Springsteen Goodies Part 2: The Promise

The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story is Bruce Springsteen's latest creation. It celebrates the anniversary of the release of Darkness on the Edge of Town. The Boxset includes a notebook with Springsteen's epic lyrics and thoughts while creating the album. The remastered version of album Darkness on the Edge of Town is included, as great as the day it was released.

The two disc cd "The Promise" (the actual album, pictured), includes many songs that Bruce didn't get to include on Darkness on the Edge of Town. Some highlights include the '78 version of Racing in the Street, Bruce's personal rendition of Because the Night (written by Bruce for Patti Smith), Candy's Boy and the upbeat track Ain't Good Enough for You. The title track, The Promise is also a beautiful song, in the league of Backstreets or Racing in the Street.

The informative and intuitive documentary that explores the making of Darkness on the Edge of Town is another inclusion in The Promise. It takes viewers through the process, insight into Springsteen's decisions about songs and their inclusion on the album. The documentary is another great addition, as it is always interesting to hear the reasoning behind decisions made by artists.

Also included is Bruce and the E Street Band playing the Darkness on the Edge of Town album to an empty Paramout Theatre in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The live rendition of The Promised Land is particularly amazing, in my opinion, and I always enjoy a live performance of Badlands (no crowd chanting in an empty theatre, its different). The performance is fantastic, as live music always brings out the best in each song.

The final inclusion is "Thrill Hill Vault": Springsteen and the E Street Band Live in Houston in '78. It opens with Badlands and Streets of Fire (not often heard live). The songs are those that are not often regulars in live concerts, such as Independence Day, It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City, Fire, Candy's Room, Point Blank and Because the Night. Roy and Clarence never cease to amaze me during live performances and a live performance of Jungleland is not missing from this collection. Clarence and Roy rock the crowd with their amazing skills (Clarence's sax solo, backed by Roy's elegant but fierce piano is epic). Rosalita also comes out, another song that is made great by Clarence's sensational sax skills.

The Promise is by far the best Bruce release of 2010, if not the best release by any musician. I urge you to check it out in any way you can! You will not be disappointed by the sheer talent of The Boss.

Dannielle :)