Monday, May 01, 2006

THE BOSS...

OF JAZZFEST... To abuse an old quote from Bruce Springsteen's friend and manager, Jon Landau, "I have seen the future of folk music and it's name is Bruce Springsteen."

Bruce, in a nearly two hour JazzFest Set (with a thirty minute encore that went well past the 7:00 pm closing time... something I've never seen at JazzFest before), truly demonstrated why he is... still... The Boss. The music was beautiful - crafted with brass band, banjos, accordions and guitars - as if the set had been customized for New Orleans, Bruce repurposed classic folk work songs, and liberationist hymns, like We Shall Overcome, and even an unbelievable rendition of "When the Saints Go Marching In."

Bruce and the band gave their heart to the City and the City received it with gratitude and amazement. On a great great day at the fest, filled with fabulous performances, Springsteen capped the first weekend with heart, soul and even rock and roll.

It was perfect.

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