The Legend that Exceeds the Hype

Bruce is probably the only musician who can achieve small club intimacy with an arena sized audience. This box set was released in the height of Springsteen's popularity following the "Born in The USA" album. I can remember seeing people standing in line, and even camped out for a record . . . not a concert, but a record !

Ussually, a live set is a souvinier meant only for true fans, or a glossed up affair barely resembling actual "live" music. Most of the time you listen to the songs, wishing in the back of your mind you'd have put in the studio versions instead. Not so with the Boss, live Bruce brings out the best in his music. (It doesn't hurt he's backed by the legendary E-Street band.)

"Thunder Road"kicks it all off, smoking the muddy original studio version. And how many guys can make the girls swoon with a line like "You ain't a beauty, but hey you're alright. And that's alright with me". Now go listen to Bruce sing it, and you get a totally different meaning.

I especially love the earlier stuff on here like "Spirit in the Night", "Sandy" , and "Thunder Road". "Seeds" is a non-album cut that Bruce just lets loose on. A man screaming out after selling his soul to the devil wouldn't sound any rawer than this tune. I mean, the man just howls!

I guess it was obligatory to have a heavy load of "Born in the USA" on here, but it neither adds nor detracts from the originals. There are doses of "Nebraska" on here, but their 'studio' versions capture the feeling much better. Especially the title cut, it's stronger as a confessional to a small room of people, rather than before an arena full of people. (I wish "Open all Night" would have been included instead, I bet he could make that song rock live.)

But I'm being nit-picky really, 'cuz everything is a keeper on here. Even if you're just a casual fan, I'd recommend this record. It gives a great overview of all his material, and is ussually reasonably priced. Unless you're only into soulless techno-pop, you won't be dissapointed.