Bruce Springsteen had a pretty big week in Austin when he stopped by SXSW 2012 to be the festival’s keynote speaker.  Fans who found themselves at the Moody Theater to catch Bruce and The E Street band play a live set had no idea what a treat they had in store when Tom Morello joined The Boss for a very special live rendition of “The Ghost of Tom Joad”.

Photo Credit: Marv Watson

As though getting to hear The Boss play the title track off The Ghost of Tom Joad wasn’t enough, Tom Morello’s contribution to the song adds a multitude of character to the track.  The song starts off as a relatively standard live version before Tom Morello chimes in vocally for a verse and it becomes clear that Bruce was alright with letting the song take new form in Austin.  The moment that makes the hair on your spine stand comes at the end when Morello lets loose on what becomes a shimmering and memorable guitar solo.  Morello plays with just one hand at times, showing off his mastery of both the instrument and of feedback with a completely unbridled performance, leaving you in a state of shock and awe.