We're not talking the "Rawk" goons who scream for "Born In The USA" with their Bud cans raised high in one hand, while clenching fists with the other here, either. We're talking about the true died-in-the-wool fans who've stuck with Bruce since the 1970s days of Born To Run and earlier - the ones who travel across country just to catch a single show.
And here's the thing.
For "Tramps Like Us", we know that the clock is ticking fast for one last chance to make it real with an E Street Band tour. It's common knowledge that Clarence "Big Man" Clemons is in poor health these days and may have only one more tour, if that, still in him.
There have also been reports that Mighty Max Weinberg may be taking the reins as bandleader for The Tonight Show in the next few years. A year-long (or more) hiatus from that coveted gig to hit the road with the E Street Band may not even be a possibility once that happens.
So while it has been obvious for a while now that Bruce's artistic muse may be leading him more towards the quiet, folk-influenced sound of Devils and Dust and Nebraska-type projects (and none of Bruce's older fans, myself included, would complain about that), the window for another E Street Band album or tour may be closing.
Fast.
The idea of Bruce doing an entire album of covers by anybody — much as I truly do respect guys like Seeger and Woody Guthrie — is just not something that makes me exactly quiver with anticipation the same way an album of new originals would. Especially if it were with the greatest band on earth. Just being honest here.
And isn't Pete Seeger the same guy who ran around like a maniac threatening to "cut the cables" when Dylan went electric at Newport in the sixties anyway?
Article comments
1 - Jeremy
FYI Seeger wasn't a "maniac" who tried to cut the cables when Dylan hit the stage. And your comment, I might add, makes it seems like Seeger didn't like Dylan's work. Seeger himself has said that the sound was so loud that it was distorting...that and his father's sensitive ears caused him to say that he WOULD cut the cables if he could...
The face that Springsteen will record a tribute to Pete gets high marks in my book. Without guys like Seeger and Guthrie, there'd be no Springsteen or Dylan. And yes, while it may be true that time may be running out for an E-Street tour, but at least none of its members are in their late 80s. Better to pay tribute to where it all began while we still can.
2 - thrasher
Glen - Bruce without E St Band is like Neil Young without Crazy Horse.
But I do think it's great that Bruce is tapping into Seegar, much as Jay Farrar, Billy Bragg, & Jeff Tweedy have been channeling Woody Guthrie.
So you think the resulting tour would be like Ghost of Tom Joad?
Thrasher
ps - welcome to Blogcritics! We're not really that sinister...
3 - Vern Halen
I saw Bruce on The Rising tour - Clarence didn't look too chipper then either. I think the E Street's days of being inspired Jersey amateurs turned pro are long passed - it was a great show, but I wondered how often (if ever again) would anyone see Bruce call out for "Midnight Hour" or some other spontaneous gesture that would force the band to truly go to the edge and play rock 'n' roll once again as it was meant to be played - as if their collected musical life depended on it.
4 - Ed Renehan
For the record, Pete didn't attempt to cut the cables at Newport. He simply used that rhetoric backstage in making the point that the sound was turned up too high, causing distortion. The song in question was MAGGIE'S FARM, which Pete has said repeatedly happens to be his all-time personal favorite Bob Dylan song. Another point of information: Dylan has only nice things to say about Pete in his CHRONICLES. And thirdly: Pete started using electric instruments on his own Columbia recordings very shortly after Dylan started the trend. Both were proteges of John Hammond Sr. at that label.
5 - Vern Halen
I heard that part of the problem is that many of the boo-birds claim they were booing THE SOUND in retrospect to cover their original lack of good taste. I can't answer for Pete Seeger, but he seems to be an honest person. I read an article on how he tried to get the original writer of Wimoweh his writing credits and royalties - a sad story if you've ever heard it.
6 - Bonita
I hope Bruce will be accorded trust and respect for his choices as we continue to follow his own journey. He knows excellence and integrity when he sees it; Pete is an outstanding example of both, not to mention some pretty good music that will hold up over the ages. Feel-good tours can wait, if he still has 'em in him, and he meanwhile can bring to a bigger demographic the music and ideals of this gentle humanitarian. How can that hurt? And by the way, don't allow false tales to circulate without first directly checking with those who were named in them. You will definitely find Pete to be not a revisionist but scrupulously honest. In this case, it is best to trust the art AND the artist. Bruce fans need not fear being "softened up" by a "folkie". I think they will find that despite the media-driven labels Pete is not any one thing. In fact I think they will find him, the life he has lived, his music and his vast knowledge of music quite revolutionary, yesterday,today and tomorrow.
7 - DJRadiohead
I think the scheduling difficulties with Max, Steve, and Clarence's health not to mention Springsteen's love of this different side of his music mean the end is coming for the E-Street Band. Can't believe I have never gotten to see it. I hope the chance comes one more time but I am not sure.
I love his acoustic work. The thing I am most uneasy about is an album of covers. A folk-y record is fine. One or two Guthrie songs is fine. Springsteen is, in my mind, first and foremost a songwriter. That's what I want regardless of what style he records.
8 - Glen Boyd
100% agreed Radiohead. It's not that he's doing a folk album (although back to back folk records is a first). It's the covers thing. Bruce is, like you said, first and foremost a songwriter...and a great one.
I think we may see one last go round for the E Street band yet though...but it won't be this year. If that happens, RUN, don't walk to the nearest city he plays. There's nothing quite like it, trust me.
By the way, I dig Radiohead a lot too...can't wait for the CD and tour later this year.
-Glen
9 - DJRadiohead
Glen, you're right about him not having gone to the well two times in a row. If I had to venture a guess he decided he'd rather go folk then take half the band out or have a different band (a la "Lucky Town" and "Human Touch"). Plus, he gets distracted. He has, according to legend recited to me by my Springsteen historian friend, finished entire albums only to shelve them and do something different (hence the need for Tracks 2, rumoured to be on the way in the not too distant future). There were rumours at one point he was tracking with the E-Street Band late last year only for this latest bit to hit the airwaves. He could still call an audible at any point.
I won't miss them again. I have to get to one of those shows. And I am looking forward to new Radiohead, too.
10 - Lono
the difference in the addition of the E Street band and their dynamic is the difference in whether I will buy this disc or not. Most likely... not. Too bad, too. The Rising is one of the best discs in my collection.
11 - Zach
Oh no, distortion! Loud noises! Folkies are funny.
12 - Karl
Perhaps heresy spoke here...but E-street lose Max and Clarence? Honestly, they were the weakest part of the band in the Rising show I saw and losing them could be the spark they need.
13 - Scott Butki
Nothing wrong with some Pete Seeger tributes. He's done some amazing work. I'm more of a Woody Guthrie man myself but some say potato, some potatoe.
14 - Scott Butki
But I didn't know that Clarence was ill. What's wrong with him?
15 - David Scanlon
As a longtime springsteen fan,I would en courage Bruce to do one more stadium tour with the estreeters.If what is rumoured about Clarences health and Maxs move to tv is true.The stones are doing a massive tour this year so its time for a big one...David Scanlon,Dingle,Ireland
16 - Able Charlie
You rock Bruce, what a great inspiration. I am so sick of meaningless music. I am so sick of airheads. I am so sick of corparatre music and their censorship of musical guts. Music is part of being alive, alive includes thinking not just atavistic libidinal incontinence, or shopping or even buying cd's. I can't wait for Bruce to tour.
It is my very strong hope that this music engages people, stirs people. Kurt Vonnegut has a character that slaps people and says "You have been ill for a very long time, there is a crisis and we need your help." If that had a back beat and I could dance to it, well it would make my day. Some asses just call out for kicking in 3/4 time.
The roots of citizenship are the roots that Bruce is tapping. It isn't about a style of playing, or a particular sound, it's about remembering, noticing, making connections and taking action. While tapping your foot and being ready to ask someone to dance --of course.
I'm glad he's starting in Europe, America needs real ambasadors right now, but I can't wait for him to get home. Tell a neighbour about this new album, tell everyone.
BTW, Pete Seeger was one of the all time greats, America should have theaters, airports and towns named after him.
17 - Tim
I saw the show in NYC and expecting to see Bruce doing what he does best which is acoustic, but instead I got a combination of River Dance and A PBS fundraising special. Which is real funny because tonight wouldn’t you know I flipped on PBS and there was Bruce dancing in step with his 30 piece band.
I dig Pete Seeger and I dig Woody G. but this was not tribute, it was an indulgence for the big B. What is the world coming to when folk music is a 30 piece band with a brass and string sections.
Perhaps some people want to see Bruce dance with his new friends but I was expecting to hear Bruce play his guitar and hear him sing. You could not hear his voice over this 6 so call back up singers who don't understand the concept of backup singing.
I have not heard played the CD but I've seen the concert and the PBS special and both were contrive and unspontanious.
I'm going to see Dylan in about 4 weeks and I can only hope he leaves the horn section at home and that folk can be performed without the River Dance PBS fundraising production.
Give me Nebraska. Give me my cash back. Give Seeger his songs back.