I freely admit that this is the greatest effort I've ever put out to see Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in concert.  Driving 2 1/2 hours to Miami for a 2 hour flight to Greensboro, NC.  Some might think that's crazy.

Another Bruce fan totally understands.  Last night's show was the 14th full length Bruce show I've seen in 31 years.  Yeah, I go wayyy back with the Boss.  We're all older now -- a fact that brings new resonance to the immortal lines from Thunder Road "so you're scared and you're thinking that maybe we ain't that young anymore.  Show a little faith, there's magic in the night..."

Truer words.  The Springsteen faithful show up and, without a doubt, there's magic in the night -- from the blistering opening song Badlands to the final song of the last encore Glory Days.

The band is as mighty as ever, with a few surprises.  Max Weinberg's son Jay took over the drums from his father for most of the show.  He pounds it out as forcefully as his dad and you could see  that Bruce gets a kick out of it.  I read an article that said guitarist Nils Lofgren had both hips replaced last fall.  You'd never know it from the way he whirled around on stage during a raging solo.

The Big Man, Clarence Clemmons had both knees replaced, too.  Clarence was never the dancing fool, but it's good to see him standing as strong and tall, his presence commanding in its stillness.

Bruce.... well, for a guy only a couple of miles away from 60, he hasn't slowed down much.  Maybe he isn't leaping on and off speakers as often, but he's still all over the stage.

People who aren't big Bruce fans usually ask me to explain what's so special about his concerts.  Last night, one of the people in our group was a musician who revered the music but had never been to a live show.  He came out of there, awestruck and moved and said, "I've never seen a rock performer so generous and connected to an audience."

That's the magic.  The connection between Bruce, the band, and the fans.  Symbiotic  as we feed energy back and forth.  Electric, in synch, and power-packed right to the heart.  Whether you're all the way back in a nose bleed seat or up front on the floor, you feel it within and around you.

The music matters.  There are lines and lyrics that hit you where you live, no matter what your life experience, background, economic or educational status.  On the surface, the song might describe the story of a desperate factory worker or a rebellious street racer, but the motivations, the spirit, or the despair can be felt by anyone.

Then there's the fun.  In recent tours, fans have started to bring signs with song requests.  Bruce gathers them up and decides which he'll add to the set.  Last night some young kid handed up 7th Son.  Somebody else suggested, of all things, Hang On Sloopy.  That turned into an amazing moment with the house lights up and everybody singing their lungs out.

I could go on and on and on, raving about this song or that, this special moment or the one after.  Rather than continue, I'll end it with a lyric from Badlands...

For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside

that it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive!