Another CD review

[karohemd]

crossposted to brucefans

The Essential Bruce Springsteen (limited 3 CD edtion) (4/5)
I only bought this because I got the limited edition with a 3rd CD of rare/unreleased bonus tracks for the price of a normal CD.
I own all the albums so I didn't need this but the bonus tracks intrigued me.
The first CD covers tracks from '72 to '82 (Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ to Nebraska, with early studio versions of Blinded By The Light and For You), the second from '84 to present (Born in the U.S.A to The Rising plus extras like Streets Of Philadelphia, 41 Shots and Land Of Hope And Dreams).

The bonus CD goes through the ages as well and contains songs of varying quality. Songs from film soundtracks, cover songs he only plays live (e.g Trapped) and random bits like the acoustic country blues version of Counting On A Miracle recorded in a studio lounge.

I'm missing a couple of songs, like Growin' Up, Racing in the Street and Backstreets. Interestingly, Bruce apologises to longtime fans for not including them in the foreword of the booklet (which has the lyrics of all songs, some old and a lot of pics from the Lonesome Day video) as the idea was to cater for fans young and old. Fair enough, I guess. If you ask me, anything between '84 and the time the E-Street Band got together again isn't really essential with the exception of Ghost of Tom Joad which has the superb Youngstown on it (also missing).

Highly recommended to anyone who doesn't know much Springsteen as it pretty much has all the essentials from his early career as well (e.g. Jungleland but with the above exceptions).
Fans don't need to bother unless they can get their hands on the limited edition with the Bonus CD and want their official collection to be complete.

A nice little touch is that the CDs almost look like the labels of the old Columbia records.

Only 4/5 because there isn't much new for the true fan, even the bonus material isn't that inspiring.

I also have the Live in Barcelona 2 DVD set (13 pounds at amazon.co.uk) with the complete Barcelona gig from the Rising tour. Very cool, that.
This is for two kinds of people: those who've seen the Boss live (as a pleasant reminder) and those who haven't (to see what they've missed). It doesn't quite convey the atmosphere of actually standing in the crowd when everybody around you is singing along as they recognise each song from the first notes but the chemistry that's going on between the members of the E Street Band is clearly apparent.
Now I only need the same from the Crystal Palace gig I was at and I'd be really happy. ;o)

Note to self: Singing along in the office is NOT a good idea, especially with lyrics like "Me and Crazy Janey were making love in the dirt". ;o)

Comments

[syeniess.livejournal.com]

and it doesn't work as a christmas present, because my step-dad's already getting it. Damn for easy presents being taken away from me....

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

You just say that to make me feel old, don't you? :oP

[toxicpixie.livejournal.com]

I love Greetings... .

Nathan, The Toxic Pixie

'When they said sit down, I threw up'

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

One of my favourite lines is from Does this Bus Stop At 52nd Street?

"Don't trust men who walk with canes."

[toxicpixie.livejournal.com]

Ahhhh, all good stuff..

So good, I think I'm going to put it on whilst I goto bed :D

Nathan, Th Toxic Pixie