Imagine if Columbia Records taped every Bruce Springsteen show and every time they had a collection of four "special" performances they released a new bundle. The fanatics - the ones who keep the bootleg world flourishing and don't mind the sound of someone taking a cell phone call during "My Hometown" - would likely pony up for quality soundboard recordings. If the digital release Columbia has planned for July 15 of four "Magic" performances is the start of a project, it could be a new mondel for the quickly dying live album. If it is a one-shot, it serves its purpose as a fund-raiser, but a void in live recordings remains.
It was only a few years ago that concert promoters were waxing enthusiastically about CDs of shows that could be sold, burned and distributed as a patrons left a venue. That business appears to have disappeared overnight or else been relegated to fan clubs; the thirst ofr recordings by artists known for their live shwos remains.
The beauty of the Springsteen set are the selections:
1. "Always A Friend" (performed with Alejandro Escovedo)
Recording Date: 04/14/2008 (Houston, Texas)
2. "The Ghost of Tom Joad" (performed with Tom Morello)
Recording Date: 04/07/2008 (Anaheim, California)
3. "Turn Turn Turn" (performed with Roger McGuinn)
Recording Date: 04/23/2008 (Orlando, Florida)
4. "4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" (Danny Federici's final performance
with the E Street Band)
Recording Date: 03/20/2008 (Indianapolis, Indiana)

They are obvious one-time-only performances. The Boss' case, like few others, can deliver those "event moments" without special guests and do it simply through song selection. Great as he and the  E Street Band have been playing "She's the One" on this tour, conversations among fans about the shows centers on the songs that make it into the set for one night. That's the type of "Magic" worth capturing in multiple volumes.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's "Magic Tour Highlights" will be available on July 15 via all digital download stores. On sales of these downloads, the artists, songwriters and music publishers are waiving all of their royalties, and Columbia Records is donating all of its net profits to the Danny Federici Melanoma Fund. The iTunes Store is donating their first year's net profits as well.