Video Spotlight - "You Never Can Tell", Germany 7/7/2013

For your weekend enjoyment: this cover of "You Never Can Tell", a Chuck Berry song that most from my generation will know from Pulp Fiction.  While Bruce's cover itself is fun and rocking (kind of like his version of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"), I absolutely love the first three minutes of the video.  Here, we see Bruce the bandleader - teaching not only his horn section how to play the song, but the entire crowd.

Video Spotlight: "The River" - Passenger

Passenger had his big break last year when his song "Let Her Go" was used in the insanely popular Budweiser commercial "Best Buds".  I've listened to that album a few times and he's quite a talented singer and songwriter.  So it's no shock at all to figure out that he's a Bruce fan and covered one of his greatest songs.  I haven't heard much from him since that commercial, although admittedly I know so little about current pop music, he could be the most popular musician out there and I would have no idea.

"The River" is one of my top five favorite Springsteen songs of all time.  For awhile it was my favorite, and every now and then I still consider it my favorite, depending on my mood.  It's a perfect song for an acoustic guitar, that really sets the tone for it's somber lyrics.  One quick search of YouTube confirms that by the sheer number of videos on there.  Although Passenger's version is clearly the best cover I have heard of "The River".  Enjoy!

Video Spotlight - Warren Zevon and Bruce Springsteen: "Disorder In The House"

This year has been filled with a plethora of celebrity deaths, such as Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robin Williams, and, most recently, Joan Rivers.  While sad, we do have the wonderful consolation prize of being able to go back and enjoy their artistic achievements.  With that in mind, I've spotlighted this video to remember Warren Zevon, who passed away 11 years ago today.  Zevon had an amazing career with many great songs, such as the famous "Werewolves of London", my personal favorite "Splendid Isolation", and the above duet with Springsteen, recorded in the last year of his life as he was battling cancer.  While Zevon may be gone, his work continues to live on and influence generations.

Video Spotlight - Clarence Clemons Jamming On David Letterman

Your treat for the weekend, dear loyal reader, is this rocking jam session with Clarence Clemons and the World's Most Dangerous Band.  If you are like me, you've only seen Clarence in the post hip-surgery phase of his career, and haven't had a chance to see much of his rocking moves.  But he puts it all on display here, including a fun shimmy a little over two minutes into the song.

After that, he has a standard interview with David Letterman, where he covers everything you'd want to know about saxophone reeds, as well as touching on his touring with Bruce and his early football career.  There's a couple of laughs here and there, but it doesn't come close to the rambunctious opening tune.

Video Spotlight- Adam Sandler "Out In The Street" (Explicit)

It seems hard to remember but there was a time, in the mid 1990's when Adam Sandler was THE MAN in comedy.  After a memorable stint on Saturday Night Live and his insanely popular movies "Billy Madison" and "Happy Gilmore", Sandler went on to release a number of comedy albums that only cemented his place at the top of the comedy world.  Don't get me wrong, Sandler is still an absolute A-List celebrity who can still pull out a great comedic performance when he wants, but he seems to have lost a step in his comedy along the way.

However, in 1996, to support his What the Hell Happened To Me comedy album, he went on a 21 date tour of live performances of songs and comedy bits.  One of the shows was filmed and aired on HBO.  During the show Sandler wanted to get the crowd pumped up, and what better way to do that than a Bruce Springsteen song?  This really shows how big Sandler was.  Bruce's popularity was definitely on the wane in the mid 1990's after nearly a decade separated from the E Street Band.  And on top of that, although a great song, "Out In The Street", isn't exactly a mainstream hit.  But Sandler seems to know that, and while asking the crowd to indulge his fantasy to pretend he's a rockstar, comes just short of saying to his crowd "You may not know this song, but I love it.  And I can do whatever I want."  And the crowd goes right along with him. Sandler had done his Springsteen imitation on SNL before, but in a more comedic way.  Although there seems to be some lighthearted jabs at Springsteen's singing style, it's more of an homage than anything.  Enjoy!

Video Spotlight - "Talk To Me", Live At Virginia Beach

"Beach music!"

Yes, as we reach the apex of the summer, my mind goes back to that wonderful night in April, the last time I was able to see Springsteen live.  This performance of "Talk To Me" was a true highlight of the night, punctuated by Bruce's bizarre magazine rant.  Even though it was the tour premiere of the song, the routine felt so natural that it made "Talk To Me" feel like a concert staple.  Either way, it made me take notice of a song that I hadn't paid much attention to in the past (and, it further supports the popular opinion that The Promise disc two is much superior to disc one).  It's a fun and bouncy song, perfect for those long summer nights.

Video Spotlight - "No Surrender" in Houston with Local Teens

Thanks to friend of the blog Matt C. for alerting us to this video from Bruce's concert in Houston last week. During the show, two teens made their way on stage and helped Bruce sing along to "No Surrender". There are so many moments of pure joy in this video, from the big high five shared between the teens to Bruce's fond noogie at the end. Like this Slate article observes, it's great to see young fans who know all the lyrics to a 30 year old song (Bruce seems impressed too). While Bruce has been inviting fans on stage more and more in recent concerts, the unpredictability of how the fans will react underscores the magic of seeing Springsteen live. You really feel like anything can happen.

Video Spotlight - "Forever" by Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul

Last week, I spotlighted the solo work of Clarence Clemons.  Today, I'll set my sights to probably the most successful E Street alum, Steven Van Zandt.  His band, Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, wrote several albums, which sold solidly.  The song above, "Forever", is from their debut album, Men Without Women.  While the song is a catchy toe-tapper, I just can't take my eyes away from this video.  It shares many qualities with Clarence's video:

• I refuse to believe that's Little Steven's voice.  I'm not saying it's a bad voice, it's just that you don't expect that man to open up and start singing with an Elvis Costello-esque warble.  

• There is a lot of man in this video.  Everywhere I look, it's shoulders and chest hair.  Prominently featured is a shirtless man in a Raiden hat on bongos.  Do you hear bongos in this song?  Neither do I.  The video, dripping with the raw sex appeal of the Disciples of Soul, helps answer the main question of the song.  "If I give you my heart, will you love me forever?"  With that chest?  Yes! 

Clearly, with many of these videos, nobody suspected that anyone would still watch it over 30 years later.  And thank goodness for that.  But, I can't help but wonder if the videos from our time won't be equally embarrassing in 30 years.  Wait, what am I talking about: they already are!

Video Spotlight - "Badlands" at Columbus, 4/15/14

We hope you've been enjoying our concert reviews on Legends of Springsteen this week, and we are planning to have another review soon.  Until then, please enjoy this video from last night of Bruce doing his thing.

Video Spotlight - Bruce Springsteen & Chuck Berry - "Johnny B. Goode", 1995

Bruce has played duets with many musicians, but I've never seen the man more upstaged than in this clip above.  In it, we see Chuck Berry getting the crowd to sing along, embellishing the lyrics, and dancing across the stage, while Bruce hangs in the background, awestruck.  Clarence's sax work here is a fantastic addition to the song (I had to go back and listen to the original to see if there had been a saxophone part there originally).  Chuck Berry, who is currently 87 years old, is still performing to this day; hopefully, Springsteen was able to glean a lesson or two about maintaining his endurance for the next decade.

Video Spotlight: Ain’t Good Enough for You (Live in Gijon – 6/26/13)

Well, it’s Annual “Ain’t Good Enough for You” Day over here at Legends of Springsteen (see 2012 and 2013). Diverting from the past two years, we’re highlighting a rare live performance today.

Ever since hearing it on The Promise, I’ve hoped for an opportunity to see "Ain't Good Enough for You" performed live. One time at the Izod Center, he started to play “So Young and in Love” and I momentarily thought it was the beginning of “Ain’t Good Enough for You.” Alas, I’m still holding out hope. But I am pleased that he’s played it in a few of his European shows and that video exists.

The opening of this video shot in Gijon, Spain conveys exactly what I imagined it would be like to see it live. The crowd cheering in unison, the hands flying, Bruce strutting around like a goofball. It’s all there.

Video Spotlight: "Sun City"

So 2013 kind of ended on a bummer, with the death of Nelson Mandela.  No matter what side of the political spectrum you land on, I think just about everyone can agree that he was a great political figure for tolerance and peace.  His death was greatly mourned, and rightfully so, by the entire world.

But in 1986, when apartheid was alive and well in South Africa, Stevie Van Zandt stepped up and wrote this defiant song.  While Rod Stewart, Queen, Elton John, Frank Sinatra, and others were playing the lavish Sun City resort (despite a cultural boycott issued by the United Nations), Little Stevie had the courage to stand up and say "No!" to a major venue.  He not only pledged not to play it, but wrote an anthem pledging not to play the casino/resort that was built on the back of slave labor.

As he wrote the song, Van Zandt named names of the artists who had played there, obviously attempting to shame them, but in the end he decided to make the song "a song about change not charity, freedom not famine."

And so the song moved forward with a hip hop and R&B influence, while still maintaining a pure E Street sound.  In addition to being written by Van Zandt, the song features Bruce and Clarence in addition to Miles Davis, Kool DJ Herc, Grandmaster Melle Mel, The Fat Boys, Ruben Blades, Bob Dylan, Herbie Hancock, Ringo Starr and his son Zak Starkey, Lou Reed, Run DMC, Peter Gabriel, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Darlene Love, Bobby Womack, Afrika Bambaataa, Kurtis Blow, Jackson Browne and then-girlfriend Daryl Hannah, U2, George Clinton, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Peter Wolf, Bonnie Raitt, Hall & Oates, Jimmy Cliff, Big Youth, Michael Monroe, Peter Garrett, Ron Carter, Ray Barretto, Gil-Scott Heron, Nona Hendryx, Pete Townshend, Pat Benatar, and Joey Ramone.  All of them, pledging not to play Sun City.

With Bruce playing South Africa this weekend, and the recent death of Mandella, I would not be shocked at all if Bruce pulled this song out at all one of the nights.  But again, when Bruce plays live nothing is expected and nothing is off limits either.

Video Spotlight - "You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)"....A Cappella!

Usually, we spotlight a ton of acoustic performances on this blog, but here's something that I personally haven't seen before: a completely instrument-free Springsteen snarling out a song.  And, surprisingly, it works!  Bruce fully commits to the rambunctious style, swinging his hips in his best Elvis impersonation and making classic Bruce-faces throughout the quick performance, and the audience buys in completely.

We usually try to keep the video spotlights short, but if you've got an hour to kill, I highly recommend watching this whole concert from 1986.  It is a must watch for fans of acoustic Bruce, as he plays a stripped down set with Danny Federici and Nils Lofgren.  The setlist includes many Born In The USA-era hits, as well as a being joined on stage by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.

Video Spotlight - "Blinded By The Light" in Helsinki, 2012

We're a bit obsessed with Bruce going acoustic here on this blog, and astute readers may notice we are double-dipping a bit here.  I originally posted this in response to Steve's post last month, but figured it was worth going back to during this 4-day weekend.  So, if you missed it the first time around, make sure to take seven minutes away from your family and loved ones and check out this fun, loose, and excellently filmed performance.

Great Moments in Springsteen Television History - "No Surrender" from Glee

This past summer the TV World lost Glee stare Corey Monteith.  I'm not exactly what you would call a Glee fan, that is to say I've never seen an episode but still hate it.  However, I am saddened to hear that someone who was obviously talented die so young.  Monteith's character on the show, Finn, was honored by his fellow cast mates in the episode "The Quarterback", airing earlier this month.

As per usual with Glee, there were several musical performances throughout the episode, all paying tribute to Finn.  One of the songs was an acoustic, slowed down performance of "No Surrender" performed by the character Puck. Bruce has played stripped down acoustic versions of "No Surrender" before, most notably on the Live 1975-1985  box set.  The song takes on a whole new meaning when it's performed like this.  Much more somber than the rebellious enthusiastic electric version.

Again, I don't watch the show so I don't particularly know the significance of this character, or why he would choose this song specifically.  However, just going by content, "No Surrender" is a great choice for a song to tribute his friend.  The lyrical content of "No Surrender" has been discussed before on this blog, so I won't repeat myself.  But suffice to say, it's one of those songs that just about every Springsteen fan nods along with, and recalls their own memories to , when they hear this song.  So it's very easy to understand why this song would be the choice for the character to sing about his friend.  (Note: Rory has requested I sing "You're Missing" in my faux opera voice at his funeral.  If that song were more well known to the public, I would have suggested that instead.)

Video Spotlight - Louis CK on Loneliness, featuring Springsteen

Louis CK has been my favorite comedian for nearly a decade now.  I remember my first exposure to him was in the 90s, probably on one of those random Comedy Central specials, and I just filed him away as "generic white comic #644".  However, around my junior year of college, I discovered his excellent Live In Houston album (sadly out of print), and was instantly hooked.  Over the last 10 years, Louie's career has rose meteorically, to the point where I really don't need to explain who he is to anyone anymore.  Outside of his stand-up, his innovative deals that he has struck with both the filming of his television show and the distribution of his concert tickets and videos have been hugely influential on the comedy industry.  Personally, I've enjoyed watching his comedy evolve, as you can see "him"* go from a selfish, petty, and scared asshole to a humanist who has come to peace with his failings.

*Note: I put "him" in quotes just because it is important to distinguish that how the performer presents himself as a comedian is not necessarily who that person is.  Some comics do come off as more sincere, while others make it clear that they are playing a character - just see Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert.  However, it is sometimes when these lines are blurred is where comics can get into trouble, such as Andrew Dice Clay and Daniel Tosh.

Louie has always been fantastic on his talk show appearances, but over the past few years, his demeanor has become more relaxed and less "joke-y".  In his some of his most famous Conan appearances, Louie just goes full on into his comedy set, telling jokes immediately and get huge laughs.  However, it the performance above, Louis takes a more conversational, slower tone.  He is still on the subject of cell phones, and rather than focusing on the entitled people using them, he focuses on how the technology itself is divorcing the users from the human experience.  It's a difficult joke to tell, and Louie guides his audience along a long narration.  Eventually, they hit the subject that made me write this post: Bruce Springsteen.

Around the two-minute mark, Louie talks about listening to "Jungleland" on the radio.  Both he and Conan take a pause from Louie's story to ham it up with cartoon-y Springsteen impersonations.  Knowing how seriously Louie takes the joke-writing process, it is clear that invoking of Springsteen, and specifically "Jungleland" is not an accident (although Louie does "forget" the name of the song).  Springsteen is a universally known performer, and the chance to do an over-the-top Springsteen impersonation gives some goofiness to the somber story he was telling.  While "Jungleland" isn't as broadly known, it is the perfect Springsteen song to punctuate the joke, as those who know the song instantly connect to the moment Louie is talking about.  In the end, Louie crafts a sad, funny tale that eloquently describes what we here at the blog have been amateurishly trying to express: that the perfect Springsteen song can be a kick you right in your emotional gut, and connect you to parts of your humanity that are often neglected.

Video Spotlight: Twin Shadow Covers "I'm On Fire"

It seems like every month, there's a new cover of a Springsteen song by one of the younger, hipper musicians on the scene.  This month, Twin Shadow makes his contribution with an even slower, more ethereal version of "I'm On Fire".  While it is a solid cover, I just wish that these newer acts would choose some different Springsteen songs.  It seems like every indie band now has a Springsteen song ready to burst out, which is a good thing.  Unfortunately, that Springsteen song is almost inevitably either "I'm On Fire", "I'm Goin' Down", or "Atlantic City".  Somehow, these three became the holy triumvirate of Springsteen songs to cover.  Come on fellas, let's take some chances - when everyone else zigs, you got to zag!  This is why I loved the Hanging Out On E Street series, because we were treated to Springsteen songs that are rarely covered, such as "You're Own Worst Enemy" and "Factory".  Personally, I think "All I'm Thinking About Is You" is ripe for an artist to re-interpret and make it their own.  Anyway, Twin Shadow's cover is fine, but at this point, there are plenty of "I'm On Fire"s that this one does not particularly stand out.  My favorite "I'm On Fire" cover is by Johnny Cash, but that may be the subject of a future post.

Video Spotlight - Bruce's Story of Meeting Clarence

If you are familiar with Bruce Springsteen's live shows, and I hope to God you are, you know that Bruce will burst out a long, rambling personal story or two (or three).  Usually, these precede classic songs, but whenever you hear the opening notes of "Growing Up", you know you that after about two minutes in, you are in for a crazy tale that sounds straight out of American folklore.  These outlandish accounts always are punctuated by Clarence's roaring saxophone part that closes out the final minute of the song.  This particular version from 1985 is probably the longest and most elaborate of Springsteen's myths, involving props, coordinated pantomimes, and additional actors in outrageous costumes.  It runs over ten minutes, and is worth stick around through (if you make it to the very end, you can hear the opening notes of another Springsteen classic).  We often spotlight Bruce's humor on this blog, and this strange tale of bears and gypsies is a worth addition to Bruce's comedy reel.

Video Spotlight: "Save My Love" Recording Session, 1976

Three things to spotlight in this video:

1. I love seeing the process of creating a song.  On Legends Of Springsteen, we've often spotlighted early takes that eventually became Bruce classics.  Here, you can see that Bruce and his band have the beat and the general idea of how "Save My Love" will eventually sound, and Bruce is just trying to see how the vocals will fit in, finding the right words and syllables to emphasize.

2. As pointed out in the Youtube comments: yes, that is Steven Van Zandt.  And yes, he is hatless, repeat hatless.  It is a rare appearance of Little Steven's scalp, and with good cause.  It's amazing how one good bandanna can turn a man from Dungeons & Dragons aficionado to bad-ass (and somewhat creepy) pirate.

3. On the other end of the spectrum, how beautiful does Bruce look in this video?  As a straight man, I have no problem saying that this is easily the most strapping I've ever seen Bruce.  I'll call it like I see it: hands down, this is the sexiest the Boss has looked.  Can you find anything sexier?  If so, let me know in the comments.

Video Spotlight: Norm MacDonald's Bruce Springsteen Impersonation

Last month, OB spotlighted Robin Williams' Springsteen impersonation, and tossed in a little shot at this video at the end.  Being a die-hard Norm MacDonald fan, and subsequently being light on content since Bruce has not released an album recently nor has he been touring North America, I felt I should step up to the plate and take a deeper look at this video.

Here, we have Norm MacDonald, in early 2009, at the end of a set at the Snoqualmie Casino in Washington state.  Norm was never known for his dynamic range of impersonations (Burt Reynolds being more-or-less a snappier version of him), yet, he decided to take a shot impersonating the Boss.  Oddly, he chose to have Bruce singing the theme to Gilligan's Island to the tune of "My Hometown".  Given that this is amateur video footage, as well as the fact that I've never seen Norm do this elsewhere, it clearly looks like he was trying out a bit that he didn't quite feel was strong enough to keep in his regular act.  However, the bit gives off a strangeness that just gets weirder and funnier with each subsequent viewing - this is a quality not uncommon in many of Norm's bits.  While this bit is completely taken out of context, it's a fun mental exercise to imagine the set up that led to Norm singing the theme to Gilligan's Island as the Boss.  Perhaps it was part of a larger bit discussing what theme songs Bruce should have sang.  If that were the case, my money is on Charles In Charge.