This is not an album of covers of soul songs. But it’s also an album of covers of soul songs. Bruce Springsteen is a historian of American song, and above all he has an elephant memory. His intention was “to do justice to the Great American Songbook of the 60’s and 70’s”. To do this, he went to Motown and Stax/Volt and sought out songs that, while not obscure, were sometimes little-known.
When you hear this album, you get euphoric
On the other hand, the Walker Brothers’ version of The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore is, of course – very famous. You don’t hear that kind of melodrama, pathos and bravado on the radio anymore. Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe gave the play to the Walker Brothers in 1966. Of course Springsteen can’t sing like Scott Walker – that’s why his version is all the more grandiose.
Jerry Butler, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff are featured on two songs: “Only The Strong Survive” and the even better “Hey, Western Union Man,” a 1968 single by Jerry Butler (and a moderate hit). The songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland makes only one appearance: with “7 Rooms Of Gloom” by the Four Tops, 1967. “I Forgot To Be Your Lover” by Booker T. Jones and “Soul Days” sings Springsteen, one Admirers of the duo Sam & Dave, with Sam Moore. “Nightshift”, a song by the Commodores (after Lionel Richie) from 1985, does not fit into Springsteen’s framework.
But why care him frame? When you listen to this album, you get euphoric about so many fantastic songs that you have never heard. Nothing is known about the authors, and sometimes nothing about the singers either. Springsteen knows. Ron Aniello produced the record and played most of the instruments, the E Street Horns did excellent horn sections, and Rob Mathes did the string arrangements for almost every song. Patti Scialfa and Soozie Tyrell sing in the background choir. So it’s also a family affair, as is so often the case with late Springsteens – but one where the roof takes off.
SIMILAR REVIEWS
Ezra Furman :: “All Of Us Flames”.
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John Mellencamp :: “Strictly A One-Eyed Jack”
Gnarly rock songs with a lot of blues
Kiefer Sutherland :: Bloor Street
Sounds like Springsteen, but doesn’t have his stature
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Upon his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the singer performed “Easy” with the Foo Fighters frontman.
Bruce Springsteen played guitar for Clarence Clemons as he lay dying
The saxophonist from Springsteen’s E Street Band died of a stroke in 2011 at the age of 69.
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