I'm also reviewing this record, and after listening to it 2-3 times now, can't shake that same sense of inauthenticity. It's pleasant enough, but it coulda been so much more. I thought I might be biased as he's covering one of my all time soul faves (Tyrone Davis' "Turn Back the Hands of Time"), but that wound up being my favorite on the record, so I dunno...
I'd add two things to Only the Strong critique. On the positive side, his vocals have never sounded better. You gotta give a 70+ yr rocker his due. On the negative side, the "it could have been so much more" could have easily been remedied with one fix: The E Street Band. As a live record with the band, Bruce could have killed it.
I'm also reviewing this record, and after listening to it 2-3 times now, can't shake that same sense of inauthenticity. It's pleasant enough, but it coulda been so much more. I thought I might be biased as he's covering one of my all time soul faves (Tyrone Davis' "Turn Back the Hands of Time"), but that wound up being my favorite on the record, so I dunno...
I'd add two things to Only the Strong critique. On the positive side, his vocals have never sounded better. You gotta give a 70+ yr rocker his due. On the negative side, the "it could have been so much more" could have easily been remedied with one fix: The E Street Band. As a live record with the band, Bruce could have killed it.
yes yes, as evidenced by the fact that they've killed on this material in the new tour when he's included it in the set!
Exactamundo! And... So the guy grounded out with this record. Any artist would still love his career batting average.