I couldn't resist the opportunity to see Bruce Springsteen last night in Boston, the first of a two-night stand for the Boss in Beantown.

He delivered, as he almost always does. The show was almost exactly what you would expect from Springsteen and the E Street Band, with a twist or two: drenchingly energetic, playfully fun and at times grippingly emotional. It was also a musical blast.

Snapshots from the show that I will carry with me:

Nils Lofgren's guitar solo on "Johnny 99" reminded me of Neil Young cutting loose with Crazy Horse. Lofgren allowed his guitar to possess him, to become almost an extension of his body as he ripped through a very-electric version of the song.

One of the better versions of "Born to Run" I've heard Springsteen do live. The song was sloppy in parts, but this was anything but a mailed-in version, as it has sometimes become.

Springsteen is taking fan requests, which come in the form of handwritten signs passed up by people standing in the pit in front of the stage. He did three requests on Tuesday: A cover of the ZZ Top song "I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide," "I'm Goin' Down" and "Growin' Up." It's a fun little segment, designed to stump the band. Springsteen needed a moment to work through the ZZ Top song, but he got it down, and handled it pretty well.

Drummer Max Weinberg's son, Jay, sat in for four songs and absolutely energized the band. The kid rocked hard on the kit, and the set-closing cameo brought the show up in energy and excitement.

Clarence Clemons does not look long for the road. At least from outward appearance, he looks like he is in a lot of pain, and can barely move around the stage without assistance. I would not be surprised if he stops touring soon.

No mention from the stage of a recent illicit paternity allegation leveled against Springsteen. His wife, backup singer Patti Scialfa, was not at this show, which Springsteen said was because she suffered injuries in a recent fall from a horse. As fans, we should not read too much into her absence: In the past, she has not done all the shows. But it was a slightly awkward moment. The woman sitting next to me did not believe his excuse for Scialfa's absence. "Yeah, right," she said, clearly distrustful of Springsteen's denial.

Tickets were available on the cheap for this show. I unloaded two pair of tickets, and feel lucky that I got face value for them. People were selling them for half-price or less 30 minutes before the show. He plays the TD Banknorth Garden again tonight.

All things considered, Springsteen delivered. Tuesday's show was solidly good in every regard, and I still marvel at his ability to make me go home completely happy and pumped.

E-mail this entry to a friend