Bruce Springsteen new albúm !

[Diane]

Hi Steven. Thanks for that. I don't think I've ever watched a Western all the way through, and I can't bring to mind a theme tune, so perhaps I am missing something here. I thought the musical arrangement would grow on me as these things tend to, but it didn't, although I haven't listened for a while. Anyway, I'll just have to get over it:-) I like the strong story, and the overall message that everyone is interconnected. Can you hear me? Questions. I like ideas that are posed as questions rather than statements. They have an extra valence, almost to the degree that something in a foreign tongue, or something written far in the past has. If you know what I mean. It wasn't me who made the connection with the Kiss song - there is a daft youtube video accusing Springsteen of ripping off the song.

By the way, Linda: I was recently listening to Mary Gauthier that someone taped me long time ago, and searched on here to see if she had been mentioned. You were one of the few who had mentioned her and somehow I thought that you would be. Thanks for being around, Lady Linda.

[Steven]

Hi Diane,

Good point about questions and valence. Questions can trigger individualized
dialogue/response, deeper and more meaningful than might a concrete-set
statement. You know what I mean? The "Kiss" song shares a similar kind of
sound, at brief times. Lots of songs do that. Far from a ripoff here, i.m.o. That the musical arrangement of "Outlaw Pete" hasn't yet grown on you, could be partially because
there isn't a nostalgic Western theme song hook for you to connect to. I
recall Springsteen commenting on something in a PBS interview about his
being musically affected by some Western movie/TV based influence on some piece
of music.

[Diane]

Ah, interesting. There are so many things I would not know that I did not know, if I didn't come here.

Questions can trigger individualized
dialogue/response, deeper and more meaningful than might a concrete-set
statement. You know what I mean?

Nicely put. Have a good weekend!

[Steven]

Hi Diane,

There are many things I've learned by coming here. I'm certainly far from the
brightest bulb here. And if I've caused you to feel bad, in any way, it was
not intended. Likely time for me to take an internet Sabbatical break.
Have a good weekend.

[Diane]

I'm racking my brains for how you think you could have made me feel bad, Steven - you are always a kind and generous person. I'm off out. Take care, see you later.

[Steven]

Hi Diane,

Thanks for letting me know you aren't feeling bad. Thought you might have been
as a result of your saying that coming here causes you to learn of "so many
things I would not know that I did not know, if I didn't come here." (Also,
the exclamation point could indicate being annoyed by something I said.) -- Couldn't
tell if you were feeling inadequate or slighted and weren't recognizing just
how very knowledgeable, insightful and thoughtful you are. I didn't
know and am glad that this wasn't the case. It was a highly demanding
day here, workwise, and with things that arose to deal with, and the
possibility was there that I may have inadvertently been inconsiderate
or something equally unkind. And I'd not want to do that. Thanks again.

[Diane]

You mean you think I should feel bad for not realising Outlaw Pete, with a western theme, has a westernish theme tune ? I'm listening to it now - and now I'm thinking you must mean that twangy, echoey sound. Yes, finally I think can hear those saloon bar gates creaking in the background as John Wayne twirls his guns. I think Bruce sings this song 'too fast', and to the accompaniment of too many layers of intrumentation, when to me it reads like it should be delivered like a folk/country song. I'm not sure whether the experiment works or not. But still, it remains one of my favourite tracks on the album. Thanks for putting the swinging saloon bar gates in for me.

I did write my second to last post here last night whilst I was on the phone plus doing other things on the computer, so maybe it did seem a bit abrupt - interesting that you would pick that up. When I emphasised there are so many things I wouldn't know if I didn't come here, I was thinking of lots of things, including all the music and poetry I've discovered that I likely would not have otherwise.

I hope you are having a relaxing break from work over the weekend. Thanks for being so sweet.

[Steven]

Hi Diane,

I think its in the "twangy, echoey sound" and in the galloping-like drive that shows
up sometimes in it and in the coyote-like wail that musically appears a couple
of times for a couple of seconds and in the few brief broad sweeps that come in.
Probably more on the level of reminiscent of, than immitative of, Western
themes... going by memory, as it's been a long time since watching cowboy stuff.

I'm not sure if the story could be better delivered as a folk song,
but I am sure that Springsteen could, with accoustic guitar alone, do a fine rendition
of it in a folk way.

"Thanks for putting the saloon bar gates in for me." -- You're welcome, M'aam.
Can I buy you a beer?

P.S. I do have a CD of very old "cowboy songs" somewhere. But, I think
they're mostly vintage music, not the kind created for the TV and
movie screen. And, anyway, we both like the song well enough as is. Hope
you've had a great weekend. Take care.

[Diane]

I reckon an acoustic version will transpire at some point, knowing Bruce.

[Kush]

Sorry to butt in here, but I noticed the Emperor mentioned, that some of us discussed many moons ago, in another Forum far, far away Has anyone managed to read it properly yet? I gave up after about page 65 It is still on my bookshelf to try again one day.
However I did recently enjoy reading another book connected to Emperor Babur. "The places in between"
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Places-Between- ... 155&sr=1-1

The writer followed Babur's route on foot travelling alone across Afghanistan in the winter of 2002, relying on very basic shelter and food from local people along the way. A well written and gripping tale, much easier to read than The Emperor's account!

Hi Margaret,

I agree the Emperor's travel journal is a very difficult read. As I said I do read passages occasionally from it and its a little easier that way. Just knowing that these are the actual thoughts of a 15th century Emperor in the midst of carving out an empire for himself makes it quite interesting to read small passages. Its like trying to get inside his head in small doses. And I think it gets a little easier after about the first 100 pages when he lets go of some of the needless details and there is more action. I will check out 'The places in between' - thanks for the recommendation. I think an accompanying historical account of Babur's travels and reign by a contemporary historian would be very useful to understand and appreciate the Emperor's own account.

Kush, I have sometimes wondered why Patti often looks a little uninspired. I mean this is the woman who climbs into bed with Bruce Springsteen every night. Perhaps she's exhausted:-) I like Soozie's violin, too. There is something about the sound of a violin.

Hi Diane,
not sure I want to go there but if you look at some of Patti's earlier shots from the 80s she seems to have much more pep and energy. But then she ain't getting any younger either...
Soozie coaxes a very sweet sound from her violin in Worlds Apart in the Barcelona DVD - I think even Emperor Babur might have taken a break in the midst of his travels and empire building across Central Asia to listen to it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcAIbWvefoE


BTW I have noted your earlier mention of The Big Muddy from the Lucky Town CD. I dont have either of the double release albums (Human Touch) but perhaps its time for me to get them 17 years after their release. I'll check it out on youtube.

p.s. Margaret....just wanted to add that the amount of detail in Babur's writing is quite phenomenal even if it is quite boring to read. Its not like he had access to wikipedia.org.

Diane....most sounds in the E Street Band and the way they play it is quite aggressive sort of in-your-face. Not all the time but a majority of the time. The guitars, sax, drums, even the late great Phantom Dan. Soozie's violin playing is more laid back and offers a contrast. Roy Bittan is the bridge and Gary Tallent the foundation.

[Kush]

Hi Diane and Steven,

Found this old video of Springsteen & E street from 1985 (Paris) of Out in the Street and many more. Look at Patti go...she dont move her body so brave and so free anymore, but this is a fine memory to remember. But then she is 56 (and hardly looks it actually). She dont smile so free anymore either though...that can't hurt! Well 1985 was when I first saw them too....although not in Pareee!! All the usual suspects are here except for Stevie who was doing his own thing for a while at the time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sl10b20SoA

and an awesome version of Promised Land...is there a live DVD of this concert out I wonder.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsT2oA4xPiQ

There's a dark cloud rising from the desert floor
I packed my bags and I'm heading straight into the storm
Gonna be a twister to blow everything down
That ain't got the faith to stand its ground
Blow away the dreams that tear you apart
Blow away the dreams that break your heart
Blow away the lies that leave you nothing but lost and brokenhearted

and Atlantic City...after this version I might move it to my top 10 list at the expense of something else...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2esNjuIhZM

[Steven]

Hi Kush,

Thanks for posting the links to those three videos. Very much enjoyed all three.
"Promised Land" is off the charts good, i.m.o. Passion is generally easier for
younger folks to come by and it need not die back with additional years.
And Springsteen and the others had it, fully charged. I've got mixed feelings
about seeing it diminished and wonder how people like Springsteen are going
to bring passion into the aging experience, while staying true to the spirit of
rock. Passion based on physicality and exuberance, may, itself, have to be
transformed into something else. I forgot just how powerful Springsteen
was in those days. Not writing him off, but marveling at the combination
of youth and poetic talent that converged in an incredible way. Thanks again for
the links. Watching the links were among the highlights of my evening.

[Diane]

Hi Kush and Steven. 'If I should fall behind, wait for me', cos I've been away. I've had a week without music and a long drive home, so I'm listening to D&D and All I'm Thinkin About is sleep. Back soon:-)

[Steven]

Hi Diane,

Actually, you weren't behind, because I was also on the road. Yesterday, drove
over 260 miles of some less than bucolic roads. It would be great to hear
Bruce cover more songs of the doo wop (street corner harmony) genre of
"If I should Fall Behind." When I was "driving deep into the night," had a couple
of Leonard Cohen and Dylan CDs to keep me company. Today, I'm a little hoarse
from singing along. No return passengesr were irritated by my heartful renditions.
There were none.

[Kush]

Hi Steven,

I was gonna comment re' your post on youth and passion and effect of aging in Springsteen's writing and performances but havent quite had a chance. Will try to get to it later today....

Diane....stay hard stay hungry and stay alive if you can
and meet me in dream of this hard land.