Cover Me: Springsteen Songs

Various Artists - Rock - Classic | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 17, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B0000032LL
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #214,509 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come)

2. Talk to Me

3. Club Soul City

4. Reason to Believe

5. The Fever

6. Because the Night

7. For You

8. Fire

9. Love on the Wrong Side of Town

10. 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)

11. This Little Girl

12. Johnny 99

13. Rendezvous

14. Atlantic City

15. Hearts of Stone

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Deserving Compilation of Springsteen Interpretations, August 11, 2000

By 

dev1 (Baltimore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cover Me: Springsteen Songs (Audio CD)

My introduction to the world of Bruce Springsteen wasn't the Boss himself, but by way of the Hollies' `4th of July Asbury Park (Sandy).' The fully orchestrated rendition with soaring multi-part vocal harmonies is quite majestic. Springsteen's music and poetry are strong enough to lend themselves well to interpretation by other artists. In fact, Patti Smith's `Because The Night' is the definitive version, and a worthy introduction to the High Priestess of Rock. Dave Edmunds turns `From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come)' into a raunchy pup rocker.

Not surprising is the inclusion of three tracks from Springsteen's soul brother, John Lyon (Southside Johnny). Like Springsteen, Southside Johnny was a regular at the Stoney End club in Asbury Park. He is one of few credible blue-eyed soul singers. Gary U.S. Bonds (This Little Girl) was rediscovered by Springsteen, and with the assistance of Springsteen, released two admirable R&B albums. Although Springsteen is not considered an R&B artist, the Southside Johnny and Gary U. S. Bonds covers clearly show Springsteen's R&B roots.

Big surprises here? Yes, a cover of `Atlantic City' from the obscure Reivers. The composition features the lovely Kim Longacre doing dazzling backup vocals. Disappointing are the two tracks by Greg Kihn. Kihn is a gratifying "live" act, but his mediocre work here doesn't do justice to Springsteen's artistry. Many of the tracks on Cover Me are produced by Springsteen and Miami Steve Van Zandt, and Miami Steve's crying guitar work is as rousing as usual (Hearts Of Stone). Bruce Springsteen is a prolific writer, and `gives away' more noteworthy music the most artists dream of composing. Cover Me is a deserving compilation of Springsteen interpretations.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Affirmation of Springsteen As Songwriter, December 3, 2000

By 

Terence Harwick - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cover Me: Springsteen Songs (Audio CD)

Cover Me is an album you'll enjoy hearing time and again. Conventional wisdom may have it that it takes Springsteen to sing a Springsteen song. Actually, I believe what it takes is someone with the authenticity of Springsteen, admittedly a rare find in the entertainment or any other industry today. Just because Springsteen is a great songwriter, his lyrics may be singable in a meaningful way only by those who share the genuineness of The Boss, or at least, by those who can enter into the spirit of a given set of lyrics authentically. This album is a pleasure to the ear and does not disappoint. If you appreciate these characteristics of Springsteen's music, I think you'll also enjoy these musical performances for years to come.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars cali62, March 7, 2004

By 

El Aleman (Dallas Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cover Me: Springsteen Songs (Audio CD)

I first picked this recording up on cassette about ten years ago because I liked Patti Smith's Because The Night and the name Johnny Cash. At first I felt cheated not hearing Springsteen sounds. But after listening to it again and then again I began to love this tape. When I looked for it on CD no one had it. Finally, a cut out bin... can you believe it? I wore out the tape and I'm wearing out the CD. Buy this CD and you'll love it too. Listen to the excellent sounds of Gary Bonds on Club Soul City as well as Southside Johnny on Talk to Me and Love on the Wrong Side of Town. I don't like Fever as much as the other reviewers, but just listen to the Hollies and the Beat Farmers. Dave Edmunds does an excellent retro thing on From Small Things.
Oh, yeah, don't forget Johnny Cash and Patti Smith...you won't regret it.