It’s no secret here that I’m a HUGE fan of Bruce Springsteen. If anybody ever asks you, “Say, is Swap a fan of Bruce Springsteen?” the proper answer is, “He’s Bruce’s 9,749th fan!”
And EVERYBODY knows that if you’re in the top 10,000… YOU’RE A FAN.
How did I get this ranking? Well, I don’t know, actually. All I know is that one day I get THIS in the mail:
Yes, I know it’s a picture of Sammy Davis, Jr., but I figure if Bruce would send me something in the mail, he’d pick Ol’ Sammy to represent him. I don’t know why, it just makes perfect sense.
Anyhow, the response to the “Fake Concert Bootleg” post was so strong, that I thought I’d start posting some more of his solo acoustic shows. In 2005 Bruce embarked on a solo acoustic tour to support his Devils and Dust album. These shows were often bootlegged, and often traded amongst the Springsteen community. Most of these shows are complete, and all of them are completely awesome to hear. The set list may be similar, but he never fails to throw in something from left field.
Many times you’d hear Springsteen comment on how he hadn’t played a particular song in “X” amount of years, and then you’d hear him fumbling around on the instrument of choice, slowly figuring out the song. Being a fan of bootlegs, I love that quality about these shows as it presents him in a way that brings him down from the “BROOOOOOOOCE!” pedestal so many of us fans place him on.
Go, Bruce, GO!!!I think one of the great ironies about Springsteen is how even though his songs are about the working, blue-collar man, he isn’t one himself.
Today I bring you one of these Devils and Dust shows. This one is dated 2005-08-07. I honestly do not know if it means August 7, 2005 or July 8, 2005. The sound quality of this show is excellent. It doesn’t appear to be a soundboard recording, but you can hear Bruce loud and clear. Whoever did the boot did a great job.
The great thing about these solo acoustic shows is the ambience. When I first heard one of these recordings, the first thing I thought about was his Nebraska album. This lo-fi demo-quality record created such a bone-chilling atmosphere that it became an invaluable part of the song. Without that feeling, I am of the opinion that the songs wouldn’t have come across as effectively as they did.
Well, that same bone-chill is present in these Devils and Dust acoustic shows. Right from the pump-organ version of “Shut Out the Light,” and especially when he moves on to the harmonica driven “Reason to Believe,” you get that creepy feeling running over your skin. Between his deadpan delivery and his ear busting howl, Bruce recreates some of his most memorable songs like “Racing in the Street” and “The Rising,” but also pulls out some of the more obscure tracks like “Back in Your Arms,” and “Frankie.” This show strays away from the “hits,” which is another reason why I dig it so much.
The absolute best way to hear this concert is through headphones. You’ll get that feeling of being in the venue, watching one of the great songsmiths of our time working hard for you.
There are a whopping twenty-nine songs in all. Here are the first fifteen… if I were you, I wouldn’t skip anything here. I will post the second half when I find the time to upload the rest.
UPDATED 12/11/08: Part II
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Your Dig-It Downloads: (right click on links to download)
Download: Shut Out The Light
Download: Reason to Believe
Download: Devils and Dust
Download: My Father’s House
Download: Long Time Comin’
Download: Frankie
Download: Back in Your Arms
Download: Ain’t Got You
Download: State Trooper
Download: Nebraska
Download: Reno
Download: All That Heaven Will Allow
Download: Point Blank
Download: Racing in the Street
Download: The Rising
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Swap, thanks so much for the post – I truly loved the Fake Acoustic Concert (especially the part about please take off your pants! classic in-concert Bruce!) and I look forward to digging this real acoustic set. Haven’t seen him in concert in a few years, so this is a lovely way to make up for it. Hope I get a chance to see him in ’09. ‘Til then, I’ll just be a fan of you and him! Stay cool!
“Point Blank” is such a haunting song, and this version is even more so….
Thanks for these, and for showcasing Bruce so much. EVERYONE needs to know Bruce’s music other than “Hungry Heart”.
BTW, I’m fan #8,642 – probably higher than you just cuz I’m older. But I didn’t get Sammy in my mail. pffttttt
More BS! YAY.
Love, love, love these! Thanks!
I saw this show … can’t remember where though – Connecticut or New Jersey – but anyway, when he did the song about the hooker (the one that Wal-Mart banned) I just had tears streaming down my face. It is such a sad song and Bruce made every word cut to your heart. That was one of the most amazing concert experiences of my life.
Of course, another amazing one was seeing Eddie Vedder and Bruce sing ‘Better Man’ on the Vote for Change tour. Man that took my breath away.
Am I making you jealous yet? ;-)
OK, so after seeing the suggestion of having ‘Ryan Adams Day’ here on the site, I’m thinking Bruce should have his own day too. Or hell, his own week :) Then Ashlee can have her turn too, of course ;)
Thank you for these!!!!!! :)