- 27
- Sep
Now that we've all had a chance to stream Bruce's new one, let's get down to it: There is something Magic about Springsteen when he teams with the E Street Band. There's been plenty of magic when he goes it alone (see Nebraska, etc.), but on the other side of things, for instance, it remains difficult shaking a lackluster, somehow sad performance by Clarence Clemons at a rainy Trenton State Fair ten or so years ago (unless memory's playing tricks, he was wearing a long leather trench coat). The point? Bruce can go it alone just fine, but he's a brilliant director, who gets these players to articulate his vision, bringing out their strengths and helping us forget their weaknesses. Plus, it's always fun watching them interact, lean into each other for a chorus ... just that friendship, and time spent together in the studio and on stages. These guys and gal have been playing together so long, it's fun (and easy) to find the echoes. Pair "Livin' In The Future" with "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out." Here, there's a taste of blood on a tongue, lots of "darlin'," and Clemens's sax solo hits like a gorgeous memory. Same goes for that redolent piano at the beginning of "I'll Work For You Love"...