THE CULT OF BRUCE (fawning over Springsteen)

The Wall Street Journal ^ | Friday, August 23, 2002 | Mark Gauvreau Judge

[Delbert]

Pat Boone rocks! Crazy...but ...hey...thats how it goes....Millions of people ...hey...living with woes. Skibby Dee Bop a Dee Bob..Hey now....

[Barnacle]

I would say that Springsteen was one of the most over-rated talents ever. But, that might imply that Springsteen had talent.

[WhiteGuy]

John Tesh.................. Crank It!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH

[Mr. Mojo]

You're right, there are a few tremendous tunes on The Wild, the Innocent..... ...And I forgot to mention The River, his last good album...imo.

Rolling Stone always gives 4 or 5 stars to the latest albums by aging rock stars

So true. Jagger's solo efforts are among the worst in R&R history, but they heap praise on them nevertheless. Keith's Talk is Cheap (1988), on the other hand, is a very nice effort. I would rate it just below the quality of the Stones' best albums (like Beggars Banquet, Exile on Main St., Sticky Fingers, and Let it Bleed).

[GeneD]

You're not the only one who's pondered that lyric. That may explain this page.

P. S. I was in college when Bruce was the rage -- one reason why I've become a classic jazz buff, why my most recent CD purchases include Ricky Nelson (his first two albums on a Capitol twofer) and Johnny Cash ("Ride This Train") and why I own around fifteen of Rhino's MGM soundtrack albums, like this one.

[Skooz]

In this visual medium, I cannot let you know what it sounds like, but it looks like this:

[Skooz]

..........and this:

[Skooz]

........and this:

[altura]

That's a Day in the Life of President Bush, you facist.

[Alberta's Child]

Maybe it's just me, but I thought "New York City Serenade" was one of the most underrated tunes I've ever heard. Maybe you just never hear it on the radio because it is so long, but the song has almost an "orchestral" sound to it that I find amazing.

[beckett]

Springsteen is an alright guy, but Judge is right about the repulsive fawning. Matt Whatshisface, Couric's sidekick at NBC, said something like, "I'll be able to tell my kids I was there," when Bruce played at Battery Park for the Today show.

You were there, Matt? You work there, you idiot! Besides, I've been to a few supposedly world-transforming cultural events myself, and the truth is almost all of them have disappeared into the great ocean of forgetfulness. A few so-so tunes by the "great" Bruce Springsteen ain't that big a deal.

[Alberta's Child]

Besides, I've been to a few supposedly world-transforming cultural events myself, and the truth is almost all of them have disappeared into the great ocean of forgetfulness.

You must have missed the Allman Brothers at Fillmore East, huh? LOL.

[Egregious Philbin]

Did you know that Springsteen's wife, Patti Scialfa, sings backup on Talk is Cheap? Also, if I remember correctly, Keith's band the X-Pensive Winos were pretty good. The rhythm guitarist in that band was Wally Wachtel, who I always really liked when he played on Warren Zevon's early records. I was happy that Keith had confirmed my good taste!

Once again, i'd add one album to your list. I'd put Some Girls on the top shelf of Stones albums, but below the ones you mention. Among those four i'd have a hard time picking a favorite. Maybe Let it Bleed. "Monkey Man" anyone? "I'm a cold Italian pizza/I could use a lemon squeeze-ah."

[Roscoe]

Paging Robert Hilburn...

[Minn]

Bruce has added more than his share to the legacy of R&R and has alwasy given a hell of a show. His Boyhood chum, Southide Johnny however, has added much more to my enjoyment of life. It's great that Southside has never made the big time. It allows for enjoyment of the music without the pointless arguments generated by Bruce's megafame.

[NYCVirago]

The author loses me several times though. If he writes music journalism, he should know that Rolling Stone always gives 4 or 5 stars to the latest albums by aging rock stars (they gave Mick Jagger's absolutely terrible recent solo album 4 stars, I believe; ditto anything by Young or Dylan).

Good points, but one minor correction -- Rolling Stone, in its review by publisher Jann Wenner, gave Mick's album five stars!

[Mr. Mojo]

Wally Wachtel

I believe his name is Waddy, and I agree with your assessment of his talent. He kind of reminds me of a modern day Steve Cropper......understated, but a rhythmic genius. And he gets a great tone.

Yep, Some Girls definitely deserves to be on the Stones' short list of great recordings (and therefore among the greatest recordings in the history of the genre)......and Aftermath does as well.

[Egregious Philbin]

You're right, it is Waddy. I looked him up. He's played with everybody! He plays on Talk is Cheap too. And if Keith Richards picks you to be his rhythm guitarist, you know you're good!

[Middle Man]

When he burst on the scene in the 70's he was simultaneously on the covers of Time and Newsweek magazines. The fact that those two mainstream rags were pushing him so hard smacked of overhype then and still does today.

There's something not right with a counter-culture hero who once gave George F. Will a backstage pass.

[Revolting cat!]

Fusion Magazine bump! I loved that rag...almost as much as Creem, which is saying a lot!

So did I, but not as much as the one that started it all, Paul Williams' Crawdaddy! I miss Lester Bangs too. While we're on the subject of rock criticism, I think we can expect mass demonstrations in front of the WSJ offices. I mean, I don't recall ever reading a review critical of The Bruce!