Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band - Live in New York City

Compared to the gargantuan Live/1975-85, 2001's Live in New York City seems like the very definition of restraint, but consider this -- not only does it span two discs, it leaves out a considerable portion of the set list from the show and thereby the set list of Springsteen's celebrated 2000 reunion with the E Street Band. Some critics complained that this record was little more than a tie-in to the HBO special of the same name, but even if that's true, the record would have merit since it illustrates exactly why this group should never have parted ways. In a sense, even if this is the third live album in Springsteen's catalog, it's the first that attempts to replicate the feeling of an evening out with the E Street Band (the Live/1975-85 box tried too hard to be an ultimate experience; MTV Plugged captured a transitional phase). Though most reunions feel a little forced, this feels natural, yet never nostalgic, since the track listing never relies on the predictable. There are no hits in the conventional sense -- outside of "Born in the U.S.A." tucked away on the second disc and an initially uncredited "Born to Run" -- but there are many fan favorites interspersed with a few obscurities and new songs, most notoriously the protest song "American Skin (41 Shots)." This works in Springsteen's favor, since there's no pandering -- only the joy of making music with the band that understands him best. This doesn't really result in something essential, even if the new songs are quite good, but if you've ever been a fan, it's hard not to warm to Live in New York City. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Bob Clearmountain Mixing Bob Ludwig Mastering Bobby Cowan Monitors, Monitor Engineer Bobby Thrasher Production Coordination Bruce Springsteen Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica, Producer Chuck Plotkin Producer Clarence Clemons Saxophone, Percussion Danny Clinch Photography Danny Federici Keyboards David Boucher Mixing Assistant Erik Phillips Sound Technician Garry Tallent Bass, Guitar (Bass) Gary Myerberg Technical Assistance Gary Myerburg Technical Assistance George Travis Director Gregg Maltby Lighting Director Harry Choron Design Harry McCarthy Drum Technician Jim Sherraden Typography John Kerns Engineer Jon Pareles Liner Notes Kelly Kilbride Personal Assistant Kevin Buell Guitar Technician Liz Mahon Logistics Max Weinberg Drums Michael Matousek Guitar Technician Michael Solomon Logistics Monty Carlo Monitors, Monitor Engineer Neal Preston Photography Nigel Green Mixing, House Mix Nils Lofgren Vocals, Guitar Patti Scialfa Vocals, Guitar Ross Peterson Assistant Engineer Roy Bittan Keyboards Sandra Choron Art Direction Steven Van Zandt Guitar, Vocals Terry Lawless Keyboard Technician Terry Magovern Personal Assistant The E Street Band Group Toby Scott Engineer Wayne Wilentz Keyboard Technician Woody Pornpitaksuk Authoring