Not E-Street, but Plugged gets the juices flowing (Plugged - Mtv In Concert - Bruce Springsteen)

Member Name: mrjoegoodwin

Product:	Plugged - Mtv In Concert - Bruce Springsteen
Date:	18/05/09 (5 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Atlantic City, Light of Day, If I Should Fall Behind

Disadvantages: Songs missing from the TV broadcast could have been included

To celebrate the release of the Lucky Town and Human Touch album, Springsteen performed this live concert for MTV. With a nod to its famous 'Unplugged' series, this 'Plugged' (and in places, loud!) live album isn't with the famous E-Street Band, though it does feature Roy Bittan and Mrs Springsteen, Patti Scialfa. Despite the different musical chemistry, the Plugged album is a treat from start to finish. Starting off with an acoustic 'Red Headed Woman', the band soon join in on 'Better Days' and a reworked version of Atlantic City, a track from Springsteen's bleak 'Nebraska' album. Primarily as a showcase for songs from the aforementioned albums, old Springsteen classics are also present - 'Darkness on the Edge of Town' and a beautiful rendition of 'Thunder Road' make the set look more familiar to the casual fan. The highlight comes with an 8 minute plus version of the previously unreleased 'Light of Day', where The Boss pauses after several minutes of the song, plays up to the watching TV cameras - clearly audible on this audio recording - and launches back into the same song with a flourish. This release may slip under the radar, but comprises some of the best recordings of Springsteen's songs you will hear with any band.

Summary: An often overlooked gem, Springsteen shines with this 'other' band