Bootleg Boss

BOOTLEG BOSS

Musician Pub 3rd February 2024

Saturday night was party night at The Musician Pub with the return of the Bootleg Boss and the band.

Bruce Springsteen is arguably the greatest rock poet ever, and his songs are in safe hands with this band. If you like the Boss, you are sure to love this band, and if you have seen them before you will know exactly what to expect.

The band started strongly with a great version of "the Ties that Bind" which got the crowd moving, followed by "Badlands" which had the first vocal contribution from the large enthusiastic audience, joining in on the chorus and in some cases the verses as well. "Prove it all Night" then proved a highlight ending with some superb guitar work from Kev

The set continued with one classic after another.. towards the end of the first set Kev picked up his harmonica and said " You will recognise this introduction"... and everyone did.. and after the intro the audience took the lead vocal especially on the first verse, with the bands encouragement, on "Thunder Road" ...which contains one of those absolute classic rock'n'roll lines! This song. played live here, is a really glorious classic rock'n'roll party with the audience singing fit to bust!. The band then closed the first set with a mighty performance of "Jungleland"

The second half started with a powerful "Born to Run" and continued continued through another range of classics, including a song, "Jole Blon" that Springsteen frequently covers. Later in the set came a scintillating performance of "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" followed by the closing number, which tonight was a fabulous delivery of "Dancing n the Dark"

The band were never going to be allowed to leave yet... and they came back for "Glory Days" followed by "Because the Night" which ended with a superb guitar duet between Kev and the lead guitarist... scintillating stuff.

The audience continued to roar and cheer and the band finally closed the show with a terrific reprise of "Born to Run"

The band were absolutely on fire, tighter and stronger, if possible, than ever, and clearly loving it as much as the audience. Musically superb and genuinely authentic Springsteen covers. I felt that Kev himself was more animated than previously as he bounced and pirouetted around the stage... in marked contrast to the bass player who consistently delivered great and absolutely spot on playing but only seemed to move his hands and fingers as the rest of him remained still.

The whole band were on the top of their game, playing brilliantly and all contributing fully to a superb band performance

Absolutely superb gig and the audience sang and whooped along throughout... more than a simple gig.. a Bootleg Boss gig is a party night... brilliant musicianship, wonderful rapport with the audience inspiring real audience participation and singing without the need to cajole a response...

So after 2-1/2 hours of fabulous music the show ended... the audience delighted with a great evening and just the dilemma... i am sure everyone had a favourite song which did not make the set list... but would be unable to suggest what could have been dropped to accommodate it... so many great songs... regardless of what wasn't played, everybody loved everything that was included and left knowing they had had a great night at a great gig.

Keep music live... keep music real... support your loal venues