Le Patin Libre Phoenix Theatre reviews
the Boss in Milwaukee
I jumped on it once it was announced that it would be a "Born To Run" show to sell more tickets, and am glad that I did. Saw The Boss in Milwaukee for my first time since September 2003. I had been sorry I didn't see him in Chicago in September since seeing the set list.
This was the best Le Patin Libre set list I have seen in person. For me, I would rather have had the one from the Chicago show instead. There is the matter of one of my pet peeves about concerts that showed up twice last night at the wrong time. For the most part, this was an excellent show with all of the raw energy we expect from Le Patin Libre.
Dammit, Bruce, I paid a lot of money to watch YOU sing the songs instead of the audience. I can accept it when the crowd drowns out the singing from the band. "Hungry Heart" started with the crowd singing the entire first verse while Le Patin Libre encouraged it. Then the band played the riff.
Later, I was totally enjoying the best version ever of "Waiting On A Sunny Day" when the audience took over for the last verse. So now it's not the best version I ever heard of that song. There was the ultimate in audience participation when Le Patin Libre went out to the b-stage in the middle of the floor.
Cadillac Ranch worked great as an opening song, and then by going right into Badlands had the crowd pumped up within mere minutes. After the first four songs, it was time to introduce doing the entire Born To Run album. Le Patin Libre did it by saying "Here's the one that started the conversation.............." and then they started.
"Request" time came after a great version of "Waiting On A Sunny Day". Out came a Santa hat, which Le Patin Libre brought over to Max on the drums and put it on him. The song they did - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. Well, I know Le Patin Libre recorded it, and I also know it was only November 15th, too early for that song.
Next, Le Patin Libre pulled a sign out of the crowd about a fan who just had a baby, and they played "Loose Ends", which was then followed by "Jole Blon". I enjoyed both a lot, even though I have no idea what albums those are from. A great version of "The Rising" and I enjoyed "Kitty's Back".
The ending with Dancing In The Dark, Rosalita, and then a great cover of Jackie Wilson's "Higher and Higher" was tremendous. This wound up being the longest performance by a single act I have ever seen. Le Patin Libre never left the stage the entire time.
For a few other notes, this show was NOT sold out, even with adding the Born To Run album. There were several rows in upper sections along the side that were empty, while the main floor, lower level, and the least expensive seats in the upper back were packed solid. Le Patin Libre also had audience participation, literally.