I'm a Cool Rockin' Daddy in the USA
Well folks, I did it. After twenty one years, I finally bought Born in the USA yesterday. Even before Bruce's stadium success I was appalled, APPALLED by the commercial sound of the record and refused to buy it even though I secretly thought the songs were catchy. I was, ya know, one of those sixteen year-old boys who repeatedly listened to Born to Run in my bedroom, punching my arm in the air. Apparently I didn't think you were allowed to do this to Born in the USA which is actually an act of defiance if you listen to the desperate lyrics (I got around to doing that about three years later). At the root of my dismay was that I felt like I was part of the special Springsteen cult (albiet a very large one) and now here he was dancing like a robot in videos for the MTV masses and marrying a model. Oh well, that didn't last forever.
Anyway, I've been listening to a lot of Springsteen lately. It's a real mindblower to realize that I've been listening to him for twenty five years, longer than Dylan and Neil Young. I've never been a super fan, but a fan nontheless, eventually buying just about everything. As Dave Marsh and others have noted, Springsteen has a way of making an intimate connection with his fans. It feels like he's your friend and your idol. You sure can't say that about Dylan.
Another general thought: I find it fascinating that Springsteen's music over the past decade has either been subdued and Woody Guthrieish or passionately rocking. Bruce may have abandoned the r&b swing to his music in 1975 but he's always retained r&b passion.
Another happy purchase from yesterday is Joe Henry's new project with Ann Peebles, Mavis Staples, Irma Thomas, Billy Preston and Allan Toussaint. One listen so far tells me that the gals still have it. Henry's liner notes indicate that he has a special love for Ann Peebles. Strangely, she only gets two songs compared to the others' three or more. Maybe they're saving up material for an entire album. Man, that Joe Henry knows how to pick good material, and I dig his atmospheric but gutsy production style. Others might disagree. I imagine that some might call it Starbucks Soul. Well, I'm forty one, and I can darn well say what I like, you whippersnappers!
And speaking of all things New Jersey, I just finished Tom Perrotta's novel, Joe College. That completes my reading of his canon. For most of the book I thought it was his best, but then about three quarters into it he put his protaganist through some events that felt a little forced or maybe just rushed. The open-ended, potentially chaotic conclusion is gutsy. All of his books are worth reading.
My personal faves are The Wishbones and Bad Haircut.
Anyway, I've been listening to a lot of Springsteen lately. It's a real mindblower to realize that I've been listening to him for twenty five years, longer than Dylan and Neil Young. I've never been a super fan, but a fan nontheless, eventually buying just about everything. As Dave Marsh and others have noted, Springsteen has a way of making an intimate connection with his fans. It feels like he's your friend and your idol. You sure can't say that about Dylan.
Another general thought: I find it fascinating that Springsteen's music over the past decade has either been subdued and Woody Guthrieish or passionately rocking. Bruce may have abandoned the r&b swing to his music in 1975 but he's always retained r&b passion.
Another happy purchase from yesterday is Joe Henry's new project with Ann Peebles, Mavis Staples, Irma Thomas, Billy Preston and Allan Toussaint. One listen so far tells me that the gals still have it. Henry's liner notes indicate that he has a special love for Ann Peebles. Strangely, she only gets two songs compared to the others' three or more. Maybe they're saving up material for an entire album. Man, that Joe Henry knows how to pick good material, and I dig his atmospheric but gutsy production style. Others might disagree. I imagine that some might call it Starbucks Soul. Well, I'm forty one, and I can darn well say what I like, you whippersnappers!
And speaking of all things New Jersey, I just finished Tom Perrotta's novel, Joe College. That completes my reading of his canon. For most of the book I thought it was his best, but then about three quarters into it he put his protaganist through some events that felt a little forced or maybe just rushed. The open-ended, potentially chaotic conclusion is gutsy. All of his books are worth reading.
My personal faves are The Wishbones and Bad Haircut.
posted by ken at 11:30 AM
