The Afterword

Musings on the byways of popular culture

Menu

Navigation

You are here: Home / Nights In / Bruce Springsteen – Tracks II: The Lost Albums

Bruce Springsteen – Tracks II: The Lost Albums

by 37 Comments

What does it sound like?:

What do you think of when you think of Bruce Springsteen? A guy with a headband roaring “patriotic anthems” (sic)? This is or was the cliché, mostly welded into place by his enormous success in the mid 80s with the massive selling Born in the USA album. To some extent this incarnation still exists particularly on stage with the E Street Band. But take a look at the studio albums that preceded and succeeded that massive commercial breakthrough, Nebraska is probably one of the bleakest, most uncommercial albums ever released by a major artist, then Tunnel of Love was another low key mainly solo effort that partially details the story of an unhappy relationship, what he was going through at the time. So there are multiple sides to his art, and he has proved to be much more versatile throughout his career than perhaps many casual fans or non fans realise.

After Tunnel of Love and something of a tabloid scandal, he started a family with new wife Patti, and released very little in the 90s, 3 studio albums (2 with a new band and another mainly solo effort), there was also a brief reunion with the E Street band in the middle of the decade for a few tracks for the Greatest Hits album. We also got his biggest ever UK hit with the brilliant Streets of Philadelphia from the Philadelphia film (no.2 pop pickers). Another album’s worth of 90s material appeared on Tracks 1. He was apparently much more prolific in the 2000s, but still much remained unreleased. Tracks II mainly covers the period from the mid 90s to relatively recent times, however one release from the Born in the USA sessions in the 80s is also included.

7 (SEVEN!) unreleased “lost” albums. Some sound more finished than others, but a ridiculous amount of material to get through in a fairly short time. I did my best. I didn’t listen to everything 6 times but some albums got multiple listens. A lot of other reviews have come out in the last few days, but I have resisted reading them. All ratings are provisional, I may revisit them at some point.

So overall 7 “lost” albums, in pretty much 7 different styles. A wealth of material here that’s going to take weeks or months to get a full handle on especially lyrically. Bruce has always been very careful about what he releases throughout his career, but it’s pretty incredible that this stuff just sat on the shelf, in some cases for decades. It seems to me that unlike some of his archive projects he has resisted the temptation to re-record any vocals he wasn’t happy with, a good thing I think. Not sure I would pay $300 for it, even with a beautiful book, box. marbles etc but I would certainly pick up some or all of these albums on vinyl were they to be released separately (I have pre-ordered the full set through iTunes). And the price of the box set will almost certainly come down. Oh and apparently Tracks 3 is ready to go. Another 5 albums!!

See comments for individual album reviews, the recording dates are rough estimates and sometimes there were overdubs or re-recordings a decade or more later.

What does it all *mean*?

Goes well with…

Release Date:

June 27

Might suit people who like…

Bruce Springsteen

8

Comments

  1. L.A. Garage Sessions 1983

    The Nebraska/Born in the USA period may be considered to be his manic, most prolific songwriting peak (at least until this set was announced). After the Nebraska release in 1982 there were numerous sessions and it is estimated that 90 songs were recorded either solo or with the E Street Band. At the time, 12 came out on Born in the USA album, another 20 were subsequently released as B sides, on the first Tracks set and a few on “The Essential Bruce Springsteen” bonus disc. So that still leaves up to 58 tracks and 18 are included here, these mainly stem from solo early 83 recordings at his home studio in L.A., looks like some overdubs were added later. These have been fairly readily available on bootlegs for some itme. 4 of those included are familiar to die hards, Shut Out the Light (here in a longer version), which was a B side and also appeared on Tracks 1, Johnny Bye Bye (Another B side and Tracks 1), County Fair (The Essential) and a different (better?) version of My Hometown which ended up on Born in the USA. Follow that Dream is an Elvis cover that was significantly re-written and played live quite a bit in the 80s. This album is relatively low-fi and seems less likely to have been ever really considered as standalone release as the songs are here presented. Perhaps will stand up less to repeated listening, but the songwriting is of course top notch and there are some decent performances, other standouts for me being the superb Sugarland, Fugitive’s Dream and One Love. Also contains the notorious The Klansman (8/10)

    Streets of Philadelphia Sessions (mid 90s)

    A strange title for what sounds like a completely finished album (that doesn’t include the big hit). The legend with this one was that it was his “hip hop” or “relatiionship” album, it’s not really hip hop, but it contains backing tracks built up from percussive loops and keyboards with some excellent guitar on top presumably played by Bruce. His voice is in it’s “twang” phase that may not be to everybody’s taste. There is some great songwriting here, Something in the Well has a nice tune, but displays an overall feeling of dread, The Little Things is a haunting ballad that reminds me a little of Reno from Devils and Dust, Blind Spot is the closest to hip hop with some shouted vocals. One Beautiful Morning has a chiming guitar, this would be great live. Secret Garden was later recorded with the E St Band, doesn’t sound too different, but misses Clarence’s lovely sax solo. Overall it’s a very good listen, but perhaps not a complete success (7/10)

    Faithless (mid 2000s)

    This was apparently a soundtrack to an unmade “spiritual Western” film, an alternative view is this is Bruce’s gospel album, very atmospheric and probably best to listen to all at once. It includes a few shortish instrumentals which are pretty unique in his career (I only know one other previously). Standouts for me were Where You Goin’, Where You From and the title track. God Sent You is almost a hymn and Bruce channels Tom Waits on All God’s Children. Have listened to this album the least, but I look forward to many more listens. (8/10)

    Somewhere North of Nashville (mainly 90s)

    How to classify this? Country swing? Some songs may sound somewhat unfinished but it’s a really fun listen. Great band, would be a wonderful gig to attend. It contains remakes of 2 mid 80s B sides, Stand On It and Janey don’t You Lose Heart, a different version of the title track was released on Western Stars. Repo Man and Delivery Man are basically the same song, Silver Mountain sounds a bit like Steve Earle and You’re gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone is a beautiful ballad. I really liked this album, dancing shoes required (8/10)

    Inyo (mainly mid 90s)

    This could have been the follow up to The Ghost of Tom Joad containing songs very much in the same style, also comes across as a fully realised album, a lot of words to get through and some beautiful arrangements sometimes including a mariachi band whose contributions were apparently added much later. Adelita was already released as a taster single and is a standout, Bruce croons very nicely on The Lost Charro, there is unbelievable pain in Ciudad Juarez and When I Build My Beautiful House is a perfect coda, one of the best songs on the whole set. Some tough listening at times, but I may end up preferring this album to The Ghost of Tom Joad (7/10)

    Twilight Hours (ca 2010?)

    Some similarity to Western Stars here, but perhaps even more of a Jimmy Webb/Sinatra feel (think Watertown), broken hearted, wide screen cinematic songs where he really pushes himself vocally. Glorious arrangements. I am already on record about loving Sunday Love. Lonely Town may sum up this album the best, an epic with lyrics like “Welcome to Lonely town, if love has let you down … “, High Sierra is another epic and Dinner at Eight appears to be fantasy about striving for a normal life when in a bad place. This is a superb album, perhaps the pick of the bumch (9/10)

    Perfect World (2010s to 2020s?)

    Sounds the most traditional of the seemingly complete albums. Has more of an E Street flavour, and some members play on it. Several of these tracks are collaborations with Joe Gruschecky, one of which Another Thin Line was previously released. Perhaps overall lyrically a little less inspired, Rain in the River came out aa he first taster and has proved to be a grower for me, so that may also apply to other offerings here. The title track is a beautiful ballad (6/10)

    Roll on Tracks 3!

    • An excellent overview of Tracks II @dai. I would have liked a physical copy but the boxset is ridiculously overpriced at present so the Lost & Found sampler will be plopping on my doormat later today. I’m looking forward to listening to the whole thing.

      • Thanks. Was looking forward to the same plopping sound (or a vinyl one), but Amazon cancelled my order for some spurious reason. I am livid.

  6. Thanks for this dedication to duty. Your review is the first I have read to point out it isn’t all perfectly realised and fit for consumption: the levels of adulation in the press have had me counting my brownie points and considering it worthy a punt. I now feel relieved I didn’t cave in for the £40 a cd set. Sure, I still “want” it, but rather less. Not much a fan of 2000s Bruce, but I like quiet Bruce and stripped back Bruce. And the country Bruce sounds a hoot. So maybe some cherrypicking will suffice, which I can rip to my own selection.

      • I agree that he released inferior albums in a number of cases. Musicians are often poor judges of their own material. Some think The Promise is up there with his greatest songs. He didn’t put it out until 18 Tracks in the late 90s and that was an inferior version

        • I wonder, Dai, if this is a myth. It’s a kind of popular myth brought on by Dylan’s bootlegs. I have heard absolutely nothing from Tracks II and I liked Tracks I . But I didn’t think there was much on that 4 CD box that really was better than what he released. I think The River is bloated but actually I always enjoy it when I take the trouble – even Jackson Cage. But my point really is that because only long term artists and those who take the trouble to curate this alternative path offer any insight into ‘the artist’s judgement’. In fact, most of the time, the artist makes good judgements even when they release songs – they put them in an order – best song first. Usually correct. Tiny sample size is also what I am asking about.

          • I agree with this assessment. I love Tracks 1. Darkness is my absolute favourite Bruce and many of the Tracks songs could have been on it. However, he made all the right choices.

            The Beatles, Stones and Joni archives have been great but I wouldn’t exchange any tracks for the as released studio albums.

            Boxes like these should be enjoyed in their own right, IMV, and coulda, shoulda, woulda regarded as just a bit of fun.

            • There was only 1 outtake from Darkness on Tracks, The Iceman, many more on The Promise. I agree that album is pretty much perfect as it was, as are the 2 that preceded it. When you get to The River and Born in the USA eras then there are lots of options. Are Roulette and Restless Nights better than Crush on You or You Can Look? Of course they are. Could My Love Will Not Let Me Down or None But the Brave have found a place on Born in the USA? Possibly.

              But more specifically I think there are albums in this set that are superior to officially released albums like Working on a Dream, High Hopes and the covers albums. He just didn’t want to release them. If we look at the post 1990 then I think The Rising and Magic are peerless, Western Stars is wonderful, but otherwise the waters are a lot muddier. I think Tracks II is a different beast to Tracks (which I love)

              • Yeah – Inyo makes your case for this but I am oddly pleased to have waited – I think its extraordinary. Twilight Hours… just don’t know how he can write so much great stuff. I wonder what he does next in terms of an album.

    • @retropath2 should be able to get it for circa £30 per cd
      Still overpriced for sure but no-one is commenting much on the book which I guess is what bumped the price up. I thought about it for a long time but finally took the plunge .
      It’s Bruce and I didn’t want to wait for the price to come down just in case it doesn’t.

  11. Great review Dai. I have drawn the line at buying this because of the cost and haven’t had a listen on streaming yet, but will do. Suspect it’s maybe one to take an album at a time? To be honest I am still working out what I think of Letter to You. When it came out it felt pretty substandard, especially compared to Western Stars, and I have barely played it since. But I have given a couple of listens since the Manchester concerts and it actually sounds pretty good. Not sure there’s any rehabilitation for the covers album though….

  12. Having created playlists of each individual album and listened twice to all seven, I’m mightily impressed. Least immediate is probably Faithless, but I really liked the Streets of Philadelphia Sessions, Inyo and Perfect World. Somewhere North of Nashville and Twilight Hours didn’t grab me on the first listen but I ended up thoroughly enjoying them both. I read an online review which proposed that there isn’t a duff track amongst all 83. There might be a touch of hyperbole there, but for goodness sake it’s not that wide of the mark.

  13. Heads up that it seems prices already beginning to come down, vinyl set dropped $50 overnight on Amazon Canada and I think a similar drop in the US.

    • Pretty sure the CD set was selling for E219 on Amazon Germany yesterday..
      E30 per CD still sounds like a lot of money, regardless of how nice the book is

      Got the Lost and Found single-CD sampler – not too shabby

      • The CD set is clearly overpriced and the box seems to have been designed with mainly vinyl in mind. I won’t buy the CD set, but may spring for the vinyl if it gets to about $300 CAD which is less than 200 quid after tax is addded. About the going rate these days for 9 slabs of vinyl (2 double albums) plus book, box etc. It’s currently $424 (=228 quid, but add 13% tax)

  14. I just took delivery of my cd box. Have to say the packaging is a pile of garbage – a box within a box within another box. Totally unnecessary – no wonder the pricing is so high, we are pyi9ng for crap that is neither necessary nor desirable.
    Only had a quick flick through the book thus far but my impression it is fairly slight.
    Hopefully the music makes up for it – just listening to LA Garage sessions and Philadelphia sessions as I type this. So far so good.

    • Yes I heard negative things about the CD packaging, sounds a bit like Neil Young’s deluxe archive sets. Disappointing if the book is not great

  15. Now that I have listened to all of the albums have to say the music is universally brilliant. How INYO was never officially released is beyond my comprehension.
    However have to repeat – the packaging is awful.
    Possibly the worst I have ever seen.

Leave a Reply