Live 1975-1985 [Box] [Slipcase] - Springsteen, Bruce (Cassette 2002)

For me, live albums exist largely as a way to add something to the music not heard on the studio version, and secondarily as a nostalgia trip. I have no interest in their third purpose, which is as a greatest hits collection. The Allman Brothers classic Live at the Fillmore East is a good example of the first reason. It s a live collection that often transcends the album versions while preserving the vitality and excitement of the concert experience. The recent Genesis retrospective is an example of the first two: it adds enough to be interesting, and reminds me of the great time I had at one.

Few artist can put out a three CD live set and the major complaint you hear is that it does not have enough of his music! That is the case with Springsteen's Live/1975-85. This collection encompasses the glory years of America's premier singer/songwriter. His music is an extension of our lives and his voice is the voice of the masses. Even though he has moved beyond the blue collar music of yesteryear, he will always be remembered as the man who could pen the songs that spoke to a whole generation. With his maturing of late, it is almost as if he has turned the page and started a new chapter..

I'm reviewing this boxed set after spending last night at the Springsteen concert in New York City. Even though I've owned this for years, the quality of the songs and the selection never cease to please me; right now I'm marvelling at how energetic the songs these CDs are. If I close my eyes it's like I'm in the stadium again--only Bruce and his E Street Band are playing only the songs that I love ;) Bruce Springsteen

Live 1975-1985 is as adequate a summary of ten years of Bruce Springsteen's touring career as you'd expect, sequenced with care and organized to pack quite an emotional whallop. Opening with as gorgeous a solo rendition of 'Thunder Road' as he has ever pulled off, and closing with Tom Waits' show-stopping 'Jersey Girl', Live 1975-85 finds a breadth of emotion and range of expression in Springsteen's music that the casual fan may have never thought possible. Disc 1 In my book, there's never been a better first track on an album than 'Thunder Road' on Born to Run, and, as I've alluded to above,.