Badlands: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska

Bruce Springsteen (Tribute)

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 7, 2000)
• Original Release Date: November 7, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sub Pop
• ASIN: B00004Z0M0
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #51,200 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Indie Music > Folk > Traditional Folk

Track Listings

1. Nebraska - Chrissie Hynde And Adam Seymour

2. Atlantic City - Hank III

3. Mansion On The Hill - Crooked Fingers (Eric Bachman, ex Archers of Loaf)

4. Johnny 99 - Los Lobos

5. Highway Patrolman - Dar Williams

6. State Trooper - Deanna Carter

7. Used Cars - Ani DiFranco

8. Open All Night - Son Volt

9. My Father's House - Ben Harper

10. Reason To Believe - Aimee Mann And Michael Penn

11. I'm On Fire - Johnny Cash (Bonus Track)

12. Downbound Train - Raul Malo of the Mavericks (Bonus Track)

13. Wages Of Sin - Damien Jurado And Rose Thomas (Bonus Track)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

There was a time when nobody besides Manfred Mann really bothered to cover Bruce Springsteen songs. All that changed once Born to Run turned the New Jersey singer-songwriter into a pop icon. Still, it was in the bleak character studies of 1982's Nebraska that he reaffirmed himself as a literate everyman steeped in the tradition of John Steinbeck and Flannery O'Connor, Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan. And that's the side of Springsteen that clearly appeals to Johnny Cash, Los Lobos, Hank Williams III, and the dozen other artists who participate in this remake of Nebraska. Chrissie Hynde, Ani DiFranco, and Deana Carter all deliver haunting performances, but as far as the men folk go, the album's most striking covers are "bonus" tracks that were recorded for but not released on Nebraska: "I'm on Fire" sounds even creepier with Cash's craggy vocal; Raul Malo brings out the pop sheen of "Downbound Train"; and "Wages of Sin," in the hands of Damien Jurado and Rose Thomas, shows Springsteen can be just as depressing as your favorite emo idol. All of which makes this a fine companion to the original recording. --Bill Forman

Product Description

Interesting and eclectic collection of artists on this tribute to Springsteen's 6th album, Nebraska. Like the original the tracks are recorded on four track at Bruce's request. Artists include, Chrissie Hynde & Adam Seymour, Hank Williams the third, Los Lobos & Son Volt. And 3 bonus tracks recorded during the Nebraska sessions by, Johnny Cash, Raul Mal o if the Mavericks and Damien Jurado with Rose Thomas. 2000 release. Standard jewel case.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Save Your Money!, December 7, 2000

By	P. B. Fey (Phoenixville, PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What a disappointment. The "Nebraska" album is a Springsteen watershed: haunting (downright scary at times), provocative, and a complete aural u-turn from its fine predecessor, "The River." Perhaps I expected too much from this "tribute" lineup; sure, the songs are solid but they uniformly lack the charisma that Bruce Springsteen so naturally brings to them. Only Johnny Cash is in that league here. Raul Malo, Ani DiFranco, and Chrissie Hynde do what they do best: run good songs through the de-flavorizer for an entirely unfulfilling experience. Aimee Mann and Michael Penn make a good go of it, as does Deanna Carter, surprisingly. Sad to say this is the first time I've ever heard Los Lobos phone one in. Hank III's voice eerily recalls that of his brilliant grandfather, but his reading of "Atlantic City" is awkward until it switches to a minor key. Too little, too late. Too bad. Save your money and and put it toward the Japanese import of the original "Nebraska." The sound quality on that is light years ahead of the disc Columbia offers. Get it, put it in your car, and drive the Jersey Turnpike in the middle of the night. That's the way the album is meant to be heard! (And if you want to hear the best cover of "Atlantic City," check out "The Band's Greatest Hits, Vol. II.")

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The darkness of Nebraska is re-lived, November 7, 2000

By	Jared Dymbort (Marlboro, NJ) - See all my reviews

I am only 15, let me say that first. This hasn't stopped me from becoming the biggest Bruce fan I can be; 3 concerts (plus one in my mothers stomach, if you want to count it), two books (including a great biography called "It Aint No Sin To Be Glad Your Alive"), countless posters, every CD, custom made bootlegs for myself and more. I can go on, but I'd rather give you the review you came for.

Although the line up isn't A-list (with the exception of the living legend, Johnny Cash), every artist delivers. The double-cd covers of other Springsteen songs called One Step Up/Two Steps Back is by far the better cover album, however this one gives a good look into Bruce's first solo album.

My Father's House (which is my personal favorite off the album) has to be the best track off the album. Ben Harper re-arranges a few vocal notes at key parts, yet remains on track for the rest of the song.

That's not to say there aren't a lot of other great covers; Cash's "I'm On Fire" is as eerie as you can get on the album.

Another reason I like this album is because they recorded it on a 4-track cassette, the same recording device that Bruce used when making the Nebraska album.

For a first time listner (how can you be a first time listner of Springsteen?) I would definitely NOT recommend this album. But, if you are a Springsteen fan until the day you die and will buy any CD with a Springsteen name on it, this album is for you.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Made me long for the original..., December 29, 2000

By A Customer

One would think that the spare, straightforward nature of the original compositions would lend themselves to interesting cover versions. Sadly, not so.

Many of these covers are needlessly obtuse. Ani DiFranco's "Used Cars" comes close, but rather than her usual intensity and directness, we get meandering weirdness. Chrissie Hynde had disappointed me for the first time in her entire career.

Los Lobos, Dar Williams, Johnny Cash and Raul Malo do serviceable jobs... but really, this album just made me want to hear the original stashed in my collection.

Sorry - this was a waste of cash.