MTV Unplugged - Bruce Springsteen in Concert (Plugged)

Rating:
Summary: Better in Retrospect
Review: At the time, fans gave Bruce's new band and new material something of a cold reception. Their privilege. But Springsteen's songs have always needed the exposure of the concert stage before they came alive, and the band, well...

At risk of blasphemy, one could make a case for this band being superior to the E Street Band. The backing vocals, in particular, are far more harmonious, full, tight, and soulful than those of the ESB, which is quite light on good backup singers (Patty and Nils being the best they have, and they weren't in the earlier version of the ESB anyway). The rhythm section is tight (the bass player is particularly melodious) and the sparser instrumentation gives more space to Bruce's own excellent guitar playing.

The ESB is of course an "act" in its own right, while this is basically just Bruce's hired backup band, but especially in the context of this TV concert, the focus is on Bruce anyway. The show loses nothing by eliminating the byplay between ESB members, and gains quite a lot from the presence of a technically accomplished backup band with great-sounding singers, with everyone sounding intune and tight.

The sound and video are excellent, having been recorded under controlled circumstances and gorgrously remastered for this DVD.

And of course it's the only video record of this period in Springsteen's career, including performances of songs from Human Touch/Lucky Town that are available nowhere else. So we're lucky that they're so good, right?

Fans shouldn't hesitate to buy this release, and fans with open minds may be surprised at how effective the band is. It's all about Bruce, anyway, and here he's in fine voice, in complete control, and right at the center of things where a Boss belongs.

RichC

Rating:
Summary: Never quit electric music!
Review: Bruce made a plugged session in the Unplugged series. That was to show how he couldn't give up electrical power. I've just ordered the DVD but I remember watching the concert thru MTV nearly 10 years ago. It was fabulous. At that time I always waited to have the DVD of this concert. I hope to have it soon!!

Rating:
Summary: Nice to Hear These Songs Again
Review: I got the DVD, although I have the VHS edition, and have thoroughly enjoyed watching it again. The picture is much sharper and the sound much better than the VHS edition. Plus, the bonus performance of "Roll of the Dice" is quite good. It's nice to hear the "Human Touch"/"Lucky Town" songs again and to realize how underrated they are in the Springsteen canon. Several of these songs rank with his best work, especially "Human Touch," "Local Hero," "Living Proof," and "Lucky Town." The acoustic versions of "Growin' Up" and "Thunder Road" cast both of these songs in new light, and I can never hear "Atlantic City" and "Darkness on the Edge of Town" enough in any context. "Light of Day" and "Glory Days" are both fun performances in which Bruce involves the studio audience as only he can. It's also the only commercially available of performance of "Red Headed Woman," which is a very clever song obviously written about his wife Patti Scialfa.

Admittedly, the band for this performance is not the E Street Band and suffers in comparison, especially in the wake of both the eccellent "Live in New York City" and "Live in Barcelona" DVDs. But, on their own terms, they do a good job, especially the five backup singers, who add a very different dimension to Bruce's sound

I really enjoyed this DVD and highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: A BRUCE $ELLOUT
Review: Just when you thought the Vote For Socialism tour was the low point for Bruce, well look out, here comes a reminder that Bruce dipped even lower more than a decade ago. My apologies for all fans still finding the artistic merit of Lucky Town and Human Touch, but these two albums are unquestionably the weakest cannon in the mans artillery so why scramble to buy a live DVD of those forgettable songs? Well because it's Bruce and the man can do no wrong, he's a saint and the concert hall is his church and the parishioners who give to his collection plate pay mightily for any and all projects. You people who sit through 3 hour shows just to feel young again know who you are and look how you have been repaid for your devotion: Last years Essentials, Live in Barcelona and now this Plugged debacle. Aside from feeling younger, you must be feeling poorer as well. Why millions of fans (and the number is dwindling) hang on every word from St. Springsteen like pearls of wisdom being bestowed upon them from a higher being is beyond my scope. Face it folks, he's a guy with a guitar who made it real big and liking his music his harmless, but calling this better than what it is simply isn't honest. For a guy who brought you Greetings From Asbury Park, this performance isn't worthy of a postcard stamp.

Rating:
Summary: Flatliner
Review: Let me see if I get this straight: Bruce Springsteen, the lamest, schlockiest so-called "rocker" in the biz goes "unplugged"? But wait! He then goes "plugged," because his music is so gosh darned "electric"!

Truth be told, if you "unplugged" his flaccid tunes, you'd need to have a coroner present.

It is beyond me how this flatliner ever became so popular, but then again, there're still a lot of balding baby boomers and New Jerseyites with mullets out there who still haven't gotten a transfusion of good taste.

*Sigh*

Rating:
Summary: Great Audio Improvement over Barcelona
Review: Okay, I'm not going to debate how this compares to work Bruce has done with the E-Street band, however - from an audio and video perspective this is far and away the best effort from Bruce available on a DVD. The sound is awesome - the bass punchy and tight and the video crisp and clear.

I so thoroughly enjoyed the latest tour having seen it at two stops and was so dissappointed with the audio quality, or lack thereof, on the Barcelona DVD that when I started watching Un-Pluggedm, and aired the speakers out, I thought 'Now, that's better...'.

Again, not going to get into a discussion over E-street vs. sans E-street except to say that Bruce sure looks like he had fun doing the unplugged gig. And generally speaking, when Bruce is 'into it' - the music is righteous.

Here's to somebidy remastering the Barcelona DVD :-)

Peace

Rating:
Summary: Can't Compete With an E-Street Show...Or the Other Boss DVDs
Review: Saying anything from The Man, Bruce Springsteen, is disapointing automaticly implies "disapointing" is a relative term. What is a dispointing effort from the Boss would generaly be the apex of many-a-lesser artists' careers. Also, Bruce usually has enough high points on even his lesser performances to elevate it above disapointing, no matter what the low points. While "Plugged" is no exception, it is still ultimately a disapointment.

Yes, most of the problem here is the fact that it is, at best, odd watching Bruce try to summon up his legendary energy with a different, lesser band; at worst it feels downright wrong.

Seeing Springsteen along side any other band would, and does, feel somewhat blasphimus, but along side this band, which includes a long-haired guitarist who looks like a Guns N' Roses reject and a lame chorus of doo-wop back-up vocalists, the whole thing feels more like a sin.

I understand artists wants to grow and try new things with new performers, but Springsteen's concerts and albums at this time were not indicative of someone growing. They were a step backwards - or at least in the wrong direction. It may not all be because the E-Street Band was absent, Bruce may have suffered this relative career lull with or without them at his side, but when you look at what was different at the time, what else can one place the blame on?

Now, BEFORE SOMEONE WRITES A REVIEW TRASHING THIS ONE AS NARROW-MINDED - DON'T GET ME WRONG! - keep in mind, when I say "wrong direction," the phrase, again, is relative. Maybe a better way to put it is 'vearing off the path for a moment.' I still have a lot of fondness for many songs from "Human Touch" and "Lucky Town" - I love "Human Touch," "Better Days," "Leap Of Faith," "Big Muddy," and "Lucky Town" - and this DVD has pleasurable moments to be sure ("Red Headed Woman" is a kick and it is the only place you can hear live cuts from the aformentioned albums, including the aformentioned songs), but neither of those albums, or this DVD, can rival anything including the E-Street Band.

This band is not bad. They seem quite good. But they don't fit. Maybe its because we are used to, and want to, see Bruce with E-Street - I'm sure that's a big part of it - but a big part is also the fact that Springsteen just doesn't look like he belongs with them no matter who he has played with before. They look as if they are from two different musical eras (Like seeing Bob Dylan on stage with Outkast - I hope I dind't just give anyone any crazy ideas because I see record execs constantly trying crazy sh*t like this ). They don't look alike, they don't play alike and worst of all, they don't seem comfortable with one another. All the effortless comradere of the E-Street Band is completely missing here and classic, genuine moments with E-Street - like three band members gathering around one mic - couldn't feel more forced and out of place here.

The Unplugged, sorry, "Plugged," setting is also a problem. Bruce is confined to a small stage, working a small room. Never a problem for him at an acoustic show, in fact, some of his sitdown performances with just a guitar or a piano rank with some of his best, but this is a plugged show in an unplugged setting. He can't realy cut loose, but he knows he's suposed to, so we get a Bruce-lite performance; an imitation of the real thing. Again, the effortless energy of other performances is lost in translation and everything else feels forced or tired. What book ends the concert, an acoustic "Red Headed Woman" for an opener and an acoustic "Thunder Road" as a closer, are the best moments; and go figure since it is just Bruce with a guitar and the audience - the acoustic show that it feels like the whole show should be.

And lastly, none of this sounds as good as when it is performed with E-Street. I love Springsteen live. LOVE HIM! I don't just mean being at the concert, but I love the other two Live DVDs. I have only had Barcelona for a year and I have worn it out in spots. Many times I don't even watch, I just put it on with the surround sound while I'm doing whatever, like a live album (if you are wondering how I can say this while some reviews here imply that this DVD is better, I think they are refering to the audio, to which I say, go see my review of that DVD - I'm still dumbfounded by what some have said about the sound). If you need proof, just put 'em side by side. The chintzy-sounding "Atlantic City" on this DVD, or the thundering, emotionaly-charged version on the New York DVD? "Light Of Day" from New York is a funny and invigorating powerhouse! The version here feels like someone else's pale imitation. Granted, with both tracks, maybe they just aged better as he ironed out these obvious wrinkles over the years.

At any rate, of the DVDs, why get the one that feels like an imiation or a work in progess? Better yet, why get one that doesn't show Bruce in his true element with the best band? Not just his best band, but maybe the best backing band in rock history.

Now, I am a completist fan of Springsteen, so I enjoy having this item just as a collectable. And, again, I like a few of the performances here. I hate to sound too down on it. Think of it this way; I gave the New York and Barcelona DVDs 5-Stars. If I could have given them 15-Stars (or more) I would have. This one I'm giving 3. And that feels just about right.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Showcase for the 'Lucky Town' songs
Review: This early 90's concert, filmed at the MTV studios in the midst of Springsteen's world tour for his "Human Touch"/"Lucky Town" albums, is an excellent showcase for the music he wrote then.

The band he esssembled for that tour is not a good match for the slicker, pop-oriented material from "Human Touch." But they really understand the stronger, raw, stripped rock songs from "Lucky Town," and those tunes are the reason to see this show.

Living Proof, Lucky Town, If I Should Fall Behind, Better Days, My Beautiful Reward, and other songs from that great record, are presented by Springsteen here in a form more powerful than the original studio tracks. These are tough, adult, spellbinding songs, and watching the passion with which the writer performs thems makes for some powerful rock music.

Plus, this show has other highlights, including a 10 min. plus version of "Light of Day," and a wonderful solo version of "Thunder Road."



Rating:
Summary: No die-hard Springsteen fan can do without this, but...
Review: This is a solid recording that effectively captures a critical point in Bruce Springsteen's career: the low point.

After The Boss broke up the E Street Band following the "Tunnel of Love" tour, his first two solo efforts ("Human Touch" and "Better Days") came out simultaneously and Bruce went on the road with a new group. They were, in fact, a kind of post-'80s MTV "hair band" who, perhaps through no fault of their own, added zilch to the established Springsteen sound. They were competent but never electrifying, and you only feel the void of the absent original players, especially Clarence Clemons on sax. As such, when you watch them you can't help but judge them as a pointless, perhaps arrogant, mistake. What the hell was Bruce thinking?

Those band issues aside, I think most of the then-new songs hold up as well as any Springsteen has composed - far better than the lion's share of his most recent work on "The Rising." Putting all of those pros and cons together, this MTV concert is an invaluable document. Since reuniting the E Street Band in 1999, Bruce has generally steered clear of performing most of the songs you get here. So if you want to hear them performed live, you may never get a better chance than what this DVD affords.

It's far from the best live Springsteen video. That honor, in my opinion, would have to go to HBO's majestic "Live in New York City" DVD. But no true Springsteen aficionado or completist can do without this one. Even if it turns out to be the Springsteen disc most likely to gather dust on your shelf.