If fans missed hearing the familiar tunes, they sure hid their disappointment well. They embraced the material from Springsteen's recent ode to traditional folk music, "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions," with the same exuberance that they would a straight run through the greatest hits.

Credit that, in large part, to Springsteen's enthusiasm for this music. He came across like he was having the time of his life as he delved into this batch of material, all of which is closely associated with folk legend Pete Seeger. And the fun he was having was as contagious as a cold in nursery school.

That's not, however, to downplay the importance of Springsteen's newly built Seeger Sessions Band. The 17-piece group, complete with a high-flying, four-piece horn section, was phenomenally good in concert, and helped turn the vast majority of the traditional folk pieces into raucous celebrations.

The group kicked off its two-and-a-half hour show with a scalding-hot version of "John Henry," the traditional railroad tune that is the new album's first single. Springsteen's voice sounded more powerful than it has in ages.

The band definitely looked the part for this romp through old-timey tunes. Everybody was dressed in vintage gear, looking like they had just stepped out of an old black-and-white film from the early 20th century. The bandleader was dressed in a striking black suit, which could have been worn by a groom during the Great Depression. The simple, yet elegant stage design--consisting of long red curtains framing the stage and a few ballroom-style chandeliers--really added to the picture.

The group followed "John Henry" with an uproarious rendition of the old spiritual "O Mary Don't You Weep" that nearly brought the house down. The band then sputtered a bit on "Johnny 99," which didn't really work in its new old-timey arrangement, but quickly regrouped for terrific turns through "Old Dan Tucker" and "Eyes on the Prize."

Following a solid spin through the Western-tinged "Jesse James," a tune that would have worked both at a Texas hoedown and in an Irish pub, Springsteen and crew did a great job translating the fan favorite "Atlantic City" to the old-timey music realm. It took a minute to recognize the song in its new form--a giddy toe-tapper completely devoid of its original menace and darkness. This revised "Atlantic City" was one of many happy surprises to be found in this concert. You probably wouldn't have believed someone if he had said, prior to the show, that this dark number would work in such an upbeat arrangement.

Springsteen then continued to play musical tour guide, moving on to great renditions of "Erie Canal" and "My Oklahoma Home." He also touched upon last year's excellent "Devils and Dust," performing that disc's title track, before returning to the past for versions of "Mrs. McGrath," "How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?" and "Jacob's Ladder."

The evening's most touching moment came when The Boss overtly honored the man who inspired this whole nostalgic trip with a tender version of "We Shall Overcome." Pete Seeger, it's easy to guess, would have been proud.

Setlist:

John Henry
O Mary Don't You Weep
Johnny 99
Old Dan Tucker
Eyes on the Prize
Jesse James
Atlantic City
Erie Canal
My Oklahoma Home
Devils & Dust
Mrs. McGrath
How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?
Jacob's Ladder
We Shall Overcome
Open All Night
Pay Me My Money Down (w/ Joan Baez)

Encore:

Bring Them Home (If You Love Your Uncle Sam)
Ramrod/Rag Mama Rag
You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)
Froggie Went A Courtin'
When the Saints Go Marching In