Umpy's report from Albany

Our Albany Adventure:

We headed out on the road for our ninth and final Bruce show on this leg of the tour.

Our road trip started out without any fanfare until we hit the U.S. Border.
I chose a border lane that had no cars in front of us. I was very happy as I thought that we would be able to pass through the border fairly quickly.
However that joy soon disipitated as the questioning began. The customs officer actually asked to see our tickets to the show (a question that has never been asked of me). Good thing I didn't buy "will call" tickets.

We were then informed that border's computer system had randomly chosen us for a "random" inspection. As we were driving to the inspection, four letter adjectives which I cannot repeat here were flying all over the place in our car. During the inspection we were subjected to what appeared to be a fairly tame line of questioning. After the "interrogation", our car was inspected. The officer inspected the car alone during which we were not allowed to watch but had to what for it's completion in the Border's office.

I suspect that we were pulled over because of our frequent trips to see Bruce in such a short period of time. If that is the reason, it is well worth the inconvenience to see Bruce perform.

After about twenty minutes were were allowed to continue with our drive. At lease we didn't get TASERED!!!

However, our adventures at the border didn't stop. About an hour after crossing the border we were almost run off the road by an SUV who didn't see us while he was changing lanes. Severe blasting of our car horn prevented us from ending up in the ditch and becoming a "Wreck on the Highway".

When we finally arrived in Albany we were ready for some good rockin' from Bruce...oh and some alcohol!

It was a cold, rainy, miserable night in Albany. It was very hot in the building. Bruce increased the temperature by giving a smokin' performance and setlist. Darkness on the Edge of Town, Candy's Room and She's the One was the best three pack that I have heard on the tour SO FAR. I thought that I had died and gone to heaven. If that wasn't enough the performance of Sandy and East Street Shuffle trumped the three pack...'nuff said.

Some interesting notes from the show include:

- Patti was not present. Soozie took her spot on stage and took her spot during Magic. With Soozie taking Patti's position, Garry took Soozie's postion next to Roy's piano.

- Steve had some trouble with his guitar early in the show. Those issues appeared to be quickly rectified.

- Clarence did not take any bows after Badlands and before the encore. He headed straight down the stairs and off the stage.

- Due to the heat in the building Bruce was sweating more then normal.

This was my final show of this leg. Here are some quick obervations:

- I have heard 50 songs played at least once so far including such rarities such as Cynthia, E Street Shuffle and my personal favourite, Saint in the City.

- I would not be disappointed if Bruce burries Dancing in the Dark and does not play it again.

- Devil's Arcade takes some steam out of the power and intensity of the show which Bruce has to work to regain.

- American Land is a great song to finish the show. The band introductions are much more powerful as compared with the introductions during Mary's Place on the last tour.

I now have to cope with PBD (post Bruce depression) until the next leg of the North American tour. I am hoping for Florida and most of all, VEGAS!!!!!

next stop...March in Rochester