Rewind: Born In The U.S.A. Released 30 Years Ago Today

This is a revised and expanded piece on a post that I did last year.

Today marks the 30th anniversary of it's release.

Click On The Links To Enjoy The Music. Thanks.

  'Born In The U.S.A.', Springsteen's seventh studio release followed hot on the trail of the minimalist 'Nebraska', and in many ways both albums are joined at the hip despite their apparent differences. Bruce had begun writing songs for the follow up to 'The River' and in essence many of the songs that ended up as part of 'Nebraska' were going to be band songs but for one reason or another once they got to the studio the songs didn't seem to work (though if you listen to many of the songs now as they are performed in concert you wonder how on earth they couldn't get them to work first time around!).

Unsatisfied Heart - Born in the U.S.A. Outtakes.

The album would become one of his biggest sellers and would also be the best selling album of 1985. Seven of the twelve tracks ended up as singles (and all of them became hits!)!

'Dancing in the Dark' backed by 'Pink Cadillac' was also released as a 12" and a 12" of Remixes!! The single reached #2 in the USA and #4 in the UK.

'Cover Me' was backed by a live version of 'Jersey Girl', a cover version of a Tom Waits song. Reached #7 in the USA and #16 in the UK. 12" Remix was also released.

Backed by 'Shut Out The Light', the title track of the album became the third single to hit the charts. #9 in the USA and #5 in the UK. Arthur Baker again did a remix of the track entitled 'The Freedom Mix'.

A bit of a quieter number was released as the fourth single from the album and again it hit the charts reaching #6 in the USA and #5 in the UK. Backed by 'Johnny Bye Bye' ad adaptation of Chuck Berry's 'Bye Bye Johnny'.

A real bar room stomper was released next in 'Glory Days', backed by another rock and roll tune, 'Stand On It'. Reached #5 in the USA but only #17 in the UK.

Failed to chart in the UK but reached #9 in the USA. The single was backed by the unreleased 'Janey Don't You Lose Heart'. I remember Capital Radio DJ Roger Scott played 'Janey' quite a lot and that it was in the daily top ten on his show for a good few weeks.

 
The seventh and final single to be pulled from 'Born In The U.S.A.' was 'My Hometown' backed by 'Santa Claus Is Coming To Town'. It was fitting for 'Santa' to be included as the single got it's release in November and was primed and ready for Christmas! The version on the single was actually recorded in 1975 on 12th December at Long Island. Reached #6 in the USA and #9 in the UK.

Twenty five days after the release of the album Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band (minus Little Steven but with the addition of Nils Lofgren and Patti Scialfa) would launch the 'Born In The USA World Tour' with a three night stand at St Paul's, Minneapolis (listen to the opening night concert here!) and a further 153 shows to follow (taking in Australia, Japan and Europe).

Watch Bruce and The E Street Band Perform 'Born In The U.S.A.' at Giants Stadium 3rd October 2009.

A Few Live Shows From the Born in the U.S.A. Tour.
12th July 1984 Alpine Valley.
23rd July 1984 CNE Grandstand Toronto.
20th August 1984 Brendan Byrne Arena East Rutherford.
22nd September 1984 Pittsburgh.
19th November 1984 Kemper Arena Kansas City.
1st June Slane Castle Ireland.
5th June St James Park Newcastle.
21st June 1985 Milan.
4th July Wembley Stadium London.
6th July Wembley Stadium London.
7th July 1985 Roundhay Park Leeds.
 

Here's a little look at the album, the links are for Official Video releases and also contain some live footage for songs that didn't have an Offical Video.

Side one

1. "Born in the U.S.A." – 4:39
2. "Cover Me" – 3:27
3. "Darlington County" – 4:48
4. "Working on the Highway" – 3:11
5. "Downbound Train" – 3:35
6. "I'm on Fire" – 2:37

Side two

1. "No Surrender" – 4:00
2. "Bobby Jean" – 3:46
3. "I'm Goin' Down" – 3:29
4. "Glory Days" – 4:15
5. "Dancing in the Dark" – 4:00
6. "My Hometown" – 4:34

Beauty and Ruin - Bob Mould (June 2014)

It's not often that I hear an album that leaves me grasping for words because it's that good, but the new album by Bob Mould does just that!

So, my only words are: BUY THIS RECORD!

"I look at the record and there’s an arc, a narrative to it — at least I hope there is because I spent a lot of time putting it together that way. I started writing this record in October of 2012, right in the middle of touring for Silver Age. My dad passed away, not unexpectedly, but still, never a fun thing. And that triggered ideas about loss, about health and loss. That’s sort of where the record starts, and it moves through pretty clear ideas, from loss to reflection to acceptance to future. If you go back and look at the record in three-song packets with that in mind, you’ll see the cold, gray, slow beginning heading towards this warm, fast, sunny finish. It’s a very simple story. As far as Beauty and Ruin specifically, I think the two are oftentimes the same. I think one can always lead to the other, and that’s just the nature of things. I hope that short version of this all can get us to a place to talk about specific things." (Bob Mould interview with Stereogum)

Links in the tracklist are not necessarily the version that appears on the album. 

01. Low Season
02. Little Glass Pill
03. I Don’t Know You Anymore
04. Kid With Crooked Face
05. Nemeses Are Laughing
06. The War
07. Forgiveness
08. Hey Mr. Grey
09. Fire in the City
10. Tomorrow Morning
11. Let the Beauty Be
12. Fix It

Some Past Albums by Bob Mould.
Workbook.
Black Sheets of Rain.

Life and Times.

Hubcap.

Live Performance

Live on KEXP 2013.

Philadelphia 2012.

Sao Paulo 04/10/13.
Sao Paulo 05/10/13.

Punk Rock Menopause - The Boys (June 2014)

News from The Boys:
The Boys - Back with a Bang
On June 20 2014 THE BOYS release their long-requested first new studio album since 1981 on Wolverine Records. Featuring the original founder members and creative core of Matt Dangerfield, Casino Steel and Honest John Plain, the new album “Punk Rock Menopause” is packed with 13 iconic new songs bearing the band’s classic trademark blistering guitars, hard-edged melodies, killer hooks and layered harmonies.

The album can be pre-ordered from Wolverine Records. It will be available on Vinyl and CD (which I'm informed comes with a bonus track).

Teaser Clip at Soundcloud.

The Band recently played their first Stateside show for six years and some kindly soul captured them in all their rock and roll glory. The sound's a bit rough but it does capture the energy of the show.

Friday 16th May

HoZac Blackout Festival, Chicago

TCP/See You Later/Terminal Love.

USI/Cast of Thousands/Kamikaze.

Soda Pressing/I Don't Care.

No Money/I Hate My.....Job.

First Time/Living in the City.

Box Number/Sick On You.

They also completed last month a 9 date tour in Germany.

For more information about The Boys - Click Here.

Tidy Tune #154: When I'm President - Ian Hunter

Happy Birthday Ian Hunter

75 Today and Still Rocking

Rewind: 1978: Darkness on the Edge of Town Released

This is a slighty expanded version of a post from last year looking at one of Springsteen's greatest releases.

Read the Rolling Stone Article by Dave Marsh

The Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park, New Jersey. (2009)

Badlands.

Adam Raised A Cain.

Something In The Night.

Candy's Room.

Racing In The Street.

The Promised Land.

Factory.

Streets Of Fire.

Prove It All Night.

Darkness At The Edge Of Town. 

Three years after 'Born To Run' finally put Bruce Springsteen on the map of Rock and Roll (he'd been there awhile but not many people had noticed him!) and a bunch of legal hassles with Mike Appel his manager that had been dealt with, Bruce was free again to record and release new music. Problem was that he recorded so many songs that it was going to be hard to pick an album's worth that would communicate just what he wanted to say.

Thanks to the release of the Darkness Boxset and the simultaneous release of 'The Promise' we got a little look into the whole process of Springsteen's heart and mind during that time and were able to witness the creativity of those days.

The Making of Darkness Pt1.

The Making of Darkness Pt2.

The Making of Darkness Pt3.

 

Songs from The Promise

12th December 2010

Asbury Park New Jersey

 

 

 

Songs off The Promise Performed Live

Racing in the Streets 78 - Mohegan Sun 17/05/14.

Gotta Get That Feeling - Leeds 24/07/13.

One Way Street - Mönchengladbach 05/07/13.

Because the Night - Perth, Australia 05/02/14.

Rendezvous - Manchester 05/05/99.

Save My Love - Sunrise FL 29/04/14.

Ain't Good Enough For You - Gijion 26/06/13.

Fire - Montpellier 19/06/12.

Talk To Me - Mohegan Sun 18/05/14.

The Promise - Perth, Australia 08/02/14.

There's still quite a number of tracks that were recorded during the sessions that haven't seen the light of day except on Bootlegs:

 

'American Madness' is one of many Bootlegs out there that have gathered up the recordings.

It's a rare thing these days when Bruce doesn't play a single song from 'Darkness at the Edge of Town', the songs have stood the test of time and still have something to say 36 years later.

From a personal point of view 'Darkness' remains as one of my favourite works from Springsteen. I was 15 years old when it came out, listening to punk, struggling with family and school but the heart of the message of 'Darkness' resonated with me. It may be an album that seems full of despair, loss, human frailty, and bitterness but there's also faith, hope, love and belief that there can be a brighter day coming.

Happy Birthday Darkness, you have been a good friend on my own journey.

 

Bonus Live Material

Monmouth Arts Center, Red Bank NJ. Premieres of New Songs.

Rendezvous (01/08/76).

Something in the Night (01/08/76).

The Promise (03/08/76).

 

Don't Look Back - Premiere Toledo 03/10/77.

 

Darkness at the Edge of Town Tour 1978

 

Houston 15th July 1978.

Setlist
BADLANDS / NIGHT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN / FOR YOU / THE FEVER / THE PROMISED LAND / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / RACING IN THE STREET / THUNDER ROAD / JUNGLELAND / PARADISE BY THE "C" / FIRE / CANDY'S ROOM / ADAM RAISED A CAIN / NOT FADE AWAY - SHE'S THE ONE / GROWIN' UP / BACKSTREETS / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / THE PROMISE / BORN TO RUN / BECAUSE THE NIGHT / QUARTER TO THREE

Full Audio of the Show. 

Darkness at the Edge of Town - Houston 15th July 1978.

Racing in the Street - Houston 15th July 1978.

Candy's Room - Houston 15th July 1978.

 

Charleston Civic Center, Charleston 4th July 1978.

Setlist
OH BOY (1.52) / BADLANDS (4.24) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (7.00) / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN (4.13) / FACTORY (2.21) / THE PROMISED LAND (5.25) / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT (9.55) / RACING IN THE STREET (8.09) / THUNDER ROAD (5.24) / JUNGLELAND (9.15) / PARADISE BY THE "C" (3.10) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.36) / SHERRY DARLING (4.11) / NOT FADE AWAY - SHE'S THE ONE (12.21) / GROWIN' UP (11.18) / BACKSTREETS (11.51) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (11.41) / BORN TO RUN (4.41) / BECAUSE THE NIGHT (6.30) / QUARTER TO THREE

Full Audio of the Show.

 

The Agora, Cleveland 9th August 1978.

Setlist

SUMMERTIME BLUES (2.28) / BADLANDS (4.12) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.35) / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN (4.00) / FACTORY (2.13) / THE PROMISED LAND (5.18) / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT (9.32) / RACING IN THE STREET (9.05) / THUNDER ROAD (5.17) / JUNGLELAND (9.00) / PARADISE BY THE "C" (3.10) / FIRE (2.26) / SHERRY DARLING (3.45) / NOT FADE AWAY - GLORIA - SHE'S THE ONE (13.05) / GROWIN' UP (12.10) / BACKSTREETS (11.53) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (11.29) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.28) / BORN TO RUN (4.23) / BECAUSE THE NIGHT (7.07) / RAISE YOUR HAND (4.25) / TWIST AND SHOUT (6.32)

Part One.

Part Two.

 

Capital Center, Largo 15th August 1978.

Setlist

 SUMMERTIME BLUES (1.55) / BADLANDS (4.17) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (7.09) / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN (4.05) / FACTORY (2.40) / THE PROMISED LAND (5.24) / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT (11.02) / RACING IN THE STREET (8.00) / THUNDER ROAD (5.25) / JUNGLELAND (cut, 3.40) / PARADISE BY THE "C" (3.33) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.30) / SHERRY DARLING (3.49) / SWEET LITTLE SIXTEEN (3.08) / GLORIA - NOT FADE AWAY - SHE'S THE ONE (12.21) / GROWIN' UP (11.04) / BACKSTREETS (edits, 11.30) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (cut, 12.27) / BORN TO RUN (4.39) / BECAUSE THE NIGHT (7.01) / QUARTER TO THREE (13.44)

Part One.

Part Two.

 

Capitol Theater, Passaic, NJ 19th September 1978 (Audio).

 

Passiac NJ 19th September 1978 (Black and White Film).

Setlist

 BADLANDS (4.58) / STREETS OF FIRE (4.49) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.52) / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN (4.12) / INDEPENDENCE DAY (5.27) / THE PROMISED LAND (5.23) / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT (9.27) / RACING IN THE STREET (8.03) / THUNDER ROAD (6.28) / MEETING ACROSS THE RIVER (3.16) / JUNGLELAND (9.39) / KITTY'S BACK (12.41) / FIRE (2.52) / CANDY'S ROOM (3.02) / BECAUSE THE NIGHT (6.34) / POINT BLANK (6.33) / NOT FADE AWAY - SHE'S THE ONE (11.27) / BACKSTREETS (11.30) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (10.17) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.36) / BORN TO RUN (4.27) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.54) / DETROIT MEDLEY (7.22) / RAISE YOUR HAND (4.22)

Part One.

Part Two.

 

Badlands - Arizona 13/12/78.

Prove It All Night - Arizona 13/12/78.

Rosalitia (Come Out Tonight) - Arizona 13/12/78.

 

Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco 15th December 1978.

Setlist

BADLANDS (4.43) / STREETS OF FIRE (5.10) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.39) / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN (4.20) / FACTORY (3.25) / THE PROMISED LAND (5.25) / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT (11.30) / RACING IN THE STREET (9.05) / THUNDER ROAD (5.18) / JUNGLELAND (9.42) / THE TIES THAT BIND (3.24) / SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN (7.41) / THE FEVER (7.47) / FIRE (3.03) / CANDY'S ROOM (3.06) / BECAUSE THE NIGHT (7.12) / POINT BLANK (8.24) / MONA - PREACHER'S DAUGHTER - SHE'S THE ONE - I GET MAD (12.44) / BACKSTREETS (11.58) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (10.34) / BORN TO RUN (4.26) / DETROIT MEDLEY (9.10) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (4.02) / RAISE YOUR HAND (4.32) / [QUARTER TO THREE / TWIST AND SHOUT]

Full Audio of the Show.

 

 

Tidy Tune #153: Energy - Northcote

NME C86 - Various Artists (June 2014)

Click on the links to enjoy the music.

This one will take you all the way back to the 1980's when shoe gazing, wearing cardigans, playing jangeled guitars was pretty much the norm. 

If you can't dance, feel free to shuffle!

The original mail-order cassette gets a revamp on CD with a bonus of two full CD's of music from the era.

CD1: Original album
1. Primal Scream, “Velocity Girl”
2. The Mighty Lemon Drops, “Happy Head”
3. The Soup Dragons, “Pleasantly Surprised”
4. The Wolfhounds, “Feeling So Strange Again” *
5. The Bodines, “Therese”
6. Mighty Mighty, “Law”
7. Stump, “Buffalo” *
8. Bogshed, “Run To The Temple” *
9. A Witness, “Sharpened Sticks”
10. The Pastels, “Breaking Lines” *
11. Age Of Chance, “From Now On, This Will Be Your God” *
12. Shop Assistants, “It’s Up To You” *
13. Close Lobsters, “Firestation Towers” *
14. Miaow, “Sport Most Royal”
15. Half Man Half Biscuit, “I Hate Nerys Hughes (from The Heart)”
16. The Servants, “Transparent”
17. Mackenzies, “Big Jim (there’s No Pubs In Heaven)” *
18. Big Flame, “New Way (quick Wash And Brush Up With Liberation Theology)” *
19. We’ve Got A Fuzzbox And We’re Gonna Use It, “Console Me” *
20. Mccarthy, “Celestial City” *
21. The Shrubs, “Bullfighter’s Bones” *
22. The Wedding Present, “This Boy Can Wait (a Bit Longer!)”

CD2
1. The June Brides, “Just The Same”
2. Yeah Yeah Noh, “Another Side To Mrs Quill”
3. The Primitives, “Lazy”
4. Jesse Garon and The Desperadoes, “Splashing Along”
5. The Band Of Holy Joy, “Rosemary Smith”
6. The Mctells, “Virginia M.C.” *
7. B.M.X. Bandits, “E102″
8. One Thousand Violins, “Like One Thousand Violins”
9. The Dentists, “Peppermint Dreams”
10. The Membranes, “Everything’s Brilliant”
11. The Weather Prophets, “Worm In My Brain”
12. The Brilliant Corners, “Meet Me On Tuesdays”
13. Talulah Gosh, “I Told You So”
14. Pigbros, “Hedonist Hat”
15. 14 Iced Bears, “Inside”
16. St. Christopher, “Go Ahead, Cry” *
17. The Groove Farm, “Captain Fantastic” (Demo)
18. Kilgore Trout, ” The Peacock Nose” *
19. The Jesus And Mary Chain, “Inside Me”
20. The Hit Parade, “You Didn’t Love Me Then”
21. That Petrol Emotion, “Mine”
22. The Turncoats, “One Breath” *
23. A Riot Of Colour, “Skink” (Flexi Version) *
24. Paul Groovy and The Pop Art Experience, “Tune In, Turn On, Trip Out” **
25. The Railway Children, “Darkness And Colour”

CD3
1. The Chesterfields, “Sweet Revenge”
2. The Jasmine Minks, “World’s No Place”
3. Stitched-Back Foot Airman, “Why” *
4. Razorcuts, “Sad Kaleidoscope”
5. Treebound, “Story I Remember” *
6. The Nightingales, “Part Time Moral England”
7. Episode Four, “Strike Up Matches”
8. The Avons, “Everything’s Going Right” *
9. Meat Whiplash, “Here It Comes”
10. King Of The Slums, “Spider Psychiatry” *
11. Happy Mondays, “Freaky Dancin’”
12. Biff Bang Pow!, ” Love’s Going Out Of Fashion”
13. Blue Aeroplanes, “Tolerance” (Remix)
14. Lawrence and The Comfortable Society, “Heartache” *
15. Laugh, “Take Your Time, Yeah” (Flexi Version) *
16. North Of Cornwallis, “Billy Liar” **
17. Pop Will Eat Itself, “Mesmerized”
18. Benny Profane, ” Hang Fire” *
19. Go! Service, “Real Life”
20. Janitors, “Good To Be The King” *
21. The Claim, “Gullible’s Travels”
22. The Auctioneers, “Scoop” **
23. Noseflutes, “Perfect Cockney Hard-on” *
24. The Love Act, “Hep Clothes **
25. The Enormous Room, “I Don’t Need You” *

 * New To CD (Or Cherry Red thinks so, anyway)
** Previously unreleased

Tidy Tune #152: Keep On The Sunny Side - The Carter Family

Follow It Down - Meg'n Jez (May 2014)

On this blog I have given mention to a few youngsters who are currently putting out superb music (The 45's and The Strypes in particular) and so it a real joy to add to that list Meg'n Jez.

For a spot of background info on Meg'n Jez check out the blog I did ten days ago.

The album is released today and what a great record it is! It's loaded with brilliant songs (Originals and very wise Cover Versions) and it's hard to think that Meg is still a youngster with that great soulful voice that she has!

Let's start with the Cover Versions: Die Toten Hosen's 'Call of the Wild', from their 1999 album 'Unsterblich'. This stripped down acoustic version really brings the power of the lyric to the fore. It's almost like they are preparing themselves against those who would put them down and they want you to join them in the battle.

'Stop Crying Your Heart Out' is my favourite Oasis song and it's sung so gorgeously and to perfection (Noel Gallagher wouldn't be able to produce that emotion that this version brings!). 

'The Lion and The Lamb', not a lot of people give credit to what an amazing songwriter TV Smith is and this song is one of his finest ever. Meg'n Jez pull off a superb cover with added Strings that totally enhance the song (have to give some kudos to Producer Pete Walsh for the String arrangements throughout the album,  they add a beautiful depth not found on the original songs).

'Wish You Were Here' - Oh boy, I wasn't expecting this! I've heard a lot of versions of this classic Pink Floyd track down through the years and not many have moved me like the original, but the vocal on this one is just way too beautiful and for one so young Meg'n captures the heart and soul of the song.

Sarah McLachlan's 'Angel' has been covered by many artists since it's release (Westlife, Prince, Kelly Clarkson, and Beyonce to name but a few) and this version with Jez's tender guitar and Meg'n's passionate vocal bring it a lot closer to the original yet at the same time they manage to put their own stamp on it.

'Son of a Preacher Man' builds from the just the guitar and voice and launches into a full scale foot-stomper.

What about the rest of the songs? Well, 'By Myself', which opens the album and 'Don't Worry' were written by another youngster, Phoebe York, who is based in Norwich. Another bright light indeed (Check out her version of 'By Myself').

'Follow It Down', 'Epic Fail', 'Flashback' and album closer 'Happy End' were written by Meg'n and Jez and they show great potential. I'm hoping for good things in future days for these kids. They've already had a wild ride supporting TV Smith and having the opportunity to play on stage with Die Toten Hosen. The future looks bright.

All the video links above are for live versions of the songs and not the audio contained on the album. To get a taste of the album watch the video below. The album is available on iTunes, Amazon and also from Drumming Monkey Records.

Tidy Tune #151: p.Machinery - Propaganda