Its not exactly a secret that Bruce Springsteen is a Suicide fan, but for some reason it always surprises me. Anyway, I posted this back in 2008, but Springsteen has just put out a new version of Vega & Rev's "Dream Baby Dream" with a video tribute to his fans as he wraps up the current tour. It accompanies the above letter (posted on BruceSpringsteen.net), and its quite powerful & beautiful. Say what you'd like about him, but the guy gets it.
It took me a very long time to appreciate Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band. Being the good contrarian, when I was a youngster I could never appreciate it for what it was without all of baggage & peripheral stuff clogging up the old enjoyment factor. A few things started to change that over time:
2. Everything But the Girl covering "Tougher Than The Rest"
3. And finally, actually seeing Springsteen and company at the Meadowlands when they got back together in the late 90's. I treated my friend Russ (always a champion of Bruce) as an apology of sorts for infractions long since forgotten.
Its #3 there that's maybe the most important part of this small part of my musical history. It was there that I learned how important Clarence Clemons was to the E Street Band, and how he was probably the fan favorite. It was strange seeing & hearing them play...I knew so many of the songs note for note, like you do classic rock songs from albums that you never actually owned, because you heard them on the radio so often. For some reason, every time Clarence stepped up and started playing his parts & solos, I was surprised. This guy wasn't just a saxophone player - he was an integral part of the band. Arguably as important as Springsteen himself. He also had a sound as identifiable, if not the skills, of a Coltrane or Parker. Of course any Springsteen fan might tell you this, but I needed to figure it out for myself. And I at that moment did.
It's not time for Friday Ephemera, but I had to post this very cool bit of ephemeral rock history (courtesy of the wonderful Letters of Note). It's a 1997 fax response from Joe Strummer to a documentary film maker discussing his opinion of Bruce Springsteen. The film was a 1998 UK television production called Bruce Springsteen: A Secret History.
Somewhat inspired by a recent admission by Alistair over at Unpopular, and due to some information I was seeking out, I stumbled upon this amazing vintage video of Bruce Springsteen performing acoustically at Max's Kansas City, circa 1972. According to the notes, he was opening for Dave Van Ronk and Doris Abrahams.
Not so much a guilty pleasure as a matter of time, I suppose, I've never been a huge Springsteen fan. However enough friends & folks, who I respect, over the years have been taken enough by the Boss' output that I couldn't help but be influenced to some degree. There have been moments where I've been completely caught up. The first being the epic live video for Born To Run which, I think, was released in conjunction with the live boxset around 1985. How could I not get swept up with that song, that crowd? You'd have to be a soulless bastard to not be affected somehow.
Then I remember quite liking his divorce album, Tunnel of Love, from 1987. The production sounds somewhat dated at this point, but the songs are timeless. I liked the fact that the lyrics were seemingly more personal than usual, and they were downright depressing...a big plus for me!
Most recently, I must admit to quite enjoying 2007's Magic, especially Girls In Their Summer Clothes. And I was really impressed by his performance at this year's Stupor Bowl back in January. As the baggage lessens with age, I like my Springsteen best by accident, on the radio, on shuffle...when I'm not expecting it, at the seeming perfect moment.
Anyway, I say all this to say that, no matter what you think of his music, and I'm FAR from his biggest fan, you really have to hand it someone who connects with his audience the way he always has. Growin' Up, from his 1973 debut Greetings From Asbury Park, has always been another favorite. Watch this video from 1972, and try to imagine how this 23 year old felt...I'll bet he was nervous, but he acted like he belonged there. I don't necessarily have the patience for 3 hour concerts, but I always have time for moments. Here's a great moment for you:
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