DVD Review: Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, "London Calling: Live in Hyde Park"

In an age where music is scarce at regular retail, music DVD's could be considered an endangered species. There is very little incentive for artists or record companies to commit to releasing any sort of video products when a channel called Music Television hasn’t played a music video in its entirety for over half a decade. However, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's 2010 concert release "London Calling: Live In Hyde Park" swims against this current tide, and shows why these releases can still be relevant and worthwhile.

Shot in high definition video and sound, “London Calling: Live In Hyde Park” brings the Bruce Springsteen live concert experience right into the living room, minus the heavy ticket/concessions expenses. With a blockbuster setlist spanning over 3 hours, the epic scale of a Springsteen concert is given even more depth as the show starts toward the end of summer daylight, continuing into the night.

This incredible live document was filmed in the midst of the E Street Band's European tour in the summer of 2009. While headlining stadiums and festivals across the Atlantic, this one was the Hard Rock Calling concert in London's historic Hyde Park. The setlist is sprinkled with fan favorites such as "Badlands," "Born To Run," and "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)," obscure gems "Night," "Johnny 99," and "Out In The Street” along with some unique covers, such as The Young Rascals’ “Good Lovin’” in all it’s Hammond B3 organ glory, and the most fitting of The Clash's "London Calling" which opens the show. Fellow New Jersey native and lead singer of The Gaslight Anthem guests on the 80’s Springsteen anthem “No Surrender” also. There is plenty here to wet the palette of even the most casual of Springsteen listeners and any fan of music or an appreciation of a live concert experience will get more than their money's worth out of this one.

Some added bonuses to the DVD are extra performances of "The River" from the 2009 Glastonbury Festival, and "Wreckin' Ball" performed exclusively at the band's residency for the closing of Giants Stadium during the same tour. The brilliant direction of Chris Hilson as well as the mixing and mastering of longtime Springsteen collaborators Bob Clearmountain and Bob Ludwig make this release a testament to why this format is still endangered but not extinct, showing that it is noteworthy enough to stand alongside the other albums in the Bruce Springsteen cannon.

It's 5 Months Away, but the Super Bowl Halftime Performer Will Be...

BRUUUUUUUUUUUUCE!!!

The the football season hasn't even started yet, but it's being reported that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be the halftime performers at this year's Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa Bay, Florida. So there you have it, you have 5 months to set your TiVo and not miss a minute when you have to make a mad dash to the bathroom because your sister-in-law's guacamole was made with expired sour cream and mushy avocados.

Honestly, once I read this at Variety's website, I'm surprised it hasn't happened yet. Looking back, having the reunited E Street Band play at the Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002 would have been more fitting than U2 in their tribute to 9/11. However, it still doesn't change the fact of that being one of the most powerful, resonating halftime shows in the Big Game's history.

So, why the change of heart for the E Street Band? Perhaps they are true to their tradition of an All-American rock band and want to give the Jets and their new (old) All-American quarterback, Broadway Brett Favre some extra motivation to make that trip to Tampa Bay in January. It may take a Thunder Road to get there, and Favre's Glory Days may be behind him, but if the Jets play their opponents with a tenacity like they're Held Up Without a Gun, then maybe Brett and the Jets will go all Murder Incorporated on the competition this season.

If that's the case then they would truly prove that they are Born to Run with the Boss to Florida. Hell, they could even take the same flight back to the swamps of Jersey and have a victory show at the stadium when their fans greet them on the homecoming.

The NFL and Springsteen's people have been mum on the subject, so hopefully in the coming weeks we will know for sure if this match made on Exit 16W of the New Jersey Turnpike is in fact true. If so, it's a teaming that is truly Born in the USA.