New Music: Broooooooce! Live in Dublin

I'm really quite unfeasibly excited right now. My 2CD + DVD copy of the new Bruce Springsteen live album - Live in Dublin with the Sessions Band - has just arrived from Play.com, (where it's a few quid cheaper than either Amazon.co.uk or CD-Wow, folks!)

Bruce Springsteen Live in Dublin with the Sessions Band

I've been a Springsteen fan since I was 12, and two of the best gigs I've ever been to were three-hour Springsteen spectaculars. One of those was at the MEN Arena, when Bruce and the 20-odd-piece Sessions band raised the roof with everything from tracks from the Seeger Sessions album to gospel sing-alongs (say one thing for those Christian types, they do know how to organise a good sing-along) to bluegrass / roots versions of some of his classic tracks. I loved the version of 'Cadillac Ranch' that he played that night; unfortunately he didn't repeat that one in Dublin, but then there are a whole bunch of new renditions for me to hear now, so that'll do me nicely. Wonder if Jo will let me watch the DVD tonight..?

And yes, I know what you might be thinking. But then if Born in the USA is the only Springsteen album you've ever heard, you're missing out on a whole career's worth of quite fantastic music. That was his most commercial and radio-friendly album, but he's been writing and playing great songs since the early '70s, and his latest outing takes him into the realms of Amerciana / roots music, with a collection of traditional bluegrass, blues and gospel tunes with a huge sound that really does have to be heard to be believed.

So if you're a fan of Bob Dylan, or just know how to appreciate a damn good singer / songwriter when you hear one, then do give Mr S another go. I really think you might be rather pleasantly surprised.

Oh, and if anyone needs me this afternoon, I'll be in my headphones...