Another superb live performance in a career filled with them, MTV Unplugged: Bruce Springsteen in Concert (Plugged) finds the Boss at an interesting point in his life, musically and otherwise. Working without the E Street Band (except keyboardist Roy Bittan) for the time being, having divorced one wife and married another (singer and bandmate Patty Scialfa), Springsteen had released Human Touch and Lucky Town, two "solo" records, about eight months before this November 1992 MTV appearance. Selections from those two underrated albums account for over half of this 114-minute set's 19 songs (including three that weren't part of the original broadcast), and while Bruce is still Bruce ("Human Touch," for instance, is a classic Springsteen song), some changes are definitely apparent. He has always been an impassioned performer, but he seems genuinely energized by the presence of Scialfa (can "Red-Headed Woman" be about anyone but her?) and his young new band, including guitarist Shane Fontayne, drummer Zachary Alford, and no less than five backup singers. These folks rock their butts off, basically, especially on a wild, extended version of "Light of Day"; there's even some experimentation happening, like the various sound effects added to "57 Channels (and Nothin' On)." OK, so there's no "Born in the U.S.A." or "Born to Run"; as far as standards go, you'll have to be satisfied with "Atlantic City," "Glory Days," and an acoustic "Thunder Road" (Live in New York City, another superb DVD, is heavier on the hits). Anyway you slice it, Plugged is another welcome addition to the Springsteen catalog. --Sam Graham
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More From Lucky Town and Tighter Backup Musicians Dec 29, 2008 I only have audio access to this thing, which apparently is a boon.
You can forgo most of it except for this amazing, acoustic, almost acapella (I can't spell in Italian either) version of "Thunder Road." It reminds me of a few things: Springsteen can sing; he grew out of Bob Dylan's "bulb." Someone overwatered the plant and the bulb rotted a little bit. Keith Richards cool, mother of all guidos (real Italian, not fake Italian) - don't tell me he knits a mean sweater too.
When he's not riding the ridiculous ego trip of being Bruce Springsteen, he's still doing it, but what talent coming out of bum-you-know-what New Jersey. Being from there originally, I make no excuses for the otherwise foul smell of the place.
But, Springsteen seems to embody ALL of the qualities of New Jersey, especially the unnerving presence of Gothick ghosts who follow you like the ending foamlets of not so little waves while walking along the once incredible beaches of the New Jersey shore. He translates this well into a long litany of romantic regrets, but the real source of the feeling is the shore, not some girl. I've slept in a creepy Victorian beach house like the one he seems to be in on the cover of "Darkness on the Edge of Town," and I was glad to get out of it alive, with at least some of my bearings left intact. Wild cats, flooded basements, nobody around anywhere - yea, it'll make you appreciate Springsteen on another level.
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Great concert DVDJun 14, 2006 Amazing surround sound. A fresh twist on Bruce's oldies and new hits. I love this DVD.
1 of 4 found the following review helpful:
amazing concert film--- the boss is king.Mar 22, 2006 This Springsteen concert film makes me very happy, causes some weeping, in fact it is a religious experience all around. He evokes at times the spirit of a religious revival. In particular, I like the "Meet me tonight in Atlantic City" lyrics and music, about unions and fighting for rights. I also like the "Fifty seven channels and nothing's on" theme that goes through more than one song. The Boss Lives!!!
bad James Brown imitationOct 31, 2005 I bought and saw this after seeing the Barcelona and NYC concerts, both which I love. The MTV show is a let down. The band looks skanky, like a bunch of heroin addicts. They gyrate and jump around but look silly, especially in one of the more poingnant songs where two of them are jumping around swinging tambourines like they're trying to kill mosquitoes. The E St band members, Clarence Clemmons, Steve Van Zandt, Nils Larfen (sp?), and Max Weinberg all have charisma, and could front their own bands and carry a show, but they complement the Boss. The band members in the MTV show have zero charisma. Maybe the Boss was trying for a James Brown feel, with a lot of musicians and backup singers on stage, but Brown's band always wears matching, dress clothes, and they don't divert attention from Brown.
1 of 4 found the following review helpful:
GREAT PRODUCT,JUST AS I THOUGHT IT'D BEOct 08, 2005 I WAS GLAD TO ADD -FINALLY -THIS PIECE TO MY OWN "BOSS"COLLECTION.EXCELENT DELIVERY & PAKEGING!THANKS A LOT!WELL DONE EVERYBODY.PEACE!
based on 13 reviews
