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Springsteen plays Jazz Fest in New Orleans

Saturday’s appearance marked Springsteen’s third at the festival.

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Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band returned to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on Saturday, giving thousands of fans the show they hoped for, but some left wanting more.

He kicked off his three-hour set with High Hopes, the title track of his latest album, before launching into some of his more popular songs including Hungry Heart, Mary Don’t You Weep, Wrecking Ball, Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out, Pay Me My Money Down, and a cover of the folk song Jesse James. He also got a little help from his wife, Patti Scialfa, for When The Saints Go Marching In.

The music was upbeat, energetic and passionate but Jazz Fest veteran Alison Michel noted that he didn’t play Born in the U.S.A and Glory Days.

“I wanted to hear more of his older stuff. I love his older songs,” she said.

He also pulled a fan from the crowd to dance with him on stage for Dancing in the Dark. Saturday’s appearance marked Springsteen’s third at the festival.

Earlier, New Orleans pianist Allen Toussaint played and gave the fans an extra treat when singer Jimmy Buffet joined him on Fortune Teller and I Wave Bye-Bye. It was a day of guest performances as percussionist Cyril Neville took the stage with Voices of the Wetlands Allstars — Tab Benoit, Michael Doucette and drummer Johnny Vidocovich — for a set that included Louisiana Sunshine.

In the gospel tent, multi-Grammy winning duo Mary Mary gave a standing-room-only performance of their hits, including Get Up, Heaven Go Get It, Yesterday and I’m Walking.