Talking about the economy and grass-roots workers.
Talking about his music and political undertones.
Stewart is obviously a huge fan and is starstruck by Bruce.
Commercial break.
Now “Working on a Dream” acoustic version. Sounds like classic Springsteen. To be honest I didn’t know he could play guitar and play harmonica like Neil Young or Bob Dylan. Not a bad tune really. Not much to say except: why is Bruce suddenly doing stuff (Superbowl and talk shows) that he would never have done before?
I don’t want to necessarily hijack my own thread, but I don’t particularly like Colbert. I understand his alter-persona approach, but I still am not comfortable with his interview style while in character.
Colbert was an embarrassment interviewing Paul Simon. I cringed at his questions.
He has a new album and tour coming up and he’s been out of circulation for a long time. He’s trying to drum up interest so people will go see him/buy his album.
Huh. Maybe you have to be a fan to enjoy that interview. I, definitely not being one, got bored very quickly and got up to go putter around in the kitchen. Song didn’t do anything for me, either.
I dunno. Springsteen is one of those guys who seems likeable enough to me, and I don’t bear any malice towards the man. But JESUS, I wish he would have called it a day after The River.
(NOTE TO PURISTS- Nebraska isn’t as good as you think it is)
He really hasn’t been out of circulation recently at all. As a matter of fact, the current album was released only a year or so after his last album, Magic, which he toured extensively to support. That’s unusual for him, as he usually takes more time between projects. I think the reason is that he can see the end of the line not too far ahead and he wants to take advantage of his options while he can.
Obviously everyone has their own opinion. In general, I think his first 6 albums (through Nebraska) are his best work. *Born in the USA *is his most successful album, but not one of my favorites. I think The River would have been an excellent single record, but by stretching it to a double he included too much weak stuff. As for Nebraska, I hated it when it first came out, but over the years it has come to be one of my favorites. Post-Nebraska, The Rising is by far my favorite.
As for the interview with Stewart, I always think Bruce looks uncomfortable in interviews and laughs at his own comments too much. He was clearly amused at Stewart’s adoration, but it looked like he couldn’t wait to strap on the guitar and sing, rather than sit and talk.
Very much my thoughts as well. Nice to hear someone else express my opinion of the River.
While he can be quite insightful, he sure isn’t what you’d call a “soundbite” kinda guy. You gotta be willing to sit through a certain amount of rambling to get to the payoff.
Greetings and The Wild, the Innocent.
Maybe because they got the least airplay - I dunno.
But I really like the diversity.
Tough to chose, but For You and Kitty’s Back might be my faves of his.
I remember when Born to Run came out, I thought the ultimate rock record had been released, and everyone else would be wasting their time thereafter.
Darkness may well have a couple of my fave songs.
In my book, at least as strong as BtR.
Was terribly disappointed by The River - which I bought the day it came out after such a long wait.
Nebraska was the last of his albums I bought until the Seeger Sessions.
Now probably my 3d fave - my tastes have become quite “folky” in my dotage . . .
Used to have several bootlegs.
Loved his rambling stories. Wanna buy a duck?
Thought he “sold out” with Born in the USA.
Seems that is when he moved to playing exclusively arenas.
And couldn’t believe how crappy the live album was compared to the bootlegs I owned and concerts I had seen.
Ok, this changes occasionally, but it’s not too dissimilar to yours. I was in junior high when I was introduced to Bruce (living in Jersey.) This was after Darkness, but before The River. So, I had listened to the first 4 albums a ton, but The River was the first new album I bought.
Born to Run - Maybe it’s expected, but I think it’s almost perfect. My favorite song changes all the time, with only *Meeting Across the River *never being in the top spot, even though I like it a lot. Just incredible. When Bruce led off the Super Bowl with Tenth-Avenue Freeze-Out I pumped my fist and thought, “Yes, perfect!”
**Darkness on the Edge of Town **- The hardest rocking album. Amazing follow-up to a classic.
Nebraska - The themes and the storytelling just grab me. My favorite album when I have a few hours alone and want to turn off the lights, pour a glass of bourbon and sit in the dark and listen to music. I love the way he uses “sir” in the songs and I love the way he uses almost identical lyrics in *State Trooper *and Open All Night with completely different moods. My Father’s House is haunting. (The songs Bruce wrote about his relationship with his father are almost a timeline in his growth from a young, angry man to a grown-up.)
Greetings… - Raw, pre-canonical E-Street, but so full of energy and bravado. For You and Spirit in the Night will always be favorites.
The Wild, the Innocent… - Contains two of my top 10 Bruce songs (*Sandy *and Incident on 57th Street) PLUS Rosalita. Funky and different from anything else he’s done.
The Rising ** - I was in Manhattan on 9/11, and he managed to capture so many of my own feelings on this record. The definitive piece of music related to that day. Plus, Further on Up the Road is his most rocking song since Darkness.
**
The River - The title song and Independence Day are enough to put this on my list. There are other songs I like a lot (Wreck on the Highway, Ramrod,) but as I said earlier, too much filler to be truly great.
That’s my top 7. There are bits and pieces of other albums I really like, but these are the best, IMO.
No problem. I think you’re correct in that he’s probably off the radar for today’s young folk (music consumers) and he may be trying to reach a new audience too.
