LATEST ISSUE: Winter 2011/2012. This issue's main features bring you Boss coverage from
A to Z: that's Appel to Zimny, extensive Backstreets interviews with each.
For our first talk with Mike Appel in 20 years, we asked Born to Run photographer Eric Meola
(who also provided the front and back cover shots for this issue) to sit down with Bruce's former
manager for a chat. The result is a wide-ranging discussion of Appel's time with Bruce from the
early '70s to their 2009 reunion in Buffalo. Along the way Appel describes shows like Sing Sing
Prison and the Anne Murray blowout at Central Park. With rare in-studio shots from Peter
Cunningham.
For our massive interview with Thom Zimny (Springsteen's film archivist, director, and editor
of choice for the last decade), Backstreetseditor Christopher Phillips spent multiple sessions at
Zimny's NYC studio for an in-depth look at his post-Wings for Wheels work with Bruce. Part I takes
Zimny through "Night with the Jersey Devil," "The Wrestler," "Super Bowl Journal," the "Working on
a Dream" DVD, and London Calling: Live at Hyde Park; in Part II, it's The Promise, discussing
Zimny's Darkness documentary as well as the Houston and Paramount Theatre performance films (and
how the latter was influenced by Jean-Claude Van Damme).
Plus: Clarence Clemons, 1942-2011 (our full Big Man tribute to come in issue #91); the E Street
Band at the Asbury Park Carousel House and other performance reports; Springsteen and Ed Norton in
Toronto; Lisa Lowell's Beautiful Behavior; Dropkick Murphys; Springsteen in the comics; the
Jukebox Graduates middle-school Springsteen club; rare releases from The Promise; the latest eBay
collectibles report; reviews of the latest CD-Rs and Bruce boots, and more. 84 pages,
full-color.
Introducing the book that every Springsteen Fan should own. Now you can see the lyrics from
early records in action page by page as you experience what it was like to watch the E Street Band
begin the journey to become the legends they are today. A human interest story that will warm your
heart and finally put to rest the mystery shrouding Bruce, Steven, Vini, Robbin, Johnny, Margaret,
Danny, Sonny, Bobby, Billy and the rest of the musicians that Bruce referred to in the liner notes
on Southside Johnny's record when he wrote, "night after night... they never forgot."
The story of Asbury Park and its musical heritage is well known and loved by many the world
over. Visitors come from miles to see the spots described in famous song lyrics, such as the Stone
Pony and the Palace Amusements building. Little do they know as they walk down Cookman Avenue they
pass one of the best-kept secrets in Rock n Roll!
Containing over 1000 never before seen images of musicians, hippies, riots, town life, and
artwork it gives an in depth, up close and personal look at a community undergoing a musical
renaissance while at the same time struggling for civil rights. Memories of musicians and locals
provide a guide to this missing piece of rock history as you wander into the portal of The Upstage
Club and Green Mermaid Cafe and experience this exciting long awaited release of the entire Tom
Potter Collection.
Published in April 2011. Soft cover, 268 pages.
The Light In Darkness
A New Book about Bruce Springsteen's Darkness On The Edge Of Town
Collecting stories and photos from hundreds of fans, The Light In Darkness celebrates
Springsteen's Darkness On The Edge Of Town classic record, allowing readers to revisit the
excitement of that moment when the needle found the grooves in that first cut and the thundering
power of "Badlands" shook across the hi-fi for the very first time. Or the uninitiated, but
soon-to-be-converted teenager, brought along by friends and finding salvation at one of the
legendary three-plus hour concerts - shows that embodied all the manic fury of a revival meeting.
"I've been working real hard, trying to get my hands clean"
This project isn't complete yet, and may never be...
This is the first and unique Lebanese website dedicated to The Boss. Launched
on 13 March 2003, it is now the largest Bruce Springsteen lyrics archive on the Internet. Thanks
to everybody out there who helped me: discussion forums members, website visitors (mainly Jake
a.k.a. ol'catfishinthelake), fellow Springsteen fans... and of course, thanks to Bruce Springsteen
for the music.
Not all the contents of this website are complete or correct. For any
suggestions or questions, please feel free to drop me a line via
this form or by email at
The purpose of this non-profit website is informational only. Use of material
from Springsteenlyrics.com is permitted, but it would be appreciated if you let me know or link
back here. Please contact me for more info. Any copyrighted
material on this website is used for the purpose of study, review, or critical analysis only, and
will be removed at the request of the copyright owner(s).
We will never ask for financial donations. Please do not offer us any.
EDDY WEHBE Lebanon
Wrecking Ball
Bruce Springsteen's new album released on 06 Mar 2012
Wrecking Ball, Bruce Springsteen's seventeenth studio album,
was released on Columbia Records on 05 Mar 2012 in the UK and 06 Mar 2012 in the United
States. The album was produced by Ron Aniello with Bruce Springsteen and executive
producer Jon Landau, and features special guest appearances from Tom Morello and Matt
Chamberlain.
Wrecking Ball was recorded with a large ensemble of musicians. There's
a core of six musicians, while all others are just guest artists. Some E Street Band members
appear on a few of the tracks. According to Ron Aniello, the album credits are "a mess" and will
be revised in future reissues.
Bruce Springsteen (lead vocals, guitars, banjo, piano, organ, drums,
percussion, and loops) appears on all the album's tracks.
Ron Aniello (guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, loops, percussion, hurdy gurdy,
and backing vocals) appears on all of the album's tracks. He is also the album producer.
Matt Chamberlain (drums and percussion) appears on tracks 3, 5, and 8.
Max Weinberg (drums) is an E Street Band member and appears on tracks 7, 11,
and 13.
Steve Jordan (percussion) has previously appeared on Springsteen's
Devils & Dust, playing drums and percussion. He plays percussion on track 2.
Kevin Buell (drums and backing vocals) is Springsteen's guitar technician.
He appears on track 5.
Charlie Giordano (accordion, piano, B-3 organ, and celeste) recorded and
toured with The Seeger Sessions Band and joined the E Street band in 2008. He appears on most of
the album's tracks.
Marc Muller (pedal steel guitar) is a multi-instrumentalist who mainly plays
string instruments. He plays pedal steel guitar on track 3.
Tom Morello (electric guitar) appears on tracks 4 and 6.
Greg Leisz (banjo, mandola, and lap steel) is a multi-instrumentalist,
mainly playing lap and pedal steel guitars, guitar, mandolin, and bass. He appears on tracks 8
and 11.
Rob Lebert (electric guitar and backing vocals) appears on tracks 5, 7, 8,
12, and 13.
Darrell Leonard (trumpet and bass trumpet) is a Los Angeles based trumpet
player, composer and arranger. He appears on track 11.
Curt Ramm (trumpet and cornet) toured with The Seeger Sessions Band. He
appears on tracks 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, and 10.
Clark Gayton (trombone) toured with The Seeger Sessions Band. He appears on
tracks 3, 4, 8, 9, and 10.
Stan Harrison (clarinet, alto sax, and tenor sax) has previously appeared on
Springsteen's The Promise, playing tenor saxophone. He appears on tracks 3, 4, 8, 9,
and 10.
Ed Manion (tenor sax and baritone sax) is a member of The Miami Horns and he
toured with the E Street band in 1988 and recorded and toured with The Seeger Sessions Band. He
appears on tracks 3, 4, 8, 9, and 10.
Dan Levine (alto horn and euphonium) is a New York City based musician who
plays several horn instruments in studios and live. He appears on tracks 3, 4, 9, and 10.
Art Baron (euphonium, tuba, sousaphone, and penny whistle) recorded and
toured with The Seeger Sessions Band. He appears on tracks 3, 4, 5, 9, and 10.
Clarence Clemons (saxophone) was an E Street Band member and appears on
tracks 7 and 10.
Soozie Tyrell (violin and backing vocals) started touring with the E Street
band in 2002 and toured with The Seeger Sessions Band in 2006. She appears on most of the album's
tracks.
Patti Scialfa (backing vocals and vocal arrangements) is Springsteen's
wife and a member of the E Street Band since 1984. She appears on most of the album's
tracks.
Lisa Lowell (backing vocals) has been singing backup vocals on several
Springsteen albums since 1992 and recorded and toured with The Seeger Sessions Band. She appears
on tracks 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, and 12.
Cindy Mizelle (background vocals) toured with The Seeger Sessions Band and
the E Street Band in 2009. She appears on track 3.
Ross Peterson (backing vocals) appears on tracks 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, and 13.
Cliff Norrell (tuba and backing vocals) is the album's engineer. He appears
on tracks 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, and 13.
New York String Section (strings), also known as the New York Chamber
Consort, consists of Rob Mathes (orchestration), Sandy Park (string contractor), Lisa Kim
(concertmaster), Myumju Lee (violin), Ann Lehmaan (violin), Lizz Lim (violin), Johanna Marher
(violin), Annaliesa Place (violin), Fiona Simon (violin), Sharon Yamada (violin), Jung Sun Yu
(violin), Karen Dreyfus (viola), Daniel Panner (viola), Robert Rinehart (viola), Mina Smith
(cello), and Alan Stepansky (cello). It appears on tracks 1, 4, and 7.
Victorious Gospel Choir (backing vocals) has previously appeared on
Springsteen's The Rising. On Wrecking Ball, the choir includes Michelle
Moore, Antoinette Savage, Corinda Carford, Tiffeny Andrews, Soloman Cobbs, and Lillie Brown. It
appears on tracks 2, 9, and 10. Michelle Moore is credited separately on the three tracks. The
remaining singers are credited individually on track 2, and as the Victorious Gospel Choir on
tracks 9 and 10.
Jeremy McCoy (bass violin) is a bass guitar player. He appears on track
12.
Dan Shelly (bassoon) is an orchestra bassoon player. He appears on track
12.
Mark Romatz (contra bassoon) is an orchestra bassoon player. He appears on
track 12.
Steven Van Zandt (mandolin and backing vocals) is an E Street Band member.
He appears on tracks 7, 10, and 13.
Wrecking Ball is available in three configurations: standard CD
edition, special CD edition featuring two bonus tracks and exclusive packaging, and double-disc
vinyl. The album features 11 new Springsteen recordings and the special edition includes two bonus
tracks. All 13 tracks are Springsteen compositions, and three of them have previously been
released in live forms: WRECKING BALL deputed live in
September 2009, LAND OF HOPE AND DREAMS debuted
live in March 1999, and AMERICAN LAND debuted live in June
2006.
Bruce Springsteen's "The Promise: The Making Of Darkness On The Edge Of
Town" Documentary released separately on DVD and Blu-Ray on 03 May 2011
The Promise: The Making Of Darkness On The Edge Of Town Documentary, 5
songs from the December 2010 webcast, and "A Conversation With His Fans" Q&A
special.
The Promise: The Making Of Darkness On The Edge Of Town documentary
premiered on 14 Sep 2010 at the Toronto International Film Festival, and was also screened at The
BFI London Film Festival and The International Rome Film Festival. The documentary made its
television debut on 07 Oct 2010 on HBO and was then released on 16 Nov 2010 as part of The
Promise: The Darkness On The Edge Of Town Story box set. Now the film was released
separately on DVD and Blu-Ray, with bonus material.
On 07 Dec 2010 Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed a concert in
front of no more than 60 people at the historic Carousel House in Asbury Park, NJ. They played ten
songs from The Promise album, in addition to the holiday classic BLUE CHRISTMAS.
The band comprised of its original 1978 lineup only: Bruce Springsteen (guitar,
lead vocals, harmonica), Roy Bittan (keyboards), Clarence Clemons (saxophone, percussion, vocals),
Garry Tallent (bass guitar), Steve Van Zandt (guitar, vocals), and Max Weinberg (drums). Charlie
Giordano played organ, substituting for the late Danny Federici. David Lindley, who was involved
in the early recording sessions of Darkness On The Edge Of Town, played violin on
RACING IN THE STREET, COME ON (LET'S GO
TONIGHT), THE PROMISE, and BLUE CHRISTMAS.
GOTTA GET THAT FEELING, THE
BROKENHEARTED, TALK TO ME, and BLUE CHRISTMAS featured a full horn section comprising of Ed
Manion, Barry Danielian, Curt Ramm, Clark Gayton, and Stan Harrison.
Footage for five songs from the 07 Dec 2010 concert
(RACING IN THE STREET,
GOTTA GET THAT FEELING,
AIN'T GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU,
THE PROMISE, and BLUE CHRISTMAS) were released
internationally on 15 Dec 2010, streaming online for free viewing. Titled "Songs From The
Promise", the webcast was directed and edited by Thom Zimny and mixed by Bob Clearmountain.
These same five tracks are included as bonus material on The Promise: The
Making Of Darkness On The Edge Of Town DVD and Blu-Ray releases.
"A Conversation With His Fans" is a 22-minute question-and-answer
session featuring Springsteen and hosted by Dave Marsh. The special was held in front of a small
audience in Sirius XM's E Street Radio channel studios. Read press release below for more
details.
Audio for two of the tracks,
GOTTA GET THAT FEELING and
RACING IN THE STREET, was released in
April 2011 on a limited edition 10-inch single sold in North America and Europe exclusively at
independent stores that participated in the 4th annual "Record Store Day" campaign.
Press release:
Columbia Records To Release Bruce Springsteen's "The Promise: The Making Of
Darkness On The Edge Of Town" Documentary From Acclaimed Box Set As Single DVD/Blu-Ray With
Bonus Material May 3
Includes Additional Videos "Songs From The Promise" Concert Event
Filmed In Asbury Park, NJ And Intimate Q&A Session "A Conversation With His
Fans"
Columbia Records will release Bruce Springsteen's "The Promise: The Making
of Darkness On The Edge of Town" documentary on DVD and Blu-Ray May 3. The award-winning film
will be accompanied by the bonus features "Songs From the Promise," a five-song concert
event filmed in Asbury Park, NJ, and "A Conversation With His Fans," an intimate
question-and-answer session.
"The Promise: The Making of Darkness On The Edge of Town" was
directed by Grammy- and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Thom Zimny. The film premiered on HBO and
received a rapturous critical response around the world, including as an official selection,
Toronto International Film Festival, The BFI London Film Festival, and The International Rome Film
Festival. The Los Angeles Times gave 'The Promise' five stars, while Variety called it
"thrilling... a vivid portrait."
The ninety-minute documentary combines never-before-seen footage of Springsteen
and the E Street Band shot between 1976 and 1978 -- including home rehearsals and studio
sessions -- with new interviews with Springsteen, E Street Band members, manager Jon Landau,
former-manager Mike Appel, and others closely involved in the making of the record.
The film was also included in the 2010 box set 'The Promise: The Darkness on
the Edge of Town Story,' which Rolling Stone called "extraordinary [and] fascinating"
and The Washington Post described as "a revelation."
"Songs From The Promise" was filmed before an audience of
approximately sixty fans in December, 2010, in Asbury Park, NJ's historic carousel house. For this
one-time concert event, Springsteen and members of the E Street Band lineup -- Clarence Clemons,
Stevie Van Zandt, Max Weinberg, Roy Bittan, and Gary Tallent -- were joined by keyboardist Charles
Giordano, a full horn section -- Ed Manion, Barry Danielian, Curt Ramm, Clark Gayton and Stan
Harrison -- and special guest David Lindley, who played violin during the original recording
sessions. Directed and edited by Zimny and mixed by Emmy-winner Bob Clearmountain, the concert
features the only live E Street Band performances of four tracks from 'The Promise' plus
"Blue Christmas."
Hosted by music critic and Springsteen biographer Dave Marsh, "A
Conversation With His Fans" is an intimate, 22-minute question-and-answer session featuring
Springsteen at his most candid. Before a small audience in the studios of Sirius XM's E Street
Radio channel, Springsteen discusses the writing and recording of 'Darkness on the Edge of Town'
and the decision to release the extensive collection of songs that didn't make the record.
"We worked hard on the music that we didn't put out," Springsteen tells one fan.
"The nice thing about it is it's still there, it hasn't gone anywhere... and I think we're at
a point where it's nice to have the stuff sufficiently see the light of day." Questions are
intercut with highlights from the 'The Promise' box set, including the Paramount Theater concert
and rare archival footage from 1978.
Bruce Springsteen's Long-Awaited Darkness On The Edge Of Town
Box Set was Released on 16 Nov 2010
22 previously-unreleased out-takes, studio footage, rehearsal footage, and
much more...
The Promise was released on 16 Nov 2010 as part of The Promise: The
Darkness On The Edge Of Town Story box set, and separately as a 2-CD set. The album was also
issued on a limited edition 3-LP set pressed on 180-gram vinyl. It is a collection of 22
previously-unreleased songs from the Darkness On The Edge Of Town recording sessions.
RACING IN THE STREET ('78) is an alternate take to the version found on the Darkness On
The Edge Of Town album.
THE PROMISE is a different version from the one
found on 18 Tracks.
Depending on their level of completion back in 1977-1978, some were only
remastered, some were overdubbed with 2010 vocals or music, and some were completely re-recorded
in 2010. The album is mixed by Bob Clearmountain.
We will revise the pages (lyrics and info) for each song that will appear on
the upcoming box set. See the links below.
Press release:
Columbia Records To Release Bruce Springsteen's
'The Promise: The Darkness On The Edge Of Town Story' Nov. 16
Box Set Includes 3CD/3DVD Package Of Remastered Album, Never-Before-Seen Studio & Live
Footage, 80-Page Notebook, 21 Previously-Unreleased Songs, And An Extraordinary Documentary Film
That Debuted At The Toronto Film Festival Sept. 14 And On HBO Oct 7
Package Features Nearly Six Hours Of Footage, Including Classic 1978 Houston Performance
[08 Dec 1978], And More Than Two Hours Of Audio
Columbia To Simultaneously Release 'The Promise' Double CD Complete Songs From Darkness On
The Edge Of Town's Lost Sessions
Columbia Records will release Bruce Springsteen's 'The Promise: The Darkness on
the Edge of Town Story' on Nov 16. The Deluxe Package comprises over six hours of film and more
than two hours of audio across 3 CDs and 3 DVDs. The media contents are packaged within an 80-page
notebook containing facsimiles from Springsteen's original notebooks from the recording sessions,
which include alternate lyrics, song ideas, recording details, and personal notes in addition to a
new essay by Springsteen and never-before-seen photographs. Containing a wealth of previously
unreleased material, 'The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story' offers an unprecedented
look into Springsteen's creative process during a defining moment in his career. 'The Promise: The
Darkness on the Edge of Town Story' will additionally be released as a 3CD/3 Blu Ray disc set.
The set will be available as 'The Promise,' an edition which consists of only
the unheard complete songs on two CDs or three LPs, along with lyrics and the new essay by
Springsteen.
The previously unheard song "Save My Love" and an excerpt from the documentary will
be streaming at
http://www.BruceSpringsteen.net.
The Deluxe Package includes 'Darkness on the Edge of Town,' digitally
remastered for the first time.
CD 1: [Remastered Darkness On The Edge Of Town album]
"'Darkness' was my 'samurai' record," Springsteen writes,
"stripped to the frame and ready to rumble... But the music that got left behind was
substantial." For the first time, fans will have access to two discs containing a total of 21
previously-unreleased songs from the 'Darkness' recording sessions, songs that, as Springsteen
writes, "perhaps could have/should have been released after 'Born To Run' and before the
collection of songs that 'Darkness on the Edge of Town' became."
Highlights include the extraordinary rock version of "Racing in the
Street," the never-before-released original recordings of "Because the Night,"
"Fire," and "Rendezvous," the supreme pop opus "Someday (We'll Be
Together)," the hilarious "Ain't Good Enough for You," the superb soul-based vocal
performance on "The Brokenhearted," the utterly haunting "Breakaway," and the
fully orchestrated masterpiece and title song "The Promise." All 21 songs have been
mixed by Springsteen's long-time collaborator Bob Clearmountain. According to long-time
manager/producer Jon Landau, "There isn't a weak card in this deck. 'The Promise' is simply a
great listening experience."
The Deluxe Package also features "The Promise: The Making of 'Darkness on
the Edge of Town,'" a documentary directed by Grammy- and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Thom
Zimny. The ninety-minute film combines never-before-seen footage of Springsteen and the E Street
Band shot between 1976 and 1978 – including home rehearsals and studio sessions – with new
interviews with Springsteen, E Street Band members, manager Jon Landau, former-manager Mike Appel,
and others closely involved in the making of the record. Advanced word on the documentary is so
strong that it was invited to debut at the prestigious Toronto Film Festival on September 14 and
made its television debut on HBO on October 7.
DVD 1: [The Promise: The Making Of 'Darkness On The Edge Of Town']
In addition, the set features more than four hours of live concert film from
the Thrill Hill Vault, including the bootleg house cut (the footage that appeared on-screen at the
concert) from a 1978 Houston show, and a 2009 performance of 'Darkness on the Edge of Town' in its
entirety from Asbury Park. The special performance in Asbury Park was shot in HD without an
audience and successfully recreates the stark atmosphere of the original album.
DVD 2: [Darkness On The Edge Of Town: Paramount Theater, Asbury Park 2009]
![Bruce Springsteen -- Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. [album cover art]](articles/2012-01-19_wreckingball_alb.jpg "Bruce Springsteen -- Wrecking Ball [album cover art]")
The set will be available as 'The Promise,' an edition which consists of only
the unheard complete songs on two CDs or three LPs, along with lyrics and the new essay by
Springsteen.
