You're right, Dan, as to my endless disappointment in Springsteen's musical output for the last, er, almost 35 years, though The Rising had some terrific songs. But boy, those first 7-8  albums still do it for me, especially Greetings through Darkness on the Edge of Town. The River surely could have been whittled down to one record. I can't abide some of it (Crush on You, I Wanna Marry You, Drive All Night...). It's a rare artist who can produce compelling work over a few decades, at least that's my opinion. I have friends who love many of the later releases, including the current offering. They leave me cold. 

I think it's great that he's issuing those Darkness-era live shows as those packed the greatest wallop for me. He did a nationally broadcast from San Francisco's Winterland in mid-December of 1978 that I have played endlessly. It was a 3 record bootleg. I think he's released it, so get it! 

As to his concerts, I've seen him 40 times and I  don't know anyone who has done it better for such a long period of time. 

Peter T.