JERSEY BOY
Bruce Springsteen strips it back for his intimate one-man show. By TIM PRITCHARD
I HAVE A CONFESSION: I’ve never been a fan of Bruce Springsteen.
Perhaps it was the obsession with The American Dream or the anthemic, fistpumping Born in the USA played endlessly on jukeboxes and stereos. There’s no doubt that he’s considered a great chronicler of the American experience. But I just couldn’t find a way into his music.
That changed with Springsteen on Broadway. The 69-year-old’s latest album, new onboard this month, was recorded live during his run of 236 sold-out shows over 2017-2018 at the Walter Kerr Theater. Most of his 18 albums feature regular cohorts the E Street Band, but Springsteen on Broadway strips it back to just a mic, an acoustic guitar, a piano – and Bruce.
Much like his acclaimed 2016 autobiography, Born to Run, the live show demonstrates that his story is his greatest asset. Between intimate renditions of songs he relates the stories behind them, adding poignancy to songs like My Hometown, about his working class New Jersey roots; My Father’s House, addressing the complicated relationship with his dad; and The Wish, a homage to his mother. He talks about escaping his ‘death trap’ town – as chronicled in his hit Born to Run – then jokes that, despite having forged his career with songs about ‘getting out’, he now lives 10 minutes from his hometown.
I came to appreciate Springsteen’s sincere charisma and knack for a tune, and a tale. His sombre rendition of Born in the USA revealed I’d misunderstood the true message as an anti-war protest song. Springsteen’s genius is being able to cut right to the core of the struggles and joys of everyday life – something shared not just across the US, but the world.
As music industry execs scramble to innovate, Springsteen’s turn on the stage is an interesting move – both artistically and financially. Having stated that he won’t be touring in 2019, Springsteen on Broadway is the perfect way to enjoy his catalogue in a whole new light.