To define Bruce Springsteen’s career in a single collection is difficult.
Perhaps the most prolific songwriter of our time, Springsteen has had a career spanning three-plus decades, yet he has few studio albums to show. But each of the 12 studio albums The Boss has released includes highly crafted songs, resulting in a body of work few other artists can match.
The Essential Bruce Springsteen,” a two-disc collection of 30 songs, is a good primer for someone wanting a quick overview of Springsteen’s career. For the diehard fan, there’s a bonus third disc made up of previously unreleased and rare songs some that should have been released on 1998’s “Tracks,” a four-disc box set of rare and then-unreleased gems.
In 1995, Columbia Records released his “Greatest Hits” an 18-song anthology. With four bonus tracks, that collection, at best, offered listeners a simple look at Springsteen’s musical catalog. However, it lacked the space to offer up an in-depth look into one of the best songwriters of the last quarter century.
“The Essential Bruce Springsteen” is a better and more in-depth collection, offering 30 previously released songs spread out on two CDs. Starting with “Blinded by the Light,” Springsteen’s first attempt to find commercial fame in 1973, the collection touches all 12 studio albums, including 2002’s The Rising.
For the uninitiated, here’s a primer of Springsteen’s 12 studio albums:
Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. (1973) Three songs “Blinded by the Light,” “For You” and “Spirit in the Night” from Springsteen’s debut album find their way onto the Essential collection The album, which sounds different from much of Springsteen’s later work, was not represented on the “Greatest Hits” collection.
The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle (1973) Likewise, 1994’s Greatest Hits did not contain a single cut from Springsteen’s sophomore effort Thankfully, two of Springsteen’s early signature tunes “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)” and “4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)” are included on the Essential.
Born to Run (1975) The album’s title track and “Thunder Road,” possibly the greatest song ever written, are obvious choices for inclusion. The eight-minute epic “Jungleland” is likewise a welcome addition. The album’s other five songs, particularly “Tenth Avenue Freeze Out” and “Night,” could have just as easily been included on this collection Simply put, “Born to Run” is an essential album for any music collection.
Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978) “Badlands” stands out as the album’s high point, at least as far as most collections are concerned. The album’s title track, a mellower version than later performances of the song, is brilliant. And “The Promised Land.” Need more be said?
The River (1980) No surprises here “The River” and “Hungry Heart” This double album is full of surprises and gems that never made their way into regular radio rotation. Twenty years after its release, it stands as a highlight of Springsteen’s discography.
Nebraska (1982) Only one song “Atlantic City” ever attained any level of commercial success. But this album, stripped down to simple acoustic ballads, is easily overlooked compared to Springsteen’s other albums. It’s nice to see the album’s title track included in any essential collection “Reason to Believe” could also be considered one of Springsteen’s essential songs.
Born in the USA (1984) This entire album is an essential. Period.
Tunnel of Love (1987) Springsteen takes a 180-degree turn from its predecessor with this release. One song “Brilliant Disguise” was on 1994’s “Greatest Hits.” It’s nice to see the album’s title track, and arguably the album’s best song, considered an essential.
Human Touch (1992) Some of the album’s songs follow similar story lines found on 1987’s Tunnel of Love the art of relationships. The album has its moments, particularly the title track, but lacks the overall hit quality of Springsteen’s previous albums. Perhaps “57 Channels (And Nothing On)” should have been included in this collection.
Lucky Town (1992) Released at the same time as Human Touch, “Lucky Town” features some more upbeat, and overall better, compositions. “Living Proof,” which is said to have inspired the entire album, was a surprise, but welcome, inclusion on “Essential.”
The Ghost of Tom Joad (1995) – This album could be considered “Nebraska,” part II at least in terms of its storytelling and stripped-down musical arrangements. While a solid effort, it’s hard for these songs to hold their own, especially when compared to Springsteen’s other efforts. Hence, only the title track is found on the Essential collection.
The Rising (2002) This is Springsteen’s hardest rocking album (and first studio effort to feature the E Street Band) since 1984’s “Born in the USA” It is also the first full album inspired by the Sept 11 terrorist attacks. The brilliant album is well represented on “Essential,” as it should be, with three songs making the cut.
Thirty tracks from those albums are included in “The Essential Three other songs “Streets of Philadelphia,” “American Skin (41 Shots)” and “Land of Hopes and Dreams on the “Essential” album aren’t featured on a Springsteen studio album. “Streets of Philadelphia” was released on the soundtrack to 1993’s “Philadelphia.” The other two songs were included on 2001’s Live in New York City, an album featuring the E Street Band in all its glory. That album is likewise an essential.
“The Essential Bruce Springsteen” is a good buy for anyone wanting an introduction to Springsteen’s career or the casual listener looking for a reprise of his best work on one album. Lest we forget the die-hard fan looking for more rare songs?
