Interviewing Bruce Springsteen - even with a pretty proscribed subject matter - was a joy and a bit of. thrill for this jaded journalist. The story and the interview below. PLUS A Bruce playlist!
Such a wonderful interview! Great that you brought it to Steel Mill, too. Richmond was a great town for them (and Child and the Bruce Springsteen Band). They played at the University of Richmond and VCU and the Back Door and, famously, atop the Seventh Street parking garage. Love that connection.
Wonderful! What a treat to write about the great Dion and his incredibly vital new music with the great guests. And wow, Bruuuuce! I never caught the ABB influence in Steel Mill. The one thing I took away from listening to a few of those old cuts from that band was the bizarre scales and modes or just plain nonsensical random playing that Bruce and Steve may have been playing. It might be very schooled in theory and it’s just beyond me to comprehend. So that may have been an angle that Steel Mill explored in the wake of ABB, The Dead and Santana?
I love the quite from Steven! I absolutely, 110% believe that he is telling the truth when he says Skydog complimented his slide playing. Just listen to the 1975 Hammersmith Odeon performance of “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” and you can hear Steve’s ASTONISHING slide playing. It’s just jaw-dropping…Steve plays with this incredible melodic sense and stone cold, dead accurate intonation in the vein of George Harrison but with these long lines that is more akin to the things Derek is known for today. It’s just masterful…and I never knew he even played slide until I first heard that Hammersmith recording when it was officially released on the ‘Born To Run’ boxed set in 2005.
Da Boss! If you are a classic rock musician who grew up anywhere between Philly and NYC in the 70s and 80s , you had to be influenced by Bruce and the amazing E Street band. Some of the best concerts I've ever seen were 4 hour Bruce marathons that felt like Tent show revivals. Alan, you know I love you man but getting a little ringy dingy from Springsteen makes me a wee bit jealous ;-)
Alan-fun stuff. New for me was that he once opened for the Allman Bros. It would have been interesting to see them together.
Such a wonderful interview! Great that you brought it to Steel Mill, too. Richmond was a great town for them (and Child and the Bruce Springsteen Band). They played at the University of Richmond and VCU and the Back Door and, famously, atop the Seventh Street parking garage. Love that connection.
Wonderful! What a treat to write about the great Dion and his incredibly vital new music with the great guests. And wow, Bruuuuce! I never caught the ABB influence in Steel Mill. The one thing I took away from listening to a few of those old cuts from that band was the bizarre scales and modes or just plain nonsensical random playing that Bruce and Steve may have been playing. It might be very schooled in theory and it’s just beyond me to comprehend. So that may have been an angle that Steel Mill explored in the wake of ABB, The Dead and Santana?
I love the quite from Steven! I absolutely, 110% believe that he is telling the truth when he says Skydog complimented his slide playing. Just listen to the 1975 Hammersmith Odeon performance of “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” and you can hear Steve’s ASTONISHING slide playing. It’s just jaw-dropping…Steve plays with this incredible melodic sense and stone cold, dead accurate intonation in the vein of George Harrison but with these long lines that is more akin to the things Derek is known for today. It’s just masterful…and I never knew he even played slide until I first heard that Hammersmith recording when it was officially released on the ‘Born To Run’ boxed set in 2005.
Very cool moment with Bruuuuce!
Have never really been a Springsteen fan however always respected what he does. Nice read.
Da Boss! If you are a classic rock musician who grew up anywhere between Philly and NYC in the 70s and 80s , you had to be influenced by Bruce and the amazing E Street band. Some of the best concerts I've ever seen were 4 hour Bruce marathons that felt like Tent show revivals. Alan, you know I love you man but getting a little ringy dingy from Springsteen makes me a wee bit jealous ;-)
Springsteen- oh memories!! Loved the article and I did not know he opened for the Allman Brothers! Thanks Alan!