The Passage of Time - Working on a Dream Review

In 1988, when Springsteen released Tunnel of Love, one line from that deeply personal album stood out. At the end of the bittersweet Brilliant Disguise, Springsteen sang ' God have Mercy on a Man who doubts what he's sure of'.

The Tunnel of Love album was shrouded in regret, remorse, and in truth was the writing of a failed man, not through his career, but in his personal life. Fast forward 21 years, and Springsteen nearing 60, is somewhat of a reborn individual. The last decade has been good to him, his records still carry resonance, and the name on a concert ticket still excites, even at this late stage of his career.

The key to the themes of time passing, the joys of life, and the feeling of it all been worth it, are summed up perhaps best, not in any of the songs contained on WOAD, but in the eulogy that is written for Danny Federici, 'Life does not separate you, Time Does not separate you, animosities do not separate you, Death does not separate you'

With this album, the central theme of time, relationships, and love, are consistent throughout the album, whether it be the sheer luck of it all (My Lucky Day) or the passing of a friend (The Last Carnival, there is a warmth to these songs, upbeat as they are, and entirely written in a pop genre, that Springsteen has to the most part steered away from since 1992's Human Touch.

Working on a Dream is as diverse an album that Springsteen has ever recorded, and is heavilly influenced by Springsteen's introduction to Music in the 1960's. There are moments here when Roy Orbison, The Byrds and the Beach Boys all mingle, and the acoustic introduction to The Last Carnival, wouldnt seem out of place on those acoustic numbers that Led Zeppelin wrote in the 1970's.

Springsteen offers insight into the album ' its about the past always been the present'. And this album does indeed reflect the passing of time. The album has glorious dedications all over it, My Lucky Day a blistering up tempo rock number, and perhaps most poignantly on 'This Life' where Springsteen beams 'this life, this life and the next, with you I have been blessed'.


There's room for a touch of country (Tomorrow Never Knows) some Bluses on the heaviily influened by Reason to Belive (Good Eye) and an 8 minute somewhat drawn out rocker Outlaw Pete.

The title track is pure Pop, and its damn well catchy, and acts as a reminder to those who forget the Pop Classics in Springsteen's repertoire. For Working on a Dream, think Hungry Heart, Dancing in the Dark, and Waiting on a Sunny Day.

Lyrically there are moments of simplicity, sun shining, cold winds blowing, black elms and tree's. However on The Last Carnival, Bruce takes us back to the fairground, and the circus, in a glowing farewell to long time band member, Danny Federici. Its here that loss, and the passing of time resonate the most. This is poignant, sad, and is nothing short of brilliant.

Elsehwere there is a clear dedication to his wife Patti Scialfa, Kingdom of Days, is about getting through, and getting to the finish line, beautifully performed, with rich arrangements, Springsteen has never sounded as happy and content as this, he sings 'and i count my blessings that your mine for always, we laugh beneath the covers and count the wrinkles and the grays'

As a bonus track, Springsteen has added the song 'The Wrestler' the Golden Globe winning theme to the much heralded Mickey Rourke film of the same name. Its a touch out of place, but is a bruising tale of fragility in the human form, its touching refrain of 'tell me friend, can you ask for anything more' detailing brilliantly the sacrifices that the character has made.

The songs were largely written around the same time as Springsteen's previous release 'Magic' (2007), and once again Brendan O Brien has been trusted with production.

Working on a Dream 8/10.

Standout Tracks - The Last Carnival, Kingdom of Days, This Life, Queen of the Supermarket.

Press

'these 13 songs offer not even the most oblique of references to public affairs. The best of them concentrate on states of the heart, but with an openness and an optimism that seem unclouded by wider doubts and fears, as if in recognition of a need for consolation'

Richard Williams The Guardian

European Tour set for the Summer of 2009

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band will return to their European fans in the Summer of 2009. A number of shows in Sprinsgteen heartlands such as Stockholm and Dublin have already been announced. As a departure from previous tours, festival shows are also on the Itinerary, with Holland's Pink Pop Festival already on the list.

From the Nations Capital

At a specially arranged concert featuring a number of world famous music stars, Bruce Springsteen has opened the We Are One Concert, from the site of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, A concert scheduled as part of the upcoming Inaugauration of Barack Obama.

Backed by a gospel choir, Bruce chose the Title track from his much heralded 2002album 'The Rising'. Bruce also performed 'This Land is your Land' with folk hero and inspiration behind 2005 album 'We Shall Overcome' Pete Seeger.

Everything Got Broken

In a major interview with Mark Hagan, for the Observer Music Monthly, Springsteen has given an insight into the Bush Regime, and the joys of Supermarket Shopping.

Read the Interview here

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/jan/18/bruce-springsteen-interview

Bruce's Golden moment. Springsteen wins Golden Globe

Bruce Sprinsgteen has recieved the Golden Globe for original song, for the magnificent 'The Wrestler' for the Mickey Rourke same title film. Bruce was joined by his wife, and sat with the 'Wrestler' team, including Mickey Rourke who was also awarded the Golden Globe for best actor.

Bruce Speech from the Golden Globes

This is the only time I'm gonna be in competition with Clint Eastwood [laughs]. Felt pretty good, too!

Anyway, Mickey called me in Ireland and he asked me for some music.He told me a little bit about the character; he said some people invest themselves in their pain, and they turn away from love and the things that strengthen and nurture their lives. He said this was a guy that hadn't figured that out. So I said, "Well, I know a couple of those guys...." And so, the song.

First and foremost, I'd like to thank Mickey -- without the call I wouldn't have written the song, without his inspiration -- thank you, brother, for a beautiful performance, thank you for thinking of me!

I'd like to thank Darren and all the folks involved with the film, for letting me be a small part of their picture -- thank you.

Love to my strong and lovely wife Patti; hello to Evan, Jess and Sam at home; happy birthday, Big Man Clarence Clemons!