By Karsten S. Andersen
Festhalle, Frankfurt, May 17, 2006
Published 2006-05-22
I have seen the future of Bruce Springsteen and its name is folk music. Well, that could be the headline to sum up my impressions after seeing Bruce with the Seeger Sessions Band in Frankfurt on Wednesday night. Unlike in 1992 and 1993 when Bruce last toured with different musicians than the E Street Band, this time there was something right and natural about the whole endevour. This wasn't just different musicians trying to imitate Bruce's sound - an impossible task when the "sound" equals the E Street Band - this was different. The songs were different, the sound was different, the whole genre was different. The only thing that wasn't different was probably Bruce himself. But that's not a bad thing. He adds all his energy and all his muscle to his performance and in no way tries to sound like anyone but himself, let alone Pete Seeger.
When that is said, what the heck was that version of "Johnny 99" all about? It sounded like a big mess to me. And where exactly is the connection between "Cadillac Ranch" and "Mystery Train"? To those who haven't heard this combo, he basically sings the verses of "Cadillac Ranch" and uses the chorus of "Mystery Train". Very odd.