Bruce Springsteen shook up the set list at his concert in Pittsburgh last night. The show kicked off with an unexpected cover of The Clash’s «Clampdown», one of the many great tracks on their classic London Calling album. It was followed by «Badlands» and «Johnny 99», then came the tour debut of «Stand on It» and a great swing version of «Seven Nights to Rock», sung as a duo with Patti Scialfa, who was back after a few shows absent.
More changes were to arrive: after the popular crowdsurfing on «Hungry Heart» it was time for another tour debut: «I Wanna Be With You», followed by another masterpiece from the Tracks box set, «Back In Your Arms».
«The Promised Land» and «Youngstown» were nice additions to the set, which then took another unexpected turn. None of the standard songs at this point in the show was performed (we’re talking about «Darlington County», «Shackled and Drawn» and «Waitin’ On a Sunny Day») and instead the Pittsburgh audience got to hear «Lonesome Day», «Mary’s Place» and «Radio Nowhere».
The encores brought more surprises: «The Promise» (performed by Bruce solo at the piano) opened, followed by the antiwar duo formed by «The Wall» and «Born in the U.S.A.». Next was the guest spot for the Grushecky family (father and son, Joe & Johnny), who played on «Light of Day», «Frankie Fell in Love», «Born to Run» and «Dancing in the Dark».
The show finished with «Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out», «Shout» and the solo organ version of «Dream Baby Dream».
During the encores Bruce brought up yet another surprise: he announced two shows with Joe Grushecky & The Houserockers to be held on May 22nd and 23rd at Soldiers & Sailors Hall in Pittsburgh. The tickets are now on sale thru Ticketmaster (few left!).