Don’t bash the Boss

That’s the message I hear from fans again and again, whenever I dare to criticize their man. As if Saint Springsteen is somehow above criticism.

No, he didn’t lip sync during his performance, like Jennifer Hudson did. (Yo-Yo Ma and his cohorts faked it at the inauguration, too — though all of them DID perform their respective pieces once.) But, hey, Bruce DID sell out to Walmart — and then quickly admit it was a mistake, so as to cut off the bad publicity — so doesn’t that even the score?

In any event, here is some more feedback on the man, the myth, the legend and his Super Bowl performance.

Hi. Are you & Greg Kot living together & writing each others columns? Are you both just as clueless as the other? Do you have some agenda against Springsteen? I have never seen such idiocy in music reviews by supposed “big city” newspapers. No wonder papers are going out of business!

WP

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Are you jealous of the Boss?

Your article was way off base and I think you should actually catch a show before you belittle Bruce Springsteen and his band.

That was one of the best I have seen as a half time shows I have seen in ages; let us not forget the previous five super bowls fiasco’s…barely a roar from the stands…those shows were for the lucky folks that got to stand in front of the stage….Bruce brought down the house; the stadium; the city of Tampa; and the television viewers….TRY AGAIN MY FRIEND!!!

Tracey Ball

North Side Irish

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Jim, yeah the Boss is getting old but I do dig his new song “Working On A Dream”, it’s got a basic grove but it rocks. Anyhow, in case you didn’t know, I’m not 100% percent sure but I read or heard that the reason Steven Van Zandt wears the “Do-Rag” is that he supposedly was involved in an auto accident which left the top of his head badly burned. Consequently, he has to chosed to wear the “Do-rag” to hide his scar. Additionally, as I said it’s only what I’ve read or heard, however, if you get a chance look into it, because it may be true and this way you don’t run the risk of being considered insensitive when you write and print your column. Anyhow, I gotta split and btw, Steven Van Zandt’s show on Wxrt is really cool, you should give it a listen if you haven’t already.

Peace, Benito Herrera

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Jim, What’s wrong with an artist playing old hits? Also, didn’t Jennifer Hudson lip sync the national anthem?

“struggling to choke back a tear before powering through a bravura performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” this isn’t so great if she lip synched.

Many plays are revivals, operas and symphonies for the most part are decades old, so what is wrong with rock musicians playing old hits? You seem to have a special disdain for them. There are, as you are very aware off, plenty of new artists to listen to, I believe Fleetwood Mac is coming to town to do a greatest hits show. If they are just going through the motions to collect a check, then by all means rip them. Don’t get me wrong, I like your work, but I disagree with you on these matters

Greg Cameron, Hanover Pk.

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Hudson out shines Springsteen????

I disagree with your article today on the entertainment at halftime…how can you even use Hudson in the same story with the Boss..First of all,Springsteen would never LIP -SYNC!!!! as Hudson did!! No one individual will EVER do ,what Springsteen has done ,to the Music world since 1975.. I feel bad what happened to her family,but 10 years from now..she will be forgotten..20 years from now..we will still be hearing Springsteen music on the radio.

Best wishes, Dave Andrews

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Jim, Apparently you don’t understand what it means to be a true Springsteen fan. When the Boss asks “is there anybody alive out there?” he is merely asking if everyone is ready to go and ready to start rocking. I wasn’t alive when Born to Run was released in 75′ or when Born in the USA was released in 84′ but I still enjoy his music very much and thought that the halftime show was amazing. I know you are entitled to your opinion but in this I think you are wrong.

Sincerely, A Springsteen Fan, Cullen

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And I quote you…”Jennifer Hudson poured her feelings into a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Yeah, and as reported by John Willaims, this morning, as it turned out; a taped rendition! You owe Bruce an apology. At least he sang live, unlike Ms. Hudson.

Carol

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JIM- JENNIFER HUDSON LIPPED SYNCHED HER SONG YESTERDAY, SO DID FAITH HILL

ARTHUR CORRIGAN

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Jim, It’s tough being a Jim Derogatis fan AND a longtime Bruce Springsteen fan. Jon Landau must’ve slighted Lester Bangs sometime in the 70’s and now you are taking up some retribution or something!! LOL

Listen, you are right about the Stones putting out albums as excuses to tour, then playing a new song or two with most of the set filled with oldies. They are also usually performed in a rushed, tossed off manner and it’s the same set every night. You can’t put this same label on Springsteen. His shows (with or without the band) always feature 90% of his new record and selections from his albums. Many times he doesn’t include that many hits, much to the chagrin of casual fans looking for nostalgia. You know this to be true as I have read ALL of your Springsteen live reviews in which you usually criticize him for playing too much from his current album and not enough Rosalita, etc.. Also, as someone who attends multiple nights in one city, the set list is changed up quite a bit, especially later in a tour. It ain’t the latter day Stones or The Eagles. You shouldn’t label it as such. It’s just not factually correct.

I guarantee you will hear a LOT of new music at the upcoming Chicago show and judging from your WOAD review that will not make you happy. You may be right about this new record. I’m underwhelmed after two listens. However, I give him credit for not resting on his laurels. Right now I feel it is an unsuccessful attempt at a pop record, unlike the previous release Magic in which he nailed it.

As far as the Super Bowl, it’s a cheesy gig I’d rather not see him play. I’m not a mindless sheep of a fan, but since I’ve yet to see a corporate banner hanging off the stage at a Bruce Springsteen show nor a Born To Run Nike commercial, I can let it go. As far as the performance, 10th Avenue is a classic as is Born to Run and well suited for this oversized setting. Kudos for getting a new song in there and the frat rock of Glory Days (a descendant of Louie Louie in my book and not played in awhile by Springsteen) fit in perfectly with the occasion. That halftime slot is supposed to be a mindless 12 minute party so all the camera mugging is also appropriate and it was just plain fun. He was working hard up there, almost too hard.

I feel that when it comes to Bruce Springsteen, you already have the review written in your head. I hope Darkness On the Edge of Town gets remastered and reissued soon. It’s my favorite Springsteen record and the one that changed my life. It was that powerful. I’d love to hear you give an honest assessment of it. I’m also curious to know if you feel this performer has contributed anything to rock music at all.

Anyway, like you always say – rock criticism is about engaging one another. I simply believe you’ve got it wrong on this particular performer. By the way, love Sound Opinions!!

Take care, Steve

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