The first E Street Band show since 2004's Vote For Change tour took place last night at the Convention Hall in Asbury Park. Of course, this was billed as a rehearsal, but we all know that a Bruce rehearsal beats a real concert by just about anyone else. And people weren't disappointed. The set featured six world premieres from the new album ("Long Walk Home" was performed on the Seeger Sessions Tour and therefore wasn't a world premiere) and the first E Street Band version of "Thundercrack" since 1974. Other surprises included the first E Street Band version of "American Land" and the fact that the title song of the new album, "Magic", wasn't performed. But there is still plenty of time until the official tour premiere for new songs to be worked out. Judging from previous rehearsals, the set last night may present an overall setlist structure for the upcoming tour, but is by no means the complete picture. See the complete setlist and read comments. Read more

   

Bruce and the band has added a third rehearsal show to their itinerary. The Continental Airlines Arena is the place and Friday of this week the time. Only 2000 tickets have been sold. And yes, "have been sold" is the keyword. If you live in the area and read it here for the first time, it is already too late. Tickets went on sale earlier today and went in 10 minutes. Read more

   

At least two media sites (but probably more) now offer streaming audio of the complete Magic album. You can listen for free and not just 30 second snippets, but the whole thing. If you're interested check out these sites: www.q1043.com and www.bt.dk (Danish). Read more

   

Bruce will interrupt the Magic tour on November 7 to participate in a benefit for the Bob Woodruff Family Fund. The benefit is part of the New York Comedy Festival and will take place on November 7 at Town Hall in New York City. It's not known whether Bruce will be there alone or with the band, but my guess would be solo. See the official website of the event. Read more

   

Bruce turns 58 today. A big Happy Birthday to him from Greasy Lake. It's a blessing to all fans that he can still be so active and vital and continue to produce quality songs at this.... um.... for a rock star... slightly above average age. Bruce, you still rock the socks off all the young whippersnappers! May it continue for many more years!

Here's a little celebration:

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Yeah, I know, to a lot of people the Seeger Sessions was but a bad dream that has now been replaced by the real thing, but for those of us who quite enjoyed the banjos and violins and who have no problem processing both styles, there's good news: Appleseed Recordings that prompted Bruce's interest in Peete Seeger back in 1997 report that this month they will be releasing two new CD's that contain new, exclusive, first-ever recordings featuring both Bruce and Pete. On their 2-CD label sampler, Sowing the Seeds - The 10th Anniversary, there's a rendition by Bruce and Pete of "Ghost of Tom Joad"; the two share vocals, Bruce plays acoustic guitar and harmonica, and other musicians include Mark Dann (acoustic guitar), Ken Lovelett (percussion), David Hamburger (Dobro), Tim Carbone (fiddle) and Mike Visceglia (bass). And on their new Give US Your Poor CD, a fund-raising project to combat homelessness, Pete (vocals, banjo), Bruce (vocals, guitar) and most of the (Seeger) Sessions Band perform the folk classic, "Hobo's Lullaby." Both CDs are available for purchase through www.appleseedrec.com; Sowing the Seeds is in online and three-dimensional stores now, and Give US Your Poor will be commercially available around September 25. The CDs will be released in various countries in September or October. Read more

   

According to CNN and Backstreets (but their site is down as of right now), Sirius satellite radio will re-launch their popular E Street Radio on September 27. The radio was a huge success among Springsteen aficionados during the Devils & Dust Tour because of their exclusive content, including airing complete live show recordings and rare interviews, but it was closed down after a limited time. Unfortunately, that will also be the case this time. The station will be off the satellite waves again in late March 2008 so you better get your subscription renewed fast. Read more

   

It's official! Bruce and the band will do two rehearsal shows at the Convention Hall in Asbury Park on September 24 and 25. That's damn soon! So tickets go on sale tomorrow, Thursday, at 9 a.m. through Ticketmaster, phone only. Find more information on www.concertseast.com. Good luck to everyone attempting to get in! Me have a feeling these tickets will be slightly more difficult to come by than tickets for last year's Seeger Sessions rehearsal shows. Read more

   

New York's classic rock radio station Q104.3 has a great offer for anyone within the United States. Starting at midnight this next Tuesday the radio station will play the entire Magic album a week before its official release. Listeners outside the New York area will be able to listen via the Internet on Q1043.com. Unfortunately this is not possible if you don't live in the US unless you are an American living abroad, but in that case you have to apply first. Read more

   

A second show at Boston's TD Banknorth Garden has been added to the tour itinerary to take place on November 19. Meanwhile, speculations around what venue Bruce will choose for his Los Angeles show(s) continue. As of right now, it looks like it will be the Memorial Sports Arena and that Bruce will stay for two nights, October 29 and 30. If you're waiting for news about rehearsal shows, two dates briefly appeared on Ticketmaster's website today: September 22 and 24 at the Convention Hall in Asbury Park, but they were removed again faster than it takes to write this. But most likely a good indication of what will happen, so if you live in the area, you'd better get ready as tickets could go on sale any second! Read more