Bruce Springsteen (Official Thread)

[Johnny-Too-Good]

'High Hopes' has gone to No 1 in the UK - Springsteen's 10th No 1 album here. That makes him top 5 of all time.

 

[LG]

^^His new album is out already Johnny??

 

[Johnny-Too-Good]

^^His new album is out already Johnny??

Yep - released Jan 14th in the UK - not sure of the position in your part of the world.

 

[CP/M User]

I purchased "Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J" the other week for $7 which has some interesting songs on it, one of the surprises on it which I thought I've heard before is "Growin' Up", it may take be a while to get into the album, it's a little bit like Don McLean's "Tapestry" where numerous songs seem to be built up on sentences rather than lyrics, perhaps there's a connection. Even when I listen to "Blinded by the Light" the verses sound more like Sentences.

 

[LG]

^^Do you like Springsteen's version of Blinded By The Light or prefer Manfred Mann's cover CP/M?

I prefer MMEB's version.

 

[CP/M User]

^^Do you like Springsteen's version of Blinded By The Light or prefer Manfred Mann's cover CP/M?

I prefer MMEB's version.

I remember you saying this

I think both versions has something different to offer which makes them interesting, sort of like comparing "Misty" song which Johnny Mathis & Ray Stevens did in totally different Genres, yet both still interesting to listen to.
"Blinded By the Light" seems to be lyrically challenging and is sung in riddles which is both apparent in both versions, Springsteen's original take on the song offers clearer clarity and the Chorus is heard clearly.
Usually this is an issue when someone decides to do a Psychedelic influenced song which is what the MMEB have done. Because I also like songs with a Psychedelic twist, I also enjoy MMEB cover.
However there's two takes with the MMEB cover which is simply a short version (possibly a single I think) of the song and an extended version (maybe an album version), do you have a preference to which of those you prefer LG?

 

[Big Ears]

I like both of those versions of Misty. Ray Stevens was good before he started the novelty records. Johnny Mathis became a bit cheesy in the seventies.

 

[CP/M User]

I like both of those versions of Misty. Ray Stevens was good before he started the novelty records. Johnny Mathis became a bit cheesy in the seventies.

OT: I was under the impression that Ray was whacky (in the 60s) before going Serious (in the 70s). I cannot remember the legendary producer Johnny Mathis had in the 50s, it was the same guy who produced early PP&M, though Johnny Mathis seemed to have a string of elegant hit songs which seem to stand the test of time very well.

 

[Big Ears]

I don't know. My first memory of Ray Stevens was Everything is Beautiful and it was one of the first singles I bought. He may have been a songwriter for other people, but I'm not sure of his background. Johnny Mathis was regarded as easy listening in the UK, despite making interesting records over many years, but had a big hit with When a Child is Born in the seventies. Even Johnny Cash was labelled 'easy listening' in the UK.

 

[LG]

I remember you saying this

I think both versions has something different to offer which makes them interesting, sort of like comparing "Misty" song which Johnny Mathis & Ray Stevens did in totally different Genres, yet both still interesting to listen to.
"Blinded By the Light" seems to be lyrically challenging and is sung in riddles which is both apparent in both versions, Springsteen's original take on the song offers clearer clarity and the Chorus is heard clearly.
Usually this is an issue when someone decides to do a Psychedelic influenced song which is what the MMEB have done. Because I also like songs with a Psychedelic twist, I also enjoy MMEB cover.
However there's two takes with the MMEB cover which is simply a short version (possibly a single I think) of the song and an extended version (maybe an album version), do you have a preference to which of those you prefer LG?

I have always preferred the full length version CP/M, but most of the FM radio stations I listened to played the original song, not the radio edited version so when I heard the 3 minute cut I was horrified.

Same thing with Radar Love, Golden Earring's classic and Don't Fear the Reaper by BOC, both full length versions should always be played.

Misty, that reminds me of a Clint Eastwood movie I bought a few months ago, "Play Misty for Me" co-starring Jessica Walters. I can't remember who produced Johnny Mathis' material in his early days, my Mom had all of his records and I do like some songs.