Tag Archives: Bruce Springsteen

My most listened of 2019

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As 2019 closed I often wondered what songs I’d listened to most as I have sat at my desk “chugging away” on my PhD. Spotify dutifully obliges each December with a listing of what I have listened to the most on that platform. I haven’t only listened on Spotify as I like the Stingray platform that comes with our PayTV subscription, particularly they 70s Chanel. I also listen to some vinyl, so it’s not a complete picture but it will be pretty close.

My year’s listening was dominated by 70s music and Springsteen’s Western Stars.

It wasn’t a surprise that the songs from Western Star dominated. I have blogged previously on how much I like this album, so I won’t spend a lot of time writing about it again, except to say that it is definitely my album of the year with Tuscon Train my current favourite from the album.

From there it was largely 1970s music. Continue reading →

Father’s Day 2019 and Springsteen’s Western Stars

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You just can’t top a hand-painted card from your one-year-old grandson as the best present you could ever get on Father’s Day.

The card was the surprise and highlight of my Father’s Day.

What was not a surprise was my children giving me Bruce Springsteen’s latest album “Western Stars” on vinyl. It is quite possibly the best Springsteen album since Born to Run!

Yes, a big statement but its one I’m going with. I have pretty much had it on continuous play since it was released on Spotify. Now I can play it on my Rega Planer turntable.

Continue reading →

My Top Songs 2018 Part One

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As Christmas and the end of the year approaches the reflections on the year begin.

One I look forward to is Spotify’s, “Your Top Songs”, and it arrived in the Spotify App in the last few days.  Over the next couple of posts, I will run through the list.

First up is what I regard as my all time favourite song – Born to Run.  It is the title track of the album I have no hesitation in saying is my favourite album of all time.  The album version was the one featured in my most listened too, although it could just as easily have been one of the many other versions I have from Springsteen’s concerts which now are thankfully able to be downloaded. From the opening wall of sound to the end this song has it all. My most vivid memory of the song isn’t seeing it performed live but a morning recess in Year 12, when the teacher who introduced me to Bruce put the song on in the Music Centre. He had it absolutely pumping out through the school HiFi. Forty plus years on having it pumping out is the only way to listen to Born to Run.

Second and a complete change of pace are The Carpenters, We’ve Only Just Begun. Certainly a contrast from the first song on my list but still a song I don’t tire of.

Next is by Australian, music icon Brian Cadd, Ginger Man.  I’ve loved Brian Cadd from his days in Axiom and Arkansas Grass. Ginger Man is a song of its era, about times past, when we posted letters and travelling from Australia to the other side of the world, in this case, the USA was an epic journey.  The references to his  Dad and brother mythical or otherwise, are so real, I feel I am eavesdropping on a very personal letter back home. Brian Cadd a songwriter of extraordinary talent and a characteristic voice released Ginger Man in 1972, a golden period of Australian music. I have seen Brian Cadd live many, many times from the very first concert I ever went to in 1972 through to a couple of years ago when he toured with a fellow Axiom member and former lead singer of Little River Band, Glenn Shorrock.  He is a storyteller and Ginger Man is one of his best. Continue reading →

It’s been comfort music!

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It’s been a week of listening to safe songs. Back into study and focussed on my last few weeks before leaving my firm.

Where else to turn but Springsteen all week. It’s always safe ground for me.

Born to Run – always a great place to start

Growin Up – it’s about transition which occupies so much of my thinking these days

Rosalita – my favourite person’s favourite Springsteen song

We Take Care of Our Own – inspiring

Just like Fire Would – my week has been full of listening to Springsteen and this one is awesome in concert as well as an Aussie classic.

So that’s my Playlist of the Week

Christmas Music

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Earlier in the week my wife said it didn’t feel like Christmas. As we discussed this further it became obvious why – a lack of Bing! That’s right, not Bling but Bing!

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For her Christmas is synonymous with White Christmas. For me it’s pretty similar and for about a week in each year, I look forward to Christmas favourites. I actively seek them out from my own CD rack, Pandora, Spotify and on the TV. Foxtel obliged this year with their 20 favourite songs most of which were also in my favourites as well.

So along with everyone else I thought I’d have a go at my favourite Christmas Songs.

Band Aid – Do they know its Christmas and John Lennon’s Happy Christmas (War is Over) are my quintessential Modern Christmas Classics.

White Christmas – Bing’s is simply the best!

More Bing with Do you Hear what I Hear.

I have always loved Andy William’s Little Drummer Boy although Bing and David Bowie’s version is pretty good.

Kylie’s version of Santa Baby is a hoot! I had always assumed it was originally sung by Marilyn Monroe, but infact the originalwas sung by Ertha Kitt.

Springsteen’s Santa Claus is Coming to Town. I remember the first time I heard it was on a very scratchily recorded bootleg in the 70s. Maybe one year I will see Springsteen at Christmas and see it sung live! Until then I will have to be satisfied by the numerous versions on YouTube.

Mary’s Boy Child by Bony M is on my list; it’s certainly a blast from the past.

I’m not a big Mariah Carey fan, but make an exception of her at Christmas with All I want for Christmas is You

The Pogues A Fairytale in New Yorkis one that I have played pretty constantly in the run upto this Christmas. Whilst not in any way uplifting it is the most played Christmas a Song in Britain this century.

Littls Saint Nick by The Beach Boys reminds me of Summer Nights at one of my close friends place.

It used to be a family tradition that I would get a Chieftains CD at Christmas, which one year was The Bells of Dublin. A collection of Celtic songs with a Christmas theme and regularly gets a spin on Christmas morning.

I also love Tori Amos’s Midwinter Graces with Star of Wonder my favourite.

From an Australian perspective it’s hard to go past Paul Kelly’s How to Make Gravy .

Pretty much everyone has had a go at a Christmas Song. In my search I found songs by Jimmy Durante, Gene Autry, Nat King Cole, The Beatles, Wings, O’55, Miley Cyrus, Rod Stewart, Destiny’s Child, Tegan and Sara, Elmo, The Muppets and the list goes on.

I also love the traditional carols Hark the Herald Angels Sing and Come all ye Faithful but have to join the majority in saying that Silent Night is my favourite carol.

What’s your favourite?

Here are some other posts to get the brain flowing

Huffington Posts – Top 20

Forbes Magazines – Christmas Songs you’d play in February

About.com – Top 100 Christmas Songs