Back in the 20th Century, Frank Sinatra was New Jersey’s most famous boy. In this century, that title goes to three men. They are Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, and Jon Stewart. The two Jons and the Boss want you to wear a mask to slow the spread of COVID-19 in their state.
Do it, or you will give love a bad name. If you do, then we can get back to the glory days. You don’t want to be living on a prayer taking bad medicine so you are not sleeping on a bed of roses. I know it’s your life, but don’t you want to see your grandchildren born in the USA and born to run? You are wanted alive and not dead. Just do it because I’m on fire, and I won’t stop!
Bruce Springsteen has been on his own for a while, but now he is taking it back to the street again. As in, he is reuniting with the E. Street Band for his new album that is out next month. That’s right, Letter to You comes out on October 23rd. The Boss’ 20th record includes twelve tracks, nine that were recently written by him, and three throwbacks the ’70s.
Springsteen recorded the album in his home studio with his friends. “I love the emotional nature of Letter To You,” says Bruce. “And I love the sound of the E Street Band playing completely live in the studio, in a way we’ve never done before, and with no overdubs. We made the album in only five days, and it turned out to be one of the greatest recording experiences I’ve ever had.”
I have a feeling his fans will feel the same way if the first single off of the CD is any clue how the rest of it is going to sound. To me, it sounds like a throwback to his Born in the USA album. One of the greatest records of the ’80s. It is Springsteen, do you expect any less but rockin’ tunes?
Back in 1975, Bruce Springsteen released a little album called Born to Run and the songs off of it were running up the charts. He went from unknown to superstar with that record and it gave the young singer the balls to do things he normally would never have done.
For example, yesterday when he was on The Graham Norton Show, he shared a story about a trip he will never forget. He and the band went to Nashville and they were hungry. He got in the cab with Steven Van Zandt and asked for a place to eat. The driver suggested a place near Graceland.
When they got to Elvis Presley’s home, he told the driver to stop. He got out, jumped the wall and proceeded to walk up to the door. Just as he was about to knock, he was stopped by security.
The guard wanted to know if there was anything he could help him with. That is when The Boss, asked if The King was home. He was not there because he was in Vegas.
Then Springsteen asked if he could give a message to his idol. He said to the security guard, “Can you tell him, I don’t generally like to do this but, Bruce Springsteen was here.” Then he continued with, “He might not know who that is, but I was just on the cover of Time and Newsweek.”
With that, he was on his way. He never met Elvis before he died in 1977, so he does not know if got the message. I’d like to think that he did. Not as much as Bruce though.
While he doesn’t have that awesome story of meeting The King, maybe it is better. They say never meet your idols for reason…
Bruce Springsteen has a new album coming out on June 14th and today he released the first single from Western Stars. Hello Sunshine sounds a lot like something that would have been on the Born in the USA album mixed with some Johnny Cash. The type of song you would hear on a juke bar at a dark bar made of wood that mostly sells beer. Which means it is very him and because of that I am sure his fans are loving every note.
If this single is any hint of what the album is going to be like, I expect him to get a lot of Grammy noms for it and even some wins. Especially since the Boss describes the record as, “This record is a return to my solo recordings featuring character driven songs and sweeping, cinematic orchestral arrangements. It’s a jewel box of a record.” Sounds like his Broadway run had a big influence on his new songs.
Bruce Springsteen has spent the better part of the year on Broadway doing a one-man show of his music and he needs a break. Yesterday, he broke the news that he will not be touring with the E Street Band in 2019, but he will be working on new music instead.
You cannot blame him for wanting to take a year off, he has earned it. Plus, you know he will come back stronger than ever. He always does.
