Bruce Springsteen to record with the E-Street band

Musical `Magic' From Boss, E Street Band
By LARRY McSHANE, Associated Press Writer
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NEW YORK - Bruce Springsteen is back with the E Street Band _ and a bit of "Magic."

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer returns Oct. 2 with a new album, titled "Magic," his first collaboration with his longtime New Jersey mates since the Sept. 11-inspired "The Rising" in 2002, Springsteen announced through his publicist Thursday.

The album, other than its atmospheric title track, is billed as Springsteen's return to rock 'n' roll after his solo "Devils & Dust" and the folk-inspired "The Seeger Sessions." Fans can expect Clarence Clemons' familiar saxophone, Danny Federici's soaring keyboards and Max Weinberg's pounding drums _ along with a lot of guitars.

The 11-song album is Springsteen's first of all-new material since April 2005, when he released the acoustic "Devils & Dust." Springsteen's 15th studio album follows last year's "The Seeger Sessions," where the Boss and a 17-piece backing band played reconjured versions of songs associated with folkie Pete Seeger.

For this album, recorded with producer Brendan O'Brien in Atlanta, Springsteen reunited with the full E Street Band to recreate its Garden State wall of sound: guitarists Steve Van Zandt and Nils Lofgren, bassist Garry Tallent, drummer Weinberg, keyboardists Federici and Roy Bittan, sax man Clemons, violinist Soozie Tyrell and vocalist Patti Scialfa.

Last year, Springsteen said he'd already written a "whole book of songs for the E Street Band." He assembled the band earlier this year and they finished the album in two months, about the same amount of time spent recording the multiplatinum "The Rising."

Songs include the title track, the album opener "Radio Nowhere," "You'll Be Comin' Down," "Livin' in the Future," "Your Own Worst Enemy," "Gypsy Biker," "Girls in Their Summer Clothes," "I'll Work for Your Love," "Last to Die," "Long Walk Home" and "Devil's Arcade."

Details on a worldwide tour featuring the band were expected to follow. Springsteen and the E Street Band sold out arenas and stadiums around the globe during a 15-month tour behind "The Rising."

I think this will be a pivotal album for the Boss.  Wonder if he and his band go in a new direction that makes everyone sit up and take notice or if he will go retro and try to be what everyone expects them to be?  Come on, Bruce, bring in a mellotron and really throw 'em a curve! 

I'm looking forward to this one. The Rising was his best in years in my opinion.

Listening to it right now. Sounds like solo material with a different band. Like to hear more piano.

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This is good news. Rising was a five star release and it was already 5 years ago. Can't wait to listen this new album when it comes out. 

Only had 2 listens but initial impressions are very good.

Chicapah wrote: A few years ago I would have been the first on the block to have a copy but since I've become a prog reviewer I only buy CDs that are PROG these days.  The good news is that come Christmas when folks ask me what I want I can tell them Bruce, Annie Lennox and Foo Fighters and they'll actually know who I'm talking about!  Springsteen's music is always of the highest quality and his lyrics are downright poetic so I'll be hearing/possessing the new CD sooner or later.

I buy prog almost exclusively; but there are certain bands that I'll have to pick up or that I'm simply in the mood for. Besides Springsteen, I've picked up the new Crowded House (awesome), and Lindsey Buckingham's Under The Skin.

I've had a chance to listen to it once more and it's not nearly as brooding as The Rising. I loved that disc, but it just didn't have that classic Springsteen sound (except for "Mary's Place"). This sounds more along the lines of The River. Bravo, Mr. Springsteen! You've done it again!

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I didn't notice anything, but I'll keep an ear out for it next time. "Radio Nowhere" does have been of a more straight ahead sound than his usual stuff.

E