Nick & Lex thanks for the reaction. I chose this for a few reasons. First of all, I just wanted you guys to have some fun and not have to analyze complicated stuff, I wanted to give you both a break. I also wanted you to hear some Bruce Springsteen that you'd never expect. This is his second album and for me, it's his best, I like a lot of his stuff after but for me, this is his best most sophisticated, and fun. The album has a very upbeat jazz/pop feeling that's just wonderful. This song live is out of hand and you should react to it. Someone below mentioned the live version as well. If you ever watch it you'll understand why he sells out arenas. Bruce plays for 3 hours and at times his live show will feel like a baptist church revival where you can't help but get up out of your seat and dance, and his band has been with him from basically the start that's why you hear how cohesive they are. Bruce Springsteen has a charisma that's off the charts when you see him live. Do yourselves a favor and watch him live but be prepared to have perma grin and be exhausted afterward. As always, great job and keep on loving each other. PS: the keyboard player on here was David Sancious who left after this record to have a very successful jazz solo career and formed a band called Tone.
Nick & Lex: Just one other thing to add here, Nick you'll appreciate this fun Springsteen fact. Bruce has released 20 studio albums and does not ever do the same setlist twice. Here is an excerpt from an interview he did with Vanity Fair: "About an hour before every concert, Bruce Springsteen draws up a setlist of 31 songs, written in big, scrawly letters in marker ink and soon thereafter distributed to his musicians and crew in typed-up, printed-out form. But this list is really just a loose framework. Over the course of an evening, Springsteen might shake up the order, drop a song, call a few audibles to his seasoned, ready-for-anything E Street Band, or make a request or two from fans holding handwritten signs in the pit near the front of the stage. Or he might do all of the above and then some" Now that's impressive you have to say. Also he holds records for longest live shows. In one of his previous tours he played for over 4 hours 3 times (4 hours 6 minutes is his longest show to date). It's a MUST, a bucket list requirement to see him live. No light show to speak of just great music, a great band in the truest sense of the word, incredible energy from Bruce and the band AND charisma that's off the charts. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
This is also my favorite Springsteen album. Glad you started with some early Springsteen. Most people go through his numerous hits and while amazing, starting with this adds textures to his amazing career.
That excuse would make sense if they knew Bruce Springsteen, and if you really want to talk Bruce at his best, you might want to listen to 'The River', now that's B at his best!
Bruce Springsteen's early albums are a surprise and a revelation to people who only know his later work, which I'm sad to say is nearly everybody any more. You're really going along your journey in a better way than I could ever advise, and I'm loving every minute. Thanks guys ! Lex, if you want music for your street party, check out / react to "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" from this album. Fair warning: you may feel unusually inclined to dance - and that's good. Do it in the morning and smile for the rest of the day ! Thank you Ron, this was an excellent suggestion. It's been a while . . . but that's my fault. Apparently I need to dust off some of my older albums.
@@LoganAlbright73 Best album with indeed his best song imo. It´s just the spontaneous, experimental nature of this album that stands out to me. Too bad Bruce went the 3-chord road after this.
Guys...early Springsteen is nothing like the USA period you are familiar with Explore this album ....Born to Run Darkness at the Edge of Town and The River Then for some real contrast, the amazing Nebraska There are many upbeat moments and many darker ones as well He was a classic on stage Had to literally drag him off I'd be a bit surprised if you haven't heard Born to Run Guess its possible
Bruce Begins and ends with his 3 Albums - Greetings from Asbury Park, The wild, the innocent & the E street shuffle, Born to run and to a lesser extent, Darkness on the edge of town
@@gdtrfbbb9350 Largely agree but personally think a lot to like on The River Maybe coulda been i disc stead of 2 Love mood of Nebraska though But largely agree
Nebraska remains one of the darkest albums I've ever heard. Used Cars is a great song for them to review as is State Trooper (though that might shock them!)
Being a huge Bruce fan for over 40 years and knowing those early albums so well, it is so much fun seeing you two discover this amazing musician, lyricist. I feel there will never be anyone else even close to his skill and showmanship. Two years down the road and you still have so much more to discover. Thank you for being so great to watch!
Heed the call to see him live. If he tours again and you have to mortgage the house to pay for the tickets, don't hesitate. Even in his old age he's still better live than 99% of what's out there. Of all the bands I've seen over the years (including Rush, Clapton, Dylan to name just a few) only Pink Floyd comes close to the impact The Boss makes with his live show. This was such a great choice to react to. It's easily in my top 5 favorites from Bruce. Thanks so much!
Totally agree. His first 2 albums were great, then he became a mega star with Born to Run & began writing more "anthem" type songs (IMO) designed to be rocking concert favorites. He appealed to the masses then, but lost me.
And for me, this track is a “grower” - the more I’ve listened to it, the better it sounds especially the David Sancious organ solo after the frenetic, almost cacophonous build-up leading up to it. Also, Eric, have you listened to anything by The Pineapple Thief? Thanks 🤪
@@michelemichele3375 Yes, a little bit, but I haven't gotten deep into their catalog. I know that they have often been compared to Porcupine Tree, but I just never really got into them for some reason. Not sure why.
@@integraleric The Pineapple Thief isn’t as complex and almost seems to be trying to be a clone of PT (same initials, etc), but I like their sound. Gavin Harrison on drums is a high point. I requested a first track for June. It won’t be heavy click-bait but not everything can be. Lol. Gratitude. ☮️🤪
The circus sound is Huge in “Wild Billie’s Circus Story” on the same album. They did “Kitty’s Back” live with each member doing solos. I’ve only seen 1 reactor do this plus I requested it from another and now YOU’RE the 3rd on RUclips! (I think). Great request & reaction. I had just emailed you guys today to see if you’ve heard this song. Wow. 🤪
One of the great poets and iconic rockstars who's concerts are legendary. He calls the E Street band the greatest bar band in the world, and he's probably right. The Hammersmith Odeon '75 version of this song is spectacular! If you liked this one you HAVE TO hear Jungleland. It's his Stairway. 😉👍👍
You mentioned them being the greatest bar band in the world, and they just may be exactly that. However when they were unleashed upon the world, they found that they had to trade in the bars for arenas and stadiums. ✌🏼😎
They learned to jam hard because the competition of the New Jersey Bar scene was epic in the 70's, and so they wrote and played long, engaging, dance-floor party pleasers. They were known as the best live show for decades, because of the sheer energy exerted over the hours. Epic is an overused word. But that was the standard that Bruce intended to convey every night. So, there are really two Bruce Springsteen. One, off-stage, is a quiet, contemplative, serious, poet and craftsman of songs, where he spent months and months over the sound of an album. And the other, an extroverted performer, pouring every bit of sweat and soul into every note that is humanly possible. There are a few gems on that album, and many more over the years.
Excellent description , hitting the salient points nicely in a paragraph. I only saw him once at my college town in upstate NY in 75’. He brought the house down and afterwards you’d walk around campus and every other dorm room was playing “Greetings From Asbury Park” all that spring.
One of his best songs. On keyboards David Sancious amazing musician. This how one music critic described it in 1973. "a grand fusion of nostalgic rock 'n' roll and soulful R&B". Springsteen was not about radio play in the early days. His music had depth and soul.
Great reaction, I have this Springsteen album, the whole album is very good. I have many of his other albums, but he and his band the E Street Band are fantastic live, seen them live 4 times, first time was in 1980.
As others have said his early albums are crazy good. His E Street Band is full of legendary musicians. This album came out when I was in high school and I was not a huge Springsteen fan. Then Born to Run came out and it was like a light came on. I went back and listened to his earlier stuff and I realized how great it was. Give his earlier albums a listen, you won't be disappointed!
It's this album that always reminds me why he deserves to be a superstar. It still feels like a fresh masterpiece after all these years and so many listens.
Cheers to whoever recommended this. I'm a huge fan of old-school Springsteen, long before his Born in the USA days. Unfortunately, the early stuff is not well-known today. Back then, he was known foremost as a storyteller, and his manager even tried to sell him as the new Dylan. Tons of great songs from this era, including: New York City Serenade Rosalita 4th of July, Asbury Park Lost in the Flood Blinded by the Light (which is the original version of the song before Manfred Mann) Spirit in the Night Springsteen hit it big with his third album, Born to Run. There are also tons of great songs from that album and its successor, Darkness on the Edge of Town.
Loved your reaction to this one, guys! For anyone who is only superficially aware of Bruce, I knew this would be a nice surprise for you. This is from his 2nd album, and the diversity of the music on it is remarkable. The 2nd side of it (back when albums had sides) is probably my favorite album side ever - Incident on 57th St., Rosalita, and New York City Serenade..Having seen Bruce live over a dozen times in the last 40 years, I got to see him perform NYC Serenade twice - I could have died and gone to heaven on the spot. It's a slower, jazzier ballad with some amazing piano - doubt that many will recommend it (it's about as "deep cut" as you get - casual fans wouldn't even know it), but you'd love it. And Rosalita is about as perfect a rock song as he's ever written - if this song makes you feel like you're at a party, you need to check that one out! The songs on this album are all great examples of his unique storytelling, and showcase the band's chops. But it wasn't until his next album, Born to Run, that he blew up. He's got so much great stuff worth exploring, but my comment's already an essay so I'll let others recommend specific tunes - those who have, have been picking great stuff! Enjoying your channel!
I know a few Bruce Springsteen songs and I've always heard that his live shows are crazy long. I've never heard this song before, it has a good groove. Lots of change times indeed. It really did sound like a party; well, a well structured one, anyhow.
Love this song! Love Bruce, especially the early stuff, and especially this album, every song. I saw him in ‘75 at CW Post (Born To Run tour). Come to find out, that’s where they recorded ‘Santa Claus Is Coming To Town’, now a Christmas classic! His band was /still is phenomenal. His saxophonist, Clarence Clemons (RIP) was hilarious, with the ‘ho-ho-ho’s...to this day I keep listening for my scream.
Bruce put his Bsnd together when he was 19 years old and he did pick the guys he used to jam with along at thr Jersey Shore and Asbery Park because he wanted musicians that could make any change on the stage when he needed them too. He is the songwriter the director of the arrangements of giving them some creativity but they they don't mind when he tells them how about if play more this or that way they say he wrote with his heart and blood hr knows how he wants it to sound. The same Band has been together only two that passed away they just finished a very successful tour all over Europe and the USA and are ready to start one this year hr will be turning 68 and he is still as energetic on thr stage as when he was 23. They don't call him the BOSS for nothing. I really enjoy your show you guys really appreciate music.
@NicknLex: I am a huge fan of Bruce Springsteen, and this is my favorite song by him, from my favourite album by him. His style changed a _lot_ over the years, but he's still amazing. I'm so glad that you guys got introduced to him by this song!
Once again you have done a reaction of one of the many albums I downsized when I moved from Canada to the US in 79... I miss so many of my old friends. Thanks!
I HIGHLY recommend "New York City Serenade", Spirit In the Night, Jungleland, She's the One, Because the Night, Blinded By the Light (only his version), E Street Shuffle, Hearts of Stone by Bruce.
Wow, this is a real deep cut from Bruce’s early days. I had forgotten the early sound of the band because he went on to superstardom with a more mainstream rock/pop sound after the first few albums. Bruce always has great vocals and an excellent band to bring home the goods!
Disagree, in that, Bruce and the boys had already cemented themselves into R&R "stardom" and legendary status Before the more "Pop" Born in the USA / MTV fueled overreaction aka correction period. His shows, repertoire and discography from before the overproduced, over hyped and over rated "Burn in the USA Are the stuff of legend. Especially in the Philly region. Thankfully some of it was preserved. All the born in the USA period and all that followed did was too just reinforce what we knew all along. But for the wrong reasons! That's not too say that the trilogy of Nebraska, The River and Born in the USA Are bad. Each has their moments. But in comparison to his 1, 2, 3 Hat trick of, Greetings from Asbury Park, The Wild The Innocent... & Born to run. With Darkness on the edge of town as the transition between the two eras. There's no comparison
This album blew me away when I first heard it in 1972. I saw him live with this lineup at UC Santa Barbara in their basketball gym before anyone knew who he was. This group had been performing in small clubs on the Jersey shore for years and the group was razor sharp. You should do a track-by-track reaction to this album and his first album Greetings From Asbury Park. The first two albums were masterful and his best work ever IMHO. This line up was known as the E Street band and they were legendary on the East Coast. Shortly after this album hit he was on the cover of Time magazine and he and the group blew up and went nation wide. Then it was impossible to get tickets to see him so I so lucky to get to see him that night and the show was great. They did almost 3 hrs. and probably played every song from the first two albums. What a magical night by a true superstar.
The live version of Kitty's Back from the Hammersmith Odeon album is a real jam session (deep deep cut) His first three albums were progressive jazz and folk inspired. Really first rate. Recommend Lost in the Flood from Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ.
Live sessions were hitting 17 minutes like on Live from The Hammersmith Odeon London, 1975. The band is extremely tight. One of the greatest Live performers. In his 60s, his shows topped four hours long. Bruce is from a few towns over from my hometown (Freehold). Bassist Garry Talent graduated from my high school (Neptune). The E Street Band is named after E Street in Belmar, just across the video from Neptune. Bruce is also the guitarist here. His sound varies somewhat on every album he released. RIP Clarence Clemmons (sax) and Danny Federici (keys). The rest of the band at that point were David Sancious (organ, Inc solo), Vinnie Lopez (drums - the last album for these two), Clarence Clemmons (sax), Danny Federici (keys), Garry Talent (bass) and Bruce on guitar and vocals. Most band members played multiple instruments on this album. Songs to hear: Jungleland, Thunder Road, Rosalita, Backstreets, The River, Darkness at the Edge of Town, Spirit in the Night,
All through Bruce’s early career he was a story teller. His first four albums are my favorites. The E Street Band is amazing. Two guitarists, a bassist, two keyboard players (organ and piano), a saxophone player, and a drummer with everyone singing backup vocals. Late 80’s early 90’s he drifted more into pop with more standard pop arrangements, which is where he started to lose me.
Great recommendation! Bruce and the E Street Band have to be seen live. I suggest that you next react to any of the songs from the 1975 film of the Hammersmith Odeon concert in London.
LOVE THIS..TO ME IT'S LIKE SPRINGSTEEN GOT TO FULL OF HIMSELF FROM "THE RVER" ONWARD..AND DAVID SANCIOUS ON KEYBOARDS ON THIS ALBUM..BRILLIANT...YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME..KENT IN OHIO
I am so glad that you stumbled upon Bruce through this song. She's a gem. It's one of those great headphone moments. My well considered opinion is you should listen to these next in this order: "The River", "The Promised Land" live from their 1980 "The River Tour" Tempe, AZ, "Jackson Cage" studio version. Any version of The River is a great version. Bruce the man is an amazing story too.
PLEASE READ - Saw The Boss 6 times from 1973 on. What a band playing 4 to 4.5 hours. 1 drummer, 2 pianist / organist, FOUR guitarist, 1 bassist, and 1 big saxophonist. As tight a band as I ever heard. I was born in 1952 and now at 70 I have seen well over 300 concerts. Most of the bands you play I have seen. Missed The Beatles- my favorite all time. My first concert was Jimi Hendrix at 14; and I have never looked back. Saw Bruce when he released his first album back in 1973 at The Armadillo Headquarters in Austin, Tx where I went to UT for $4-$6. All these bands were young and in their prime. Usually two concerts a week in San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and Dallas. Hate current rap and hip hop. Love newer groups like John Mayer, Matchbox 20, One Republic, etc. Saw Emerson, Lake, and Palmer four times also. Keith Emerson was not classically trained. He was self taught and had 1 of 2 Moog Synthesizers to go along with a dozen other keyboards. Greg Lake played bass guitars; and had the voice of a God. Carl Palmer on drums was excellent. Some of the bands I saw in their day included Steely Dan, Yes ( Wow ), The Doors, The Who, Jethro Tull, Genesis, Dire Straits, Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Eagles, Zeppelin, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, America, Neil Young, David Bowie, Billie Joel, Rush, Elton John, Tom Perry, Heart, Fleetwood Mac , ELO, The Traveling Wilburys, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, to name a few. Again, ticket prices ranged $4-$8 in the 60’s and 70’s. The 80’s were $10-$20. Still love live shows. You guys are fun to watch; and do the only views I watch. Keep going down those rabbit holes. I have yet to stop myself. ❤, Michael Hames
First saw Bruce on the same ‘73 tour at the VCU gym in Richmond Virginia. I paid $1 to get in. He wasn’t even the headliner but was opening for Dan Hicks. Poor Dan. I didn’t know it at the time but he was a local legend as Richmond was a main stop on his pre-E Street tour circuit with Steel Mill. He would play at a small venue in Richmond until @‘76 so I got to see his legendary live shows several times. He still shows up in Richmond occasionally but not to perform (daughter?). He was spotted @10 years ago eating lunch at my neighborhood bar/restaurant. Nobody blinked.
Great reaction - your assumption about it being a ragtag group of local musicians is bang on, that's pretty much what his E Street Band is to this day 😃 Bruce is one of the greatest songwriters and live performers of all time imo. His early stuff is a crazy cocktail of ideas from Dylan and Van Morrison, to early Rock and Roll and blues. He really found his sound on Born to Run (the flawless record that followed this one), but even the much later, pop-rock Born in the USA isn't what you'd think it is upon first listen to the chorus. Hope you guys check out more - I'd recommend Jungleland!
If you love early Springsteen then you will love a fellow New Jersey band named Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes with a great horn section.Songs like Love On The Wrong Side of Town, Trapped Again, We’re Having a Party. Bruce looked up to that band when he first Started!
Never heard the prog rock in this song before, good insight. Bruce would never believe it! Like many other comments. Early Bruce is very unique and awesome. I will leave the descriptions for you guys...
Excellent choice Ron. No comparison between early Springsteen and born in the USA period. His first five album run is spectacular with the E Street band's playing positively incendiary. This album is personally my favorite of theirs. Thanks for upload.
You'll get many requests for tracks from his third album (Born To Run - excellent) onward, but for my money this is his peak. The whole album is killer. It precedes his superstar status and the bulk of his chart success. Please react to it all; you'll be surprised and (I believe) pleased by the range of musical ideas on his first two albums.
Good call. The Album starts with a party, the E Street Shuffle, then we go down the Jersey shore for $th of July Asbury Park (Sandy), then Kitty's Back, followed by a trip to the circus. The flip side (think vinyl) has a suite set in New York City. No, he often has a large band with him. Sometimes he brings in a full string section for some of the song on this album
I LOVE this reaction so much! There are droves of people out there who dismiss Springsteen & the E Street Band, thinking they know all about what their songs are like, and that they don't like the very limited range of stuff they do know. When I play the 1st two albums for them, along with stuff from Born To Run, Nebraska, other stuff from the Tracks set, they don't know what to think sometimes. Some of them are still too uptight and stuck on the one image they have about the band. But if you open your mind and do a little poking around, there's brilliant joy like this to be heard. You nailed exactly what this song is supposed to make you feel like.
The piano is by David Sancious on this, Bruces first two albums and the song "Born to Run" on Bruces third album. Bruce helped him get his own record contract so he (and the drummer) left Bruce's band at that point. Dave is a classically trained pianist who also plays a mean electric rock guitar. He put out several jazz fusion albums in the 1970s with his band called Tone and at least one classical/ jazz solo piano album in the 1980s titled "The Bridge". Over the decades he has recorded and toured with Sting, Eric Clapton, Peter Gabriel and others.
The year that Born to Run came out and Springsteen broke big I was listening to an FM station through headphones at home. I was maybe 19, drinking a big jug of cheap wine. The FM station played this whole album followed by the entire Born to Run album. Blew my mind. Went and bought E Street and Born to Run the next day. A huge Springsteen fan up until Tunnel of Love. Not so much after that. His music evolved as he aged and tracked my life as well. One of the great talents of American music.
Can’t believe it! Thanks so much, Ron! I had this on my potential list for July! The jazzy & blues sound is unique to early Springsteen only and David Sancious does the organ solo. Hope you like it. The lyrics are all cat 🐈 and alley related too. 🤪
He is known as The Boss because of his stage presence live in concert. Though I’ve never seen him live he is as good as it gets from what I’ve seen of him on videos! Bruce was anything but pop rock when he started. His album Born To Run is considered to be one of the greatest albums in rock history. Thunder Road, the title tune, Jungleland, Meeting Across Athens River, And Backstreets are masterpieces!👍🏻❤️☮️🎤🎼🎸🎹
This was new to me! And quite delightful! I have CDs of Springsteen's 1st, 3rd thru 8th, 11th, & 19th studio albums. Before I donated all 2000 records of my vinyl collection to a university library, I also had his first live album, a five record set titled Live/1975-85. I love it all. That said, I still have favorites. His first, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. (1973), is my least favorite; the songs have a sameness to them that makes it difficult for me to find any standouts (other than Blinded by the Light). My favorite is his fourth, Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978), which has my favorite Springsteen song, "Adam Raised a Cain." My love for this album stems, no doubt, from the fact that it was my first Springsteen. Number six, Nebraska (1982), is also a favorite. With a handful of overdubs, it is essentially an album of demos he recorded himself on a four-track at home. He brought them to the band, but eventually, someone decided the stripped down versions were better. Nebraska will forever be linked to Sam Shepard for me because I was reading a lot of his plays and fiction at the time I was listening to this album. I also quite like Western Stars (2019), his nineteenth studio release, because it's the fist time he used an orchestra. It's got a cool western soundtrack vibe to it. And now, because of your charming and exuberant video, I will very soon own two more Springsteen CDs: The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle and Letter to You, his most recent recording. Thank you so much for helping me figure out how to spend my discretionary funds! Carry on!
You want to hear progressive, listen to Incident on 57th street through to New York City Serenade off this album. Bruce doesnt use a backing band. They are actually his band. Bruce, David Sancious, Danny Federici, Steven Van Zandt, Garry Talent, Vinny Lopez, and Clarence Clemons (the line up when this was recorded) are the E Street Band. They are his band. But Bruce was signed as a solo artist.
To understand how great this song and album are and where they place in the hierarchy of the E Street bands discography. As decided by Bruce himself. One only has to go to the E Street bands induction into the Rock and Roll hall of Fame ceremony. Where Bruce and the boys played both Kitty's back and the E Street shuffle. Enough said!
PS: I second what Mike McDonnell says below. I was going to have you react to what he suggested but as he states it would actually be 2 songs that flow into each other and are among his best. Rosalita has a Spanish sound to it and is also a stand-out when performed live. I can't say enough about a live Bruce Springsteen concert, you'll never be the same after. I've seen him about 5 times, loved every show and I'm NOT the biggest Springsteen fan but his live shows are dare I say a spiritual experience.
Lex’s head in hands pose said it all. Great job. I literally just emailed them with a list just to see if they heard some tunes, and “Kitty’s Back” was on my list. Great live, but David Sancious on the studio version is a great start!! I’ve only found this reaction ONCE and I requested it once too. Now this is 3 times. Rare gem. Ever notice all the lyrics are “cat and alley,” “trash cans” etc. related. Thanks so much. 🤪
Yes! Bruce goes on & on live. What energy. Lex just said, “Get Sandy over here.” Haha. She doesn’t know: “Sandy, fireworks 💥 are hailin’ over little Eden tonight.” Lol. Wow. Thanks 🤪
@@michelemichele3375 it seems that you and I have very very similar tastes in music, your music suggestions seem to mirror mine and it makes me smile. nice to meet you Michele Michele...
@@swirll360 Nice to meet you too. But this coincidence has my head spinning ... but I’m smiling. 🤪 Out of all the gin joints, lol, I mean, out of all the Springsteen tunes to introduce to N&L, this is the one! But nobody ever requests it anywhere on RUclips - I’ve checked. Actually, 1 guy did a live version reaction and I personally paid to request it myself (studio version) with another reactor. That’s all. And 2 hours prior to this reaction, I emailed N&L to ask if they’ve heard a few songs. “Kittys Back” was on that list. I wanted to break the stereotype that Bruce only did simple Pop ballads & I thought this was jazzy enough & interesting enough for N&L. Two hours later, I see it on their channel. At first, I thought they were taking it from my possible request list in the email I just sent them. No wait, is this a dream 😴? I mean, who would even think of Bruce for this channel anyway?!! And it’s not like this tune is his biggest hit or most popular song. No one talks about this song & David Sancious. Just me. And now you. Wow. Freaky. Full moon 🌝 magic. Lol. Too funny. Great job 👏🏼 Twinsies. Lol. 😉
@@michelemichele3375 I love coincidences... So was it kismet or serendipity? discuss lol. I love that this is considered a "deep cut" when it's a live show standard (give or take). Enjoy the rest of the evening Michele Michele & turn up some tuuuuunes!
Almost each song of this album kind of grabs you by the collar and tells you "Make today count!! And do it together!" And, fortunately, in a language that aims for the heart, not the mind - by someone who just had discovered some magic tricks. Not every song of this album is "to the point," and the production rumbles on (?) a lot. But almost every note screams "Alive!", as I have rarely experienced with a record. That makes "The wild, the innocent and the E street shuffle" so amazing.
Well this was fun! I'd forgotten about the early Springsteen. Yes...it's much different from his later, more popular stuff. I'd suggest Born to Run and Thunder Road if you want to hear "classic Bruce". I'll also throw in The River. Gorgeous song. But if you want to get a sense of what a Springsteen CONCERT was like back in the day, I'd say listen to Jungleland and Rosalita back to back. His live shows were like both a religious experience and a party...and these 2 songs will give you that!
I enjoyed your reactions. This song is from his second album and, although very well received by music critics, it was not a commercial success. So, much pressure was on Bruce's shoulder to make a "successful" commercial album and he responded with 'Born to Run", which took 18 months to record. I recommedn you take a chance on "New York Serenade" from the same album that 'Kitty's Back' is from. Live versions are also a great choice. Bruce's folk albums, such as "Nebraska", "The Ghost of Tom Joad" and "Devils & Dust" will surprise you as well. Cheers, and keep up the good work.
If you listen to concerts from 1974-1975, this was the centerpiece, with the extended jam making the live experience so great. Then, as more albums were released and they no longer needed to pad the running time, this was dropped entirely, not played from 1980-2001. Then it was revived, because it's such a showcase. When I went to what sadly looks to be Bruce's last US stadium show, ever (Foxboro, September 2016; I flew in from LA because the tour was ending) I didn't know what the setlist would be, as they were changing it regularly. They played "Lost in the Flood" (from the first album) and I was all "yessss!" And then the opening chord to this played and it was just sublime; it was house money for me after that. Such perfection. In the mid-2000s, organist Danny "The Phantom" Federice contracted cancer which ultimately proved fatal and had to drop out of the band (replaced by Charlie Giordano). At Indianapolis in 2007, Danny joined the band for part of the set, one last time (and they all knew it would be, sadly) and this was one of the four songs they played with Danny. R.I.P. (Any live version of this song that clocks in at less than 15 minutes, you've been cheated, lol.) Lots of great suggestions in the comments. I would add "The River", which well expresses the lyrical bleakness of that period. But so much sheer poetry.
You guys nudged me to relisten to this whole album which I hadn't done in probably a few years. Thanks for that, still my favorite of his many fine records. I'd love to see your reaction to New York City Serenade, an absolutely beautiful song totally unlike anything I've seen you react to so far.
This was Bruce's full time band, the E-street band, still together today, but people have changed. The E Street Shuffle song tells the story of them getting together.
Bruce, especially in this era, needs to be seen/experienced LIVE. Luckily a concert from 1975 is entirely available on his official channel, song by song. I'd recommend "Rosalita" from that concert, because it's a lengthy song with several sections, because in the performance he introduces all the band members during a breakdown, and because it's just one of his best songs.
12:10 Actually, it's not challenging for him to play anything live. The live version of Kitty is even better. His band members have been with him for decades and Bruce's music experience is playing live (jamming) for hours is in his DNA.
It was cool to see a reaction to this song. A big part of the difference compared to the later albums are thanks to David Sancious on the keyboards and Vini Lopez on the drums. Sancious would leave to start his own solo career after this album and Vini had to be fired due to his wild and sometimes insane behavior, despite having played with Bruce since the very start. There´s a ton of great early Springsteen songs to dive into, but perhaps the closest you get to a song like this would be the song "Thundercrack", that was written in 72/73 but wasn´t released until on the "Tracks" album in the 90´s. Other early favorites I´d check out would be "Spirit in the Night" (another jazzy one) and the song "E Street Shuffle", both in the studio version and the very different one from "Live at Hammersmith Odeon 1975".
Bruce’s styles were all over the map early on. Live performances were legendarily long, raw, just great. His album “Born to Run” (1975) with the “Wall of Sound” is considered by many to be one of the greatest rock albums of all time.
“And my tires were slashed and I almost crashed, but the Lord had mercy/ and my machine, she’s a dud, out stuck in the mud somewhere in the swamps of Jersey “
The E-Street Band is pretty big as rock bands go. Two, three, or even four or five guitars depending on the lineup/song (Bruce, Steve Van Zandt, Nils Lofgren, Tom Morello, Patti Scialfa), bass, piano, keyboard/organ/accordion, saxophone, drums. That's the basic setup. Then he often tours with a full horn section, percussionists/background singers, guest vocalists like Morello or Eddie Vedder, etc. And he puts on 3-4 hour shows in front of 100,000+ people with a set list of 25-30 songs out of his catalog of hundreds, plus some covers and audience suggestions. They'll take audience suggestions for covers of songs they've never performed before, and figure it out live on stage, key, progression, arrangement, the whole works, and then nail it. His first two albums were very Dylan-esque, especially the first one. They were critical hits, but didn't chart or sell very well, so he was asked to make something more accessible. With that mandate he turned the musical world upside down with the Born to Run album, employing "wall of sound" production with masterful storytelling. His next albums were the harder/heavier rock album Darkness on the Edge of Town (considered by many to be his best) and the double LP The River. He then turned the world upside down with a self-produced, fully acoustic solo album Nebraska, recorded in his bedroom on an 8 track tape deck. It seems like Nebraska would be the Bruce album you guys would get the most mileage out of. Bruce wrote it, plays every part, sings all the lead and background vocals, and mixed it himself. And then, finally, Born in the USA, which skewed well away from his folk/rock/hard rock roots into synthesizer-driven pop rock and blew everyone out of the water. For a ten year period, Bruce Springsteen WAS rock n roll. And not just in the US. In 1988 he played to 800,000 people in East Germany, and is insanely popular in Sweden, Germany, and the UK to this day. For some reason, Bruce is the biggest and most important artists that music reaction channels seem to almost completely ignore. Possibly because he doesn't license his music very often (if at all) for commercial purposes like movies, TV, commercials, or for things like t-shirts, posters, etc, and so if you aren't just listening to the music, you might overlook a guy whose sales and chart records are in the top 3-4 of all time with the Beatles, Elvis, Michael Jackson, and Kanye. I've tried getting various different reactors to check out a diverse selection of his music, to no avail. Most of them won't touch it for some reason. It's their loss, I guess!
you should definitely look at his live performances from around 1978 (rosalita or badlands for example) becouse it is very interesting to see him at work :D
This is , along with the song Rosalita,I think are THE PERFECT songs to introduce someone who has only heard Born In The USA. This is the SOUL of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band
Such a cool reaction. Checkout Jungle Land from Born to Run or Tenth Ave. Freeze Out. Early Springsteen is very progressive. David Sancious on the keys for this tune. Been a fan of his early stuff since the early 80's.
Nick & Lex thanks for the reaction. I chose this for a few reasons. First of all, I just wanted you guys to have some fun and not have to analyze complicated stuff, I wanted to give you both a break. I also wanted you to hear some Bruce Springsteen that you'd never expect. This is his second album and for me, it's his best, I like a lot of his stuff after but for me, this is his best most sophisticated, and fun. The album has a very upbeat jazz/pop feeling that's just wonderful. This song live is out of hand and you should react to it. Someone below mentioned the live version as well. If you ever watch it you'll understand why he sells out arenas. Bruce plays for 3 hours and at times his live show will feel like a baptist church revival where you can't help but get up out of your seat and dance, and his band has been with him from basically the start that's why you hear how cohesive they are. Bruce Springsteen has a charisma that's off the charts when you see him live. Do yourselves a favor and watch him live but be prepared to have perma grin and be exhausted afterward. As always, great job and keep on loving each other. PS: the keyboard player on here was David Sancious who left after this record to have a very successful jazz solo career and formed a band called Tone.
Nick & Lex: Just one other thing to add here, Nick you'll appreciate this fun Springsteen fact. Bruce has released 20 studio albums and does not ever do the same setlist twice. Here is an excerpt from an interview he did with Vanity Fair: "About an hour before every concert, Bruce Springsteen draws up a setlist of 31 songs, written in big, scrawly letters in marker ink and soon thereafter distributed to his musicians and crew in typed-up, printed-out form. But this list is really just a loose framework. Over the course of an evening, Springsteen might shake up the order, drop a song, call a few audibles to his seasoned, ready-for-anything E Street Band, or make a request or two from fans holding handwritten signs in the pit near the front of the stage. Or he might do all of the above and then some" Now that's impressive you have to say. Also he holds records for longest live shows. In one of his previous tours he played for over 4 hours 3 times (4 hours 6 minutes is his longest show to date). It's a MUST, a bucket list requirement to see him live. No light show to speak of just great music, a great band in the truest sense of the word, incredible energy from Bruce and the band AND charisma that's off the charts. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
This is also my favorite Springsteen album. Glad you started with some early Springsteen. Most people go through his numerous hits and while amazing, starting with this adds textures to his amazing career.
That excuse would make sense if they knew Bruce Springsteen, and if you really want to talk Bruce at his best, you might want to listen to 'The River', now that's B at his best!
I agree. His best album for sure. He was never the same again when the drummer changed.
Everything that you said!
Bruce Springsteen's early albums are a surprise and a revelation to people who only know his later work, which I'm sad to say is nearly everybody any more. You're really going along your journey in a better way than I could ever advise, and I'm loving every minute. Thanks guys !
Lex, if you want music for your street party, check out / react to "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" from this album. Fair warning: you may feel unusually inclined to dance - and that's good. Do it in the morning and smile for the rest of the day !
Thank you Ron, this was an excellent suggestion. It's been a while . . . but that's my fault. Apparently I need to dust off some of my older albums.
incident on 57th that segways into rosalita is the best part of this album
Yep
Yep, yep!
Honestly, I think Incident on 57th Street is the best song he ever did.
@@LoganAlbright73 Best album with indeed his best song imo. It´s just the spontaneous, experimental nature of this album that stands out to me. Too bad Bruce went the 3-chord road after this.
Rosalita was early Springsteen’s “what song is it you wanna hear?”
Never heard this before. Now "this" Bruce Springsteen I like 🙂
Really? wow!
Yes, it’s a bit like ‘chalk and cheese’. Pre and post Born To Run album. I was such a fan before and up this one, not so much after.
Bruce Springsteen - Kitty’s Back has always been my favorite track of his. He has no other song like it. Thanks for your enthusiastic reaction.
Love this album!!! This was his second studio album. The songs on this album are iconic. You should listen to Rosalita.
My favorite song from my favorite Springsteen album.
Such a great album, try Rosalita, Incident on 57th Street and New York City serenade, all great. awesome band. Party is right.
This was when I really discovered The Boss. Great album. Rosalita, New York city serenade and E Street Shuffle are my favorites. Enjoy
Guys...early Springsteen is nothing like the USA period you are familiar with Explore this album ....Born to Run Darkness at the Edge of Town and The River Then for some real contrast, the amazing Nebraska There are many upbeat moments and many darker ones as well He was a classic on stage Had to literally drag him off I'd be a bit surprised if you haven't heard Born to Run Guess its possible
Bruce Begins and ends with his 3 Albums - Greetings from Asbury Park, The wild, the innocent & the E street shuffle, Born to run and to a lesser extent, Darkness on the edge of town
@@gdtrfbbb9350 Largely agree but personally think a lot to like on The River Maybe coulda been i disc stead of 2 Love mood of Nebraska though But largely agree
@@snowdog87 how about Lost in the Flood By Bruce.
Nebraska remains one of the darkest albums I've ever heard.
Used Cars is a great song for them to review as is State Trooper (though that might shock them!)
Being a huge Bruce fan for over 40 years and knowing those early albums so well, it is so much fun seeing you two discover this amazing musician, lyricist. I feel there will never be anyone else even close to his skill and showmanship. Two years down the road and you still have so much more to discover. Thank you for being so great to watch!
The circus! YES! This was Bruce at his young best. Energy, youth, live forever.
Heed the call to see him live. If he tours again and you have to mortgage the house to pay for the tickets, don't hesitate. Even in his old age he's still better live than 99% of what's out there. Of all the bands I've seen over the years (including Rush, Clapton, Dylan to name just a few) only Pink Floyd comes close to the impact The Boss makes with his live show. This was such a great choice to react to. It's easily in my top 5 favorites from Bruce. Thanks so much!
Springsteen is, absolutely no contest, the most incredible live performer you could ever see.
I was never into Bruce's 80's and post-80's material, but his early stuff is quite good.
Totally agree. His first 2 albums were great, then he became a mega star with Born to Run & began writing more "anthem" type songs (IMO) designed to be rocking concert favorites. He appealed to the masses then, but lost me.
And for me, this track is a “grower” - the more I’ve listened to it, the better it sounds especially the David Sancious organ solo after the frenetic, almost cacophonous build-up leading up to it.
Also, Eric, have you listened to anything by The Pineapple Thief? Thanks 🤪
@@michelemichele3375 Yes, a little bit, but I haven't gotten deep into their catalog. I know that they have often been compared to Porcupine Tree, but I just never really got into them for some reason. Not sure why.
@@integraleric The Pineapple Thief isn’t as complex and almost seems to be trying to be a clone of PT (same initials, etc), but I like their sound. Gavin Harrison on drums is a high point. I requested a first track for June. It won’t be heavy click-bait but not everything can be. Lol. Gratitude. ☮️🤪
Yes, like Sting, he got pretentious and boring. Kudos
The circus sound is Huge in “Wild Billie’s Circus Story” on the same album. They did “Kitty’s Back” live with each member doing solos. I’ve only seen 1 reactor do this plus I requested it from another and now YOU’RE the 3rd on RUclips! (I think). Great request & reaction. I had just emailed you guys today to see if you’ve heard this song. Wow. 🤪
One of the great poets and iconic rockstars who's concerts are legendary. He calls the E Street band the greatest bar band in the world, and he's probably right. The Hammersmith Odeon '75 version of this song is spectacular! If you liked this one you HAVE TO hear Jungleland. It's his Stairway. 😉👍👍
This live version of Jungleland is epic and knocks the studio version out of the water: ruclips.net/video/AjeiWVXBxqI/видео.html
@@brumleyhall That happens often of course, but in general I think it’s better to first listen to studio versions.👍🍺
@@thegoatchild3545 In general, I agree with you, but in this particular case (and with most Springsteen), I would go with the live version.
You mentioned them being the greatest bar band in the world, and they just may be exactly that. However when they were unleashed upon the world, they found that they had to trade in the bars for arenas and stadiums.
✌🏼😎
They learned to jam hard because the competition of the New Jersey Bar scene was epic in the 70's, and so they wrote and played long, engaging, dance-floor party pleasers. They were known as the best live show for decades, because of the sheer energy exerted over the hours. Epic is an overused word. But that was the standard that Bruce intended to convey every night. So, there are really two Bruce Springsteen. One, off-stage, is a quiet, contemplative, serious, poet and craftsman of songs, where he spent months and months over the sound of an album. And the other, an extroverted performer, pouring every bit of sweat and soul into every note that is humanly possible. There are a few gems on that album, and many more over the years.
Excellent description , hitting the salient points nicely in a paragraph. I only saw him once at my college town in upstate NY in 75’. He brought the house down and afterwards you’d walk around campus and every other dorm room was playing “Greetings From Asbury Park” all that spring.
One of his best songs. On keyboards David Sancious amazing musician. This how one music critic described it in 1973. "a grand fusion of nostalgic rock 'n' roll and soulful R&B". Springsteen was not about radio play in the early days. His music had depth and soul.
Spot on take on this record... imagine how much fun we had when this came out!!!
Great reaction, I have this Springsteen album, the whole album is very good. I have many of his other albums, but he and his band the E Street Band are fantastic live, seen them live 4 times, first time was in 1980.
Don’t take this as an insult please! You two are delightfully clueless on so many of these songs. It makes it that much more entertaining.
As others have said his early albums are crazy good. His E Street Band is full of legendary musicians. This album came out when I was in high school and I was not a huge Springsteen fan. Then Born to Run came out and it was like a light came on. I went back and listened to his earlier stuff and I realized how great it was. Give his earlier albums a listen, you won't be disappointed!
It's this album that always reminds me why he deserves to be a superstar. It still feels like a fresh masterpiece after all these years and so many listens.
One of my all time favourites and Bruce's best guitar solo at the intro
BRRRRUUUUUUCCCEEE!!! If you want to hear his most iconic anthem to love (not really a love song)...Thunder Road!
Cheers to whoever recommended this. I'm a huge fan of old-school Springsteen, long before his Born in the USA days. Unfortunately, the early stuff is not well-known today. Back then, he was known foremost as a storyteller, and his manager even tried to sell him as the new Dylan. Tons of great songs from this era, including:
New York City Serenade
Rosalita
4th of July, Asbury Park
Lost in the Flood
Blinded by the Light (which is the original version of the song before Manfred Mann)
Spirit in the Night
Springsteen hit it big with his third album, Born to Run. There are also tons of great songs from that album and its successor, Darkness on the Edge of Town.
Loved your reaction to this one, guys! For anyone who is only superficially aware of Bruce, I knew this would be a nice surprise for you. This is from his 2nd album, and the diversity of the music on it is remarkable. The 2nd side of it (back when albums had sides) is probably my favorite album side ever - Incident on 57th St., Rosalita, and New York City Serenade..Having seen Bruce live over a dozen times in the last 40 years, I got to see him perform NYC Serenade twice - I could have died and gone to heaven on the spot. It's a slower, jazzier ballad with some amazing piano - doubt that many will recommend it (it's about as "deep cut" as you get - casual fans wouldn't even know it), but you'd love it. And Rosalita is about as perfect a rock song as he's ever written - if this song makes you feel like you're at a party, you need to check that one out!
The songs on this album are all great examples of his unique storytelling, and showcase the band's chops. But it wasn't until his next album, Born to Run, that he blew up. He's got so much great stuff worth exploring, but my comment's already an essay so I'll let others recommend specific tunes - those who have, have been picking great stuff! Enjoying your channel!
New York City Serenade is one of the most beautiful , emotional, and wonderful of Bruce’s works !
I know a few Bruce Springsteen songs and I've always heard that his live shows are crazy long. I've never heard this song before, it has a good groove. Lots of change times indeed. It really did sound like a party; well, a well structured one, anyhow.
Go see Bruce live! You'll be glad you did.
Bruce's best album
I love rocking out with you guys!
Love this song! Love Bruce, especially the early stuff, and especially this album, every song. I saw him in ‘75 at CW Post (Born To Run tour). Come to find out, that’s where they recorded ‘Santa Claus Is Coming To Town’, now a Christmas classic! His band was /still is phenomenal. His saxophonist, Clarence Clemons (RIP) was hilarious, with the ‘ho-ho-ho’s...to this day I keep listening for my scream.
Bruce has a huge catalog. Listen to Born to run, Jungleland, Candys room... soooo many songs. Essential artist.
Bruce put his Bsnd together when he was 19 years old and he did pick the guys he used to jam with along at thr Jersey Shore and Asbery Park because he wanted musicians that could make any change on the stage when he needed them too. He is the songwriter the director of the arrangements of giving them some creativity but they they don't mind when he tells them how about if play more this or that way they say he wrote with his heart and blood hr knows how he wants it to sound. The same Band has been together only two that passed away they just finished a very successful tour all over Europe and the USA and are ready to start one this year hr will be turning 68 and he is still as energetic on thr stage as when he was 23. They don't call him the BOSS for nothing. I really enjoy your show you guys really appreciate music.
My favorite Bruce Album...
@NicknLex: I am a huge fan of Bruce Springsteen, and this is my favorite song by him, from my favourite album by him. His style changed a _lot_ over the years, but he's still amazing. I'm so glad that you guys got introduced to him by this song!
Once again you have done a reaction of one of the many albums I downsized when I moved from Canada to the US in 79...
I miss so many of my old friends.
Thanks!
Nice to see this on a reaction channel! Most of the group is still alive and together - I saw them on AppleTV in the recording studio - great band!
I HIGHLY recommend "New York City Serenade", Spirit In the Night, Jungleland, She's the One, Because the Night, Blinded By the Light (only his version), E Street Shuffle, Hearts of Stone by Bruce.
New York City Serenade yes plz. I actually got to hear this live in Rome
Wow, this is a real deep cut from Bruce’s early days. I had forgotten the early sound of the band because he went on to superstardom with a more mainstream rock/pop sound after the first few albums. Bruce always has great vocals and an excellent band to bring home the goods!
Disagree, in that, Bruce and the boys had already cemented themselves into R&R "stardom" and legendary status Before the more "Pop" Born in the USA / MTV fueled overreaction aka correction period.
His shows, repertoire and discography from before the overproduced, over hyped and over rated "Burn in the USA Are the stuff of legend. Especially in the Philly region. Thankfully some of it was preserved.
All the born in the USA period and all that followed did was too just reinforce what we knew all along. But for the wrong reasons!
That's not too say that the trilogy of Nebraska, The River and Born in the USA Are bad. Each has their moments. But in comparison to his 1, 2, 3 Hat trick of, Greetings from Asbury Park, The Wild The Innocent... & Born to run. With Darkness on the edge of town as the transition between the two eras. There's no comparison
This album blew me away when I first heard it in 1972. I saw him live with this lineup at UC Santa Barbara in their basketball gym before anyone knew who he was. This group had been performing in small clubs on the Jersey shore for years and the group was razor sharp. You should do a track-by-track reaction to this album and his first album Greetings From Asbury Park. The first two albums were masterful and his best work ever IMHO. This line up was known as the E Street band and they were legendary on the East Coast. Shortly after this album hit he was on the cover of Time magazine and he and the group blew up and went nation wide. Then it was impossible to get tickets to see him so I so lucky to get to see him that night and the show was great. They did almost 3 hrs. and probably played every song from the first two albums. What a magical night by a true superstar.
No one has ever called Springsteen "prog" before -- but with innocent ears, you can hear that! Fantastic reaction.
The live version of Kitty's Back from the Hammersmith Odeon album is a real jam session (deep deep cut)
His first three albums were progressive jazz and folk inspired. Really first rate.
Recommend Lost in the Flood from Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ.
Lost in the Flood...YES! When he does both Kitty and Lost in concert I float away!
This song blew me away the first time I heard it .. the tempo changes are just insane .. Wow
There’s at least 1-2dozen more absolute gems for you to discover! 🤩😎👍
Love Bruce's 1st 3 albums!
Jersey Shore music! My opinion this is his best album, it's relentlessly good!
I’m in agreement with you!
Huge Bruce fan... Especially this era.
Live sessions were hitting 17 minutes like on Live from The Hammersmith Odeon London, 1975. The band is extremely tight. One of the greatest Live performers. In his 60s, his shows topped four hours long.
Bruce is from a few towns over from my hometown (Freehold). Bassist Garry Talent graduated from my high school (Neptune). The E Street Band is named after E Street in Belmar, just across the video from Neptune.
Bruce is also the guitarist here. His sound varies somewhat on every album he released.
RIP Clarence Clemmons (sax) and Danny Federici (keys).
The rest of the band at that point were David Sancious (organ, Inc solo), Vinnie Lopez (drums - the last album for these two), Clarence Clemmons (sax), Danny Federici (keys), Garry Talent (bass) and Bruce on guitar and vocals. Most band members played multiple instruments on this album.
Songs to hear: Jungleland, Thunder Road, Rosalita, Backstreets, The River, Darkness at the Edge of Town, Spirit in the Night,
All through Bruce’s early career he was a story teller. His first four albums are my favorites. The E Street Band is amazing. Two guitarists, a bassist, two keyboard players (organ and piano), a saxophone player, and a drummer with everyone singing backup vocals. Late 80’s early 90’s he drifted more into pop with more standard pop arrangements, which is where he started to lose me.
That album is full of surprises, great stuff.
Great recommendation! Bruce and the E Street Band have to be seen live. I suggest that you next react to any of the songs from the 1975 film of the Hammersmith Odeon concert in London.
If you're going to listen to "the Boss" going for a deep cut off of a early album is probably the way to go.
LOVE THIS..TO ME IT'S LIKE SPRINGSTEEN GOT TO FULL OF HIMSELF FROM "THE RVER" ONWARD..AND DAVID SANCIOUS ON KEYBOARDS ON THIS ALBUM..BRILLIANT...YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME..KENT IN OHIO
I am so glad that you stumbled upon Bruce through this song. She's a gem. It's one of those great headphone moments. My well considered opinion is you should listen to these next in this order: "The River", "The Promised Land" live from their 1980 "The River Tour" Tempe, AZ, "Jackson Cage" studio version. Any version of The River is a great version. Bruce the man is an amazing story too.
PLEASE READ - Saw The Boss 6 times from 1973 on. What a band playing 4 to 4.5 hours. 1 drummer, 2 pianist / organist, FOUR guitarist, 1 bassist, and 1 big saxophonist. As tight a band as I ever heard. I was born in 1952 and now at 70 I have seen well over 300 concerts. Most of the bands you play I have seen. Missed The Beatles-
my favorite all time. My first concert was Jimi Hendrix at 14; and I have never looked back. Saw Bruce when he released his first album back in 1973 at The Armadillo Headquarters in Austin, Tx where I went to UT for $4-$6. All these bands were young and in their prime. Usually two concerts a week in San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and Dallas. Hate current rap and hip hop. Love newer groups like John Mayer,
Matchbox 20, One Republic, etc. Saw Emerson, Lake, and Palmer four times also. Keith Emerson was not classically trained. He was self taught and had 1 of 2 Moog Synthesizers to go along with a dozen other keyboards. Greg Lake played bass guitars; and had the voice of a God. Carl Palmer on drums was excellent. Some of the bands I saw in their day included Steely Dan, Yes ( Wow ), The Doors, The Who, Jethro Tull, Genesis, Dire Straits, Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Eagles, Zeppelin, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, America, Neil Young, David Bowie, Billie Joel, Rush, Elton John, Tom Perry, Heart, Fleetwood Mac , ELO, The Traveling Wilburys, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones,
to name a few. Again, ticket prices ranged $4-$8 in the 60’s and 70’s.
The 80’s were $10-$20.
Still love live shows. You guys are fun to watch; and do the only views I watch.
Keep going down those rabbit holes. I have yet to stop myself. ❤,
Michael Hames
Mistake - Tom Petty & The
Heartbreakers instead of Tom Perry
First saw Bruce on the same ‘73 tour at the VCU gym in Richmond Virginia. I paid $1 to get in. He wasn’t even the headliner but was opening for Dan Hicks. Poor Dan. I didn’t know it at the time but he was a local legend as Richmond was a main stop on his pre-E Street tour circuit with Steel Mill. He would play at a small venue in Richmond until @‘76 so I got to see his legendary live shows several times. He still shows up in Richmond occasionally but not to perform (daughter?). He was spotted @10 years ago eating lunch at my neighborhood bar/restaurant. Nobody blinked.
Great reaction - your assumption about it being a ragtag group of local musicians is bang on, that's pretty much what his E Street Band is to this day 😃 Bruce is one of the greatest songwriters and live performers of all time imo. His early stuff is a crazy cocktail of ideas from Dylan and Van Morrison, to early Rock and Roll and blues. He really found his sound on Born to Run (the flawless record that followed this one), but even the much later, pop-rock Born in the USA isn't what you'd think it is upon first listen to the chorus. Hope you guys check out more - I'd recommend Jungleland!
If you love early Springsteen then you will love a fellow New Jersey band named Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes with a great horn section.Songs like Love On The Wrong Side of Town, Trapped Again, We’re Having a Party. Bruce looked up to that band when he first Started!
Never heard the prog rock in this song before, good insight. Bruce would never believe it! Like many other comments. Early Bruce is very unique and awesome. I will leave the descriptions for you guys...
Excellent choice Ron. No comparison between early Springsteen and born in the USA period. His first five album run is spectacular with the E Street band's playing positively incendiary. This album is personally my favorite of theirs. Thanks for upload.
Gives me chills...
Imagine this in a 500 seat venue back in the day......Heaven.
You'll get many requests for tracks from his third album (Born To Run - excellent) onward, but for my money this is his peak. The whole album is killer. It precedes his superstar status and the bulk of his chart success. Please react to it all; you'll be surprised and (I believe) pleased by the range of musical ideas on his first two albums.
So right. This album always joins me on a roadtrip. So totally un boring and wonderful
Good call. The Album starts with a party, the E Street Shuffle, then we go down the Jersey shore for $th of July Asbury Park (Sandy), then Kitty's Back, followed by a trip to the circus. The flip side (think vinyl) has a suite set in New York City.
No, he often has a large band with him. Sometimes he brings in a full string section for some of the song on this album
I LOVE this reaction so much! There are droves of people out there who dismiss Springsteen & the E Street Band, thinking they know all about what their songs are like, and that they don't like the very limited range of stuff they do know. When I play the 1st two albums for them, along with stuff from Born To Run, Nebraska, other stuff from the Tracks set, they don't know what to think sometimes. Some of them are still too uptight and stuck on the one image they have about the band. But if you open your mind and do a little poking around, there's brilliant joy like this to be heard. You nailed exactly what this song is supposed to make you feel like.
Yeah ... early Bruce is much different than the material that made him famous. The live versions of "Kitty's Back" from the 78 tour are epic.
The piano is by David Sancious on this, Bruces first two albums and the song "Born to Run" on Bruces third album. Bruce helped him get his own record contract so he (and the drummer) left Bruce's band at that point. Dave is a classically trained pianist who also plays a mean electric rock guitar. He put out several jazz fusion albums in the 1970s with his band called Tone and at least one classical/ jazz solo piano album in the 1980s titled "The Bridge". Over the decades he has recorded and toured with Sting, Eric Clapton, Peter Gabriel and others.
The year that Born to Run came out and Springsteen broke big I was listening to an FM station through headphones at home. I was maybe 19, drinking a big jug of cheap wine. The FM station played this whole album followed by the entire Born to Run album. Blew my mind. Went and bought E Street and Born to Run the next day. A huge Springsteen fan up until Tunnel of Love. Not so much after that. His music evolved as he aged and tracked my life as well. One of the great talents of American music.
Bruce and The E Street Band.The first 3 albums are incredible
Can’t believe it! Thanks so much, Ron! I had this on my potential list for July! The jazzy & blues sound is unique to early Springsteen only and David Sancious does the organ solo. Hope you like it. The lyrics are all cat 🐈 and alley related too. 🤪
He is known as The Boss because of his stage presence live in concert. Though I’ve never seen him live he is as good as it gets from what I’ve seen of him on videos! Bruce was anything but pop rock when he started. His album Born To Run is considered to be one of the greatest albums in rock history. Thunder Road, the title tune, Jungleland, Meeting Across Athens River, And Backstreets are masterpieces!👍🏻❤️☮️🎤🎼🎸🎹
This was new to me! And quite delightful! I have CDs of Springsteen's 1st, 3rd thru 8th, 11th, & 19th studio albums. Before I donated all 2000 records of my vinyl collection to a university library, I also had his first live album, a five record set titled Live/1975-85. I love it all.
That said, I still have favorites. His first, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. (1973), is my least favorite; the songs have a sameness to them that makes it difficult for me to find any standouts (other than Blinded by the Light). My favorite is his fourth, Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978), which has my favorite Springsteen song, "Adam Raised a Cain." My love for this album stems, no doubt, from the fact that it was my first Springsteen. Number six, Nebraska (1982), is also a favorite. With a handful of overdubs, it is essentially an album of demos he recorded himself on a four-track at home. He brought them to the band, but eventually, someone decided the stripped down versions were better. Nebraska will forever be linked to Sam Shepard for me because I was reading a lot of his plays and fiction at the time I was listening to this album. I also quite like Western Stars (2019), his nineteenth studio release, because it's the fist time he used an orchestra. It's got a cool western soundtrack vibe to it.
And now, because of your charming and exuberant video, I will very soon own two more Springsteen CDs: The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle and Letter to You, his most recent recording.
Thank you so much for helping me figure out how to spend my discretionary funds!
Carry on!
You want to hear progressive, listen to Incident on 57th street through to New York City Serenade off this album.
Bruce doesnt use a backing band. They are actually his band. Bruce, David Sancious, Danny Federici, Steven Van Zandt, Garry Talent, Vinny Lopez, and Clarence Clemons (the line up when this was recorded) are the E Street Band. They are his band. But Bruce was signed as a solo artist.
To understand how great this song and album are and where they place in the hierarchy of the E Street bands discography. As decided by Bruce himself.
One only has to go to the E Street bands induction into the Rock and Roll hall of Fame ceremony. Where Bruce and the boys played both Kitty's back and the E Street shuffle.
Enough said!
PS: I second what Mike McDonnell says below. I was going to have you react to what he suggested but as he states it would actually be 2 songs that flow into each other and are among his best. Rosalita has a Spanish sound to it and is also a stand-out when performed live. I can't say enough about a live Bruce Springsteen concert, you'll never be the same after. I've seen him about 5 times, loved every show and I'm NOT the biggest Springsteen fan but his live shows are dare I say a spiritual experience.
Lex’s head in hands pose said it all. Great job. I literally just emailed them with a list just to see if they heard some tunes, and “Kitty’s Back” was on my list. Great live, but David Sancious on the studio version is a great start!! I’ve only found this reaction ONCE and I requested it once too. Now this is 3 times. Rare gem. Ever notice all the lyrics are “cat and alley,” “trash cans” etc. related. Thanks so much. 🤪
Yes! Bruce goes on & on live. What energy. Lex just said, “Get Sandy over here.” Haha. She doesn’t know: “Sandy, fireworks 💥 are hailin’ over little Eden tonight.” Lol. Wow. Thanks 🤪
@@michelemichele3375 it seems that you and I have very very similar tastes in music, your music suggestions seem to mirror mine and it makes me smile. nice to meet you Michele Michele...
@@swirll360 Nice to meet you too. But this coincidence has my head spinning ... but I’m smiling. 🤪
Out of all the gin joints, lol, I mean, out of all the Springsteen tunes to introduce to N&L, this is the one! But nobody ever requests it anywhere on RUclips - I’ve checked. Actually, 1 guy did a live version reaction and I personally paid to request it myself (studio version) with another reactor. That’s all. And 2 hours prior to this reaction, I emailed N&L to ask if they’ve heard a few songs. “Kittys Back” was on that list. I wanted to break the stereotype that Bruce only did simple Pop ballads & I thought this was jazzy enough & interesting enough for N&L. Two hours later, I see it on their channel. At first, I thought they were taking it from my possible request list in the email I just sent them. No wait, is this a dream 😴? I mean, who would even think of Bruce for this channel anyway?!! And it’s not like this tune is his biggest hit or most popular song. No one talks about this song & David Sancious. Just me. And now you. Wow. Freaky. Full moon 🌝 magic. Lol. Too funny.
Great job 👏🏼 Twinsies. Lol. 😉
@@michelemichele3375 I love coincidences... So was it kismet or serendipity? discuss lol. I love that this is considered a "deep cut" when it's a live show standard (give or take). Enjoy the rest of the evening Michele Michele & turn up some tuuuuunes!
Almost each song of this album kind of grabs you by the collar and tells you "Make today count!! And do it together!" And, fortunately, in a language that aims for the heart, not the mind - by someone who just had discovered some magic tricks. Not every song of this album is "to the point," and the production rumbles on (?) a lot. But almost every note screams "Alive!", as I have rarely experienced with a record. That makes "The wild, the innocent and the E street shuffle" so amazing.
Excellent viewpoint
Well this was fun! I'd forgotten about the early Springsteen. Yes...it's much different from his later, more popular stuff. I'd suggest Born to Run and Thunder Road if you want to hear "classic Bruce". I'll also throw in The River. Gorgeous song. But if you want to get a sense of what a Springsteen CONCERT was like back in the day, I'd say listen to Jungleland and Rosalita back to back. His live shows were like both a religious experience and a party...and these 2 songs will give you that!
I enjoyed your reactions. This song is from his second album and, although very well received by music critics, it was not a commercial success. So, much pressure was on Bruce's shoulder to make a "successful" commercial album and he responded with 'Born to Run", which took 18 months to record. I recommedn you take a chance on "New York Serenade" from the same album that 'Kitty's Back' is from. Live versions are also a great choice. Bruce's folk albums, such as "Nebraska", "The Ghost of Tom Joad" and "Devils & Dust" will surprise you as well. Cheers, and keep up the good work.
If you listen to concerts from 1974-1975, this was the centerpiece, with the extended jam making the live experience so great. Then, as more albums were released and they no longer needed to pad the running time, this was dropped entirely, not played from 1980-2001. Then it was revived, because it's such a showcase.
When I went to what sadly looks to be Bruce's last US stadium show, ever (Foxboro, September 2016; I flew in from LA because the tour was ending) I didn't know what the setlist would be, as they were changing it regularly. They played "Lost in the Flood" (from the first album) and I was all "yessss!" And then the opening chord to this played and it was just sublime; it was house money for me after that. Such perfection.
In the mid-2000s, organist Danny "The Phantom" Federice contracted cancer which ultimately proved fatal and had to drop out of the band (replaced by Charlie Giordano). At Indianapolis in 2007, Danny joined the band for part of the set, one last time (and they all knew it would be, sadly) and this was one of the four songs they played with Danny. R.I.P.
(Any live version of this song that clocks in at less than 15 minutes, you've been cheated, lol.)
Lots of great suggestions in the comments. I would add "The River", which well expresses the lyrical bleakness of that period. But so much sheer poetry.
You guys nudged me to relisten to this whole album which I hadn't done in probably a few years. Thanks for that, still my favorite of his many fine records. I'd love to see your reaction to New York City Serenade, an absolutely beautiful song totally unlike anything I've seen you react to so far.
This was Bruce's full time band, the E-street band, still together today, but people have changed. The E Street Shuffle song tells the story of them getting together.
Bruce, especially in this era, needs to be seen/experienced LIVE. Luckily a concert from 1975 is entirely available on his official channel, song by song. I'd recommend "Rosalita" from that concert, because it's a lengthy song with several sections, because in the performance he introduces all the band members during a breakdown, and because it's just one of his best songs.
Yea, do Rosalita live from 78.its amazing and wild
12:10 Actually, it's not challenging for him to play anything live. The live version of Kitty is even better. His band members have been with him for decades and Bruce's music experience is playing live (jamming) for hours is in his DNA.
From My favorite Springsteen album
It was cool to see a reaction to this song. A big part of the difference compared to the later albums are thanks to David Sancious on the keyboards and Vini Lopez on the drums. Sancious would leave to start his own solo career after this album and Vini had to be fired due to his wild and sometimes insane behavior, despite having played with Bruce since the very start.
There´s a ton of great early Springsteen songs to dive into, but perhaps the closest you get to a song like this would be the song "Thundercrack", that was written in 72/73 but wasn´t released until on the "Tracks" album in the 90´s. Other early favorites I´d check out would be "Spirit in the Night" (another jazzy one) and the song "E Street Shuffle", both in the studio version and the very different one from "Live at Hammersmith Odeon 1975".
Bruce’s styles were all over the map early on. Live performances were legendarily long, raw, just great. His album “Born to Run” (1975) with the “Wall of Sound” is considered by many to be one of the greatest rock albums of all time.
“Rosalita”!!! Please Please do Rosalita. You’ll love it, I promise.
Roosssiiie cmout tonight the live 78 official vid
“And my tires were slashed and I almost crashed, but the Lord had mercy/ and my machine, she’s a dud, out stuck in the mud somewhere in the swamps of Jersey “
Fantastic song done live. Such as on the Conan O'Brian show back in 2002 (available on RUclips).
The E-Street Band is pretty big as rock bands go. Two, three, or even four or five guitars depending on the lineup/song (Bruce, Steve Van Zandt, Nils Lofgren, Tom Morello, Patti Scialfa), bass, piano, keyboard/organ/accordion, saxophone, drums. That's the basic setup. Then he often tours with a full horn section, percussionists/background singers, guest vocalists like Morello or Eddie Vedder, etc. And he puts on 3-4 hour shows in front of 100,000+ people with a set list of 25-30 songs out of his catalog of hundreds, plus some covers and audience suggestions. They'll take audience suggestions for covers of songs they've never performed before, and figure it out live on stage, key, progression, arrangement, the whole works, and then nail it.
His first two albums were very Dylan-esque, especially the first one. They were critical hits, but didn't chart or sell very well, so he was asked to make something more accessible. With that mandate he turned the musical world upside down with the Born to Run album, employing "wall of sound" production with masterful storytelling. His next albums were the harder/heavier rock album Darkness on the Edge of Town (considered by many to be his best) and the double LP The River. He then turned the world upside down with a self-produced, fully acoustic solo album Nebraska, recorded in his bedroom on an 8 track tape deck. It seems like Nebraska would be the Bruce album you guys would get the most mileage out of. Bruce wrote it, plays every part, sings all the lead and background vocals, and mixed it himself. And then, finally, Born in the USA, which skewed well away from his folk/rock/hard rock roots into synthesizer-driven pop rock and blew everyone out of the water. For a ten year period, Bruce Springsteen WAS rock n roll. And not just in the US. In 1988 he played to 800,000 people in East Germany, and is insanely popular in Sweden, Germany, and the UK to this day.
For some reason, Bruce is the biggest and most important artists that music reaction channels seem to almost completely ignore. Possibly because he doesn't license his music very often (if at all) for commercial purposes like movies, TV, commercials, or for things like t-shirts, posters, etc, and so if you aren't just listening to the music, you might overlook a guy whose sales and chart records are in the top 3-4 of all time with the Beatles, Elvis, Michael Jackson, and Kanye. I've tried getting various different reactors to check out a diverse selection of his music, to no avail. Most of them won't touch it for some reason. It's their loss, I guess!
you should definitely look at his live performances from around 1978 (rosalita or badlands for example) becouse it is very interesting to see him at work :D
This is , along with the song Rosalita,I think are THE PERFECT songs to introduce someone who has only heard Born In The USA. This is the SOUL of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band
Bruce once said this was the first time he tried to write a song that was cinematic and this is certainly that.
Check out some of his live performances from his early days.
New York City Serenade from the same album, please please please. Almost every live version is amazing.
See it live!
Springsteen was much different and better through his first 4 albums. Then he got a bit poppy and then hit it big with USA. This is the best Bruce.
That is why I suggested “Don’t you ever listen” Todd Rundgren. A deep treasure.
From Bruce's greatest album.
Such a cool reaction. Checkout Jungle Land from Born to Run or Tenth Ave. Freeze Out. Early Springsteen is very progressive. David Sancious on the keys for this tune. Been a fan of his early stuff since the early 80's.