Review: Bruce Springsteen's new album

Subject: Review: Bruce Springsteen's new album
From: muppett
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 05:41 AM

I've recently heard several tracks of the new Bruce Springsteen's Album on the radio and this has led me to buy it, by eck it's a good un, I'm not normally a great fan of American folk music, but I really enjoyed it and sounds like he and the musicians were enjoying themselves whilst performing as well and the DVD that goes with it seems to back this up.Has any one else got it and what do they think about it

Subject: RE: Review: Bruce Springsteen's new album
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 07:56 AM

I saw some concert performances of some of the songs on TV - sounded pretty good, but maybe not for the purists.

Subject: RE: Review: Bruce Springsteen's new album
From: Goldengob
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 08:08 AM

I bought it as soon as it was released and it's got a great "good time" feel about it. I don't know about "not for the purists" - you have to keep an open mind about these things.

Subject: RE: Review: Bruce Springsteen's new album
From: GUEST,Wyrd Sister
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 09:02 AM

Heard some on Andy Kershaw etc, bought it, like it. As Goldengob says, it sounds fun, like one almighty jam session, with lots of different styles and influences mixed up together. Energising!

Subject: RE: Review: Bruce Springsteen's new album
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 02:29 PM

I dunno. I'm sure Springsteen's a decent bloke but I always find he seems to be trying a bit too hard. I saw this TV show where he played the songs off the Seeger record. He had a huge band with something like 5 acoustic rhythm guitars (including his missus who can't play for toffee) and every song had that trademark Springsteen 'lean yer head back and yell as hard as you can from yer throat' vocal. The token 'Oirish' number was just embarassing. I saw the whole 'I know I'm a rock star but let's get a really down-home acoustic band together and play american folk music together' thing done much better by John Mellencamp in a tribute program to Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly about 15 years ago. It helped that Mellencamp could actually sing. Mind you, the highlight of the show was Little Richard singing 'Rock Island Line' which was one of the most mental things I've ever heard.

Sorry folks. Bruce may be the boss. He's just not mine.

Subject: RE: Review: Bruce Springsteen's new album
From: Helen
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 05:12 PM

Hi all,

Specifically, what is the new CD called, and what is the tribute to Seeger called. (Looking for a birthday present for my hubby who is a Springsteen fan.)

Thanks
Helen

Subject: RE: Review: Bruce Springsteen's new album
From: Matt_R
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 05:26 PM

My favorite album of the year so far. "Mary Don't You Weep" is freaking incredible.


"song had that trademark Springsteen 'lean yer head back and yell as hard as you can from yer throat' vocal."

Funny, every damn picture I've ever seen of Pete Seeger performing has him leaning his head back and obviously singing loud.


"It helped that Mellencamp could actually sing. "

Since when is 'folk music' about being able to sing well?

Subject: RE: Review: Bruce Springsteen's new album
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 05:44 PM

De gustibus...

Subject: RE: Review: Bruce Springsteen's new album
From: GUEST,Wyrd Sister
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 06:33 PM

Helen:
here it is

Subject: RE: Review: Bruce Springsteen's new album
From: GUEST,Frank Hamilton
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 08:02 PM

Honky-tonk hootenanny!   Fun.

Subject: RE: Review: Bruce Springsteen's new album
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 08:30 PM

I've said before that I prefer Springsteen's more serious, thoughtful acoustic work on the Folkways CD and on Nebraska. Anybody agree?
This one is more like a party record.
-Joe-

---

NPR Program on Springsteen CD

Subject: RE: Review: Bruce Springsteen's new album
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 10:51 PM

I've never listened all that much to Springsteen, though he has done several songs I liked, Racing In the Streets and Wreck on the Highway among them, but I do appreciate what he has attempted to do with music.   I really liked the Seeger Tribute. He just let the music fly.   I have always thought that with folk music the music was more important than the singer and the arrangement and the songs or tunes I enjoyed the most were the ones in which the artist did not get in the way.   There was a looseness about the recording and the musicians seemed to be having fun with the music and some songs that had been worked over time after time got new life.   There are times I like really tight performances, and I like music that grabs one's attention with interesting or thought provoking lyrics, but sometimes its nice to relax and listen and just enjoy the occasion. Springsteen created just such an occasion and may have introduced some more folk to Pete Seeger in the process.

Subject: RE: Review: Bruce Springsteen's new album
From: Pauline L
Date: 27 Jul 06 - 03:26 AM

Please read our previous, extensive discussion here.