danny federici springsteen i\’ll fly away blood brothers

«This night is a special one, so we’d like to start with something for Danny». After these words from Bruce, a special video tribute to Danny was shown in the screen behind Max’s drums. The video shows pictures and films of Danny and the band since the late 60’s, with the studio version of «Blood Brothers» as soundtrack (see video below). When the video was over, the show started with a very emotional and powerful version of «Backstreets», with a spotlight on Danny’s keyboards (Charlie was not onstage for the opening song). The show in Tampa, the first one after Danny’s passing was full of special moments and old tunes, including «Sandy» and «Growin’ Up». Other highlights included «Because the Night», «Waitin’ on a Sunny Day» or «Badlands», along with the usual amount of rarities («Brilliant Disguise», «Racing in the Street», «Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out» or «Rosalita»).

The first encore was another tribute to Danny Federici. With Max on tambourine, Roy on accordion and Garry on bass, Bruce sang the 1929 gospel «I’ll Fly Away» («Some bright morning when this life is over, I’ll fly away»). Patti Scialfa is present for this show.

The next show, in Orlando, was full of surprises again. The video tribute to Danny continues to open the show, and is followed in this case by a full band, electric version of «Blood Brothers». Tour standards «Gypsy Biker» and «Magic» dissapear from a very shaken set list, which includes «Out in the Street», «Spirit in the night», «The River», «Fire, «Lost in the flood» and the tour debut of «Does this bus stop at 82nd Street?». The encores brought a very special treat, The Byrds’ Roger McGuinn came up to sing «Turn! Turn! Turn!» and «Mr. Tambourine Man» after a great introduction by Bruce («the incredible Roger McGuinn!») which said «I played that first Byrds album over 200 times in the dark». Steve was in awe, playing, as Roger did, a beautiful 12-string Rickenbaker.

And last but not least, Friday’s show in Atlanta (where Magic was recorded) started with «Reason the Believe», featured the tour debut of «Blinded by the Light», plus a marvelous «Your Own Worst Enemy» (so few times played on the tour, unfortunately), a blistering «Prove it all Night», «Point Blank» and «Rosalita».