Listening Party 17 // Bruce Springsteen - Born To Run // Weds 29 March, 8pm UK

stickyfiddle

markv said:

The intro to "Born to Run" isn't just trying to get the spirit of Spector's productions, it's an exact copy. An interesting choice possibly at the time? Since The Crystals weren't exactly serious rock.

Spector wasn't rock (and was certainly a lunatic), but he was responsible for the some of the absolutely best pop records ever produced. Its absolutely valid to have wanted a piece of that absolute joy.

Fuengi

TTony said:

Pause. off.

Needle down! 

stickyfiddle

Fuengi said:

In my view, as good as side 1 is, it is just a precursor to the astonishing brilliance on this 2nd side. 

Its between this and Abbey Road for the greatest ever Side 2 imo. I don't think anything else comes close.

Neilybob

This song holds a special memory for me.  I used to be a drivers mate for my uncle, delivering animal feed with him and this was his favourite song on the CD changer in the truck. Got played several times every Saturday. 

Rip uncle Bill 

markv

For me, the album is very unbalanced because I know "Born to Run" so well and the other tracks so little. I think I'd have to listen to the other tracks more.

Anyway, I'm hearing more dynamics in this track than the others so far. But perhaps that's familiarity.

Apparently they spent 6 months on this track alone

stickyfiddle said:

markv said:

The intro to "Born to Run" isn't just trying to get the spirit of Spector's productions, it's an exact copy. An interesting choice possibly at the time? Since The Crystals weren't exactly serious rock.

Spector wasn't rock (and was certainly a lunatic), but he was responsible for the some of the absolutely best pop records ever produced. Its absolutely valid to have wanted a piece of that absolute joy.

You won't hear me arguing with that. Pop music is my real love!

TTony

What a start.

Fuengi

BTR - Incredible. 

These next three songs are so evocative. 

TTony

markv said:

Apparently they spent 6 months on this track alone

Pah - I've often spent 6mths trying to record something right too.



Not quite had the same effect though ....

Neilybob

Quite a change in tempo 

Fuengi

Meeting Across the River pairs with Atlantic City for me. They are both about a struggling love, the protagonist trying one more time to make a move, both in "business" and romance..Both are open to interpretation on how you think that may go. 

Fuengi

The Rangers had a homecoming.... what a line! 

stickyfiddle

I've always seen She's the One, Meeting.. and Jungleland as featuring the same protagonist. I don't know if that was the intention but it's perfectly evocative

markv

"Meeting Across the River" sounds like a song from a musical. One of those musicals that tells the whole story through singing, where sometimes there's not an obvious verse/chorus structure (or sometimes much of melody).

I know Springsteen's a story teller but unfortunately I really don't get on with those kind of musicals

markv

Enjoying "Jungleland" though!

TTony

markv said:

Enjoying "Jungleland" though!

It's a big track!

digitalkettle

Fuengi said:

TTony said:

Mahavishnu Orchestra IIRC @Fuengi ??

Yep. Interesting to see Simon and Garfunkel in different corners. 

Bookends?

Fuengi

Well, that was epic. 

stickyfiddle

Fuengi said:

Well, that was epic. 

Yep. Just a ridiculously great piece of songwriting and arrangement and performance to finish. 

stickyfiddle

I need to go to bed but that was wonderful. Same time next week?

TTony

Excellent choice Sticky.