Far from his classic rock performances in front of huge audiences, Springsteen sang yesterday at the Deyfruss Theatre at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ, in front of a small audience of 400 students. Along with poet Robert Pinsky, Bruce participated in a special event at Wamfest (Words and Music Festival), which combined conversations, poetry reading and music. John Wesley Harding was the host.
Springsteen recited some of Pinsky’s poems («Shirt», «Samurai Song»), and Robert sang back up in some songs. Both talked about art, inspiration, their creative methods and mortality. Springsteen commented: «You react to your own history; you can’t help it. I react to what I’ve done previously. I reject it and criticize it, and that pushes your work forward».
Bruce sang six tunes, including «The River», «Nebraska» and «Wreck on the Highway».