Only The Strong Survive

I do look forward to anything new by Springsteen. I am not usually disappointed by his albums but was not so sure about a soul covers album. I am not a big fan of soul and I tend to prefer the originals. It is not the first time; he has done a 'covers' album as he did a brilliant album of Seeger songs some years back. I have felt many of Springsteen's albums have a soul influence, so this perhaps is not the biggest of departures for him. Not all the songs are well known, at least not to me. Some I do recognise. He does make every song he sings a Springsteen song. Maybe, I would have liked to hear a bit more depth to the band and can't help but wonder whether this would have been an even better album with the swaggering e-street band. This though is Springsteen at his most soulful but still rocking away. He is great voice. The backing is perhaps quite 60s in sound. It is for me not my favourite Springsteen album, but it has been on repeat play constantly since receiving it. Whatever he does, he puts his heart and soul into it and almost always does whatever he does well. This he does do well, and I do like this type of soul. It is a great listen and whilst I prefer him rocking, this really is different and very good. He has stayed at the top because he always tries something different and challenges himself. It will be interesting to hear him perform some of this material live with the e-street band. This is fun and I do like it. If you are a Springsteen fan, I think you will enjoy this. Different yes, but maybe not the biggest of departures for him. Another really good Springsteen album.

It happened in 2006 with 'The Seeger Sessions' and it's happened again now. I bought 'Only the Strong Survive' wondering how much I would like it as it is not the sort of music I normally listen to. I needn't have worried. After a couple of listens I was hooked. It is an album of 15 soul classics, only 2 of which I had even heard of, but any doubts were blown away by the sheer joy of the music and Bruce's delivery. Even though some tracks have melancholy lyrics I would defy anyone not to find themselves tapping their feet and singing along. Bruce Springsteen is a self proclaimed student of popular music roots and history and this album has clearly been crafted with love and care.He wanted to make an album on which he just sang and his wonderful voice gives power and grit to every track. He wanted to introduce these songs to people - like me - who didn't know or appreciate classic soul music. I'm glad he did. The album is labelled Volume 1. If there is to be a Volume 2, I'm definitely up for it.There will be fans who don't like 'Only the Strong Survive', who want endless repetition of 'Badlands' or 'Born in the USA' or 'Jungleland'. I will always love those too but you have to move on and try new things. You also have to accept that you grow older and that change is inevitable. I applaud Bruce for continuing to surprise and delight and hope that doubters will give this great album a chance.

R&B and soul was a major influence on Springsteen in his formative years: particularly the Jersey Shore sound of Gary US Bonds, Southside Johnny and Franki Valli & the Four Seasons. Indeed, Springsteen (and Miami Steve) has written some great R&B songs for others (Fire, Pink Cadillac, The Fever, Trapped Again, Talk To Me, This Little Girl, Out of Work, Rendezvous and Club Soul City).Here Springsteen covers some well known and some deeper cut R&B numbers. The result is a very enjoyable and uplifting album. Throughout Springsteen's vocals are strong and soulful. All tracks are fine and, while not necessarily better than the originals, Soul Days and I Forgot to be Your Lover (with Sam Moore of Sam & Dave), Nightshift and the Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore stand out as personal highlights.The one criticism I would make is the instrumentation on several tracks. The album was put together during lockdown and Ron Aniello (Bruce's producer since Wrecking Ball in 2012) plays most of the instruments: keyboards, bass and drums. But, for me, there is too much synthetic keyboards on four tracks: Only the Strong Survive, Do I Love You, What Becomes of the Brokenhearted and Someday We'll Be Together. I would have preferred if Bruce had recorded the album with an R&B band, with a tight bass and drums rhythm section and swirling Hammond organ to go along with the E-Street horns. Indeed, it would be great if - like Western Stars: Songs from the Film (a live orchestral version of a recent CD) - Bruce subsequently records a live version of this album with a the E-Street band and horns.

Bruce doing some Soul classics, well I never thought that would come about - but he does them well. His voice may have been fashioned into a gravelly instrument for hollering out Rock music after so many decades but on hearing him do 'What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted' I can see what it means to him to do his versions of the rest of the tracks too. Good on him for that. I myself was into a lot of this stuff back in the 1960's too - alongside a liking for Blues music and the more accomplished Rock acts - so I can get into this album very easily. Just for a laugh I would have loved hearing Bruce doing a version of the Rufus Thomas classic 'Do The Funky Chicken' though. Maybe on another album ? You never know.Eamonn

Arrived on time. haven't opened it as it is a Christmas present for someone. Though it was in a cardboard box with something else, was disappointed the CD wasn't in a plastic case, expect it helps reduce cost. Just hope the CD is OK when it is finally opened, not damaged and plays well.

Played this once very different from Bruce’s normal fare well produced something about the production on first listening not very keen on will report back later and see if this grows on me

This arrived yesterday and I’ve played it non stop since! Everything Bruce does is awesome and he’s done it again with this! You cannot possibly listen to this album without getting up and having a boogie. Bruce has picked a great selection of songs to cover. This album will be the soundtrack to our social gatherings, dinner parties and staying-in date nights for a long long time! Thanks Bruce!