Bruce Springsteen releases recording of ’99 Meadowlands show

From left, Clarence Clemons, Nils Lofgren, Steven Van Zandt, Patti Scialfa and Bruce Springsteen.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s 1999-2000 reunion tour began with rehearsal shows at Convention Hall in Asbury Park and then more than two months of European concerts. But the official United States launch was on July 15, 1999, at the Continental Airlines Arena (originally the Brendan Byrne Arena and later the Izod Center) in East Rutherford.

Springsteen released, today, a recording of that show, as part of his on-going series of archival albums.

The setlist is below. The band had last toured in the United States in 1988, and even though there was no new studio album in ’99, there was a lot of fresh or rare material in the mix.

“Stand on It” was a 1985 B-side included in the 1998 rarities boxed set, Tracks. “My Love Will Not Let You Down” (listen below) and “Where the Bands Are” were from Tracks, too, and hadn’t been played live before this tour.

“Youngstown” and “The Ghost of Tom Joad” were from Springsteen’s 1995 solo album, The Ghost of Tom Joad.

“Murder Incorporated” was from Springsteen’s 1995 Greatest Hits compilation.

“Streets of Philadelphia” was a 1993 soundtrack release and single, and one of Springsteen’s biggest hits, ever.

The humorous, autobiographical “Freehold” had emerged on Springsteen’s 1995-97 solo tour.

“Land of Hope and Dreams” debuted on the reunion tour and was not yet released as a recording.

“If I Should Fall Behind” was from Springsteen’s 1992 solo album, Lucky Town.

In his essay for the concert recording, Erik Flannigan writes that this is “an exemplary and evolving performance that finds the men and women of E Street road-tested and ready for action, playing a 26-song set that follows the structural blueprint that would underpin the entire Reunion tour.”

The album can be purchased digitally at live.brucespringsteen.net. CDs can be pre-ordered and will ship the week of Jan. 15.

Here is the show’s setlist:

“My Love Will Not Let You Down”
“The Promised Land”
“Two Hearts”
“Darkness on the Edge of Town”
“Darlington County”
“Mansion on the Hill”
“The River”
“Youngstown”
“Murder Incorporated”
“Badlands”
“Out in the Street”
“Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out”
“Where the Bands Are”
“Working on the Highway”
“The Ghost of Tom Joad”
“Streets of Philadelphia”
“Backstreets”
“Light of Day”

Encore:
“Freehold”
“Stand on It”
“Hungry Heart”
“Born to Run”
“Bobby Jean”

Encore 2:
“Thunder Road”
“If I Should Fall Behind”
“Land of Hope and Dreams”