For the second time in as many weeks Bruce Springsteen reached into his archives for a new live release. The New Jersey-born musician issued an official recording of the final stop of the U.S. leg of the Tunnel Of Love Express Tour at Madison Square Garden on May 23, 1988, and shared audio of the evening’s final song – a cover Jackie Wilson’s “Lonely Teardrops.”
The lengthy 31-song affair was the final night of a five-show run at The Garden that saw Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band deliver eight cuts from Tunnel Of Love, which had been released the previous October. The night was highlighted by expanded takes on fellow album cuts, “All That Heaven Will Allow” and “Spare Parts.” The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame-inducted act also served up classics like “Born To Run,” “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out,” “Born In The U.S.A.” and “Adam Raised A Cain.” The group brought things to close with Wilson’s iconic 1958 hit “Lonely Teardrops,” which was debuted a night prior and played a total of three times during the tour that otherwise stuck to a similar setlist from night to night.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band’s May 23, 1988 performance at Madison Square Garden is currently available for purchase via nugs.net. Listen to official audio of “Lonely Teardrops” below:
