Video Spotlight - Springsteen on VH1 Storytellers

Today, we spotlight Bruce's appearance on VH1 Storytellers, from approximately 2005.  In this performance, he plays solo acoustic versions of "Devils & Dust" and "The Rising", following them up with an intriguing breakdown of his song-writing process.

For "Devils & Dust", Bruce does a thorough job going through all the themes that make the song so powerful, such as the choices people make, the need for fast decisions, and the confusion and tension you feel when your personal life is infected with politics.  While I appreciated the lyrical analysis, I would have loved to hear more about the musical choices made in the song (which is briefly touched upon, saying that the chords are a sound of resistance).  I believe he may have played the song slightly different than he did on the album, so I would have been curious to hear him talk about why he made certain choices for the album version and certain choices for the live performance.  In the end, Bruce confirms what I've always suspected with him, that he writes with his heart and emotion first, and then lets his brain figure it out later.

The acoustic version of "The Rising" is a real treat (especially after renewing my love with the song yet again).   Bruce provides some interesting tidbits about the song, such as how it was originally written as a bookend for "Into The Fire" and the meaning of the "Lie lie, lie lie lie lie lie lies" throughout the song.

So, if you can, carve out 25 minutes from your schedule to sit back, relax, and watch this.  It will be a wonderful way to start your weekend.

Video Spotlight: All Alone on Christmas by Darlene Love

Technically this isn't a Springsteen video but it does feature the E Street Band, along with Darlene Love... and Macaulay Culkin?!

Released in 1992 as part of the Home Alone 2 soundtrack, this is my favorite Christmas pop song of all time. Even though I must have heard it in Home Alone 2, I wasn't aware of it until I heard it in Love Actually and even then, had no idea the E Street Band was involved until I found the music video last year.

When I first discovered the video, it felt like I'd drifted into some eggnog induced haze. The E Street Band intercut with clips from Home Alone 2? Macaulay Culkin sitting atop Clarence Clemons' shoulders? Max Weinberg in what may or may not be a Christmas-themed pajama shit? The fact that this video existed, let alone that it apparently used to be played on VH1, felt like a Christmas miracle in itself.

The most distinctly E Street element is Clarence's powerful saxophone work. But listening closer you can hear Max's fierce drumming around the 2:50 mark. On top of that, it's written by Steve Van Zandt. This incredibly catchy, emotional song is an example of Van Zandt's brilliant grasp of pop music. The following lyrics also feel very E Street to me:

The music plays all night in Little Italy,
The lights will be going up on old Rockefeller's tree

Also featured on the track are Patti Scialfa, Garry Tallent, Danny Federici and the Miami Horns.

Happy Holidays!