Customer Reviews

Cover Me: Springsteen Songs

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

For us , Bruce fans , it is not easy to hear his songs in someone else's voices . In fact , I believe , it is quite a hard job to record a Bruce song . Anyway , some of these guys , just did it ! I can mentionn " From small things " and " Fire " are really great . It is strange to hear other people singing it , but specially " Fire " is really good , and you will like it ( even if you aren't a Brucie fan ) . All the rest are ... basic .

COVER ME-VARIOUS ARTISTS: Throughout the history of popular music, those who don't write songs cover those who do...and even those who DO write occasionally tackle someone else's material. Many artists, at least the better interpreters like ELVIS PRESLEY, JERRY LEE LEWIS, and JOE COCKER made a career out of it. Cheekily named after his hit single COVER ME, this album consists entirely of BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN tunes tackled by other artists. The disc contains several bona fide smashes by artists like PATTI SMITH and THE POINTER SISTERS who benefitted from tackling his prolific catalogue, as well as sublime efforts from GREG KIHN, JOHNNY CASH, and soulful BOSS protege GARY "U.S." BONDS. SPRINGSTEEN running buddies SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY & THE ASBURY JUKES feature on several tracks including a sweat-soaked passion-play rundown of THE FEVER, while retro rocker DAVE EDMUNDS churns out the barnburner FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) and THE HOLLIES unspool a lovely rendition of 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK(SANDY). Notably absent is MANFRED MANN'S EARTH BAND, who scored a chart topper with BLINDED BY THE LIGHT and a further Top 40 hit with SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT...the only glaring error found in an otherwsie fine tribute to one of the most prolific songwriters since DYLAN.

RATING: THREE INTERPRETATIONS

I've never been a Springsteen fan, it was the Dave Edmunds track (reportedly never recorded by Bruce) that got me to buy (I'll buy just about anything with Edmunds on it). I don't have any need to buy any Bruce, since this is a 'best of' in (I admit) a bizarre sort of way.