Bruce Springsteen performed solo on Saturday night, May 14, 2005, at the Patriot Center at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. The Patriot Center seats about 10,000 people. The Boss wore a dark suit and maroon shirt.

     Seated at the side of the stage about 20 rows up, the view was partially obstructed when Springsteen played the organ at the back of the stage on the first and last songs. Otherwise, the concert was great. Bruce was almost facing our direction when he played the small piano.

     In reference to Starbucks refusing to sell Devils And Dust, Bruce joked that Dunkin' Donuts would soon be selling the CD, and he's trying to work a deal with Krispy Kreme! He also took a dig at the Bush Administration's handling of Iraq. He said that his father thought high-pitched doo-wop singers were a government conspiracy, much like claiming empty trailers are mobile weapons labs.

     Despite enjoying the show, I had mixed feelings. On one hand, I think it's absolutely amazing that Bruce can perform solo for two hours and forty-five minutes. I enjoyed his solo renditions of "The River", "I'm on Fire", and "Land of Hope and Dreams". During "The Ghost of Tom Joad", I almost thought I was watching Bob Dylan for this song.

     On the other hand, many of the songs were from his new CD, which I find very dark and negative. Based on my initial listenings, I think "All the Way Home", "Long Time Comin'", and "Maria's Bed" are the only songs from Devils And Dust that have the potential to become future concert staples.

     My attendance was a last-minute opportunity. I went to the George Mason University Ticketmaster on Saturday morning to buy Rolling Stones tickets, and the box office had just released extra tickets for Springsteen's show that night. The Patriot Center is a 15-minute walk from my house, so it was great to see Bruce without having to battle traffic.

Fairfax setlist: My Beautiful Reward * Reason to Believe * Devils and Dust * Lonesome Day * The Ghost of Tom Joad * Long Time Comin' * Black Cowboys * Silver Palamino * The River * Wreck on the Highway * Part Man, Part Monkey * Maria's Bed * Dry Lightning * Reno * Paradise * The Rising * Further On (Up the Road) * Jesus Was an Only Son * Leah * The Hitter* Matamoros Banks * Encore: I'm On Fire* Land of Hope and Dreams * The Promise Land * Dream Baby Dream

RockonTour   Issue #44
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A mixed bag of musical tricks
The Boss delivers a monologue of material in Fairfax

by Jeff Root