Bruce Springsteen - Chimes of Freedom

Another CD from my Old Lady. For the record, this woman is not my mother, nor did she participate in raising me in any way, but she is still my Old Lady. She is old, nice to me, and definitely does not read my blog. Thank Christ.

I’m kind of baffled as to why, as a New Jerseyan, this would be the only Bruce Springsteen album she owned, but it’s better than nothing. The Boss’s live show is one of the most legendary classic rock concerts, up there with the Dead, Rush, and Prince as immaculate live performances go. It’s late 80s Bruce, the year after the restrained and synthesized Tunnel of Love. “Tougher than the Rest”, the lead single off that album, is vastly improved live by Patti la Scialfa’s harmonies and a full horn section. The band is playing in a higher key more suited to Bruce and Patti’s voices. “Be True”, a b-side to the River that was ultimately left off the album, proves how much of a mistake that was. “Chimes of Freedom” is a Bob Dylan cut that opens with an explanation of the core mission of the EP - to promote Amnesty International. I hate that e-piano sound, but it’s a respectable performance. We close out with an acoustic, stripped back, low-octave version of “Born to Run” which is just all right with me.

Overall, the mix is pretty good for a live show from the 80s. There’s some reverb thrown on the drums and some slap on the vocals but otherwise it’s nicely underproduced. There’s just enough crowd noise poking through the performances to make it feel vital. The jewel case is scratched and clouded, which makes me think that my old lady picked it up used or listened the piss out of it. I would too. It’s not great, but with two great songs and two okay ones, it eeks out a ‘good enough’ from me.

Chimes of Freedom by Bruce Springsteen is a good EP, and I like it.