Bruce Springsteen.net reveals today the cover art for «Live in Dublin», which will be released in three formats: CD, DVD and the brand new Blu-ray DVD with 1080 HD resolution with uncompressed surround sound.
Check out NJ Public Television on April 30th at 8pm for the exclusive premiere of «Live in Dublin». In June, other PBS channels will also air the show.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X61S4kFnAM]
Here’s Bruce’s story in the middle of «Rosalita», as performed at Carnegie Hall:
«Well, it’s getting late, unfortunately. And this song is really long. Man, I wrote a lot of lyrics back then! Anyway, you don’t really want to hear the rest of the story. You know the damn story already. Rosie rode off with our hero, they got married, and they lived pretty much happily ever after, more or less, despite what you might’ve read in one or two tabloid stories. Our hero got himself a band, made a fortune and became a star and made a whole lot of people happy with his songs.
And then he started to get sort of happy himself. So he broke up the band, and started writing a bunch of songs about being happy. And no one liked them. So he got the band back together. He wrote some new songs. These ones were about being sad. Everyone loved them. And the years went by. Our hero put on a few pounds. His hair started to get some grey in it, at least when he wasn’t touching it up. The United States turned into a kingdom. The whole damn planet got so pissed off about the whole thing that it just started getting hotter and hotter. Some babies came. And then they turned into children. And then they turned into… something else. And our hero came one night to the biggest city in the world. And he found himself onstage at the fanciest music house in the whole world. I know you’re thinking this story is bullshit. I know it doesn’t really happen like that. But tonight, I’m telling you, it’s all true. So we might as well just cut to the chase already!»
With those words Bruce Springsteen entered the Carnegie Hall stage last night during the benefit concert which honored his music. The event (which raised $150,000 for Music For Youth‘s music education programs), was full of highlights, including Patti Smith (a late minute addition) singing «Because The Night», Steve Earle doing «Nebraska» to open the night, Marah with their version of «The Rising», The Holmes Brothers and a choir of 35 young voices singing «My City of Ruins», the legendary Odetta doing «57 Channels» or The Hold Steady nailing «Atlantic City». (check out the full set list at our Concerts page).
After 10pm the announcer said «If I was a genie in a bottle and could grant you one wish, what would it be? How about Bruce Springsteen!». The crowd cheered as Bruce walked onstage and said: «The good news is I’m still alive! It’s like I’m invisible and floating high above the room and hearing all these people talking about you. It’s like a funeral. Thank you to all the artists for showing up». Then proceeded to perform acoustic versions of «The Promised Land» and «Rosalita».
The evening finished with all musicians onstage for yet another version of «Rosalita», only this time if was a full band version (with the Elysian Fields) with lead vocals from Craig Finn (of The Hold Steady), Badly Drawn Boy, Jesse Malin, Steve Earle and of course Bruce Springsteen.
Watch the video from that performances, courtesy of «rring» at Youtube:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtjPO47XIbs]
Columbia Records issued the following statement today:
COLUMBIA RECORDS TO RELEASE ‘BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN WITH THE SESSIONS BAND LIVE IN DUBLIN’ JUNE 5 ON DVD AND IN 2-CD SET
Concert Features 23 Songs From November, 2006
Columbia Records will release ‘Bruce Springsteen With The Sessions Band Live in Dublin’ June 5, a concert DVD, and separate two-CD set release. The two-CD set and DVD both feature 23 songs drawn from the band’s performances in Dublin, Ireland at The Point on November 17, 18 and 19, 2006. Songs include fan favorites from ‘The Seeger Sessions,’ radical interpretations from the Springsteen songbook and rare songs appearing for the first time on any Springsteen release.
Springsteen’s longtime manager Jon Landau said, «‘Live in Dublin’ charts the development of a band from an informal gathering in Bruce’s living room to an onstage powerhouse. It also documents the growth in Bruce’s vision of American music; it includes folk music, blues, Dixieland, country, swing, gospel, rock, down to and including his own writing. It’s all performed with Bruce’s classic energy and focus. I think it’s some of the finest music he’s ever made.»
The DVD and CD captures the band during the finale of its multi-leg 2006 tour. The Word Magazine (UK) said of a concert on this tour, «I have never, make that NEVER, seen a show better than the one mounted by Bruce Springsteen and his band at Wembley Arena on Saturday, November 11, 2006.» The Sunday Business Post Agenda (UK), in a 5 star review, said, «During the concert’s numerous high points, the crowd was ecstatic and Springsteen was the preacher, spreading a welcome message: We’re open all night.»
Bruce Springsteen with The Sessions Band’s tour last year prompted other incredible reviews. «Sometime, somewhere, a more dramatic and exhilarating confluence of music with moment may have existed… But in nearly 40 years of concert-going, I haven’t witnessed one,» said LA Times. The Washington Post declared, «It was the best live show I’ve seen in at least five years. (And I’ve seen a few.)» Meanwhile, The Independent (UK), said, «It’s been an astonishingly rich evening.» The Observer (UK) proclaimed, «Springsteen and the Seeger Session band were an inspiring triumph.»
‘Bruce Springsteen With The Sessions Band Live in Dublin’ was produced by George Travis and produced and edited by Emmy Award winner Thom Zimny, who recently took home a Grammy Award for directing «Wings For Wheels: The Making Of Born To Run,» a DVD in the acclaimed ‘Born To Run’ box set. Legendary mixer Bob Clearmountain mixed the DVD in both stereo and 5.1 surround sound. Bob Ludwig mastered the DVD and CD at Gateway Studios. Documented with nine cameras, the concert was filmed in High Definition (HD).
Bruce Springsteen With The Sessions Band Live In Dublin’ Tracklisting
1. Atlantic City
2. Old Dan Tucker
3. Eyes on the Prize
4. Jesse James
5. Further on Up the Road
6. O Mary Don’t You Weep
7. Erie Canal
8. If I Should Fall Behind
9. My Oklahoma Home
10. Highway Patrolman
11. Mrs. McGrath
12. How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live
13. Jacob’s Ladder
14. Long Time Comin’
15. Open All Night
16. Pay Me My Money Down
17. Growin’ Up
18. When the Saints Go Marching In
19. This Little Light of Mine
20. American Land
21. Blinded By the Light (Credits)
Bonus Songs:
Love of the Common People
We Shall Overcome
The Sessions Band From November 17. 18 and 19, 2006:
Bruce Springsteen – Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica
Sam Bardfeld – Violin, Vocals
Art Baron – Sousaphone, Trombone, Mandolin, Penny Whistle, Euphonium
Frank Bruno – Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Field Drum
Jeremy Chatzky – Bass
Larry Eagle – Drums, Percussion
Clark Gayton – Trombone, Vocals, Percussion
Charlie Giordano – Accordian, Piano, Organ, Vocals
Curtis King Jr. – Vocals, Percussion
Greg Liszt – Banjo, Vocals
Lisa Lowell – Vocals, Percussion
Ed Manion – Saxophone, Vocals, Percussion
Cindy Mizelle – Vocals, Percussion
Curt Ramm – Trumpet, Vocals, Percussion
Marty Rifkin – Steel Guitar, Dobro, Mandolin
Patti Scialfa – Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Marc Anthony Thompson – Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Soozie Tyrell – Violin, Vocals
Word on the street suggests Bruce is working hard on his new album with the E Street Band. Springsteen has been seen in Atlanta, where he’s readying a new album with his long time comrades. No official word though, but Bruce was approached at the Four Seasons Hotel by local DJ Jimmy Baron (in the picture), who chatted with the artist and directly asked him how the recording was doing. Bruce answered: «sounding good».
And what about the rumoured CD/DVD from Dublin’06? Some internet rumours (check the Live Daily Springsteen forum) have showed up this week indicating a double CD/single DVD could be released in early June.
Meanwhile, E Street saxman Clarence Clemons has received a well deserved tribute in his native Norfolk, Virginia. Clarence will be added to the city’s Legends of Music Walk of Fame on the Grandby Street sidewalk, where he will join previous inductees Ella Fitzgerald and Bruce Hornsby.