Customer Reviews

Magic Tour Highlights

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Let's get the obvious out of the way right off the bat: Magic Tour Highlights, the new Springsteen digital EP to benefit The Danny Federici Melanoma Fund, is not actually the Magic tour's highlights. (Depending on which shows you've attended, you can probably name five or six actual highlights off the top of your head.) But these are a terrific sampling of some of the tour's best guest spots, and one truly moving moment among old friends.

The two non-Springsteen compositions are the lightweights of this collection, which is not to say that they're not welcome additions to anyone's collection of official releases. Alejandro Escovedo's "Always a Friend" has a great Band/Petty vibe and makes you want to hear more of what this guy's about, if you don't already know. And "Turn, Turn, Turn" sounds, well, like "Turn, Turn, Turn." It's a nice tribute to Roger McGuin, and Bruce puts on his best high-register twang for the occasion.

But it's the other two cuts that make the package. "The Ghost of Tom Joad" with Tom Morello is just chilling, easily the best version of the song on record. Morello's gruff vocals are an effective counterpoint's to Springsteen's -- he comes off like his angrier younger brother. But that guitar work ... How he makes those sounds come out of that guitar I have no idea, but frankly, it's freaking me out.

As for "Fourth of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)," is it the best live version the band has recorded? Maybe not, but it's certainly the most poignant. Given what's transpired since, Danny Federici's accordion sounds more wistful and mournful than it possibly could have that night in Indianapolis.

A wonderful cause and a kind gesture to the memory of Danny, and worth the pennies for the Tom Morello solo on Tom Joad, and the pain in Bruces' voice on Sandy. Touching.

Good song selection from Magic Tour. Especially like the full band version of "Ghost of Tom Joad" which I think is much better than the regular album version. I don't like the download format though. Would prefer a professional CD and/or vinyl release with color inserts, lyrics, etc. Very unpersonal these downloads. Bass tones are lacking too. Would like to see Bruce and the E Street Band just put out an all covers CD ala Metallica as their covers are often better than the original artist version. Again would like professional CD/LP even if cost was higher.

The Boss is always great live. The last performance with Danny Federici
is choice. I would prefer the option for better quality files
even at a higher cost. However these files have adequate sound quality.
Definitely worthwhile.

Wow, what a way to wake up. Following my Tuesday Morning ritual I checked out Amazon and there was a thing
called "Magic Highlights" TRUELY MAGICAL" Man just when I don't really care what Bruce does anymore here
comes this thing. Music of Magical Proportions. To taste a bit of Musical Heaven, play the very first track. WoW!

A wonderful album that brings new life to two old favorites, and brings two songs new to Springsteen albums.

Tom Morello does an excellent job balancing out vocals on Ghost, and his edgy solo contrasts well with Springsteen's normal style.

Danny really plays his heart out for Sandy -- the accordion has never sung so sweetly or been filled with so much emotion. Bruce brings a joy and sorrow to the song that really shows you how hurt he is at losing a friend, but how glad he is to be able to send him off on stage, with the music they wrote and lived.

Turn! Turn! Turn! sounds like pure Byrds with a little E Street on top. Not a complaint if your as big a Byrds fan as I am.

Friend really brings a lot of energy to the album, and helps kick it off with a bang. And of course, having a 'new song' (even a cover) on a Springsteen album is always a plus!

Even without the tragic backstory of Danny Federici's death, this four-song set would be a strong, powerful little LP. The performances are powerful--Springsteen actually turns the mic over to his guests (Alejandro Escovado, Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine, and Roger McGuinn from the Byrds), and lets them do their own thing. The E Street Band, as well, has room to play--this is very much an E Street Band album, not simply a Springsteen record.

It kicks off with Escovado's "Always a Friend To You," then swings into a stellar version of "Ghost of Tom Joad," through a rowdy "Turn, Turn, Turn," and into a powerful "4th of July, Asbury Park." It's hard to listen to this final performance without thinking of Federici (who made a brief return to the band to perform this number); that's unavoidable, I'm afraid. And Springsteen's cry of "Danny!" at the end of the song makes your heart break, knowing what came after. But these four tunes aren't merely hyped up because of a band member's death (as is often the case, let's admit); these are four powerful, engaging performances, that make you wish there was a full-length concert album available. Maybe there will be, one day. For now, we have these four tunes...and some wonderful, bittersweet memories.

I would have given this an easy 5 stars if Tom Morello would have left out his solo on Tom Joad...song was great until his solo. Not really sure why people get impressed by his style of playing at all...absolute shrill noise.

The other three songs make up for it...can't beat the price.

Given the rising comeback popularity of vinyl (and some of the outrageous pricings some artists are charging for it), I would pay a hefty price for this on limited edition vinyl (say limit it to 100,000 copies). As would many other old foggy stereophiles such me. Put it out there for $30 plus a free download of the videos and MP3s with a vinyl purchase, and I'm in.

Once again, several months after the single "Girls In Their Summer Clothes", once again, it's impossible for me (as a non-american) to download and BUY these recordings. We live in a strange world, Music Industry always tell us to respect the artists, tell us that it's bad to download illegally, and on the other half, it seems that for Sony there is no Springsteen fans outside of America... Just to say that the four shows in Spain last July were sold out, 272000 people in four shows... And a few part of them were americans.

So only 1 star for this item...
JC