John Voket here, putting in an abbreviated “On the Road” while Shannon takes off a few days.

I’ve only got one word for you: BRUUUUUUUCE!

That’s right E Street fans, the Boss is back and he’s not only releasing his latest album, Magic, on October 2, he’s decided to kick off his world tour right here in Hartford. Now I’m not revealing any secrets, but in years past, Bruce and the band have taken up residence to practice in some of the venues where they were opening their tours.

That said, perhaps in those last few days leading up to the show, you may just find any or all of the band scattered around the Capital city noshing, shopping, or just enjoying an early autumn stroll.

Bruce and the E Street Band will perform 31 concerts through December 19 in the United States, Canada, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Ireland, France and Britain, said Columbia, which is releasing the Magic album.

And if Hartford is just too tough a ticket to get, Springsteen scheduled several shows in or bordering his native New Jersey, including an October 5 date in Philadelphia, October 9–10 shows in East Rutherford, N.J., and October 17–18 appearances at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Tix for an Albany show November 15, and the Hartford and Philly shows, go on sale September 8, New York City and Jersey shows go on September 10, and a Boston show November 18 goes on sale September 22.

Previously, Springsteen has made a preliminary round of venues playing one or two nights, before making a longer, broader sweep playing secondary markets, outdoor stadiums when seasonal weather permits, and multinight stands of three or more nights at the same location. So if these regional shows are not in the cards, it’s a pretty safe bet if the album does well, we’ll be seeing another round of shows in 2008.

Complete information on all things Magic is available through www.brucespringsteen.net.

 Magic is Springsteen’s first studio recording with The E Street Band in five years. “Radio Nowhere,” the first single from the album, will be available exclusively and free on the iTunes Store through Monday, Labor Day. The iTunes album preorder for Magic also is in progress and includes “Radio Nowhere” plus the song’s video and an exclusive digital booklet.

The new single is extremely fresh, with the vocals tucked into an edgy guitar lick and some righteous sax work from the “Big Man” to boot.

And while many, many Bruce fans are ecstatic today, a smaller legion of Cure fans were saddened earlier this week when the band — actually Robert Smith and whomever he’s surrounding himself with these days — postponed its fall US tour due to reported problems finishing a new album.

Apparently the turnaround time between final production and the opening few dates were just too short for Mr Smith to feel comfortable, so anyone holding tickets for the September 23 show at Madison Square Garden can keep holding until a spring reschedule is announced.

All ticket validity /refund/ rescheduling details will be announced soon.

The Wild Boys Tour with, arguably, some of the best new bands around right now is coming to Bridgeport’s Arena at Harbor Yard, Saturday, November 13. That four-band bill features Fall Out Boy, Plain White T’s, Cute is What We Aim For, and Gym Class Heroes.

I caught “Cutie” back in the spring at the Webster, and Fall Out Boy’s mini set at Live Earth, so I’m looking forward to seeing them in a more spacious physical and musical setting. The show is on sale now, and will feature an open general admission floor or reserved seats in the bowl, all for under $40 with the add-on charges.

Speaking of Bridgeport, the Arena is also hosting Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Bob Dylan and Elvis Costello on the same bill September 30. I searched top priced singles, which are still available for just under $90, with locations right next to the stage.

If you’re not a fan of these classic acts, make tracks for the newly renovated and reopened Toad’s Place in New Haven for the opening night of the Boys Like Girls headlining tour, September 30. These guys are hot off the Van’s Warped Tour and I can guarantee you, this will be one Toad’s show that will go down in the books.

Tickets are $15 while they last, and this will be an all ages format.

In other news, They Might Be Giants returns to Toads October 18, and Silverstein takes the stage November 3. Go to Toadsplace.com for details.

This week, the roster for Farm Aid 2007: A Homegrown Festival expanded to include some great old-timers and newcomers. That daylong show is set for September 9 on Randall’s Island in New York City.

 Ray Price, Merle Haggard, Danielle Evin, Jesse Lenat, Jimmy Sturr, Pauline Reese, Billy Joe Shaver, and Paula Nelson will join Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, Gregg Allman, The Allman Brothers Band, Counting Crows, Matisyahu, Guster, The Derek Trucks Band, Warren Haynes, Supersuckers, The Ditty Bops, and Montgomery Gentry.

 In addition to a full day of music, the event will showcase an abundance of family farm food vendors serving local, organic, humanely raised and family-farmed food. There will also be hands-on, interactive exhibits with farmers and activists to demonstrate the benefits of living a homegrown life.

And don’t forget, the last gasp of summer at Danbury’s Ives Concert Park comes courtesy of New York rawker Eddie Money September 8. Tickets are still available for that local show as well — go to ivesconcertpark.com for details.

We expect Shannon back for the next installment, but in the meantime, she’ll see you “On the Road!”