Live in New York City - Springsteen, Bruce (CD 2001)

Supported by the E Street Band, Bruce Springsteen has released numerous classic albums, but the highlights were always the unforgettable three-hour live performances.

Playing together until the mid '80s, they delivered countless worthy shows, but none had been officially released. A box set compiling various live songs did appear, but it severely cut some tunes and pulled from a large group of shows. Fans were clamoring for an E Street Band reunion and a full concert release, and their hopes were realized during the 1999-2000 world tour.

Near the end of the two-year odyssey, HBO recorded several concerts in New York and produced a stunning 90-minute presentation. This two-disc release includes crisp audio from that entire show, plus six bonus tracks not originally aired. Concert highlights include an emotional, lengthy version of "The River," scorching guitar solos on "Youngstown," the extended showmanship of "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out," and the moving new songs "Land of Hope and Dreams" and "American Skin." The performance is strong from start to finish and presents the E Street Band in all their glory.

The bonus tracks include a stripped-down version of "Born in the U.S.A.," the 1973 classic "Lost in the Flood," and the rousing epic "Jungleland." While their inclusion is exciting, the downside is the missed opportunity to provide a full concert. It is a minor complaint due to the ease of acquiring Springsteen bootlegs, but is a slight misstep for this release.

Live in New York City showcases Bruce Springsteen at his best, supported wonderfully by the E Street Band. As the show progresses, they continue to crank up the energy, culminating in a vicious double feature of "Out in the Streets" and "Badlands." Few bands can generate this level of exuberance, which perfectly exemplifies this release's success.