The Boss

George Grand
George Grand Posts: 12,258
edited March 2005 in Music & Movies
I don't really care for Bruce Springsteen at all. I only own one of his cd's. Born to Run. I couldn't even tell you when, where or how I came to own it. I only like one song on that cd, and I'll be damned if it isn't on my list of top ten ROCK songs of all time. The song Born to Run is an absolute masterpiece. It is reminiscent of the Phil Spector "wall of sound" approach in the recording studio, but to the nth degree. I find it interesting that it is the only song on the album that Max Weinberg does NOT play the drums on. He's a very competent drummer.

Something possessed me to listen to that song today on the AR-9's, LOUD, and it was a magnificent four or five minutes.


No need to say "George, if you like that, then you need to listen to........." because I won't like it. I get exposed to enough of his other stuff to make a somewhat informed decision about what I like by him and don't like, and I only care for that one song. But it IS a mother of a song.

George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)
Post edited by George Grand on
«1

Comments

  • Loud & Clear
    Loud & Clear Posts: 1,538
    edited March 2005
    That's roughly how I feel about all of that. I like Bruce, I like not too many of his songs, but that particular song is very powerful.

    Two Channel Setup:

    Speakers: Wharfedale Opus 2-3
    Integrated Amp: Krell S-300i
    DAC: Arcam irDac
    Source: iMac
    Remote Control: iPad Mini

    3.2 Home Theater Setup:

    Fronts: Klipsch RP-160M
    Center: Klipsch RP-160M
    Subwoofer: SVS PB12NSD (X 2)
    AVR: Yamaha Aventage RX-A2030
    Blu Ray: Sony BDP-S790
    TV Source: DirecTV Genie
  • pmckeealaska
    pmckeealaska Posts: 808
    edited March 2005
    I feel the same way about "The Boss", but not that song. The only one by him I ever really liked was "One Step Up" off of the Tunnel of Love album. But the song he did for the movie "Philidelphia" was pretty good also. I guess I'm partial to his more mellow tunes. Overall, though, I'm not a big fan.
    Music and Movie Rig

    Samsung 40" HDTV 1080p
    LSi25 Front Speakers
    LSiC Center Channel
    LSiFX Surrounds
    Rotel RB 1080 2-Channel Amp
    NAD T763 Reciever
    Denon DVD 2900 Universal Player

    Audiosource 10 Band Digital Equalizer
    Audioquest CV-8 speaker cables
    Audioquest Sub-X subwoofer cables
    Audioquest King Cobra Interconnects

    Monster AVS 2000 Voltage Stabilizer
    Playstation 3 120GB Slim
  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited March 2005
    On Jan 1st of this year, my family and I were obligated to attend dinner up around Asbury Park. The host insisted I let him give me a driving tour of the area. We drove right along the shore, and right passed the Stone Pony, the club that is very associated with his (Springsteen) name. It may have been special in its heyday, but it's an absolute shithole now. SMALL is how I would describe it. Filthy looking too.

    As an aside, when we got back to the house, the hostess told me I was very special, cause "Augie doesn't drive much anymore!" I kind of guessed that by the number of people who gave us the finger and tried to run us off the road. It was a really long hour drive.

    George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited March 2005
    Originally posted by George Grand
    I kind of guessed that by the number of people who gave us the finger and tried to run us off the road. It was a really long hour drive.
    LOL...

    Never a mega fan either, but have more than a couple CD's. Saw him once... winter of '73/'74 as an opening act for Wishbone Ash. This was back in his "Kitty's Back in Town" breakout period.

    Could not understand a single word he sang...

    ... sounded like Dylan...

    ... with marbles in his mouth...
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner

    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited March 2005
    Signore Augustino Testa was my host and driver. Bet if he had that printed on his license plate the number of finger incidents would've dropped dramatically.

    George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)
  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited March 2005
    I'm actually a pretty big Springsteen fan and I'd go out on a limb that BTR is one of the top four or five best and most influential albums of all time. Right up there with Sgt. Pepper, Pet Sounds..etc. Pretty ambitous for a guy that was about 25. Compare that with the bilge that is being forced on us today...

    I actually think Jungleland is the best song on the album.

    My biggest gripe is that the quality of the recordings on nearly all Springsteen albums is absolute crap. They just begged to be heard live....

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited March 2005
    Never a fan either, but I too like "Born to Run" I may have to look to see if I do own that song / and play it loud. :D

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


  • Shell
    Shell Posts: 134
    edited March 2005
    My biggest gripe is that the quality of the recordings on nearly all Springsteen albums is absolute crap. They just begged to be heard live....
    I think the tunnel of love cd has good sound quality.
  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited March 2005
    Originally posted by George Grand
    No need to say "George, if you like that, then you need to listen to........." because I won't like it. I get exposed to enough of his other stuff
    I'd say you don't if Born to Run is the only song you like from him. ;)

    Personally I would put that one on the top 15, maybe top 10 of his songs. I am a huge fan of his up to Born in the USA album. Not much of a fan of his more recent material.
  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited March 2005
    I've heard plenty of his stuff amigo, and think he's one of the biggest no talents in the industry. He hit it just right with one song in my opinion. You're allowed to have yours, and I'm allowed to have mine.


    George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)
  • BlueMDPicker
    BlueMDPicker Posts: 7,569
    edited March 2005
    Originally posted by George Grand
    I've heard plenty of his stuff amigo, and think he's one of the biggest no talents in the industry. He hit it just right with one song in my opinion.

    George, you are my omsbudsman in all matters Spingsteen.
  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited March 2005
    Roger Blue, but be prepared to have someone come along and try and get you to change your own informed opinion. You're not allowed to know what you like and dislike.

    I would be very interested to know the average age of the forum members. Bet my shirt it's somewhere between 20 and 22. I'd also bet that a damn HT receiver is their second audio rig, replacing a mid 90's rack system which was the first.

    George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)
  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited March 2005
    Originally posted by George Grand
    He hit it just right with one song in my opinion. You're allowed to have yours, and I'm allowed to have mine.
    You certainly are. But the point is that unless you have heard all his material you will never know if there is another song that you would like. If you had never heard Born to run you would say when asked that he has never done anything that you like.

    I know how it is though, I think there are many no talents too that sell well. Metallica, Stone Temple Pilots, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kid Rock etc. I had my friend bring me some of their CD's although I had heard some of their material from the radio. I just couldn't listen any of the albums after a few songs so I will never know if there is anything that I like among them. I believe there isn't but you never know.

    No need to take this seriously, I'm not pushing you to listen to any of his material. Even if I was I know it would be in vain.
  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited March 2005
    One song yes I have bought a CD in the past will still do in the future for that “One Song”. And can say yes some CD's are nice when you hear the other tracks, some CD’s I have because of this one song thing I can't stand the other tracks. I call these one track wonders, sorry to think Boss maybe one of these also, ”An One Track Wonder”, AOTW.

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited March 2005
    I know how it is though, I think there are many no talents too that sell well. Metallica, Stone Temple Pilots, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kid Rock etc.

    Hey...how exactly are these groups/artists 'no talents'?

    Frankly Bruce Springsteen is an amazing musician....Beyond that I don't care much for him at all, but to deny what he's done in his band and call it no talent is a tad bit absurd. It's merely an issue of taste....which all of us can argue about all day long.

    For example...you won't see me arguing in favor of any of the aforementioned bands (other than early Metallica) in terms of the aural affect it has on me, but to say any of those groups are no talent is just as absurd as calling Bruce no talent.

    People who just casually listen to music and know nothing about it or the complexity thereof should be the last people on earth to judge the talent of the individuals making it. There's quite a big difference between what you like (opinion) and what is pure talent (which has a measurement so to speak...and can be backed up by facts). Bruce Springsteen & his band are very talented and didn't last this long on luck.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,663
    edited March 2005
    He gives me a instant headache.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited March 2005
    It's that mahageny pipe, not Springsteen.

    Hey, if we all liked the same thing, wouldn't life be boring?

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited March 2005
    Originally posted by Demiurge
    Hey...how exactly are these groups/artists 'no talents'?
    To be honest, I was just using Frank's term on the stuff I don't like. Including Metallica there was a bit of a reach, they actually have some decent stuff. Nothing that I would buy but wouldn't mind listening in the background.

    There really are truely talentless musicians out there. P. Diddy, Snoopy Doggy Doo come to mind right away. Both though are very good at marketing themselves. Kudos for them at that.
  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited March 2005
    My Bruce Springsteen CD's are for sale, check the flea market.

    :)

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited March 2005
    He's no Zappa, that's for sure.
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
  • BlueMDPicker
    BlueMDPicker Posts: 7,569
    edited March 2005
    Originally posted by George Grand
    Roger Blue, but be prepared to have someone come along and try and get you to change your own informed opinion. You're not allowed to know what you like and dislike.

    The Amazing Carnac has nothing on you! Tell us what prizes we have for George, Jay.

    Yep, "it takes a whole lot of medicine for me to pretend that I'm somebody else."
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,663
    edited March 2005
    Originally posted by TroyD
    Hey, if we all liked the same thing, wouldn't life be boring?


    Good point, I digress.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited March 2005
    See, you just got to get out of that Ivory Tower once in a while.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited March 2005
    Springsteen is a no freakin' talent dog. You want to cry about my opinion, go right the hell ahead.

    If you said the same thing about the people I feel have talent, I wouldn't be here semonizing cause it wouldn't mean **** to you. It's an opinion knucklehead.

    oooooooooo, did I say something bad about somebody's herooooooooo?

    They make money cause the freakin' masses can TAP THEIR FEET TO IT DUNDERHEAD. Most can't tap to straight ahead jazz, so in this country, it doesn't freakin' sell. SMOOTH JAZZ sells in this country, and is laughed at where it counts.

    Get your facts straight and then come to me lightweight.

    Yeah you Demi.

    George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)
  • Whadyasay
    Whadyasay Posts: 300
    edited March 2005
    "Got a wife & kids in Baltimore, Jack
    I went out for a ride, and I never went back"

    Gotta' admit that's some great opening lyrics to a song. Never liked Born To Run. My Home Town and I'm On Fire (a la Johnny Cash) also stand out to me.
    Polk LSi9 Mains, Polk LSIC Center, Polk RT25i Surrounds, Polk M3II Rear Surround, SVS PB10-ISD Sub, Denon AVR 2809 (as digital pre/pro only), Sony BDP-S350, Oppo DV-981HD, Cambridge Audio Azur 540C (CD), Marantz MM9000 5-ch amp, Outlaw ICBM, Panasonic th-42PX85u HDTV, Behringer BFD Pro, Monster Power HTS 2600 Conditioner
  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited March 2005
    Originally posted by disneyjoe7
    My Bruce Springsteen CD's are for sale, check the flea market.

    :)

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited March 2005
    Catchy opening lines, that indicate "Hey I'm a real renegade guy who walked out on my wife and kids" don't make great music. I had an insurance salesman come to my house long before Hungry Heart was released. He told me and my wife the same thing. "I went out to get a pack of cigarettes and came home ten years later." Should HE start a band too?

    It's the mystique that's getting bought into. Not great music. The smartest thing Bruce ever did was to hire a scary big black guy to play sax. The girls AND the boys are STILL wetting there pants over that move. Smart man, smart. Like Dr. Bose.

    And that's a fact Jack!

    George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)

    You ever seen a REAL Jersey Girl? Most of them look okay, and look a shitload better with a brown paper bag over their heads.
  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited March 2005
    Originally posted by George Grand
    You ever seen a REAL Jersey Girl? Most of them look okay, and look a shitload better with a brown paper bag over their heads.
    So does this mean you've never went to bed with an ugly girl, but woken up next to one many times?
  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited March 2005
    It means I don't buy into mystique. Never have, never will. You're damn right I never splayed with something that wasn't as pretty as me. Where I grew up, your friends find about that kind of activity, it stays with you forever.

    Spend your money as you see fit, somebody's got to keep the economy going. I'll wait for the real deal.

    George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)
  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited March 2005
    Originally posted by George Grand
    Springsteen is a no freakin' talent dog. You want to cry about my opinion, go right the hell ahead.

    If you said the same thing about the people I feel have talent, I wouldn't be here semonizing cause it wouldn't mean **** to you. It's an opinion knucklehead.

    oooooooooo, did I say something bad about somebody's herooooooooo?

    They make money cause the freakin' masses can TAP THEIR FEET TO IT DUNDERHEAD. Most can't tap to straight ahead jazz, so in this country, it doesn't freakin' sell. SMOOTH JAZZ sells in this country, and is laughed at where it counts.

    Get your facts straight and then come to me lightweight.

    Yeah you Demi.

    George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)

    Yeah, Bruce is my hero....! It's too bad you didn't take the time to actually read my post. There is a difference between the subjective nature of the like and dislike of a band decided by your own ears and what is actual talent based on the theoretics of music. Music has it's theoretical aspects. That's a fact whether or not you, 'Mr. Abrasive from Jersey,' want to admit it or not. Bruce Springsteen (his band) are a talented group of individuals who make marketable music that can also stand up to the scrutiny of a theoretic anal probe. Throwing a bunch of power chords together and slapping songs together can be very marketable, but it would be on the shallow end of the talent level.

    I'm just calling you out on your ignorant statement. I don't give a rip if you like Bruce or not...ironically I'm indifferent about Bruce's music and am hardly backing him up as a fan. More out of a respect of his (band's) proven talent.

    I better watch out because I actually took a 'respected member' to task on his flippant comments and the loyal defenders will be out in full force...irregardless of merit. We all know that's a no-no around here and that we need to bow down to the on-line hardasses at Club Polk and check ourselves in the pecking order. You seem like a hospitable guy otherwise, but you might want to chill on the jag juice.

    Bottom line is that running around and saying how everything sucks is a waste of time. Let's not let our own biases color reality to our liking and shade the truth so that we're oblivious, lightweight.