Tag Archives: The E Street Band

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2022: Day 15

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Day 15 2022

The sweet jolly man of the season on a vintage Christmas card image found on Pinterest. (Original source unknown.)

I listen to both of today’s songs all year long because that is what you do when you are a true Springsteen fan. I love this man & everything he has recorded, including the two Christmas tracks I am sharing with you here. He and I have a date next March and I am counting down the days. Merry Christmas, Bossman. See you in 2023.

Someone took Eric Meola’s iconic image used as the cover photo for Springsteen’s 1975 masterpiece, “Born to Run”, and gave it some Christmas cheer. (Image found online. Original source: Eric Meola.)

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band: “Santa Claus  Is Comin’ To Town” (1975, written by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie).

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band: “Merry Christmas Baby” (1986, written by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

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25 Days Of Christmas Music 2022: Day 6

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Day 6

A sweet vintage Christmas card image found on Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

One of the biggest bands-both literally and figuratively-of the 1970’s & 1980’s released their debut album in 1967. But it was not until 1998 that they released their first holiday collection, The Christmas Album, produced by E Street member Roy Bittan. Thanks to its success the record was reissued in 2003 under the title, What’s It Gonna Be, Santa? It came with with six new tracks produced by Phil Ramone including today’s pick, led by Jason Scheff’s vocals. It is a wonderful take on a more modern holiday tune written & originally recorded by Donny Hathaway in 1970.

Chicago_WhatsItGonnaBeSanta

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Chicago:  “This Christmas” (2003, written by Donny Hathaway (as “Donny Pitts”) and Nadine Theresa McKinnor).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

Music Monday: August 22, 2022

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Music Monday

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bruce Springsteen released his exquisite life changing career altering third album 47 years ago. Born To Run made its debut on August 25, 1975 and became one of classic rock’s greatest moments. I have written numerous times that this is the record that changed the trajectory of my life. And I know I am not alone in that as many fans attest to the same miracle. But it changed things for The Boss as well. It was the first commercially successful album of his career. It put him on the rock & roll map as well as on the covers of Newsweek and Time magazines in the same week of October 1975, just two months after the album’s debut.

Bossman

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Earlier this year Springsteen announced a new tour for 2023. So many tracks from BTR are highlights of the live shows, with “Thunder Road” and “Backstreets” as staples, “Tenth Avenue Freeze Out” as the number where he introduces the band and today’s track as one of the encores. And my favorite song of all time, not just from this record, “Jungleland” is saved as a special track he pulls out occasionally on stage (but more often now that Soozie Tyrell and her violin have become a permanent part of The E Street Band). The group, music, life & Springsteen have changed exponentially since BTR came out in 1975. But the poetry, the music, the power, the energy, the vibe but most importantly the promise of this incredible album still holds true: Music is the answer, no matter what the question. And Springsteen tells us that in the opening track: “What else can we do now except roll down the window and let the wind blow back your hair”.

Thank you, Bruce, for so much, but especially for the exquisite wonder of album number three of your illustrious career.

“The amusement park rises bold and stark
Kids are huddled on the beach in a mist
I wanna die with you out on the streets tonight
In an everlasting kiss“.

BTR

The “Born To Run” album cover photograph by Eric Meola.

Bruce Springsteen: “Born To Run” (1975, written by Bruce Springsteen).

Stay safe & well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 494

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Tom Petty music quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

In March 1992 Bruce Springsteen released two albums on the same day. It was not his original plan, but when the debut of Human Touch was delayed and rescheduled closer to the when the next record, Lucky Town, was due to come out, he decided to just let them go together. These records were his first after he dissolved the The E Street Band in 1989. But despite their absence, Springsteen’s classic unmistakable sound was still undeniable.

“So you been broken and you been hurt
Show me somebody who ain’t
Yeah I know I ain’t nobody’s bargain
But hell a little touchup and a little paint“.

Bruce

Bruce Springsteen circa 1992. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bruce Springsteen: “Human Touch” (1992, written by Bruce Springsteen).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 458

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

June 2021 blog

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

When I saw the “No Nukes” movie I discovered one of Bruce Springsteen’s favorite songs because he did a cover of it for the concert. The original version was a #1 song for two weeks in the summer of 1961 by singer Gary U.S. Bonds. He was born Gary Anderson on June 6, 1939 in Florida and began singing in church as a child. When he was about 20 years old he signed with Legrand Records and worked closely with producer Frank Guida. He co-wrote today’s song with two other people & Bonds provided the vocal arrangement.

He had two other hits in the early 1960’s-“New Orleans” and “School Is Out”-before his career plateaued as a result of the British Invasion. But Springsteen & his best friend/guitarist Steven Van Zandt remained huge fans and got the chance to work with Bonds in 1980. The following year his album Dedication was released & revived his career.

It contained the Top 20 hit, “This Little Girl”, a song Springsteen wrote to be included on The River album, but he decided Bonds would be a better fit for the track. The Boss wrote two other songs for the album, Van Zandt contributed one as well and the rest of The E Street Band performed all the music for the project. And all that happened because Springsteen heard today’s song when he was 11 years old & it stayed with him for the rest of his life. I can totally relate.

“I never had it so good
Yeah and I know you never could
Until you get hip with that jive
And take a band like the Church Street Five“.

Bonds 1960

Dedication

Top: Gary U.S. Bonds circa 1960. Bottom: His 1981 album, Dedication. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Gary U.S. Bonds: “Quarter To Three” (1961, written by Gary Anderson, Gene Barge, Frank J. Guida and Joseph F. Royster.

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 90

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Kerouac

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

I used to think I was lucky because of my name.  After all, the Beatles have a song with my name in it, spelled incorrectly I hasten to add.  It also has some pretty lyrics in French.  How could I lose?  I’ll tell you how.  I was not named Patty.  Girls named Patty, however they choose to spell it, seem to be luckier than most.  Peppermint Patty gets to hang out with Charlie Brown & the rest of the Peanuts gang.  Pattie Boyd was married to George Harrison-a Beatle, for goodness sake, and Eric Clapton.  And then there is the biggest Patti of all:  Patti Scialfa.  You may know her as Mrs. Bruce Springsteen.  Or as I like to call her, the luckiest woman to ever breathe air.  Not only has she been married to The Boss for nearly 30 years, but she is the mother of his three children, a member of his E Street Band AND she got to be with just him for quarantine.  Say it with me:  COME ON!!

This is my absolute favorite song by lucky Patti’s husband and my favorite song of all time.  Springsteen turned an ordinary weekend in New Jersey into a rock opera..  It was no longer just about music but an event not to be missed.  I swooned the first time I heard it, especially the first 25 seconds featuring an absolutely gorgeous piano/violin intro.  And I have been swooning ever since.  I think it is the most beautiful piece of music I have ever heard.  I adore this man and his poetry.

“The midnight gang’s assembled
And picked a rendezvous for the night
They’ll meet ‘neath that giant Exxon sign
That brings this fair city light”.

BTR

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bruce Springsteen:  “Jungleland” (1975, written by Bruce Springsteen).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2019: Day 3

Posted in Christmas, Holidays, Music by

Welcome back to the countdown!!!

Here’s another classic 1950’s Christmas card image I found on Pinterest.  So charming & festive!!!

day 3

Found on Pinterest by way of  Zazzle.ca (original source unknown).

Today’s song is by an American band formed in 1967 that went on to become one of the best selling groups of all time.  Known for their ballads, their rock songs and everything in between, their music is a combination of jazz, R&B, pop and classical.  All this and a horn section, too.  What more could a band need?  Oh, right, great songwriters and incredibly talented vocalists.  Check and check.

They released a Christmas album in 1998 (produced by E Street Band member Roy Bittan) which was reissued in 2003 with six extra songs including this classic.  For some people, there will never be a better version than Gene Autry’s or the one from the TV special as sung by Burl Ives,.  But I think today’s pick is a really good one.  Let’s call it the grown-up version of a childhood favorite.

Chicago

Chicago:  “Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer” (2003, written by Johnny Marks in 1939).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  🙂

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!