Only The Strong Survive

It happened in 2006 with 'The Seeger Sessions' and it's happened again now. I bought 'Only the Strong Survive' wondering how much I would like it as it is not the sort of music I normally listen to. I needn't have worried. After a couple of listens I was hooked. It is an album of 15 soul classics, only 2 of which I had even heard of, but any doubts were blown away by the sheer joy of the music and Bruce's delivery. Even though some tracks have melancholy lyrics I would defy anyone not to find themselves tapping their feet and singing along. Bruce Springsteen is a self proclaimed student of popular music roots and history and this album has clearly been crafted with love and care. He wanted to make an album on which he just sang and his wonderful voice gives power and grit to every track. He wanted to introduce these songs to people - like me - who didn't know or appreciate classic soul music. I'm glad he did. The album is labelled Volume 1. If there is to be a Volume 2, I'm definitely up for it. There will be fans who don't like 'Only the Strong Survive', who want endless repetition of 'Badlands' or 'Born in the USA' or 'Jungleland'. I will always love those too but you have to move on and try new things. You also have to accept that you grow older and that change is inevitable. I applaud Bruce for continuing to surprise and delight and hope that doubters will give this great album a chance.

nothis best output but pretty good album

all good no problems

I do look forward to anything new by Springsteen. I am not usually disappointed by his albums but was not so sure about a soul covers album. I am not a big fan of soul and I tend to prefer the originals. It is not the first time; he has done a 'covers' album as he did a brilliant album of Seeger songs some years back. I have felt many of Springsteen's albums have a soul influence, so this perhaps is not the biggest of departures for him. Not all the songs are well known, at least not to me. Some I do recognise. He does make every song he sings a Springsteen song. Maybe, I would have liked to hear a bit more depth to the band and can't help but wonder whether this would have been an even better album with the swaggering e-street band. This though is Springsteen at his most soulful but still rocking away. He is great voice. The backing is perhaps quite 60s in sound. It is for me not my favourite Springsteen album, but it has been on repeat play constantly since receiving it. Whatever he does, he puts his heart and soul into it and almost always does whatever he does well. This he does do well, and I do like this type of soul. It is a great listen and whilst I prefer him rocking, this really is different and very good. He has stayed at the top because he always tries something different and challenges himself. It will be interesting to hear him perform some of this material live with the e-street band. This is fun and I do like it. If you are a Springsteen fan, I think you will enjoy this. Different yes, but maybe not the biggest of departures for him. Another really good Springsteen album.

Love this CD it's perfect.

Love it

Springsteen always good

Bought this for Brother in Law who loves Bruce and seen him live so was well pleased...

Eccoci alla presenza del NUOVO ,e sottolineo nuovo e non vecchio perchè sono cover , album di BRUCE che è sempre nel mio cuore da queste parole si capisce che seguo BRUCE da sempre dal 1975 uscita di BTR . Questo è un album di cover , nella sua storia sia discografica che LIVE ha sempre suonato cover sempre con delle scelte ottime e importanti per la sua storia per la storia della musica. In questo album ci sono pezzi famosi 7 rooms of gloom ,molto bella , o I wish it would rain , ottimi TEMPTATIONS ottima versione , oppure enormi successi come il CAPOLAVORO THE SUN AIN'T GONNA SHINE ANYMORE da me amata fin dal 1965 nella ,già allora cover , dei WALKER BROTHERS originale dei FOUR SEASON oppure la splendida NIGHTSHIFT una versione questa di BRUCE calda sentita con un basso in evidenza profondo che riempie l'ambiente e il CUORE molto bella poi DO I LOVE YOU ,non un grande successo allora di Frank Wilson , ma una cover di BRUCE molto bella piena di gioia che spero faccia parte dei LIVE del prossimo anno tutto il suo pubblico la canterà tutti insieme e io con tutti loro . Il capolavoro si presenta con il seguito di THE SUN AIN'T GONNA ....mi ha sempre fatto emozionare fin dal 1965 e continua ancora oggi, profonda con voce calda e una struggente melodia molto sixty ma mi piace tanto, e poi tutte le altre tutte incise bene con voglia e CUORE come si sente sempre con BRUCE album da acquistare ascoltare senza pregiudizi ......BRUCE può e deve fare come vuole ....ma nei suoi album c'è sempre la presenza di belle musiche e di sorprese GRAZIE BRUCE di regalarci momenti di gioia in questi giorni cosi brutti e disastrosi presenti nella vita odierna DON'T PLAY THAT SONG .......il sole non splenderà più .....ma scalderà sempre i cuori degli intramontabili illusi come me .

Está perfeito, só ainda não ouvi o disco.

A+++, 5*, excellent customer service and superb quality. Thank you.....

Bruce es un gran artista. En este disco donde se sale de lo habitual y versiona una serie de temas de soul. Me encanta. Disco estupendo.

Starting with his 1973 debut, Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ, Bruce Springsteen took only 50 years of recording his 25-album catalog before releasing an album of material that couldn’t be better-suited for his vocal timbre and delivery style. Only the Strong Survive – Covers, Vol. 1 is a stellar showcase of soul survivors given cracklin’ new energy by The Boss. To be sure, there have been hints along the way. Springsteen’s 1986 march through Edwin Starr’s “War” served both as tribute and statement. The E Street Band rocked a Jackie Wilson tribute in 2010, with “Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher.” Ten years later, Bruce gave Sam & Dave’s “Hold On, I’m Coming” another revival. But none of these one-offs even came close to the resonant reverence found in this 2022 soul jamboree. And the infamous “loose bedspring” voice perfectly evokes the ragged emotions that embedded these songs in our memories and heritage. Rob Mathes’ string arrangements are punched up by the E Street Horns, helping songs like “What Becomes of the Broken-Hearted,” “Nightshift,” “Soul Days” (with Sam Moore), and “I Wish It Would Rain” spin you back to the days of push-button AM radios, 8-tracks under the GTO’s dash, and a spirit in the music that’s absent from today’s TikTok blocks. This is most evident in OtSS’s pinnacle, a fiery “Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)” that’s bursting with raucous, unfettered joy. And this is only Volume 1!