Month: July 2021

SUMMARY:                   COMBINED RUNNING TIME: 199 Min.

The Essential Bruce Springsteen three-disc set was released on November 11, 2003, by Sony BMG.  The tracks were recorded from 1972-2002. This anthology includes studio recordings, outtakes, live show performances, and covers.

Disc 1 (running time: 76 Min.)

1. Blinded By the Light – Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. 5:04
2. For You – Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. 4:40
3. Spirit in the Night – Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. 5:00
4. 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy) – The Wild, the Innocent, & the E Street Shuffle 5:37
5. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight) – The Wild, the Innocent, & the E Street Shuffle 7:04
6. Thunder Road – Born to Run 4:51
7. Born to Run – Born to Run 4:33
8. Jungleland – Born to Run 9:36
9. Badlands – Darkness on the Edge of Town 4:05
10. Darkness on the Edge of Town – Darkness on the Edge of Town 4:31
11. The Promised Land – Darkness on the Edge of Town 4:31
12. The River – The River 5:01
13. Hungry Heart – The River 3:21
14. Nebraska  – Nebraska 4:30
15. Atlantic City – Nebraska 3:57

Disc 2 (running time: 76 Min.)

1. Born in the U.S.A. – Born in the U.S.A. 4:42
2. Glory Days – Born in the U.S.A. 4:17
3. Dancing in the Dark – Born in the U.S.A. 4:04
4. Tunnel of Love – Tunnel of Love 5:13
5. Brilliant Disguise – Tunnel of Love 4:16
6. Human Touch – Human Touch 6:31
7. Living Proof – Lucky Town 4:48
8. Lucky Town – Lucky Town 3:29
9. Streets of Philadelphia – ‘Philadelphia’ film soundtrack — Greatest Hits (1995) 3:18
10. The Ghost of Tom Joad – The Ghost of Tom Joad 4:24
11. The Rising – The Rising 4:47
12. Mary’s Place – The Rising 6:01
13. Lonesome Day – The Rising 4:05
14. American Skin (41 Shots) – Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band: Live in New York City 7:53
15. Land of Hope and Dreams – Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band: Live in New York City 9:22

Limited Edition Disc 3 (running time: 47 Min.)

1. From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come) 2:42
2. The Big Paycheck 1:59
3. Held Up Without a Gun (Live, December 31st, 1980) 1:21
4. Trapped (Live, August 6th, 1984) We Are the World 5:10
5. None But The Brave 5:35
6. Missing – ‘The Crossing Guard’ film soundtrack 5:04
7. Lift Me Up – ‘Limbo’ film soundtrack 5:16
8. Viva Las Vegas The Last Temptation of Elvis 3:10
9. County Fair 4:51
10. Code of Silence (Live, June 29th, 2000) 4:33
11. Dead Man Walkin’ – ‘Dead Man Walking’ film soundtrack 2:44
12. Countin’ on a Miracle: (acoustic) original – The Rising (note: acoustic version is not 5:01)

The set’s booklet includes lyrics to each song; photos from Springsteen’s career; credits; and an opening message for the listener.

Note: This set was re-released in 2015 with two discs and a new set of songs, but it retains the same title and packaging.

REVIEW:

Disc 1

Disc 1 has almost everything 70s and early-80s Springsteen fans could ask for. Of the fifteen songs chosen for Disc 1, it’s hard to argue that any of them should be taken off.  There are songs about being young and bold like “Born to Run;” in contrast, there’s the despair of the 1970s American landscape heard in Badlands and The Promised Land.   Songs of triumph, songs of letdown — this first disc is what makes Bruce Springsteen “The Boss.”

Disc 2

Disc 2 picks up from where Disc 1 left off, chronicling Springsteen’s career, from his most recognizable work, Born in the U.S.A., through the 1990s, to his reunion with the E Street Band. Much like Disc 1, it’s difficult to argue that any of these songs aren’t among Springsteen’s greatest hits. There’s great variety, too, including songs about growing old to hits like The Rising and Born in the U.S.A. that address American turmoil.  This disc finds an excellent balance between Springsteen’s up-beat 80s tempo to his later, more ominous tone.

Limited Edition Disc 3

Disc 3 is a mix of studio outtakes, covers, and live show performances. Few, if any of these tracks, should be considered part of an “essential” Bruce Springsteen set.  None of the songs are bad.  However, nothing about them is memorable, nor did this anthology need a third disc.

If those involved felt a third disc was necessary, there are notable songs that didn’t make the cut. On the first page of the booklet included in this set, Springsteen remarks, “In any body of work there are obvious high points. The rest depends on who’s doing the listening.”  He then goes on to mention “Grown’ Up,” “Racing in the Street,” “Backstreets,” and “My City of Ruins,” implying that they were considered for the album, but they weren’t some of Springsteen’s personal favorites. Even so, those four tracks and many more could have easily made up a third track worth of greatest hits. 

Ultimately, the first two discs are a Springsteen fan’s dream, but the third disc could be viewed as a letdown.

PACKAGING:

There isn’t anything significantly special with the packaging. Fortunately, the discs aren’t stacked, which may help prevent long-term damage.

ROSCOE’S ODD MOON RATING:                   8 Stars