I was hoping you would enjoy it more, being such a fan of soul. I wonder this - if he hadn't recorded this album, but he did the song at a concert you were attending, would you have enjoyed it just as live cover?
I think I would have absolutely loved it! Even if he had covered it as what we used to call a 'B' side, I think I would love it, but its just a whole album of soul covers aren't doing it for me. I think his voice is fine, the band are excellent, but if I want to listen to soul music, I would rather listen to the versions I have loved for years.
How much of this comes from the Springsteen diaphragm and how much the mixing desk.......who knows?
Punchline is, the sound is good.
I'm not a big soul guy, I recognise the vast majority of these songs, but could tell you little of their lineage.
It's a good, good album with an obviously high quality band in tow.
This would never work live in a stadium.
As Louisa (I think it was) said, it's made for a Vegas residency.
I think I'll have this blasting out in the car for a goodly period.
I think it's a self indulgent project, but he's entitled to be a bit self indulgent, and the end product us a great listen.
I don't know if I particularly want to hear the E Street Band belting out these at Murrayfield and Villa Park next summer, maybe one, max two, in the encore zone.
I agree with JF regarding how prolific the era since 2019 has been. What I love even more than each individual record is the diversity and the consistent high quality. What I hear... Fabulous, intense, and very emotional singing, a positive surprise. I didn't expect him to sound this good. The back vocals are also incredible. And the band... I can understand now why this isn't an E Street project, I think he knows very well how working with different musicians positively affects him. It creates musical surroundings in which he can reinvent and flourish. He needs that.In his 'ongoing conversation' with the fans, he has remained interesting, unpredictable, and exciting. That is everything in communication. Don't get me wrong, I'm not being dismissive, but I would rather have him dedicated to non-E Street projects in the future. Let's see where his inspiration takes him...If this is indeed just his magic trick, I'm delighted that he's pulling scarves, flowers, handkerchiefs, and not only rabbits out of his sleeve. I appreciate the variety. This record calls for Vegas residency. As much as I hate the idea, it would be a blast.
Since 2019, Springsteen's released three records, each quite different from the others.
Western Stars explored an unexpected new musical direction and boasts some of the best songs he's ever written. Letter To You was the only true return to the classic E Street sound since The River, a sentimental ode to the past, lost friends and immortality. Only The Strong Survive proves what we already knew from the live shows - Bruce can sing soul. In its traditionalist tribute to classic R&B, the record is also a return to the music he cut his teeth on with Steve and Southside - what became the Jersey Shore sound. Steve and Johnny have remained mostly faithful to this sound, but Bruce had a broader vision and his albums have only ever offered hints and reflections of the Jersey Shore sound. Ironic since he's the artist most associated with that sound, but he had his own style and it's what made him the superstar the other two Asbury Park legends never became. This is a great record and I hear many things on it, but mostly, oddly, I hear New Jersey.
For my money, 2019 through the present has been one of the finest periods in his career and a tremendous late-life masterstroke.
I agree with your opinion on Western Stars and Only The String Survive - they are both great in their different way. On the other hand Letter to You was a big disapointment. His first album with songs written in the period after the 2012 relesease of Wrecking Ball. 8 years of song writing to draw songs from and this was the best he could come up with? How many of the songs were actually written after 2012? 7-8? That would be one song per year good enough to make the album. And the barely handfull of songs that passed the bar are not even particulary good. To my ears Letter To You would have benefited from being recorded as a solo album with other musicians. The E Street Band is a great live band but they are not expert studio musicians. And for for songs like Last Man Standing - that need a lighter touch - I think there are too many of the playing at the same time.
My feeling is this album has the potential to become a commercially much bigger success than Letter to You. Rightly so, I think. I really like it and would rather had seen him take these songs and musicians on the road instead of yet an other stadium round with E Street Band.
I may not have liked his bragging about his voice in that promo video, but the man wasn't lying. He sounds fantastic on these tracks - whether he's crooning, moaning or soul shouting
I don't recall hearing the original version of this one. I was only familiar with the Billy Idol cover. This take is a far-cry from that one and I didn't realize until the third listen that it was the same song.
A friend who has been staying for a few days and is a huge soul fan absolutely loves both songs. She is seeing Bruce for the first time next year and is now more excited than she was.
The Night Shift video has 1.5 million views in 7 days. By today's Springsteen standard I think that's pretty good. For comparison the numbers after 2 years are 9 million views for Letter to You and 3.7 million for Ghosts.
I went for a one-and-a-half-hour drive yesterday and have listened to NS on repeat, in both directions. I am still listening to just this song today! 🙄
I can't get fed up with it because of the combination of my obsessive fandom and the fact that the song is a fantastic version of a timeless classic.
I did the exact same thing yesterday on my way to college. The song is so beautiful and the arrangement is fantastic. The bass and drumsticks are amazing, I'm also loving the horns. They aren't overpowering but they add so much
Yeah, I have no idea how that keeps happening. I won't search for it though, I'll wait until they release it. Maybe it's the next single/music video to be released before the album?
My favorite shot is after he starts singing Jackie... When the camera moves up and towards him, focusing on his arms and face.
The choreography is perfect, subtle. They just added the improved hand dancing, an original Bruce feature, but created a more sophisticated and passionate version. Still in harmony with how he behaves on stage, not exaggerated. He looks very relaxed making the moves, so it all seems entirely organic.
I think he's brilliant... Compared to Dancing In The Dark, I'd say his dancing has actually improved.
I agree. We should be talking about the band. I need to find out who the keyboardist is. He sings amazing back vocals...
Okay. A few listens on earbuds left me feeling underwhelmed. Then I watched the video through my 'good' speakers. Wow. I'm a convert. I watched the original straight after and yes, its still a classic, but Bruce's version brings it beautifully up to date and I love it.
And why the hell aren't we talking about that band? The rhythm section? Who are they? I'm intrigued.
Solid version of a personal favourite song. This album will be dropping right on the doorstep of summer here down under and is going to be a perfect backdrop for this season's barbecues and beers I think.
It's my second favorite Commodore's song, right behind Zoom, and it was an important release for them. Lionel Richie had left the band and this was their chance to prove themselves without him, and they nailed it. To me, Richie was to the Commodores as Michael McDonald was to the Doobie Brothers - a talented member who took control of the band and changed its direction, for better or worse, depending on your taste. I thought this an odd choice for Bruce's album, but I love it.
We are in the same boat sistah, no help a comin', Love what you say above, how he's still in harmony with how he behaves on stage, it's not exaggerated, that's how I see Nightshift too. I love both videos, but do prefer the first single over this one.
In the good ol' golden age, this single would have played on radio until the album release, then been followed by the second single. In this modern cyber wasteland, time moves more quickly. Let's have the next single already.
Yep. She oozes certain sexual energy... For me it's the xylophone player. I like his torso, arms, and clothing. No face shown makes him even more interesting. Who is he? Anyone knows?
I like the cover, also. How they used the green and brown colors in the background, I like the horizontal composition and the effect of his vertical figure. It is a good photo.
I think his hair is too dark, though. He looks much better in the video, with a more natural color.
The album title? I can't ignore the underlying message, which is too pretentious for my liking. I know that he is incredible, why does he have to remind me constantly of that? The explanation video has the same vibe, Bruce The Greatest... I miss the times when he was less flamboyant.
The single is exactly what I expected and it's an enjoyable cover. I expect the album will be like that, enjoyable, expected, but not something that's got me excited the way I would be if it were a record of his own compositions. I've got no problem with him doing covers. Hell, if anything, he's earned the right to make whatever kind of record he wants. I like this kind of music and am familiar with most of the songs he's covering, he's always played soul music well, so I expect I'll like the album well enough.
My thoughts on an album I have not heard?
1) He can write a song like this in his sleep. I wish it were an album of Springsteen soul originals.
2) He may have finally made an album you could play at a party.
3) This could have been the Asbury Park Trinity album I've longed for, featuring Bruce, Steve and Southside.
4) Speaking of Southside, it looks like Bruce has finally made a Jukes album.
5) I can't believe Steve wasn't involved in this. This seems like it would be a wet dream project for him.
6) If Covers, Volume 2 isn't classic country, he can kiss my ass.
7) I like the album cover.
8) The band sounds like the Wrecking Ball tour version of the E Street Band, so why not use the band? They excel at this music.
9) I think his last covers album and especially the tour reinvigorated his own creativity, helped him find his rock voice again and brought him and most of us some joy. I hope this one does the same.
10) The video of him hyping the record isn't necessary. He overexplains his reasons for making the record to the point that it sounds like he feels he has to justify it. Just put out the album and let the music do the talking.
5) all day long. Anyone who caught the resurrected Disciples shows knows this would have been meat & drink to Steve. Makes me wonder how he might feel about not getting the call?
I dream about 3) too.
Inevitably I’m going to point out that Lu Williams did a series of covers records during lock-down, off the back of 6 live streams. For the most part they were pretty tasty so no problem with this sort of thing as an adjunct to the main course. Surprising Springsteen Inc. didn’t see the $ potential, keeping the coffers topped up until the juggernaut got back out on the road. The response would have been off the scale.
(Wish I’d been smart enough to figure out how to record the Petty session. Had me crying like a baby. The record, while probably the pick of the bunch, just doesn’t capture the sense of loss evident in the unedited studio footage.)
For those wondering about the timing of the record, he said it was made during lockdown, nothing more than that. A way for him to just be and have some fun. So rewarding to me he continuously does new shit and doesn't walk the same path as so many of his aged peers have done.
The video has me smiling from ear to ear. A romping good fucking time and the song is catchy as hell. I just love Brucie with a big ass band! So pumped for this record it ain't even funny.
Now I was never a soul boy, but I do appreciate the genre for what it is. Unfamiliar with the song or the singer, I went back to the original this morning and gave it a few listens. Enjoyed it for sure. Light, bright, full of bounce. Exuberant.
Back to our mans effort and it is a 73 year old rasping his way through a young man’s song. Doesn‘t bring any gravitas to it in the way he can with other older material, whether his own or covers. It’s just not that sort of song. No doubt he had great fun putting it together tho’, and maybe that’s what he needs right now. Pulled out of the blue in a live show it would be a hoot. An encore medley perhaps - I’ll be dancing!
However comparing the two I know which I prefer, by a considerable margin.
Right now I need something dark, raging, something that addresses these times. Failing that the BITUSA/Nebraska box.
I have to be honest. I may not be objective, it was my birthday yesterday, I received the link to the video late in the afternoon, and started dancing around the house straight away. I'm loving it.
To the ones not loving it, take a shower with this song. 😊
Maybe this record is supposed to be taken a bit less seriously, just Bruce having some fun, trying to spread it...
I don't want to parade on you piss but I really like his version of the song. I think this cover album is a great idea at this point of his career and judging from this first song this will be classy project. That said, I am no cool aid drinker. I don't like the LTY album, don't give a damn about the upcoming tour and hate the ticket pricing and all that as much as anyone.
I like the song. I think the video looks great—I love the stark red and all the happy musicians. But seeing him lip-syncing like this is throwing me. I wish they'd gone the live vocals against pre-recorded backing tracks route, like on "Streets of Philadelphia."
I too love the stark red of the vid, someone said elsewhere they wish they'd gone with black and white, which I also think would have been neat, but I love the colorful nature of it.
I've only just watched that. He seems very happy and enthusiastic about it, but, I don't know. I guess if his inspiration to write songs has dried up then he felt his only option is to record covers, but I have always thought he had a wealth of unreleased stuff which I would have preferred. Personally I care not whether something was written yesterday or 50 years ago, I would rather hear it. I love when he does covers live, but I just don't think an album of covers is for me.Sadly, I think this will be the first Springsteen album ever which I won't be buying in a physical format.
The video advertising this new endeavor is very hard to watch. Ahhhhrg!
Covers don't excite me all that much, I like my original Springsteen. My first reaction when I heard about it, was - well, he ist going the road of all aging artists who revert to covers of songs they like. I'll give it a listen, but I'm not excited.
Never thought I'd say that about a Bruce-Album.
I'm probably just down in the dumps recovering from a Covid infection, looking out on the rain and thinking about war and gas shortages 😥
I must not have read carefully enough, 'cuz when the drummer started playing...and it was a lefty, I felt a jolt of surprise. I guess I just assumed this was an E Street Band project which, now that I think about it, doesn't make any sense.
Anyway, I like. Don't love at this point, but like very much.
It's of course hard to judge an album from a two and an half minute song but I got a good feeling from listening to today's single. "Volym 1". I think a series of cover albums is a great idea at this part of his career and life when his inspiration for writing new songs seems to have been dried out for several years now. WS was a great album but not new songs. LTY was not that great and a lot of it weren't even new songs. WB was ok, but that was ten years ago.
Not at all sure about this. I will listen, obviously, on Apple Music, but I don't think I will be parting with any money. Double album with one side 'etched' wtf? Anyway, part of the attraction of buying a LP with a lovely gatefold sleeve is to sit, listening whilst reading the lyrics - I don't think reading the lyrics is going to be necessary! If the one track released is the best there is, I'm really not sure how many plays it's going to get round here. WS & LTY were both such wonderful surprises, I can't help but expect to be disappointed with this. I hate to be negative, but my Bruce tinted specs have become a little less Rosie...
https://twitter.com/springsteen/status/1575155628871278592?s=21&t=4Yk1W-O6ackK72u5Qvsh9w10:00am tomorrow US ET, which I think is around 4pm in the old world.
That's a great point, Kay. At first I was embarrassed by how few I knew. But, you're right, it's less a covers album for me and more just a plain ol' new album!
Excellent, I can't wait to hear him sing these fabulous songs. I am dying to know about the background, though. Why? I need to hear him explain... Happy here, waiting...😊
Listening to "Nightshift" right now and honestly when I heard "Marvin was a friend of mine" I did think "imagine if he switched that name to 'Clarence'."
Nightshift for me is one of those few songs that come along in your lifetime that hit you so viscerally you can still remember when you first heard it. I remember being in my bedroom, listening to my new boombox, when the song came on...I had no idea who Marvin or Jackie were, hell I had no idea the song was even a tribute to anybody. I just remember hearing that amazing beautiful chorus and the song instantly becoming my favourite song of all time in that moment. It's since been surpassed by some other tunes, particularly by some dude named Bruce, but that track is still easily a Top 20 80's song for me. To say I'm excited about what Bruce may do with it is an understatement...
Edited to add... I'm more than a few beers in, but wow...
Yeah, I got all excited when I first heard this news. And it took a while for me to realize that we'd already heard he has an album coming out, and it was the soul covers album. Change of plan? (Possible.) Two different releases? (Highly unlikely.) Same project, discussed differently? (Almost certainly.)
I was thinking a lot about his non-E Street albums and projects, and I came to one very simplified conclusion. I love that music so much... I don't mind he's doing the soul covers, I know I will love this record...The logical question is, why the covers now? I sincerely hope this record is not the result of his writer's block. I hope he felt inspired by soul, and it will be just another fabulous side job. I am very interested though in what gets played next year, with three albums worth of new material and stadiums packed with people wanting to hear his greatest hits. Let's wait and see.. 😊
Why do you think few to none from Western Stars will get played? I think I remember him saying something about it when he decided to record the live album at the barn...I would like to imagine that he changed his mind since. It is an amazing album and it would really be a shame if all those magnificent songs were ignored entirely.
So Aniello played every instrument, Bruce played none, and the band in the video is fake.
Good record, though.
Still waiting for my Amazon copy to arrive.
OK, so I've gone ahead and ordered the orange vinyl.
Don't judge......
@whispered secret That's interesting, I did wonder what a bona fide fan of the genre, and the original artists, would make of it.
Another good one!
Just come across this thanks to a post on BTX - "Nightshift" interpolated into "My City of Ruins" during the March 26th, 2012 show in Boston
10:29 -
A few listens in.
I have to say, his voice sounds great.
How much of this comes from the Springsteen diaphragm and how much the mixing desk.......who knows?
Punchline is, the sound is good.
I'm not a big soul guy, I recognise the vast majority of these songs, but could tell you little of their lineage.
It's a good, good album with an obviously high quality band in tow.
This would never work live in a stadium.
As Louisa (I think it was) said, it's made for a Vegas residency.
I think I'll have this blasting out in the car for a goodly period.
I think it's a self indulgent project, but he's entitled to be a bit self indulgent, and the end product us a great listen.
I don't know if I particularly want to hear the E Street Band belting out these at Murrayfield and Villa Park next summer, maybe one, max two, in the encore zone.
Oi'll give it foive.
l love his chuckles in Soul Days. 🥰
I agree with JF regarding how prolific the era since 2019 has been. What I love even more than each individual record is the diversity and the consistent high quality. What I hear... Fabulous, intense, and very emotional singing, a positive surprise. I didn't expect him to sound this good. The back vocals are also incredible. And the band... I can understand now why this isn't an E Street project, I think he knows very well how working with different musicians positively affects him. It creates musical surroundings in which he can reinvent and flourish. He needs that. In his 'ongoing conversation' with the fans, he has remained interesting, unpredictable, and exciting. That is everything in communication. Don't get me wrong, I'm not being dismissive, but I would rather have him dedicated to non-E Street projects in the future. Let's see where his inspiration takes him... If this is indeed just his magic trick, I'm delighted that he's pulling scarves, flowers, handkerchiefs, and not only rabbits out of his sleeve. I appreciate the variety. This record calls for Vegas residency. As much as I hate the idea, it would be a blast.
Since 2019, Springsteen's released three records, each quite different from the others.
Western Stars explored an unexpected new musical direction and boasts some of the best songs he's ever written. Letter To You was the only true return to the classic E Street sound since The River, a sentimental ode to the past, lost friends and immortality. Only The Strong Survive proves what we already knew from the live shows - Bruce can sing soul. In its traditionalist tribute to classic R&B, the record is also a return to the music he cut his teeth on with Steve and Southside - what became the Jersey Shore sound. Steve and Johnny have remained mostly faithful to this sound, but Bruce had a broader vision and his albums have only ever offered hints and reflections of the Jersey Shore sound. Ironic since he's the artist most associated with that sound, but he had his own style and it's what made him the superstar the other two Asbury Park legends never became. This is a great record and I hear many things on it, but mostly, oddly, I hear New Jersey.
For my money, 2019 through the present has been one of the finest periods in his career and a tremendous late-life masterstroke.
My feeling is this album has the potential to become a commercially much bigger success than Letter to You. Rightly so, I think. I really like it and would rather had seen him take these songs and musicians on the road instead of yet an other stadium round with E Street Band.
Does anyone know where on the internet I could find the album?
Hey, Western Union Man... How the times have changed... Now we say Hey, Google, send a text to Baby... 😊
Where?
I may not have liked his bragging about his voice in that promo video, but the man wasn't lying. He sounds fantastic on these tracks - whether he's crooning, moaning or soul shouting
Loving it so far. Serious Jukes vibes and the most Jersey shore sounding record he's ever released.
"I forgot to be your lover", OMG what a track.
Hearing it now. I get it. Wow.
I was wrong. It is wonderful.
A friend who has been staying for a few days and is a huge soul fan absolutely loves both songs. She is seeing Bruce for the first time next year and is now more excited than she was.
The Night Shift video has 1.5 million views in 7 days. By today's Springsteen standard I think that's pretty good. For comparison the numbers after 2 years are 9 million views for Letter to You and 3.7 million for Ghosts.
I went for a one-and-a-half-hour drive yesterday and have listened to NS on repeat, in both directions. I am still listening to just this song today! 🙄
I can't get fed up with it because of the combination of my obsessive fandom and the fact that the song is a fantastic version of a timeless classic.
Loving the bass and the drumsticks.
A few snippets. Sounds good.
The title track has leaked apparently. No idea where it can be found though 😂
The band are incredible. The drummer looks about 15!!
My favorite shot is after he starts singing Jackie... When the camera moves up and towards him, focusing on his arms and face.
The choreography is perfect, subtle. They just added the improved hand dancing, an original Bruce feature, but created a more sophisticated and passionate version. Still in harmony with how he behaves on stage, not exaggerated. He looks very relaxed making the moves, so it all seems entirely organic.
I think he's brilliant... Compared to Dancing In The Dark, I'd say his dancing has actually improved.
I agree. We should be talking about the band. I need to find out who the keyboardist is. He sings amazing back vocals...
Okay. A few listens on earbuds left me feeling underwhelmed. Then I watched the video through my 'good' speakers. Wow. I'm a convert. I watched the original straight after and yes, its still a classic, but Bruce's version brings it beautifully up to date and I love it.
And why the hell aren't we talking about that band? The rhythm section? Who are they? I'm intrigued.
Solid version of a personal favourite song. This album will be dropping right on the doorstep of summer here down under and is going to be a perfect backdrop for this season's barbecues and beers I think.
I like this song better than the other one. I very much dislike the lip syncing so I would rather listen than watch. Fantastic band.
He always does this to me... Kay, help please.
He hasn't topped the original NS, however.
Can I say something? Bruce looks sleek and sexy. 🥰 Very excited about the tour now.
I'm listening to both new songs on repeat. This will become my go-to album for mood-boosting... I can't stop smiling... 😊
It definitely sounds good. Both singing, arrangement, production and playing. Good choice he didn't do this project with E Street. Way to go, Bruce!
Man, I am DIGGIN' "Nightshift." Still don't care for the lip-syncing in the video, but who cares? It SOUNDS great.
Oh I'm gonna be doing those hand gestures and swaying moves in front of the mirror aren't I?
Bruce looks like James Bond.
So when does the night shift begin - at midnight before or after friday?
In the good ol' golden age, this single would have played on radio until the album release, then been followed by the second single. In this modern cyber wasteland, time moves more quickly. Let's have the next single already.
I have been playing this track today...I do not hate it. In fact, I am kinda digging it.
Just realised I haven't said on here what I think about this single.
LOVE IT! CAN'T WAIT FOR THE ALBUM!
@walkerinthesun Difference is postage is free at HMV.
(Poet......didn't know it.......etc.)
Green vinyl £35 from Springsteens UK/Europe store which I think is same £ as HMV orange?
The days of me buying releases in all variations/formats are gone I’m afraid:
1) Hard times coming.
2) Questionable vinyl QA. I’ve been finding black is most reliable, though by no means perfect. Avoid ‘marbled’ like the plague.
3) Mortality. When I shuffle off they’ll all be down the charity shop anyhow.🙁
Happiest of bdays to my soul sister Louisa!
Like @Walkerinthesun I've never been a soul boy. I like bits and pieces, here and there, but it's a genre I've never engaged with to any extent.
I'll buy it but I can see it hitting only "Working on a dream" played levels.
We'll see though.
I'll probably pick up a coloured vinyl copy, my liking for a vinyl collectible will drive me there.
Cheapest OK option for that looks to be HMV but they just have the orange vinyl on offer.
I'd prefer the green, TBH, but, again, we'll see.
I like the cover, also. How they used the green and brown colors in the background, I like the horizontal composition and the effect of his vertical figure. It is a good photo.
I think his hair is too dark, though. He looks much better in the video, with a more natural color.
The album title? I can't ignore the underlying message, which is too pretentious for my liking. I know that he is incredible, why does he have to remind me constantly of that? The explanation video has the same vibe, Bruce The Greatest... I miss the times when he was less flamboyant.
The single is exactly what I expected and it's an enjoyable cover. I expect the album will be like that, enjoyable, expected, but not something that's got me excited the way I would be if it were a record of his own compositions. I've got no problem with him doing covers. Hell, if anything, he's earned the right to make whatever kind of record he wants. I like this kind of music and am familiar with most of the songs he's covering, he's always played soul music well, so I expect I'll like the album well enough.
My thoughts on an album I have not heard?
1) He can write a song like this in his sleep. I wish it were an album of Springsteen soul originals.
2) He may have finally made an album you could play at a party.
3) This could have been the Asbury Park Trinity album I've longed for, featuring Bruce, Steve and Southside.
4) Speaking of Southside, it looks like Bruce has finally made a Jukes album.
5) I can't believe Steve wasn't involved in this. This seems like it would be a wet dream project for him.
6) If Covers, Volume 2 isn't classic country, he can kiss my ass.
7) I like the album cover.
8) The band sounds like the Wrecking Ball tour version of the E Street Band, so why not use the band? They excel at this music.
9) I think his last covers album and especially the tour reinvigorated his own creativity, helped him find his rock voice again and brought him and most of us some joy. I hope this one does the same.
10) The video of him hyping the record isn't necessary. He overexplains his reasons for making the record to the point that it sounds like he feels he has to justify it. Just put out the album and let the music do the talking.
For those wondering about the timing of the record, he said it was made during lockdown, nothing more than that. A way for him to just be and have some fun. So rewarding to me he continuously does new shit and doesn't walk the same path as so many of his aged peers have done.
The video has me smiling from ear to ear. A romping good fucking time and the song is catchy as hell. I just love Brucie with a big ass band! So pumped for this record it ain't even funny.
Now I was never a soul boy, but I do appreciate the genre for what it is. Unfamiliar with the song or the singer, I went back to the original this morning and gave it a few listens. Enjoyed it for sure. Light, bright, full of bounce. Exuberant.
Back to our mans effort and it is a 73 year old rasping his way through a young man’s song. Doesn‘t bring any gravitas to it in the way he can with other older material, whether his own or covers. It’s just not that sort of song. No doubt he had great fun putting it together tho’, and maybe that’s what he needs right now. Pulled out of the blue in a live show it would be a hoot. An encore medley perhaps - I’ll be dancing!
However comparing the two I know which I prefer, by a considerable margin.
Right now I need something dark, raging, something that addresses these times. Failing that the BITUSA/Nebraska box.
I love the xylophone at the beginning of the video. The looks and the sound of it.
I have to be honest. I may not be objective, it was my birthday yesterday, I received the link to the video late in the afternoon, and started dancing around the house straight away. I'm loving it.
To the ones not loving it, take a shower with this song. 😊
Maybe this record is supposed to be taken a bit less seriously, just Bruce having some fun, trying to spread it...
So... We get an announcement produced by Saul Goodman and then a song that reminds me of Pat Boone doing Tutti Frutti.
Fuck this. As if the world needed a bland, uninspired version of this great song.
I like the song. I think the video looks great—I love the stark red and all the happy musicians. But seeing him lip-syncing like this is throwing me. I wish they'd gone the live vocals against pre-recorded backing tracks route, like on "Streets of Philadelphia."
They say, if you haven't got a nice thing to say, don't say it.......
It sucks.
The video of him selling it is worse than that. I smell a rat.
The video of Bruce hawking his record like a mattress salesman is a bit uncomfortable for me.
I must not have read carefully enough, 'cuz when the drummer started playing...and it was a lefty, I felt a jolt of surprise. I guess I just assumed this was an E Street Band project which, now that I think about it, doesn't make any sense.
Anyway, I like. Don't love at this point, but like very much.
It's of course hard to judge an album from a two and an half minute song but I got a good feeling from listening to today's single. "Volym 1". I think a series of cover albums is a great idea at this part of his career and life when his inspiration for writing new songs seems to have been dried out for several years now. WS was a great album but not new songs. LTY was not that great and a lot of it weren't even new songs. WB was ok, but that was ten years ago.
Such a fun song. The video has got that cool retro vibe to it. Can't wait to listen to the rest of the album!
This is the lead ‘single’?
Oh dear.
Not at all sure about this. I will listen, obviously, on Apple Music, but I don't think I will be parting with any money. Double album with one side 'etched' wtf? Anyway, part of the attraction of buying a LP with a lovely gatefold sleeve is to sit, listening whilst reading the lyrics - I don't think reading the lyrics is going to be necessary! If the one track released is the best there is, I'm really not sure how many plays it's going to get round here. WS & LTY were both such wonderful surprises, I can't help but expect to be disappointed with this. I hate to be negative, but my Bruce tinted specs have become a little less Rosie...
I've just seen this twit, I am so excited, loving it. 🥰
Teasing trailer out today
https://twitter.com/springsteen/status/1575155628871278592?s=21&t=4Yk1W-O6ackK72u5Qvsh9w 10:00am tomorrow US ET, which I think is around 4pm in the old world.
With me knowing only a couple of songs that are listed, this is going to be so much damn fun.
Copying and pasting this because I can't be bothered to write it all again 😄
Plus, I am probably not the only one creating that playlist now...
Excellent, I can't wait to hear him sing these fabulous songs. I am dying to know about the background, though. Why? I need to hear him explain... Happy here, waiting...😊
Apparently, we really are getting a soul covers album. As posted by tomjoad'sghost on Greasy Lake, Flynn from Backstreets confirmed the tracklist:
1. Only The Strong Survive - Jerry Butler
2. Soul Days - Dobie Gray
3. Night Shift - The Commodores
4. Do I Love You - Frank Wilson
5. The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore - The Walker Brothers
6. Turn Back The Hands of Time - Tyrone Davis
7. When She Was My Girl - The Four Tops
8. Western Union Man - Jerry Butler
9. I Wish It Would Rain - The Temptations
10. Don't Play That Song - Aretha
11. Any Other Way - Jackie Shane
12. I Forgot To Be Your Lover - William Bell
13. Rooms of Gloom - The Four Tops
14. What Becomes of the Brokenhearted - Jimmy Ruffin
15. Someday We'll Be Together - Diana Ross and The Supremes
Rumoured to be released on November 11! And now we wait
Yeah, I got all excited when I first heard this news. And it took a while for me to realize that we'd already heard he has an album coming out, and it was the soul covers album. Change of plan? (Possible.) Two different releases? (Highly unlikely.) Same project, discussed differently? (Almost certainly.)
I was thinking a lot about his non-E Street albums and projects, and I came to one very simplified conclusion. I love that music so much... I don't mind he's doing the soul covers, I know I will love this record... The logical question is, why the covers now? I sincerely hope this record is not the result of his writer's block. I hope he felt inspired by soul, and it will be just another fabulous side job. I am very interested though in what gets played next year, with three albums worth of new material and stadiums packed with people wanting to hear his greatest hits. Let's wait and see.. 😊
This will be the soul covers album.
I wonder whether this is the rumoured soul covers or, hopefully, something brand new.