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Product details
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Track Listings
| 1. Blinded By The Light |
| 2. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight) |
| 3. Born To Run |
| 4. Thunder Road |
| 5. Badlands |
| 6. Darkness On The Edge Of Town |
| 7. Hungry Heart |
| 8. The River |
| 9. Born In The U.S.A. |
| 10. I'm On Fire |
| 11. Glory Days |
| 12. Dancing In The Dark |
| 13. The Rising |
| 14. Lonesome Day |
| 15. Radio Nowhere |
| 16. Long Walk Home |
| 17. Because The Night |
| 18. Fire |
Product Description
Review
It is, remarkably, 14 years since Bruce Springsteen released his Greatest Hits collection (or five if you consider the more expansive Essential Collection). Yet there has never been a straight Springsteen/E-Street Band retrospective. That there are only four tracks here since the 1995 collection shows how incidental the band has become to Springsteen's story. But when they get together, especially on 2007's Magic, they remain unassailable.
Imagine if you will, you'd never heard any of these records. You're there as a 17-year old and 2009 is your first Glastonbury, and there's this bunch of old boys headlining of which you know not. What do these 18 tracks here say to you?
Listening to this, without recourse to the backstory, do you hear some classic pop records? Would you think that Blinded By The Light or Rosalita (Come Out Tonight) are just too wordy? The River too maudlin? Or reflect that's where U2 learnt about choruses, when you hear Born To Run and the majestic sweep of Thunder Road? Perhaps. What anyone can hear is this material's obvious zest and exuberance.
The bulging, sweetened street anthems of Hungry Heart and Badlands rub along amiably with the relative introspection of the material from The Rising and Magic. For those coming to this fresh, it all sounds rather naive and frequently sparkling.
The live versions of two of the greatest songs he wrote for others are here, previously buried deep in the 1975-85 box set: Because The Night, made famous by Patti Smith, recorded in Nassau in 1980, replaces the longing of Smith's version with a passionate confidence. Fire (recorded by the Pointer Sisters) from Winterland in 1978 is nothing but a sketch, but a warm and direct one nonetheless.
So, a straight Springsteen best of, then - an essential single disc encapsulating the essence of the man, albeit one without the introspection and space of the solo Tunnel Of Love, Nebraska or Tom Joad. There could be few better ways for a new generation to hear Bruce and the gang at their commercial zenith. Apart from seeing him, of course. --Daryl Easlea
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CD Description
It is 14 years since Bruce released his original Greatest Hits and in that time it has sold almost 1 million copies in the UK alone. This new hits package concentrates on his classic work with the E Street Band and brings his career up to date, including four tracks recorded since that 1995 best of.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This compilation adds little to previous efforts and is just a lazy attempt by Sony to cash in on the latest tour. Concentrates on E Street band releases to differentiate it from other collections. Two tracks have been tacked on from Live 1975 - 1985 to tempt the more dedicated fan but are not worth buying this CD for. Better for the casual fan to buy " The Essential..." if you want an introduction to the Boss.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Like many compilations, this is a product of a marketing department and not the work of someone who actually cares about music. Why else would the final 2 tracks be designated as bonuses? That would imply that this album was originally issued without them - and that they have been included especially for this edition (wow, we're so grateful) ... well sorry, Sony, I ain't that stooopid. Nevertheless, congratulations on the cover. Next time, however, think about the music. Just a tip from someone outside 'the biz'.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Firstly, the music here is unquestionably awesome. On these 18 tracks Springsteen shows off his versatility, integrity, humour, passion and sheer songsmithery (I know, it's not really a word). As an update to the 'Greatest Hits' CD released in 1995 this works well, however as an intoduction to the best moments from the Boss it's flawed. There are no songs from his excellent 'Nebraska' album, nothing from 'Tunnel of Love' and not even a sniff of his mid-90's work. This compilation would be significantly improved by ditching the live songs and including 'Atlantic City' and 'Brilliant Disguise'. Another advantage that the '95 'Greatest Hits' had is that you got high quality tunes that aren't on any other studio albums e.g. 'Secret Garden', 'Streets of Philadelphia' and 'Murder Incorporated'. Overall this doesn't provide the same in-depth look at Bruce's career as the 2 CD 'The Essential Bruce Springsteen' and the track listing isn't as good as the original 'Greatest Hits', but you really can't fault the music. It represents a brief snapshot of Springsteen's history and also shows you where he is right now. I can't think of any other bands/artists who have written such consistently excellent records over a 30 year period and hopefully this will help introduce newcomers to his phenomenal body of work.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A missed opportunity
I have been a fan of Springsteen since 1980 and have nearly all of his album releases, including the '95 Greatest Hits which has a better track selection that this hastily compiled... Read more
Published 23 months ago by F. Jensen
Poor value for fans
Hasn't Springsteen got any clout with the record company?If so why does he allow yet another greatest hits CD to be issued - with the "bonus tracks" being ones already released on... Read more
Published on 10 Jan 2010 by Ralph Rowley
Greatest Hits
Really enjoyed this album,I thought it was a good collection of songs.For a first time buyer like myself I would highly recommend it. Read more
Published on 11 Oct 2009 by Derek J. Hopkins
Good value Greatest Hits package
All the well known Springsteen numbers are here but if you've already got the previous Greatest Hits album first released in the 90's or the more recent Essential Bruce Springsteen... Read more
Published on 12 Aug 2009 by C. J. Nutt
oh
released after his much praised album 'working on a dream' its a wonder why this greatest hits features nothing from that album,anyway,it is very tempting to call this album a cash... Read more
Published on 29 July 2009 by sean paul mccann
Father's Day gift
my dad likes it and plays it frequently in the car. The music is all familar and good quality.
Published on 18 July 2009 by H. Munton
Excellent!!
The Springsteen new album arrived very quickly and I could not wait to hear it. As usual it was excellent.
Published on 13 July 2009 by Mr. N. Parker
Springsteen greatest hits
Bought this pre Glastonbury and found it "samey." However sure the boss fans will love it but if you're not a huge fan - its the same as his Glasto set long and tedious. Read more
Published on 30 Jun 2009 by Eileen
Don't bother
Born to Run, Thunder Road and the River are as great as ever, but to really experience the genius of Bruce, you're better off with Essential.. Read more
Published on 25 Jun 2009 by Toby
THE BOSS DOING WHAT HE DOES SO WELL !
Bruce Springsteen is the foremost rock singer in the world today,all these years on he still proves the point with every album,with every tour he just keeps getting better. Read more
Published on 24 Jun 2009 by P. Clack
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