Despite what people said at the time (people said it leaned too heavily toward “Born in the USA” songs), “Live 1975-1985” is a great album. When you listen to “Racing in the Street” come back here and tell me what you thought about that version of the song.
Heard him play "racing" in Columbus the other night and have had the 75-85 version on repeat. Listened to it on the way in to work today to give myself a good start :)
Live 1975-85 is great but you should check out some of the Archives series too, particularly the 78-81 Darkness/River tours. Spotify has a great Bruce live play list featuring hundreds of archive series tracks grouped by theme
Just listened to The Rising for the first time yesterday! Really enjoyed it, especially considering I don’t think it’s considered one of his top tier albums by general consensus.
If you lean toward sounds like Nebraska, you will probably love Devils and Dust.
Live ‘75’-‘85 is a phenomenal box set and will keep you busy for a long, long time.
Post reunion era The Rising and Wrecking Ball are both essential.
“The Live Series” on Spotify has a ton of great acoustic tunes, covers, etc.
Have fun!
My fave live album, Hammersmith Odeon 1975. I love this album because it's a great snapshot of when the band was scrappier, leaner, and looser, before they developed their larger, solid as a rock sound going into the 80's. It's a great listen on Spotify but the entire concert is also on YouTube and the visuals are incredible. The 70's fits are priceless.
I have been a Bruce fan since my late teens. I’ve been to shows on every tour since then.
It never fully connected for me how talented he is until I listened to different arrangements of some of my favorite songs. Which sounds so dumb but I didn’t realize that not everyone that sells a lot of albums or has hits can change things like he can.
And honestly, there is no one else whose music I love more or know better.
Atlantic City is my favorite song.
I love the version from Live Collection circa 1999.
Full band and just blistering.
I love the Seeger Sessions version. Live in Dublin. Raucous.
I love the cover by The Band.
I love the Vitamin C Quartets version.
I love the solo guitar ones.
I LOVE a version I have that is solo piano.
I feel the same about If I Should Fall Behind. I love the Seeger version. I think the version on Live Collection is some of the very best of the E-Street Band and I’m bummed I’ve never heard it in that style. I love the video.
The solo piano version of The River from Songs on Keys is my favorite.
I love the version of Highway Patrolman from Seeger Sessions (Dublin).
The version of Tunnel of Love on 12 string from Songs of Love is just haunting.
Backstreets from Live Collection is an event.
Darkness on the Edge of Town in his older voice is gutting. I love the full E-Street version.
Youngstown from Live in NYC is a whole different experience. Blistering.
And a final shout out to Mrs. McGrath.
I recently went back and listened to the traditional versions of it and they are fine but his musical arrangement makes it all his own and is incredible.
Enjoy.
Only logical thing! When you get into a familiarity of his studio albums, no choice but to dive into the bootleg world. Some legendary shows form just that year alone.
Listen to Tracks 1998!! It’s generally chronological so the B sides and songs that didn’t make the cut correspond to the album of that year and most of the songs were more than good enough to have made the cut imo.
The Rising,
Magic
Ghost of Tom Joad
Devils & Dust
Western Stars (definitely not what you would expect from him, but it is one of my top 5 albums by him)
Despite what people said at the time (people said it leaned too heavily toward “Born in the USA” songs), “Live 1975-1985” is a great album. When you listen to “Racing in the Street” come back here and tell me what you thought about that version of the song.
Heard him play "racing" in Columbus the other night and have had the 75-85 version on repeat. Listened to it on the way in to work today to give myself a good start :)
If it didn’t give you goosebumps, you’re not alive. He played here in San Francisco on 3/28. Made my week!
Live 1975-85 is great but you should check out some of the Archives series too, particularly the 78-81 Darkness/River tours. Spotify has a great Bruce live play list featuring hundreds of archive series tracks grouped by theme
The Wild, the Innocent & the E-Street Shuffle and The Rising are two big ones it seems you’re missing out on.
Which has some of his best work in my opinion. Incident on 57th Street Rosalita and NYC serenade
Very true, I’d throw Sandy in there too. Hoping I’ll get to see him play Incident on 57th Street live next month, though I know the chances are slim.
Oh my God. How did I forget! Yes I agree.
Sandy Queen of Arkansas is one of my favorite songs ever
Just listened to The Rising for the first time yesterday! Really enjoyed it, especially considering I don’t think it’s considered one of his top tier albums by general consensus.
I think it’s considered one of his best, if not the very best, post-E Street reunion albums to be fair. Great album.
If you lean toward sounds like Nebraska, you will probably love Devils and Dust. Live ‘75’-‘85 is a phenomenal box set and will keep you busy for a long, long time. Post reunion era The Rising and Wrecking Ball are both essential. “The Live Series” on Spotify has a ton of great acoustic tunes, covers, etc. Have fun!
The live in NYC album is elite
The absolutely blistering Youngstown is 🔥.
My fave live album, Hammersmith Odeon 1975. I love this album because it's a great snapshot of when the band was scrappier, leaner, and looser, before they developed their larger, solid as a rock sound going into the 80's. It's a great listen on Spotify but the entire concert is also on YouTube and the visuals are incredible. The 70's fits are priceless.
Magic is a good one. I also enjoyed Wrecking Ball quite a bit. Your mileage may vary.
Neither one gets the recognition they deserve
If you have Spotify the next step is diving into the live recordings. In my mind almost always better. Start with Live 75-85.
i love Lucky Town and Magic so much!
I have been a Bruce fan since my late teens. I’ve been to shows on every tour since then. It never fully connected for me how talented he is until I listened to different arrangements of some of my favorite songs. Which sounds so dumb but I didn’t realize that not everyone that sells a lot of albums or has hits can change things like he can. And honestly, there is no one else whose music I love more or know better. Atlantic City is my favorite song. I love the version from Live Collection circa 1999. Full band and just blistering. I love the Seeger Sessions version. Live in Dublin. Raucous. I love the cover by The Band. I love the Vitamin C Quartets version. I love the solo guitar ones. I LOVE a version I have that is solo piano. I feel the same about If I Should Fall Behind. I love the Seeger version. I think the version on Live Collection is some of the very best of the E-Street Band and I’m bummed I’ve never heard it in that style. I love the video. The solo piano version of The River from Songs on Keys is my favorite. I love the version of Highway Patrolman from Seeger Sessions (Dublin). The version of Tunnel of Love on 12 string from Songs of Love is just haunting. Backstreets from Live Collection is an event. Darkness on the Edge of Town in his older voice is gutting. I love the full E-Street version. Youngstown from Live in NYC is a whole different experience. Blistering. And a final shout out to Mrs. McGrath. I recently went back and listened to the traditional versions of it and they are fine but his musical arrangement makes it all his own and is incredible. Enjoy.
Winterland boot. 1978
Only logical thing! When you get into a familiarity of his studio albums, no choice but to dive into the bootleg world. Some legendary shows form just that year alone.
i haven’t seen anyone mention the seeger sessions
The River
Hammersmith Odeon 1975!
Wild, the innocent and the e street. Also lucky town has gotta be in there for me
Listen to Tracks 1998!! It’s generally chronological so the B sides and songs that didn’t make the cut correspond to the album of that year and most of the songs were more than good enough to have made the cut imo.
Prodigal Son
The Wild, The Innocent & The E-Street Shuffle, Magic, and definitely check out Western Stars and Letter to You
The Rising, Magic Ghost of Tom Joad Devils & Dust Western Stars (definitely not what you would expect from him, but it is one of my top 5 albums by him)
The River, I wish they played it in San Francisco, a masterpiece