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This story originally appeared in the Asbury Park Press on Aug 7, 2002. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band launch their international tour at 7:30 p.m. today with a sold-out show at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford.<\/p>\n
It’s a one-night stand, so fans have but one chance to tailgate in the parking lot, one chance to yell “Bruuuuce” as they wait in traffic at Turnpike exit 16-W, one chance to experience the Springsteen arena extravaganza, Jersey-style.<\/p>\n
Of course, “The Rising” tour also comes to Madison Square Garden next week and to Philadelphia in October. Plus, Springsteen’s kind of been hanging out a lot in Asbury Park.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, this is the big Jersey show. As Bugs Bunny would say: “Overture, curtain lights, this is it, the night of nights, no more rehearsing or nursing our parts …”<\/p>\n
If you missed Springsteen’s performance at Asbury Park’s Convention Hall July 30 for NBC’s “Today” show, and if you couldn’t sneak out of work to go to the beach to eavesdrop on his rehearsals at Convention Hall, let’s catch up:<\/p>\n
Much of “The Rising,” which was released July 30, is inspired by Sept. 11, so you can expect tonight’s concert to include several mournful ballads and the gospel-tinged atmosphere Springsteen employed on his last tour in 1999 and 2000.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
There are several uptempo songs on the new album that have been consistently well-received at rehearsal shows. No doubt “Lonesome Day,” “Waitin’ On A Sunny Day” and “Mary’s Place” will be on the setlist.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
In rehearsal, Springsteen has filled out his set with lots of older material, ranging from the expected (“Darkness On The Edge Of Town,” “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out”) to the unexpected (“Jackson Cage,” the original arrangement of “Born In The U.S.A.”).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n