Song Spotlight - "Bullets Fever" by Nils Lofgren

As documented many times in the past, I am a huge NBA fan.  We're at the half-way point of the NBA Playoffs, and my beloved team, the Brooklyn Nets, are long gone.  Now, I am going through the process every fan of a loser has to go through at one point - the playoff team adoption.  There are many factors to consider when adopting a playoff team that is not your own.  Do they have a rivalry with your team?  Are there any players on the team that used to play for your team?  Is your adopted team too popular?  It is not a task to be taken lightly.

This year, the Washington Wizards present a strong case.  First, you've got former Nets Paul Pierce and Kris Humphries.  Then, you've got a team that hasn't won a lot of championships.  Finally, you've got this rocking song by Nils Lofgren!  If there's anything wrong with music in this day and age, it's clearly the lack of novelty songs about sports teams.  However, there is something wrong karma-wise with adopting a team in your own conference, and, unfortunately, they are named the Wizards.  

Therefore, I will be hitching my wagon to the Memphis Grizzlies.  They satisfy the "former Nets" requirement (the beloved Vince Carter and the forgettable Courtney Lee), as well as the "not winning a lot" requirement.  While they don't have any songs about them (yet), I'll pretend "Walking in Memphis" is about them.  Plus, Marc Cohn kinda sounds like Bruce Springsteen.

Thank you for continuing to read this blog.

Springsteen Holiday Gift Guide 2014

Trying to find the perfect present for that special Springsteen fan in your life? Look no further! Just because there isn't another new album, that doesn't mean there isn't something Springsteen-related that you should wrap up with a bow this holiday season.

For the Springsteen Fan Who is Just Getting Started:

The Album Collection Vol. 1 1973-1984 ($75)

Chances are strong that younger Springsteen fans don’t have the full early Springsteen catalogue – and if they do, not in physical form. As recently chronicled, there’s still something special about having physical copies of your favorite music, even if we live in a digital world. The beauty of this set is that it really hits home the weight and importance of Springsteen’s place in history and the longevity of his career. The eight-disc box set features Greetings from Asbury Park, The Wild, The Innocent and the E Street Shuffle, Born to Run, Darkness on the Edge of Town, The River, Nebraska and Born in the U.S.A.

For the Springsteen Fan with Young Children:

“Outlaw Pete” by Bruce Springsteen and Frank Caruso ($13)

Reading to your children is incredibly important. But sometimes it’s just as much about finding ways to keep yourself entertained as it is to find stories that engage your audience. What better way to do that than a Springsteen-inspired picture book?

For the Springsteen Fan Eager to Climb the Company Ladder:

“Leading the Life You Want: Skills for Integrating Work and Life” by Stewart Friedman ($17)

A Harvard Business Review book featuring a profile of Bruce Springsteen? Yes, it exists. And it’s excellent. “Leading the Life You Want” by Stewart Friedman is part action guide, part inspiration source as it tackles the issue of work/life balance by illustrating six public figures who have achieved great success in this area. Of course, you have to know the recipient well enough to ensure this won’t be misconstrued as an insult (“You don’t spend enough time at home!”). More in our review.

For the Springsteen Fan who Has Been Kind of Emo Lately:

Dead Man’s Town: A Tribute to Born in the U.S.A. ($11)

For fans who are open to hearing the iconic Born in the U.S.A. album from a different perspective, Lightning Rod Records’ tribute album offers a cover of each track from the original album by 12 different indie bands. These tributes are slow and contemplative, perfect for moments of quiet reflection upon a snowy landscape. More in our review.

For the Springsteen Fan who Has Everything:

Nils Lofgren: Face the Music ($120)

Nils Lofgren may be the most undervalued member of the E Street Band. An exceptional guitarist and songwriter in his own right, this 10-disc box set is a crash course on his non-E Street career including early work from his band Grin (which he founded when he was 17). While you’re waiting for the next Springsteen album, these 169 tracks will keep you more than busy – and may get you thinking that Lofgren is just as prolific as The Boss himself.


Happy Holidays from Legends of Springsteen!

Song Spotlight: "Wonderland" by Nils Lofgren

A good friend of the blog named Tom recently tipped us off to the song “Wonderland” by Nils Lofgren. The song is off his album of the same name from 1983. It’s a lovely track that has a real Paul Simon feel to it. The original album isn’t on iTunes, but you can also hear Wonderland on the album Nils Lofgren: Ultimate Collection.

We’ve highlighted Nils Lofgren’s solo performances in the past, and comparing this song with “Miss You C”, you can see that Nils’ voice has gotten even gruffer than Bruce’s has over the years. There’s also a live acoustic version of "Wonderland" available on his live album which strikes me as even better than the studio version. Both are included below for your listening pleasure.

Song Spotlight: "Miss You C" by Nils Lofgren

E Street Radio on Sirius XM is a bottomless treasure chest of Bruce Springsteen-related music. This past weekend, I heard “Miss You C” by Nils Lofgren for the first time. Nils is known primarily for his work on guitar in the E Street Band and even though he has released several solo albums, many Springsteen fans are not familiar with his vocal work.

As such, this soulful ditty is a great entry point and a quiet tribute to Clarence Clemons. “Miss You C” is a variation of a song called “Miss You Ray” that Nils released on his solo album Old School. It’s a fairly simply tune, but far be it from us to slight a heartfelt tribute to his fellow band member. Oh wait, we just did. Well, pretend we didn’t and give it a listen. Nils very courteously put it up for free download on his official website.