Bruce Springsteen 2008

If there’s any period in modern Springsteen history that continues to grow in admiration it is the 2007-2008 Magic era.

The Tunnel of Love tour again? That’s surely a sentiment some are expressing with this month’s release of New York 5/16/88, the outstanding opening night performance from the final, five-show stand on the US leg of the 1988 tour.

Though Springsteen’s 1992-93 World Tour ran a full calendar year, his first outing sans E Street Band carried the sense of a perpetual work in progress for good reason.

When news first emerged in late 1989 that the E Street Band had been dismissed indefinitely by Bruce Springsteen, it began nine years of uncertainty and speculation as to when, if ever, they would join forces again. They did come back together to record new material for Greatest Hits in 1995 and undertook a small series of promotional appearances in support of it, but the fact that they parted ways again without touring only made the odds of a full return feel even longer.

26-song set. “Night” and “Candy’s Room” return to the set. Four songs from 2020’s Letter To You: “Ghosts,” “Letter to You,” “Last Man Standing” and “I’ll See You In My Dreams.” “Last Man Standing” features a new arrangement. “I’ll See You In My Dreams” is performed solo acoustic to end the show. One song from 2022’s Only the Strong Survive: “Nightshift” (written by Franne Golde, Dennis Lambert and Walter Orange, popularized by The Commodores). Concert stalwarts like “Because The Night,” “Dancing in the Dark,” and “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” are performed in tighter, shorter versions.

26-song set. “I’ll See You in My Dreams” is dedicated to Robbie Robertson. “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)” returns to the set. Four songs from 2020’s Letter To You: “Ghosts,” “Letter to You,” “Last Man Standing” and “I’ll See You In My Dreams.” “Last Man Standing” features a new arrangement. “I’ll See You In My Dreams” is performed solo acoustic to end the show. One song from 2022’s Only the Strong Survive: “Nightshift” (written by Franne Golde, Dennis Lambert and Walter Orange, popularized by The Commodores). Concert stalwarts like “Because The Night,” “Dancing in the Dark,” and “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” are performed in tighter, shorter versions.

Looking to do something special for fans on the final leg of the Working On A Dream tour, Springsteen elects to revisit full classic albums in-sequence. Philadelphia October 14, 2009 showcases Darkness On The Edge Of Town and includes standout performances of "Something In The Night," "Streets Of Fire" and "Prove It All Night." Beyond Darkness, the 26-song set opens on a high note with vintage barnstormer "Thundercrack," and features the only live version to date of Working On A Dream gem "What Love Can Do," plus "Sherry Darling," "Human Touch," "Long Walk Home" and a special "Gonna Fly Now" trumpet solo intro to "Rosalita.

Bruce Springsteen released a live archival recording of an E Street Band concert from C.W. Post College in Greenvale, New York on December 12, 1975.