Live 1975-1985 (Bruce Springsteen)

Still doesn't do Bruce's live show justice.

While it fulfilled the expectations of his fans to finally have a live record (that wasn't a bootleg) and represented a live career retrospective, some including myself, were a little dissapointed that it didn't capture the band at a particular point in time. The early intimate sound of the performances at the Roxy Theatre in L.A. are in stark contrast to the bombastic sound of the anthemic Born in the USA songs that were played before audiences in football stadiums. Its a bit of a shock to the ears to hear the sound shift that way, especially on the CD version where the changeover to stadium shows takes place in the middle of a disc. A preferable offering would have been discrete records of specific concerts or at least tours. Springsteen seems to have learned from this and has since released live albums that capture the band as they were on a particular night or couple of nights, such as Live in New York City, or his plugged-in Unplugged album. But for the hardcore fan, the holy... Read more

This is quite possibly the greatest Springsteen Record ever! Although now that I say it, I really love so many of the other ones just as much! Anyway, this one (despite not including Jungleland!) captured my heart from the very first second, and erased any doubt that the Boss was not the best in the world! I can't quite describe what happens to me when I listen to it, but I get really sentimental, ready to rock, and filled with every feeling in between. This album captures almost every human emotion, and I love every song for it's unique characteristics. Bruce is the very greatest in the world, and although he's very underrated, just one listen to this collection, will show you that! I can't think of anything else to say about it that won't just reiterate what I've already said. The boss is the BEST! The lyric book is a treat just on it's own, and I can't count for the life of me how many times I've listened to this! And I make sure I have it near enough to play in my walkman before dr... Read more

This cd set affirms why I love Bruce Springsteen!!! I have never been touched by any performer or any album the way this box set touches me! From the moment that beautiful version of "Thunder Road" begins, to the gripping and every bit as beautiful and romantic "Jersey Girl's" final notes, this box set is a real treat! Everyone else who already said things about this album is 100% right! It really is an experience! The only thing is that it (at over 3 hours) is not long enough! I know that sounds silly, but if Jungleland, Dancing in the Dark, and I'm Goin Down were added it would be perfect! Actually, I take that back, if ALL of Bruce's songs were included it would be perfect! I really can't tell exactly what it is about Bruce, the band and this excellent collection of music that moves me so, but I think any true Springsteen fan knows what I am saying! When you look at the pictures in the lyric book with the lyrics to the songs next to them, you find yourself falling completely in love... Read more

Oh my god! As always, it being Bruce, it gets a "5" just for the sake of it's being him! But it is a seriously excellent album! I would recommend it to anyone! I of course, love "Because the Night", "Cover Me", "I'm on Fire", "Fire", "Jersey Girl" and all the other love songs, because of my neverending crush on the Boss! But every song has something superb to offer! I find myself feeling so many emotions when I listen to it. From desire (Cover Me, I'm on Fire, Because the Night) to pride (Badlands, Reason to Believe) to bittersweet longing for my past (Thunder Road, No Surrender, Bobby Jean) to sadness that I'm not Bruce's "Jersey Girl!". I listen to this album constantly, and if you love Bruce (like I do!) you MUST have it!!! Plus, there is a million and twelve great pictures and all the lyrics in the booklet that comes with it! Only the best ever!!! To quote one of the fans that you can hear in the background on "Jersey Girl": WE LOVE YOU BRUCE!!!!

This is not just a CD, this is an experience! The next best thing to being at a Bruce concert! When I bought this, and listened to the very first song, Thunder Road, I wasn't sure I would like it as much as all of Bruce's studio albums, but When I realized that the whole song was just the piano and vocal (and that tinkling music box sound when it gets to the "...roll down the window and let the wind blow back your hair...") and I was in love! It was almost like a "movie version" if you will, like a poignant version I would listen to while driving down the very same streets where I once listened to the studio version so many years ago! Anyway, then there's "Adam Raised a Cain", and "Spirit in the Night" those songs just ROCK and there is no doubt about it! Then comes "Sandy(4th of July, Ashbury Park)" That song is so beautiful, and the description of the boardwalk scene is so beautiful, I just can't get over it! "Paradise by the 'C'" is a short, instrumental piece that shows just how g... Read more

I am in a trance when I listen to this! No, seriously! I reeely love every song, and I find myself listening to it every chance I get, and when I'm not, I'm thinking about it! The best look at the career of the best performer available to date! i love it!!!!!

This is clearly the greatest of all albums in the world!!!! Every single song is brilliant, and I say it is WELL worth every penny!!!! I just love Because the Night, Rosalita, Thunder Road, all them great songs! This is the best ever!