By 1980, New Jersey native Bruce Springsteen had already done the singer/songwriter thing (his first two albums), bombast (“Born To Run”) and youthful angst (“Darkness On The Edge of Town”). He was entering his 30’s and his focus was shifting to narrative themes that were befitting of that kind of life milestone. The resulting document-“The River”-was a double album, magnum opus that addressed the decidedly unsexy, existential questions about longevity, fidelity, relationships, mortality, responsibility and its cost of diminished returns and the countless paradoxes each contained.

26 years on, Springsteen has decided to revisit the release in the form of “The Ties That Bind: The River Collection,” a doorstop behemoth box set that contains 52 tracks and 4 hours of previously unseen footage across 3 DVD’s. It has also resulted in a 24 date tour in which the album will be performed in its entirety and included a stop at Chicago’s United Center this past Tuesday.

Mercifully missing was some of Springsteen’s carnival barker schtick that has marred some past tours. There was a seriousness to the evening that showed absolute care and affection for the songs. Of course, nobody goes to a Springsteen show hoping for a funeral. Over the course of 31/2 hours, he and his band also did what they do best, which is bring the party. The latter half of the show was all about the catalog. They delivered outsized rockers like “No Surrender,” “She’s The One,” “Thunder Road,” “Rosalita” and the obligatory “Born To Run.” Springsteen briefly slowed the evening to pay tribute to the recently deceased Glen Fry of The Eagles, serenading those in attended with a solo acoustic version of his hit “Take It Easy.” An overstuffed United Center spent the night dancing, singing and even helped The Boss bodysurf at one point.

With the house lights up, the band huddled close at center stage, working their way through a cover of The Isley Brothers’ ass shaker “Shout.” In that moment, 22,000 strong made an arena fell like a corner bar on any given Friday night.

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