Customer Reviews

Rumble Doll

5 star:		(61)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I first became aware of this album thru the links that Amazon provides when searching for some music titles. I was intrigued by some of the comments some folks had to say about this CD. I had been listening to the "Live in New York City " by Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band and was especially fascinated with the song " Mansion On The Hill "- in which both Patti and her husband Bruce sing. So after obtaining a used copy of the " Rumble Doll " CD locally, I have not been able to stop listening to it. In my opinion, it is a masterpiece-and probably one of the seminal CD's of the 1990's-and I know something about music-as I was in the record business for over 10 years. To anyone out their that likes female rock/pop music with fantastic lyrics, hooks, beat, rhythm, & guitar riffs-I do NOT see how this album can be topped. I think it is almost surreal-that this married couple of Bruce Springsteen & Patti Scialfa could be so talented & so GOOD!!

Damn if this isn't the modern Ronnie Spector album ("Ronnie Sings The Boss") I've always wanted to hear. Scialfa sounds a lot like Spector, especially in her sustained, hiccuping notes, and the songs sound like they came from the pen of Bruce Springsteen after he was locked in the Brill Building with Goffin & King for awhile. Not that it's all derivative nostalgia -- it's a modern album in its production and staging, but it's infiltrated through and through with its influences. Then again, maybe it's just a female-led version of Mink De Ville. It's got that same sort of New York 60's soul.

I'd heard just one track on the radio and couldn't stop humming it for days. I fought against buying this, having fallen off the Bruce bandwagon some albums ago, and wondering what "Mrs. Springsteen" had to offer me. But then I had the opportunity to get it as one of those Columbia CD Club "10,000 CD's for the price of 7" deals, and figured why not? Now I wonder why I let me preconceptions and prejudices get in the way of bee-lining to the record store after that first radio acquaintance. It took me about two listens to settle into the decidedly modern production ("those damned drums" I kept thinking), and actually *hear* the incredible 60s pop melodies and wonderful instrumental touches (the deep rolling drums of the title track, Mike Campbell's wonderful array of pop guitar sounds), vocals, and the arrangements (the coming and going of Scialfa's double-tracked vocals and harmonies).

All in all, a nice surprise.

Patti Scialfa, member of the famed E Street Band since 1985, goes off on her own here to create a beautiful solo album. "Rumble Doll" features Patti's stunning singing voice and touching almost-but-not-quite- autobiographical songs. My favorites are "As long as I can be with you," "Come tomorrow," "Loves Glory," and the title track, for their uplifting energy, and "Big Black Heaven," "Valerie," and "Spanish dancer" for their haunting soul. You will love this album, i guarentee it. Nothing is bad on it at all. I am waiting for another album, Patti! Note of interest: at Bruce's concerts this year, patti samples her song Rumble Doll in the now classic Tenth Avenue Freezeout Rendition. A bonus: Bruce fans are going to enjoy hearing the lyrics that trace their lives together.

I've had this CD for a couple of years and I still play it at least once a week. I never get tired of Patti's lovely, haunting voice. I first saw her when she joined the E Street Band in the 1980s, back before she and Bruce were an "item." I thought she was a good back-up singer but the truth is, without the Springsteen connection, she is a fantastic solo artist, and her marriage to Bruce has probably hindered more than helped her solo career. She is too busy working with him and raising their children to pursue another solo CD, and whatever she does is dismissed by those who think she got where she is just because of her husband. With her angelic voice, sincere lyrics and strong songs like "Lucky Girl," "Love's Glory," "Big Black Heaven," "Rumble Doll" and "Baby Don't," she is definitely worth a listen (or 1000) on her own terms. I'm hoping for a new CD but I wouldn't get my hopes up. In the meantime I'll keep playing this one, for its beauty and honesty and its wonderful touches of Ronnie Spectorish heart & spirit. (Edited to include this great news: as of March 2003, Patti is working on a new solo CD! I can't wait to hear it!)

Just happened to come across this on someone's recommendation list. Never heard of her before - my loss. Have read some of the reviews on line since buying it, and can't believe some of the derogatory remarks - some downright mean-spirited. Excellent production work. Wish there was more from her.

This CD is absolutely beautiful. The singing is great - sort of Ronnie Spectorish. Patti also shows herself to be a wonderful songwriter. The production and playing is first rate. Bruce even makes a couple of appearances, but keeps a low profile. This album really didn't need his contributions as her vision carries the album.

For those who saw the recent E-Street Band tour and were able to hear Patti sing during the show ( a brief vocal solo in 'Tenth Ave Freeze-Out' and lead on 'If I should fall behind') can atest to the power of her vocal delivery. Here is hoping we will get another album from this artist.

With the number of female singer/songwriters out there today who can't do either, this album really points out what a talent she is.

I bought this shorty after it came out back in 93' and I have to say this was one of my favorite cd's of the year, but it just didn't get whey near the respect it should have. This is one GREAT SOUNDING CD and sure having Bruce as a husband and influence can't possibly hurt. She deliveries a great Ronnie Spector style vocal that brings a smile to your face and the production is flawless in my opinion. I just wish she would get back into the studio and floor everyone with another one. She is big time talent and a great songwriter. ALL these songs have something to say especially "talk to me like the rain", "Spanish dancer", "Valerie", "Rumble Doll", their all great tracks and should have been played on the radio with Bonnie Raitts and Sheryl Crows music.

Reading the customer review was about the only way to see if others are wondering if there will ever be another Patti cd. I bought this cd shortly after it first came out and loved it ever since. My friend and I continually express the wish for another Patti recording. I can't say much more than most others who have reviewd it. I was around in the sixties when the girl groups were on the airwaves. These songs bring back that feeling but with an updated production and better songwriting. "Valerie" is my favorite but i love almost every thing on the recording and what a great producer Mike Campbell is. I am a big Bruce fan and saw him twice on his last tour. But this Patti stuff is something else. [....] This ranks in my all time top ten cds and i have about 800 cds.

A huge Bruce fan, I was at first a little apprehensive to Patti (well SHE is his wife!) but I heard her sing "Rumble Doll" on the Live in NYC album, and I decided to get this. I was not dissappointed at all! I was touched by the songs, and while Patti's unique voice takes some getting used to, I must say the soul in her songs is unbelieveable! I was impressed that she wrote all the songs herself too! I love the songs "Come Tommorrow", "Baby Don't" and "Spanish Dancer" the best because they really do show Patti's side of the story when she fell in love with Bruce! I love this cd, and I listened to it I don't know how many times last night (I bought it yesterday) and I found myself liking it more and more each time.

Ok - I'd ripped on Patti for a while, mainly because she's not Bruce and I figured she just got her record contract because she was a member of the E Street Band (she got it before they were married).

The lesson? I'm a fool. I bought this CD a few weeks ago because Amazon recommended it to me. I can't stop listening to it. I've listened to it at least once a day since I bought it

Patti has a mature and sophisticated sound. Sure, knowing that a lot of the songs pertain to Bruce puts them in a context that probably helps me appreciate them. Come Tomorrow, Spanish Dancer, and Rumble Doll are pretty catch tunes - I listened to Come Tomorrow three times in a row on the way home from work the other day. Perhaps most amazing is that all 12 songs are good - there's no filler on it, as is so often the case (especially on

My only complaint is that while Patti's voice is great, she overdoes the vibrato occasionally.

I'm also looking forward to her upcoming release, 23rd Street Lullaby. I've seen her live at one of Springsteen's Asbury Park Holiday Shows and would recommend catching her if she does any concerts in support of her new album.