Records: Bruce Springsteen's Plugged

To mark the 1992 release of two simultaneous albums, Lucky Town and Human Touch, Bruce Springteen hit the MTV airwaves. Backed by a new band, Bruce worked a 90-minute set on the stage of MTV's Unplugged. The catch: the Boss was plugged. His declaration prior to the concert--"If you've got amps, use 'em"--propelled Springsteen to hammer out a sampling of new tunes from the '92 albums, as well as some old hits. Well, Euro-Bruce fans (you know how well they can relate to "Born in the U.S.A.") have enjoyed this little Boss gem for years, and Columbia has finally decided to release the CD in the U.S.

"So, what's the point?" flocks of Bruce fans are probably asking. "I already have the Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band Live/1975-1985 box set, and don't really need to hear the raspy-voiced New Jersey sensation bust out songs from two sub-par albums." Well, Boss doubters, here's the point: "Thunder Road."

We all know the tune. Bruce details his escape from reality through his guitar and his Chevy, enticing his female companion to join him as he "cases the promised land." The hard-driven 1975 song possesses the energy and enthusiasm of a young man frustrated and fed up with the apathy around him, as Bruce searches for a soulmate to join him in his departure from youth. The raucous sax and guitar backbones of the song make you realize just how anxious the 25-year old Boss is to abandon all that holds him back.

Bruce treats us to "Thunder Road" on Plugged, but it's not the same old song. Not even close. Like perhaps no other performer, Springsteen has the ability to rewrite songs without changing any of the lyrics. His live performances offer new tones that reflect the changes in his life and career.

The Plugged "Thunder Road" is a bit of a anomaly on the CD, as the Boss uses only an acoustic guitar and harmonica to accompany his raspy voice. Beginning with a harmonica solo, Springsteen changes the song from one of agitated anxiousness to subdued frustration. His pleas to Mary (the woman he hopes to lure away) don't stress the urgency of the situation anymore. Instead, Springsteen offers a much slower-paced, heartfelt version, attempting to convince Mary that while youth may have passed them by, the need still prevails to leave a world where idealistic dreams are shot down by reality. "It's a town full of losers, and we're pulling out of here to win," he says.

Plugged is a nice addition to a Springsteen collection, and Bruce delivers some good performances of the more recent material. Of special notice is "I Wish I Were Blind," a ballad detailing the difficulty associated with lost love, and "My Beautiful Reward," which closes the CD in typical Bruce fashion--leaving open the question of where both his music and life will take him.

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