Read more