Winner and Still Champion
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
August 12, 1981
Joe Louis Arena
Detroit, Michigan

Source:  Aud
Taper/Label:  JEMS Master

SOURCE: 
teac m-100 mic > Sony 153SD w/dolby B

TRANSFER:
Master Cassettes > Nakamichi 670zx > Wavelab 24/96 capture > .wav > Converted to Stereo 24/96 in Adobe Audition > EQ in Adobe Audition > Resampled to 16/44.1.

Disc 1
1. Rockin' All Over the World
2. Out in the Street
3. Prove It All Night
4. Darkness on the Edge of Town
5. Intro (to Johnny Bye Bye)
6. Johnny Bye Bye
7. Independence Day
8. Trapped
9. Two Hearts
10. Who'll Stop the Rain
11. The Promised Land
12. Intro (to This Land is Your Land)
13. This Land is Your Land
14. The River
15. Badlands
16. Thunder Road

Disc 2
1. Hungry Heart
2. You Can Look
3. Cadillac Ranch
4. Sherry Darling (cut)
5. Jole Blon
6. Racing in the Street
7. Backstreets
8. Ramrod
9. Rosalita

Disc 3
1. Jungleland
2. Detroit Medley (with Mitch Ryder)
3. Born to Run
4. Twist and Shout

Known faults:
Cut at estart of The Promised Land for tape flip.
Sherry Darling cuts off at 2:20

Show Notes:
This is a master recording of the second of two nights Bruce Springsteen played in Detroit in the summer of 1981. JEMS was on hand the first night, too, and that master recording circulates as Detroit River City.

The August 12 show is another good outing. Springsteen is generous with changes in the set: four songs appear (plus a surprise in the “Detroit Medley,” where Mitch Ryder guests) that hadn't the first night, including opener “Rockin' All Over the World” and “Jole Blon” in the second set. Keep in mind that over the two nights, Springsteen included six songs that had he'd added to the set only a few months before. For someone who hit the road with an LP of 20 new songs (well, 22 if you count b-sides --- and we do!), that's a significant addition of new material. In any event, repeat customers over the two nights heard over a dozen different songs.

Hearing Mitch Ryder sit in for the songs he helped make famous (and ones that Springsteen re-imagined for a new generation of listeners) is a treat. It's probably the fastest take on the “Detroit Medley” ever: perhaps the band sped it up to accommodate their guest's vocal style. It's the only time I can think of where they played “Born to Run” after the medley.

What makes this recording special isn't just the music (though you're sure to enjoy the pairing of “Racing in the Street” and “Backstreets” in the second set, and a very nice “Who'll Stop the Rain” mid-way through the first). Before “This Land is Your Land,” Springsteen notes that the building had never been formally dedicated to Joe Louis, something he called a “shame and a crime.” Always one with an eye for detail, Springsteen speaks his mind, and dedicates the song to Joe Louis (who had died exactly four months before, at age 66). It's a small point, perhaps --- hell, they named a building after the guy --- but it speaks volumes about Springsteen's sense of right and wrong.

Like the other JEMS Springsteen masters recorded that summer, this one is captured in mono. It sounds really good: very clear, with not a lot of distance between the PA and the microphone, apparently. The crowd ambiance adds to things nicely, but never intrudes. It's worth noting that a soundboard of the second part of the show has circulated for many years now.

Once again, J recorded the music, then transferred his master tapes to digital. Flynn headed up post-production and file prep. And E served again to keep the train rolling. Thanks to all my brothers-in-tape-and-bits for sharing another JEMS master recording. Along with Detroit River City, this second night recording makes for a nice little haul.

Enjoy!

Slipkid68