Springsteen's Got Soul !

[Oddly]

So, Bruce Springsteen has announced a new release, a collection of soul classic covers.
To date he's released 2 videos, and I gotta say, I'm impressed.
I'm a little bit disappointed he didn't use the E Street Band, who I'm certain could've handled this music pretty well, but the people he's got do a very fine job.

I know there's a lot of dislike and disdain for The Boss on here, something I've never understood. Personally, I'm a fan, even though I'll admit he's made some choices I disagree with (and please, if you feel moved to comment, let's keep this on the music, eh? I'm well aware of the divisive nature of US politics, and even more aware that dragging that into the thread won't end well.)

Anyways, here's the 2 videos... have a listen and see what ya think.
Naturally, as a bassplayer, I've paid especial attention to the bass parts, and they sure don't disappoint.

 

[Marko 1]

<looks around music room, yep a pic of him>

Does he still do 3-hour non-stop live shows? I like lots of his material.

Got to hand it to him, he's a heck of a performer.

 

[jerry]

Big Bruce fan here! He's always had a soul thread running through his material like Tenth Avenue Freeze Out, Kitty's Back etc. Same with Little Steven who has been releasing soul revue type live albums recently.
When I saw Nightshift on the upcoming release I was wondering if it was the Commodores hit, I've always dug that song and he did a great job on it.

 

[DWBass]

Feels novelty to me. Not really feeling it. The bands are really good though.

 

[Jeremy Crockett]

Nope.

 

[Tom Bomb]

In deed I dude.​

 

[J Wilson]

Bruce is around my age, and you have to remember:

For most of us, before the Beatles, the Stones, then Zeppelin and Humble Pie, and everything else that came along that moved us, before all of that . . . . was Motown, Stax/Volt, and SOUL music. I'd dare say that like me, there's a whole bunch of Detroit and Muscle Shoals and Memphis in his heart, and this is why guys like him, Mike MacDonald, Phil Collins, and more have cut these kinds of remembrance albums, and why a seemingly-obscure movie about the musicians who made the Motown records (Standing in the Shadows) was a relative hit with civilians, not just musicians.

And just like all of those guys back when, he's always featured and leaned on a fabulous road band, his E Street Band, who by turns gives away they grew up listening to it as well, especially when Clarence Clemmons was still around.

But he needs to dress the part . . . . .

 

[Tom Bomb]

And then there's the royalties.​

 

[Lostgallifreyan]

I know there's a lot of dislike and disdain for The Boss on here, something I've never understood.

I used to be wary of him, thought of him as a pompous ass actually, but I didn't know any better. One thing changed my view: I learned he'd co-written Because The Night, with Patti Smith. In that instant he's ok with me, and always will be. It's rare I actually love a song, in some deep way, but that one, I do. There are several reasons for that, not all I understand, but I do so unreservedly.

 

[BigJohnAZ]

Feels novelty to me. Not really feeling it. The bands are really good though.

Looks like he's copying Paul Stanley. Paul's R&B covers album was pretty darn good.

 

[bassist4dalord]

Unashamed huge fan of Bruce. I grew up listening to his music because my Dad is a huge fan. I don’t line up with him politically but I consider Bruce my favorite artist of all time.

I’m excited for the Soul covers and I’ve enjoyed them so far. Don’t hate me, but I might like Bruce’s version of “Nighshift” better than The Commodores’ version

I’ve got tickets to see him in Tulsa in February. I can’t wait! It’ll be my second time; my first was his “Working On A Dream” tour. He’s a fantastic entertainer. I’m reading his autobiography for the second time. I just all-around love the guy’s music and his story.

 

[Killing Floor]

He's pretty good at music, I'm told. Some people call him "The Boss" even though he isn't a manager of a store or department. Must be because he's good at music.

 

[fhm555]

This proves what I've long thought about Bruce. He can be/do anything he wants musically and successfully pull it off. I read one of his bio's and what impressed me most was his work ethic and his ability to deliver. He went into the studio to do an album and after getting it all down, was not liking it. He went home that night and wrote an albums worth of new songs and started over the next day.

 

[tonym]

Great stuff, thanks for posting this.

 

[JimmyM]

Well played, but I’m not a fan of the giant wall of modern production, nor his voice on these songs. Not that it’s bad or anything, but I prefer a little trashy vibe, as well as greatly preferring the original versions.

 

[Confunk]

Reminds me of a guy I worked with once; he became a real good friend.
Only problem was he was a HUGE Springsteen fan (he was from NJ)... and I was not. Still we got along.
He (Bruce) never really pushed my buttons, although I get his vibe & dig his energy and like several of his songs.

I have respect for his tremendous success and the fact that at 73 years, he's still being creative, doing a pretty fair Blue-eye soul track.
You go, Boss!

 

[DWBass]

Looks like he's copying Paul Stanley. Paul's R&B covers album was pretty darn good.

I wasn't feeling that one either. Straight novelty.

 

[DWBass]

I’m excited for the Soul covers and I’ve enjoyed them so far. Don’t hate me, but I might like Bruce’s version of “Nightshift” better than The Commodores’ version

 

[JimmyM]

Not often I agree with Prince, but yeah. I don’t dislike Bruce, but I would take the Commodores any day and twice on Sunday.

 

[JimmyM]

I wasn't feeling that one either. Straight novelty.

Paul at least didn’t go completely overboard with over-production and over-emoting. But while I think their hearts were in the right place by covering some of their R&B favorites, and both of them were way better than Bruce Willis I don’t think any of it even comes close to the original versions.