European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - July 4, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse Story and photos by Anita Gosch staff writer Here s just no stopping Bruce Springsteen. After a sell out born in the tour of Europe three years ago the Boss of Rock n i Roll is Back with a new show that almost never ends. The Tunnel of love express tour in i support of Springsteen s latest release rolled into Rotterdam Netherlands last week for two sold out shows in the 148,000-capacity Feye Noord stadium. After a somewhat bumpy ride during the first set on wednesday the concert picked up steam and roared full throttle ahead to a crashing finale. But just when you thought the show has got to be Over the Man has got to be exhausted Springsteen came out for yet another encore yet another chorus yet another singalong song. The concert opened As a White bearded Man dressed As a carnival Barker appeared on stage and stepped behind a Boardwalk ticket Booth. The individual a Street band members All wearing formal attire came out and purchased their tickets to the Tunnel of love. This was the show s Only Concession to gimmickry. What followed was More than 3v2 hours of straight ahead Down to Earth Rock n Roll. Drawing largely from the albums Tunnel of love and live 1975 85, Springsteen alternated Mellow acoustic tunes spirited rockers rhythm and blues cover songs and revamped versions of his classics. The a Street band aided by a five piece Horn Section performed at its usual Best. This time around however saxophonist Clarence the big Man Clemons and guitarist Nils Lofgren take backseat roles. Backup Singer and rhythm guitarist Patti Scialfa features More prominently sharing Center stage with Springsteen throughout most of the show. For the voyeurs in the audience interested in evidence of the Springsteen Scialfa Romance the Boss and the Willowy redhead did appear to Exchange fleeting glances on stage after opening with the title Cut to Tunnel of love Springsteen wearing a Black three piece suit White shirt and Western string tie treated the crowd to a mostly Mellow set that included his recent hit Brilliant disguise and 1980 s the River. In a rejuvenated version of cover me he teased the audience by rocks lumps Bruce Springsteen with backup Singer Patti Scialfa top photo performed before an ecstatic crowd of some 48,000 in Rotterdam last week. Inserting the chorus to the rolling stones Gimme shelter it s just a kiss away shot but it was t until the end of the first set that Springsteen was at his rocking Best. In Edwin Starr s 70s classic War and in his own born in the u.s.a., the 38 year old new Jersey Rocker displayed the phenomenal Power and passion that earned him the Moniker the from there it was Uphill All the Way. When we come Back we re Gonna Rock you All night Long Springsteen yelled just before the intermission. That turned out to be True indeed. Following the break and a costume change to less formal Wear Springsteen and the a Street band Tore through a rocking assortment of new songs Seldom heard tunes and hits. One High Point during the second set came with a Chuck Berry style Story song Intro to the rockabilly tune you can look but you better not touch during which a group of min skirted women strutted flirtatious by about the stage. A rocking version of this gun s for hire was followed by Steppe Wolf s heavy Metal tinged bom to be wild and Light of Day a song Springsteen wrote that was performed by Joan Jett in the movie of the same name. Other key songs in the second set included the new rhythm and blues styled i m a Coward when it comes to love and because the night a collaboration with Singer Patti Smith. Springsteen s first encore brought a surprising twist a Mellow version of the 1975 Anthem bom to run which he performed Solo on acoustic guitar and Harmonica. But then it was Back to Rock n1 Roll As Springsteen Tore through blistering versions of the rhythm and blues tunes Sweet soul music and raise your hand during which he shouted As i passionately As a television evangelist now there really was no stopping the Boss. I Ain t even Gonna ask you i m just Gonna do it he yelled As he burst into his final song a 15-minute sing and dance along twist and shout that literally had the stadium shaking. After 31/2 hours Springsteen left the stage exhausted. But he certainly lived up to his reputation As the Boss of Rock n1 Roll. Bruce Springsteen performs in the following locations Ireland Dublin Royal Dublin society july 7 . She Field Bramall Lane july 9 and 10 Germany Frankfurt Wald station july 12, Munich reit station july 7, Bre men Weser station july 30 Switzerland Basel St. Jakobs station july 14 Scandinavia Copenhagen Edrett sparked station july 25, Oslo Valbe Hovin Field july 27. More dates May be added. Monday july 4, 1988 the stars and stripes Page 17
