Darkness On The Edge Of Town

[Spike-X]

Seems like this classic album is getting a similar 30th Anniversary treatment to the legendary Born To Run.

Although few details have been revealed about Bruce Springsteen's upcoming boxed set commemorating the 30th anniversary of his album Darkness On The Edge Of Town, some solid confirmation has leaked out.

The British Springsteen fan site Stone Pony London (spl-messages.net) quoted noted Springsteen photographer Frank Stefanko, who shot both covers for both Darkness On the Edge Of Town and The River, as saying that he had been interviewed for a Springsteen-produced documentary on the album. Stefanko added that the project will contain live concert footage that will "blow us away," and that the project will be released sometime between "June and December" of this year.

Recorded between June 1977 and April 1978, the album's sessions generated dozens of outtakes, as well as songs that went on to become successful for other artists, including "Fire" for the Pointer Sisters, "Because The Night" for Patti Smith, and "Rendezvous" for Greg Kihn and later Gary "U.S." Bonds.

The recording of Darkness On The Edge Of Town, which was the followup to Springsteen's 1975 album Born To Run, was blocked for a year while Springsteen was in litigation with his former manager and producer Mike Appel. Appel's suit barred Springsteen from recording with future manager and producer Jon Landau.

Springsteen has included the songs from Darkness On The Edge Of Town in his concert setlists far more than any other album, including such songs as the title track, "Badlands," "Candy's Room," Factory," "Racing In The Streets," "The Promised Land," "Adam Raised a Cain," and "Prove It All Night."

Springsteen's 30th anniversary boxed set of Born To Run featured a remastered version of the album, with a CD featuring a miniature reproduction of the album's artwork, a 48-page booklet, the Grammy award winning documentary on the making of the album Wings For Wheels, and a concert DVD Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band /Hammersmith Odeon 1975.

Although there has been no official word on what form the Darkness retrospective will take, there have been rumors that the set will feature a remixed and remastered version of the album, the documentary, and a full concert from Springsteen's 1978 tour, during which a half dozen shows were professionally filmed.

There's been rumours that the concert DVD will be the Phoenix show that the live video for Rosalita was taken from. Whatever concert they use, it's going to be amazing - the Darkness tour is considered by many fans (myself included) to be Springsteen's peak as a live performer.

[howyadoin]

I am beside myself with joy.

[Spike-X]

I thought you might be.

[Ilash]

Cool. I've been meaning to check this album out for ages but I'll probably land up buying the ordinary edition that is out now because I would imagine the deluxe edition will land up being hillariously expensive.

[Spike-X]

When the Born To Run box set came out, it was Aus$50.

As a basis for comparison, full retail price for CDs here is Aus$30, although new releases generally sell for Aus$20. New release DVDs are usually about thirty bucks.

[Ilash]

When the Born To Run box set came out, it was Aus$50.

As a basis for comparison, full retail price for CDs here is Aus$30, although new releases generally sell for Aus$20. New release DVDs are usually about thirty bucks.

Ah well, the difference here was quite a bit bigger. I think the regular edition costs R130 (new releases average out at R150) while the box set cost somewhere in the vicinity of R500.

Of course, the pricing of CDs in this country is insane. I saw Raising Sand by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss at a major music chain here today going for R460. Compare that to the copy I got from Israel which was the equivalent of R120. At the same time, there are tons of good stuff to be found for as little as R80 first hand.

[Spike-X]

Bloody hell. Yeah, that's a huge price disparity there.

Anyway, check out the album. You should be able to find a CD for pretty cheap.

[howyadoin]

Ah well, the difference here was quite a bit bigger. I think the regular edition costs R130 (new releases average out at R150) while the box set cost somewhere in the vicinity of R500.

Of course, the pricing of CDs in this country is insane. I saw Raising Sand by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss at a major music chain here today going for R460. Compare that to the copy I got from Israel which was the equivalent of R120. At the same time, there are tons of good stuff to be found for as little as R80 first hand.Shit, man. You're being robbed.

[Ilash]

Shit, man. You're being robbed.

Yeah, no kidding. Thank goodness for the internet and second hand CD stores.

[howyadoin]

Yeah, no kidding. Thank goodness for the internet and second hand CD stores.I just looked up that R460 amount - roughly 60 bucks Canadian. I've seen Raising Sand here for less than 20.

[Spike-X]

I just looked up that R460 amount - roughly 60 bucks Canadian.

Jesus.

And if he was to, er, obtain it by 'other means', he'd be the bad guy.

[Ilash]

I just looked up that R460 amount - roughly 60 bucks Canadian. I've seen Raising Sand here for less than 20.

Yeah, I must admit, I literally laughed when I saw that. They stick an "imported" sign on the things and then charge whatever they want. Imported. From where? Mars?

And incidentally, how terrific is that album! I never knew that Robert Plant had it in him to lay down vocals that are so beautiful and so restrained. I apologize Mr Plant, it seems like I underestimated you.

[howyadoin]

And incidentally, how terrific is that album! I never knew that Robert Plant had it in him to lay down vocals that are so beautiful and so restrained. I apologize Mr Plant, it seems like I underestimated you.It's pretty damn spectacular, that's what it is.

Incidentally, have you heard his Dreamland CD?

[Ilash]

It's pretty damn spectacular, that's what it is.

Incidentally, have you heard his Dreamland CD?

No, I haven't. Is it also good?

[Spike-X]

I never knew that Robert Plant had it in him to lay down vocals that are so beautiful and so restrained. I apologize Mr Plant, it seems like I underestimated you.

Have you heard his version of Tim Buckley's Song to The Siren?

If not, you need to.

[Ilash]

Jesus.

And if he was to, er, obtain it by 'other means', he'd be the bad guy.

Yeah, I know. I think CDs are generally overpriced at the best of times but these prices are, or at least should be, criminal.

[howyadoin]

No, I haven't. Is it also good?Very much so. And also fairly low-key, in a good way.

[Ilash]

Have you heard his version of Tim Buckley's Song to The Siren?

If not, you need to.

Cool. On which album could I find it?

[Spike-X]

Cool. On which album could I find it?
The copy I have is from the Moonlight Mile soundtrack.

[Spike-X]

Now can we get back to talking about the awesomeness that is the Darkness On The Edge Of Town album and tour?!?!

[mattx110]

I am beside myself with joy.
So you are one of three people on a couch. One is a girl and the other looks like you?

That's so deep. How come Springstreet never thought of that??

[howyadoin]

So you are one of three people on a couch. One is a girl and the other looks like you?

That's so deep. How come Springstreet never thought of that??Sorry, buddy. You completely lost me there.

[Ilash]

Now can we get back to talking about the awesomeness that is the Darkness On The Edge Of Town album and tour?!?!

Heh, yeah, sorry for derailing the thread. I do have a question about the subject at hand though: I have generally had trouble really getting into Springsteen even though I really love The Rising overall, would Darkness at the Edge of Town be a good place to start getting better acquainted with his music? If not, what would be a better starting point?

[Spike-X]

Darkness is as good a place as any. Born To Run would also be good.

Darkness is, as Bruce puts it, a look at what happens to the characters (broadly speaking - neither album is a 'concept album' or anything like that) from Born To Run once they stop running.

[mattx110]

Sorry, buddy. You completely lost me there.
:o ;) ;)


You're in the middle (and blue!), Yourself is on your left. Joy is on your right (and pink!).

You are beside Yourself, with Joy.



edit: this reminds me of the star trek episode where Picard had to communicate with the alien captian who spoke in metaphor.

[Spike-X]

So...Bruce and the band played the entire album live the other night, start to finish, at a benefit to restore the Count Basie Theatre in NJ. Pure speculation on my part, but I'm assuming they recorded the whole show, and the anniversary is coming up...hmm!!!

Here's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmVwO7yfIyI) a few clips of the show.

[Spike-X]

Holy Crap! They also played Born To Run start to finish straight afterwards!!! Even brought out the Max Weinberg Seven Miami Horns Of Love for Tenth Avenue Freeze Out!

[howyadoin]

Is it just me, or is the video chopped up into random bits?

[Spike-X]

It's not just you.

[leonaozaki]

Heh, yeah, sorry for derailing the thread. I do have a question about the subject at hand though: I have generally had trouble really getting into Springsteen even though I really love The Rising overall, would Darkness at the Edge of Town be a good place to start getting better acquainted with his music? If not, what would be a better starting point?

I don't know if Darkness is really a good starting place for someone who doesn't like the song "Born to Run." (I kind of remember that you don't. I'm sorry if I'm wrong.)

Darkness is very, well, dark-- both in lyrics and production-- and while it's one of my favorite Springsteen albums I didn't have to be convinced.

I would try Born to Run, or Born in the U.S.A., or even Tunnel of Love, and then branch out from there.

Actually, I know I'm gonna get stomped on for this, but if you like early 70's rock the way I think you do (and again, apologies for the assumption if it is incorrect) you might really enjoy his first two albums, Greetings from Asbury Park and The Wild, The Innocent and the E Street Shuffle.

rob

[Spike-X]

Here's a bootleg of Prove It All Night from Phoenix '78 - the show that's rumoured to be part of the 30th Anniversary package.

[Spike-X]

It looked like this wasn't coming out after all, but according to Landau it's still being worked on. Apparently they need another six weeks to finish up the live video.

So at least there'll be one Springsteen release this year that doesn't suck.


And I just realised I didn't actually include a link to the video I was talking about in my last post, so here it is (http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=eGMPNGCrn5A).

[howyadoin]

It looked like this wasn't coming out after all, but according to Landau it's still being worked on. Apparently they need another six weeks to finish up the live video.I waited this long; I think I can wait a few more weeks.

[Ilash]

I just got this album a week or two ago. And... I still haven't gotten into it. Actually the first time round I couldn't get past track four I hated it so much. I've given it a listen to a few more times since then and I do like it more but eh, I don't know. My main problem is that I absolutely HATE Springsteen's singing here. I mean really, really hate it. Apparently the lyrics to this album are really impressive but you wouldn't know it if you didn't have the lyric sheet handy because I cannot make heads or tails of the lyrics of the faster songs here. Add to the incomprehesibility an unhealthy dose of obnoxious bravado (again particularly on the faster numbers) and his vocals become a total turn off for me.

As it stands right now then, I quite like some of the slower songs with their more noticable melodies, better singing and less over the top arrangements but the faster stuff seriously doesn't impress.

[Serik]

I was the same way when I first heard Darkness. Apparently Bruce wasn't satisfied with the production, believing he over-sang and the band underplayed.

But then I heard the bootlegs and everything changed. Search around YouTube for "Prove it All Night" with the screeching guitar solos, or "Racing in the Street" with the extended outro. "The Promised Land" with two different harmonicas is pretty cool, too.

After listening to the boots, I must say it's his finest album. The studio recordings don't do the songs justice.

[Spike-X]

I waited this long; I think I can wait a few more weeks.

Looks like it might be a few more weeks still:

“The Darkness box set is 93 percent done,” (Jon Landau) tells Rolling Stone. “It’s absolutely fantastic and there are just some finishing touches that we need to turn our attention to and finalize and we’ll get it out there.”

It's gonna be the 35th Anniversary Edition at this rate!

[Spike-X]

I was the same way when I first heard Darkness. Apparently Bruce wasn't satisfied with the production, believing he over-sang and the band underplayed.

But then I heard the bootlegs and everything changed. Search around YouTube for "Prove it All Night" with the screeching guitar solos, or "Racing in the Street" with the extended outro. "The Promised Land" with two different harmonicas is pretty cool, too.

After listening to the boots, I must say it's his finest album. The studio recordings don't do the songs justice.

My first 'proper' bootleg was a tape of a tape (of a tape of a...) called Piece de Resistance, which was taken from one of the five full show radio broadcasts (collect the whole set!) the band did in 1978. Hearing that show turned me from a fan into A FAN.

[Spike-X]

Now we know why the Darkness box set is taking so long:

"DARKNESS SEES THE LIGHT": PLANS REVEALED FOR REISSUE BOX
In 2008, the 30th anniversary of Darkness on the Edge of Town came and went without a Born to Run-style anniversary box. Fans have been crying, waiting, and hoping since then... but the wait is almost over. In early June, the 32nd anniversary of the release of the original album, we'll see the release of Darkness on the Edge of Town: Special Anniversary Edition.

Or should we say Editions? Following the lead of Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails, and Barry Manilow, Springsteen and Sony are releasing the Darkness box in several configurations. The basic set echoes the format of the 6x12 Born to Run box:

* Disc 1: remastered Darkness on the Edge of Town CD
* Disc 2: DVD documentary, Straight Into Darkness, on the making of the album, including interviews with band members, staff of the Record Plant, and cover photographer Frank Stefanko
* Discs 3-4: DVD of the August 15, 1978 show at Largo, Maryland (22
songs, starting with "Summertime Blues")

Not enough for you? You might want the Expanded Anniversary Edition, which also includes:

* Disc 5: CD of 13 outtakes from the Darkness sessions, none of which have been previously released, including "Preacher's Daughter," "Spanish Eyes," a studio take of "Fire," and a full band "The Promise"
* Disc 6: Darkness Bloopers DVD, two hours of mistakes committed during the 1978 tour. Wait until you see Roy start "Streets of Fire" instead of "Fire." Watch Bruce switch the second and third verses of "Rosalita." Includes bonus mistakes from when the band played the album in full for the first time at the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank.

But wait, there's more. Much more. In the Special Radio Broadcasts Edition, you also get full performances of four FM simulcasts from the 1978 tour:

* Discs 7-9: Los Angeles (the famous July 7 Roxy show; kicks off with "Rave On," includes an impromptu "Heartbreak Hotel")
* Discs 10-12: Passaic (September 19, 1978; widely bootlegged as Piece de Resistance, features a wild "Kitty's Back")
* Discs 13-15: Atlanta (September 30 show, with "Night Train")
* Discs 16-18: San Francisco (you may know this December 15 Winterland show, with an outstanding "Fever," as Live in the Promised Land)

Each three-disc show is housed in gatefold digipacks with pull-out replicas of ticket stubs, advertisements for the shows, backstage passes, and hand-written setlists. The Passaic packaging also includes a map of the New Jersey Turnpike.

Still got room on your shelf? Try the Special Radio Broadcasts Video Edition.

* Discs 19-20: DVDs of the Los Angeles show
* Discs 21-22: DVDs of the Passaic show
* Discs 23-24: DVDs of the Atlanta show
* Discs 25-26: DVDs of the San Francisco show

All the DVDs in this edition were supervised by Martin Scorsese, Brian
DePalma, Jonathan Demme, and John Sayles.

You've waited a long time, so you want more. You can get more in the Special Documentary Edition:

* Disc 27: DVD documentary, The Making of Straight into Darkness, on the making of the documentary about the making of Darkness.
* Disc 28: a blank DVD, included to balance the package and keep it from
falling over

There's also a Special Complete Edition:

* Discs 29-176: complete session takes from the many months in the studio the E Street Band took to make Darkness. Highlights include a CD with 43 different versions of "Candy's Room" (including aborted takes!), Springsteen and Landau talking for 56 minutes about the sequencing of Side Two of the original LP (you'll never hear the space between "Factory" and "Streets of Fire" the same way again), and a bonus disc in which band members give roadies orders for the deli around the corner from the Record Plant. You've never heard an order for a roast beef sandwich until you've heard one from The Big Man.

And finally, there's the Special Complete Edition, Delivered: no new music or footage that isn't in the 176-disc edition, but the Delivered edition is just what the title promises: Jon Landau delivers the set to your house personally. (You get to keep the hand truck!) He also delivers Dave Marsh, who sits with you as you make your way through the box set and comments throughout. It is the ultimate fan experience, like having a Sirius studio in your own home.

Prices and packaging are still being worked out. Watch this space for more details as they come in.
- April 1, 2010

[Spike-X]

It looks like we might be getting it at last, just in time for the 32nd anniversary!

Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau Management, and Columbia Records are working on completing a new package related to 'Darkness on the Edge of Town,' which will include the new Thom Zimny film "The Promise: The Making of Darkness On The Edge Of Town." Further details will be announced when they are finalized.

"The Promise: The Making of Darkness On The Edge Of Town" will premier September 14 at the Toronto International Film Festival. Springsteen will visit Toronto for a discussion with actor Edward Norton about the film.

[the4thpip]

Really, really love that album. So many good tracks on there.

I discovered it in the mid 80s when my brother turned into the Springsteen fanatic he still is today (39 concert visits and counting), and I must say I quite crushed on the Boss due to that cover photo.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/415wDcfkvXL._SS400_.jpg

[Spike-X]

"We're doing a little bit of fixes on some Darkness on the Edge of Town outtakes, which is going to be a really fun reissue coming for Christmas," E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt recently said, adding that the reissue will likely feature at least 10 outtakes from the Darkness sessions. "We put 10 or so outtakes on the [1998] Tracks box set and we [have since] found 10 more. I'm not sure how many we'll put on there. We'll go back and he might finish a lyric on one or two, or finish a harmony on one or two, but we'll keep them intact pretty much."

Niiiiice. There's roughly 1992 Darkness outtakes that have yet to officially see the light of day.

[Spike-X]

As announced in the Classic Rock thread, it's finally being released (http://www.shorefire.com/index.php?a=pressrelease&o=4215):

Columbia Records will release Bruce Springsteen's 'The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story' on Nov 16. The Deluxe Package comprises over six hours of film and more than two hours of audio across 3 CDs and 3 DVDs. The media contents are packaged within an 80-page notebook containing facsimiles from Springsteen's original notebooks from the recording sessions, which include alternate lyrics, song ideas, recording details, and personal notes in addition to a new essay by Springsteen and never-before-seen photographs. Containing a wealth of previously unreleased material, 'The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story' offers an unprecedented look into Springsteen's creative process during a defining moment in his career. 'The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story' will additionally be released as a 3CD/3 Blu Ray disc set.

[Serik]

My mom gave me $50 on my 16th or 17th birthday; I decided to blow the money on a bunch of rock albums, one of them being Darkness on the Edge of Town.

I didn't even make it halfway through the album before deciding most of it was rubbish. "You can't understand a single damn thing he's saying!"

Well I eventually came around once I heard the songs on various bootlegs from the Darkness Tour. Springsteen's screaming guitar intro on "Prove it All Night" blew me away -- I had no idea the guy behind synth stuff like "Born in the USA" was such an accomplished guitarist. And "Badlands" is the ultimate concert song.

I later learned that Springsteen was unsatisfied with how the record turned out, remarking that he oversang and the band underplayed. That's why I'm not surprised they're including what amounts to a re-recording of the album in 2009: just the band playing without an audience in Asbury Park. His present voice really suits the songs.

[Spike-X]

I later learned that Springsteen was unsatisfied with how the record turned out, remarking that he oversang and the band underplayed. That's why I'm not surprised they're including what amounts to a re-recording of the album in 2009: just the band playing without an audience in Asbury Park. His present voice really suits the songs.

I'm looking forward to hearing that. I didn't even know they'd done it.

I was hoping for a DVD of when they played the entire album (with an audience!) at the Count Basie Theater a while back, but I guess that wasn't to be.

[Spike-X]

Look at the packaging for this set -

http://www.backstreets.com/Assets/Images/2010/newsDarknessBox.jpg

Just look at it.

[berk]

I remember buying the original when it came out and I still think it's one of his best albums. Very interesting to hear about his dissatisfaction with the vocals, as I do think that that was one of the few weak points of the record - his scream was a little strident at times.

[leonaozaki]

I love, love, love this record. I will definitely be buying the 2-CD set, although the big set is of course very tempting.

[Spike-X]

Dude, you need the deluxe set. Especially if you don't have any audio/video from the Darkness tour.

BELIEVE ME.

[howyadoin]

Look at the packaging for this set -

http://www.backstreets.com/Assets/Images/2010/newsDarknessBox.jpg

Just look at it.A client of mine owes me almost 4 grand at the moment.

Still, I wish it were the same proportions as the Born to Run box.

[the4thpip]

My brother called me about it last night in a state of total fangasm.

[Spike-X]

This Houston show that's going to be on the DVD looks amazing (setlist-wise). You''ll be out of breath and drenched with sweat by the end.

BELIEVE ME.

[Spike-X]

Here's (http://vimeo.com/14453246) a small preview of The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story.

[the4thpip]

My brother took Nov. 12th off work and will get a text message from the store soon as the box arrives. He intends to devote the day to taking in all the material. I'm invited to join him after I get off work.

[Spike-X]

There's going to be a cinema screening of the documentary in Melbourne in a couple of weeks. Tickets have been on sale all week. 21 sold so far.

Fatman, Mr Promise and the other 19 peeps are gonna have plenty of room to stretch out, it looks like.

[Spike-X]

Oh, man. Check out Candy's Room (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb5dtn9tVpU) from the Paramount Theatre "whole album live" disc. Can't wait to see the rest of the album done like this.

Also, good to see they've kept it to the members who actually played on the album (with the necessary substitution of Charles Giordano for the late Danny Federici, of course), and not made it an overblown, muddy mess by adding Nils (awesome though he is) and Patti and Soozi and Sam and Evan and the guy who grooms Jessica's horse on guitars and backing vocals.

[howyadoin]

Oh, man. Check out Candy's Room (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb5dtn9tVpU) from the Paramount Theatre "whole album live" disc. Can't wait to see the rest of the album done like this.Caught that one earlier today. I think it might actually be better than the original.

Love the way it ends.

[Spike-X]

Because The Night (http://www.spinnermusic.co.uk/2010/11/10/bruce-springsteen-because-the-night-live-video/) from the Houston '78 live DVD.

[the4thpip]

Today's the day!

[Spike-X]

Damn, I don't think we're getting it until next week.

Hopefully I'm wrong.

[Spike-X]

There's some great stuff over at Backstreets.com (http://www.backstreets.com/news.html), including a video of a complete studio take of The Promise (with very rough-sounding guide vocals by Bruce), and audience-shot video of a recent live performance of Darkness outtake Save My Love with Bruce and Joe Grushecky & The Houserockers.

[the4thpip]

Just came home from participating in the DOTEOT festivities at my brother's house.

The box is a thing of beauty. Just the design should win awards. And the songs I got to hear were awesome, and the documentary made me tear up a few times.

There are a few songs on that album that meant a lot to me when I was 15 or so, and to see how they were created, how much love and sweat and exhaustion went into them... it's very emotional.

[Spike-X]

Looks like I'll need to have the tissues ready for more than one reason, then.

[Spike-X]

Streets Of Fire (http://www.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoId=107015620) '09.

[howyadoin]

Streets Of Fire (http://www.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoId=107015620) '09.He kinda looks like the Hulk around the 2:00 mark.

[Serik]

From the various blogs and posts I've read around the 'net, it seems like more people are excited about the 2009 performance than the Houston '78 show. I guess it's because Bruce fans have already seen Passaic, etc. 1000s of times. Plus it's the first performance by the stripped-down E Street Band in, what, over 20 years?

Here's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3cA9LXs_BU) the performance of "Darkness on the Edge of Town" from Asbury Park in '09 that plays over the documentary credits.

One of my favorite aspects of this project is Eric Meola's photographs of Springsteen in the Nevada desert. I've taken countless road trips through that state; Meola captures everything I love about the high desert landscapes of Basin & Range country.

http://cdn.mos.musicradar.com/images/artist-news/bruce-springsteen/springsteen-the-promise-cut-530-85.jpg

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/9123/desertov.jpg

(Still from the official "Save my Love" music video.)

[Spike-X]

From the various blogs and posts I've read around the 'net, it seems like more people are excited about the 2009 performance than the Houston '78 show. I guess it's because Bruce fans have already seen Passaic, etc. 1000s of times. Plus it's the first performance by the stripped-down E Street Band in, what, over 20 years?


Yeah, I think I'd count myself in that camp. Although I'm dying to watch all 3 DVDs, that's the one I'll probably watch last, just because, like you said, I'm lucky enough to have already seen a couple of full shows on video from that tour.

Of course if I hadn't, I'd probably need to have some tissues at the ready. Because a full show from 1978 on video is nothing to be sneezed at, BELIEVE ME.

I reckon I'll probably watch the Paramount '09 DVD first, then the documentary. I dunno, we're spoiled for choice with this set. As brilliant as the Born To Run box set was and is, the Darkness package makes it look positively anemic in comparison. It makes me wonder what they're gonna do for the The River - get the band to come play at your house?

[the4thpip]

I have a love/hate relationship with the River. On the one hand, it was the album that made me a fan, on the other hand, it has a bit of filler that's sometimes almost painful to listen to ("Little Girl I Wanna Marry You") - and when you watch the Darkness documentary and see the Springsteen work process, you really can't fathom how there could ever be filler on a Springsteen set.

In lighter news, has anyone ever noticed how many Springsteen song titles would make great Lovecraft short story titles?

"Spirit in the Night"

"Badlands"

"Hungry Heart"

"The River"

"Darkness on the Edge of Town"

"The Rising"

"Spare Parts"

"Secret Garden"

"Devils & Dust"

"Mansion on the Hill"

"My Father's House"

"Book of Dreams"

[Spike-X]

I have a love/hate relationship with the River.

Don't even get me started. I'm A Rocker had to be on there, but not Roulette or Loose Ends? Jaysus.

[howyadoin]

Don't even get me started. I'm A Rocker had to be on there...Hey, it's better than "Drive All Night".

[Spike-X]

Oh, nearly forgot - Bruce and the band are going to be performing on Jimmy Fallon tonight. Apparently they have "something special" planned.

[Spike-X]

Correction - it won't be the full band. Bruce, Stevie and Roy will be performing with The Roots.

Perhaps we'll get that long-awaited hip-hop version of 57 Channels?

[Spike-X]

Well, this was odd (http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/blogs/2010/11/neil-young-and-bruce-springsteen-whip-my-hair/)...

[the4thpip]

You got it yet, Spike?

[Spike-X]

No, there's been delays here with the Blu-Ray version. I have one on hold when it does come in, though.

[Spike-X]

It's in! It's in! It's in!

Picking it up tomorrow night.

[howyadoin]

Well, this was odd (http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/blogs/2010/11/neil-young-and-bruce-springsteen-whip-my-hair/)...I saw one entertainment blog report on that and shit on the Boss for wearing a hat that's out of style.

Fucking idiots.

[Spike-X]

I saw one entertainment blog report on that and shit on the Boss for wearing a hat that's out of style.

Fucking idiots.
Granted, it was probably out of style when he wore it during his legendary run of shows at the Bottom Line in 1975, too.

Still, as you said...fucking idiots.

[Spike-X]

Finally got it!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v235/Spike-X/awy01.jpg

The presentation is amazing. It really does feel like you're flipping through greaser's actual notebook, the box is sturdy as hell, and it's an all-around first class presentation.

I've watched all of the Paramount Theater '09 video so far. Amazing stuff. The preview clips I posted earlier don't do it justice; the lighting is done in such a way that it looks like they're all being bathed in gold, or something. I'm not 100% happy with the mix, though; Roy's piano is buried too far back in spots, while some guitar parts that should have been in the background are pushed right up. But that's just nitpicking.

I'm looking forward to having the time to sit down and listen to the remastered original album. Then the documentary, then the concert DVD. Suppose I should listen to the outtakes as well, at some stage.

Augh! There's just so much stuff!

[the4thpip]

Yay, you finally got it! :biggrin: