Autumn Souvenir

It's been a long time since Bruce Springsteen has released a true classic. Some would say the last was 1992's Lucky Town , while others would move the calendar back to 1987's Tunnel of Love or even 1984's monster hit Born in the USA . Springsteen's bar is obviously very high, given that he's released some of the best records in the history of rock n' roll. Born To Run , Darkness on the Edge of Town and Nebraska  (not to mention The River and The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle ) could all fall within a reputable top ten all-time list (well, mine at least). Since reforming the E Street Band, it's been a bit of a mixed bag. The Rising and Devils & Dust were both solid, while his last two, 2007's Magic and 2009's Working on a Dream , had a handful of very good songs, but didn't live up to Springsteen's bar. These recent fumbles, plus the loss of E Street legends Danny Federici and Clarence Clemons, made some of e

In the seven or so years since I've been blogging, the past few months have likely been the quietest. Work plus new responsibilities has narrowed my available writing time to almost zero. Instead of trying to find time to post the random inspiration, I will now focus on less but more substantive posts: full record and movie reviews, more "Over the Wires" interviews and so forth. To get things back on track, this weekend I will review Bruce Springsteen's 17th studio album "Wrecking Ball."

Springsteen releases arguably his best record in at least twenty years. Two of my musical heroes, Will Johnson and Jay Farrar, are joined by Anders Parker and Yim Yames, for a memorable night celebrating not just Woody Guthrie but their own marks on music.

The Modern Lovers : The Modern Lovers Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians : Fegmania! Damien Jurado : Maraqopa Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker & Yim Yames : New Multitudes Gram Parsons & The Fallen Angels : Live 1973