James Gooch’s acoustic cover of “Moonlight Motel” is the first Western Stars cover I’ve featured on this blog, and it’s bound to be a controversial one. You’ll understand why when you listen to it.
Author:
Ken Rosen (2080)
“Wrong Side of the Street” is a lyrical lightweight, but it features a great E Street Band backing track that went unreleased for more than 30 years after it was recorded.
One time only (that we know of, at least): The Bruce Springsteen Band covers Dave Mason’s first hit, “Only You Know and I Know.”
One time only, in the studio and on stage: Bruce joins Alejandro Escovedo on a hard-rocking Escovedo anthem.
Swedish band Jeniferever turns in a terrific cover of “One Step Up,” preserving its tender core in a lushly arranged wrapper.
“Erie Canal” is a nostalgic callback to a slower-paced world. Bruce’s version captures the wistfulness, pride, and celebration of two workers (one human and one equine) at the sunset of their careers.
Hold on tight: Bruce Springsteen’s “Night” is three minutes of pure rock and roll adrenaline, but I’ll try to break it down inside.
An obscure Springsteen song, a beautiful acoustic arrangement, and toddlers on a slide. That’s a pretty tough combo to beat.
One time only (thankfully): Bruce and The E Street Band re-imagine “Monster Mash” as a reggae song. It works about as well as you’d expect it to.
One time only: Bruce joins short-lived Stone Pony house band The Shots for a cover of Wilson Pickett’s hit, “Funky Broadway.”