I have heard this show on E Street Radio and it’s a classic. It’s the show that gave us the “War” B-side, “Merry Christmas, Baby” and the “Hungry Heart” B-side, “Held Up Without A Gun” and features a 16-minute version of “Rosalita” and a bunch of tunes off The River. I will be downloading tonight.
The year 1975 was quite a 12-month stretch for Bruce Springsteen. After a painstaking recording process, he finally released the Born To Run album, a critical and commercial success which peaked at number three on the Billboard album chart. For the first time, he played to audiences overseas and he appeared on the covers of Time and Newsweek the same week heralded as “Rock’s New Sensation.” On the last night of the year, he wrapped up four-night stand and the Born To Run Tour at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, PA, just outside of Philadelphia. Parts of this show have been floating around for years, but this is the first time it has been properly mixed and mastered in its entirety for release. The end result is nothing short of spectacular.
The standouts from this 19-song set include a slowed down, piano-driven version of “Tenth Avenue 
Freeze-Out” that oozes soul, a powerful version of The Animals “It’s My Life,” hard-driving takes on “It’s Hard to Be A Saint in the City” and “Spirit in the Night,” an incredibly energetic version of “Born To Run, ” a nearly 15-minute version of “Rosalita” and an ultra-soulful “Jungleland.” The band is extremely tight and plays with incredible energy and heart throughout. Springsteen sounds like a man on a mission who plays and sings every note like his life depends on it.
I know many fans will not agree with me, but I believe this live set is better than the Agora ’78 show from Cleveland that was released last year. The sound is much better and the band is absolutely on fire. Thanks to Bruce and company for cleaning these old shows up and making them available for fans. I cannot wait to see what is next.
There have been grumblings in Springsteen nation about the forthcoming High Hopes album that is set to be released on January 14. Some people don’t like that the album will feature “covers.” Others think because the songs are not brand new and the album features previously released material, albeit in another form, that he is just putting something out to put something out. Does it really matter if you’re a true fan? I know it doesn’t bother me. I’m happy anytime Bruce wants to put out something new.
The song “High Hopes” is a serious upgrade from the version that appears in the Blood Brothers movie and six-song accompanying disc. Much more energy, much more groove, and, ah, Tom Morello, who presence is always refreshing. Some people I know can’t stand “Dream Baby Dream,” but I love it. It’s mesmerizing and soulful and the new version with the drum machine and background noise will be a welcome addition. I’m looking forward to hearing tunes like “Harry’s Place,” a leftover from The Rising sessions, a studio version of the excellent “The Wall,” written with Joe Grushecky and Morello’s take on “American Skin (41 Shots).”
Don’t listen to the haters, Bruce. We fans truly appreciate you putting out new/old/previously released material. Any Bruce is good Bruce.
Sounds like it was a magical night in Rome last night as Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s “Wrecking Ball” tour continues to storm its way across Europe. After a roaring version of “Kitty’s Back,” Bruce broke out side 2 of The Wild, The Innocent and the E Street Shuffle complete with strings. I have included the rarely played gem, “New York City Serenade,” and “Incident on 57th St.” from last night’s set list that also included “Lucky Town,” “Roulette,” and the underrated, “Bobby Jean.”
“New York City Serenade” (Live in Rome) by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
“Incident on 57th St.” (Live in Rome) by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
I know “Cover Me” is not a very creative title, but I could care less. It’s the best title for this weekly segment that will feature Bruce Springsteen covers performed by unknown artists. I plan to scour the web looking for the best versions of great Boss tunes. There are so many great musicians out there who are never heard and I plan to use this blog to help some of them find an audience.
I know this is shameless, but up first, is me. I am the lead singer of the Houston rock band, Orange Is In. Back in 2010, I did my first ever solo gig at a place called Bohemeo’s in Southeast Houston. It was a small Mexican restaurant/bar that had a great vibe and great owners. On the setlist that night was “Real World,” an excellent love song from Springsteen’s Human Touch album. While the album version is a little over produced, the acoustic version from the 1990 Christic Institute show is beyond amazing. That is the version I tried to capture on that hot July evening.
Feel free to send links to Springsteen covers you would like to see featured in this weekly post. We welcome all comers.
“Real World” by Bruce Springsteen (1990 Christic Institute Show)
By George Kovacik
Today is a day where we here in the United States celebrate our freedom, eat hot dogs and watch fireworks. Just for you, here is a great summer tune from one of America’s greatest treasures, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. It’s one of the last songs the band ever played with original member, “Phantom” Danny Federici. Have a safe holiday!
“4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)” by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (Live in Indianapolis, 2008)
Bruce Springsteen charges into Austin on Thursday. (Photo by Jo Lopez)
If you’re a Bruce Springsteen fan, life is very good right now. With the release of the excellent new album, Wrecking Ball, comes a bevy of appearances before the world tour begins.
Lets start with a biggie tonight. For the first time in Bruce’s 40 plus year history, he and the E Street Band will grace the stage at The Apollo Theater in Harlem. It’s part of Sirius/XM’s tenth anniversary celebration of satellite radio (once you get it, you will never go back. Trust me.). This will be the band’s first full gig without the “Big Man” Clarence Clemons, but if the appearances on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last week are any indication, the horn section, featuring Clemons’ nephew Jake, can cover his parts nicely.
What they can’t do is replace Clemons’ massive presence, and his interaction with Bruce. That will be sorely missed. It will be interesting to see how Bruce handles the band introductions (if he does them at all) because Clarence was always “last but not least.” The show is set to start at 8 p.m EST with a pre-show featuring Springsteen biographer Dave Marsh at 6 p.m.
If you don’t have Sirius/XM, you can get a seven-day free subscription by going to their website. You can also win tickets to that last show of the U.S. leg in Newark, by tweeting a photo of your “Springsteen Apollo Listening Party.” You can enter that contest here.
Update: Video from the Apollo show
Next Thursday, Bruce will be the keynote speaker at the SXSW Music Conference in Austin. The format of 
the presentation is kind of up in the air. My guess is that he will have someone interview him, then take a few questions from the audience, then pick up the acoustic guitar and play a few tunes. That scenario would be ideal, but it remains to be seen what will actually happen. We here at 30 Days Out will be there to provide complete coverage and if you want to experience it live, NPR will stream the keynote address. Check NPR’s website for the schedule.
Later that evening at a secret, intimate location in “Live Music Capital of the World,” Bruce and the band will do a private show for badge holders and media who are lucky enough to win a drawing to get in. Our guess is he will play Stubb’s BBQ, a venue that is no stranger to big acts during SXSW. Metallica played there three years ago and John Mayer and Train are set to play there on Saturday.
We are hoping for this location because if we can’t get in, we can at least listen to it “out in the street.” There is also a chance he will play the new ACL Live venue, but that seems unlikely unless they were going to tape for TV or DVD or do an Austin City Limits show, which would be great if that happens. However, if he wants to create a huge buzz, Stubb’s would be the best place to do that. Also, we bet Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine will hop on stage with the band at some point. He’ll be in town doing his own shows during the four-day weekend.
Other possible sightings around Austin might include an appearance with friend and manager-mate Alejandro Escovedo at the Austin Music Awards on Wednesday night or with his buddy, Garland Jeffries, at Antone’s on Thursday. Should we cross our fingers for a surprise acoustic set at Waterloo Records ? Not likely, but we’ve got nothing to lose.
Finally, the Wrecking Ball World Tour kicks of March 18 in Atlanta, then heads overseas and hopefully back to the states in the fall. Like I said at the top, it’s a good time to be a Springsteen fan.
Bruce Springsteen official website
Bruce Springsteen News on Facebook
On May 8, 2006, my boss called me into his office. “We have eliminated your position,” he said. “We are letting you go. It’s not because of your work, it’s because…” By this time I had tuned him out, and the only thing I could think of was… how am I going to feed my wife and children?” When I listened to Bruce Springsteen’s grand new effort, Wrecking Ball, this past week every emotion I felt at the time came flooding back.
I was the man in the reflective “Jack of All Trades,” who kept convincing himself that everything is going to be alright even though he isn’t sure how his family is going to make it. I was the lost man in the haunting “This Depression” who told his wife over and over he is hopeful even though he can’t see anything on the horizon. I was the pissed off guy in the powerful “Death to My Hometown” who felt betrayed and stabbed in the back by the “robber barons” who put his family jeopardy because of their ineptitude. I was the guy in the spiritual “Rocky Ground” who discovers the moment when everything is going to be alright and I was the guy in a great new rendition of “Land of Hope and Dreams” who finally sees new possibilities.
Wrecking Ball is simply outstanding. Springsteen has always had the unique ability to tap into the emotions of what is going on and the people who are going through it. His lyrics of despair, depression, hope, and redemption are thoughtful and strong, and are enhanced by powerful instrumentation and rhythms rarely heard on a Springsteen record. Producer Ron Aniello really captured Bruce’s live power on disc for the first time in a long time.
From the opening rocker “We Take Care of Our Own” to the closing “We are Alive” where the narrator rides off into a much brighter sunset, we see a 62-year old rocker still doing work that is relevant and powerful. I don’t think I’m going out on a limb by saying Wrecking Ball is truly some of Springsteen’s best work. He is an artist that continues to evolve and get stronger with each album and I couldn’t be happier.
You can stream Wrecking Ball at Bruce’s official website.
E Street Band guitarist Nils Lofgren breaks out the top hat, cane and tap shoes (I’m not bullshittin’ back here) for his new video “Dream Big” from his excellent new release, Old School. Lofgren has always been incredibly creative and he doesn’t disappoint here. Check out Nils, Bruce and rest of the E Street Band tonight on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. They are the only guests. Should be a good one.
Next week we look ahead to a big Springsteen week at SXSW in Austin where we will have complete coverage.
Kenny Chesney and Elvis Costello Also Set To Perform
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band to Appear as Fallon’s Only Guest on “Late Night’s” Third Anniversary Show March 2
New York — February 24, 2012 – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” will honor Bruce Springsteen with a weeklong musical tribute February 27 – March 2 (12:35 a.m. on NBC) to celebrate the launch of his new album, “Wrecking Ball,” which will be released on Columbia Records March 6. Each night, the show’s featured musical guest will perform selected songs from his extensive catalog.
Fallon welcomes Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band to studio 6B on Monday, February 27 to open the week with two performances. Then, returning on Friday, March 2, which also marks “Late Night’s” third anniversary, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will appear as the only guest for that episode. Springsteen will chat with Fallon for an interview segment before taking the “Late Night” stage again for multiple performances with the band. Springsteen’s “Late Night” appearances are his only currently scheduled American television stops prior to a massive world tour beginning March 18 in Atlanta.
One of “Late Night’s” most memorable moments included a 70s dressed Springsteen and Fallon dressed as Neil Young performing a parody of pop hit “Whip My Hair” together during the musician’s November 16, 2010 debut on the talk show. The video of the comedy bit garnered instant viral success.
Tuesday night, Kenny Chesney makes his first appearance on “Late Night” when he performs “I’m on Fire,” from Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A” album, a song which Chesney previously released as part of the bonus tracks from his 2004 album “When the Sun Goes Down.”
Elvis Costello backed by Fallon’s house band the Roots is set to perform “Brilliant Disguise” from Springsteen’s album “Tunnel of Love” on Thursday, March 1.
It’s definitely an exciting time if you are a Springsteen fan.
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