Comments on: Desolation, Nebraska http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/03/06/desolation-nebraska/ Los Angeles Based MP3 & Music Blog Sat, 20 Mar 2010 23:03:12 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Black Market Kidneys » Blog Archive » done when it’s due http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/03/06/desolation-nebraska/comment-page-1/#comment-770 Black Market Kidneys » Blog Archive » done when it’s due Sat, 10 Mar 2007 00:38:01 +0000 http://aquariumdrunkard.com/?p=1171#comment-770 [...] Hot on the heels1 of reading a discussion at the AV Club that touched on the “finality” of a song’s composition, I come acrosss An Aquarium Drunkard’s posting an MP3 of the “Nebraska” version of Bruce Springsteen’s Born In The USA. Compared to the version Reagan sampled, it provides a great example of the different forms a song can take. Which begs the Boss-ified koan: Can you listen to The River twice? [...] [...] Hot on the heels1 of reading a discussion at the AV Club that touched on the “finality” of a song’s composition, I come acrosss An Aquarium Drunkard’s posting an MP3 of the “Nebraska” version of Bruce Springsteen’s Born In The USA. Compared to the version Reagan sampled, it provides a great example of the different forms a song can take. Which begs the Boss-ified koan: Can you listen to The River twice? [...]

]]> By: Matthew http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/03/06/desolation-nebraska/comment-page-1/#comment-643 Matthew Thu, 08 Mar 2007 09:59:42 +0000 http://aquariumdrunkard.com/?p=1171#comment-643 I thought that with The Ghost of Tom Joad he was specifically trying to recapture the spirit of Nebraska - that is, I read it somewhere but have no idea if it's true or not. I have to say I reckon he failed, although there are a couple of decent tracks on Joad. He does full on rock versions of Atlantic City a lot, most notably on his MTV Plugged album, which I think are pretty good. I thought that with The Ghost of Tom Joad he was specifically trying to recapture the spirit of Nebraska – that is, I read it somewhere but have no idea if it’s true or not. I have to say I reckon he failed, although there are a couple of decent tracks on Joad. He does full on rock versions of Atlantic City a lot, most notably on his MTV Plugged album, which I think are pretty good.

]]> By: Satisfied '75 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/03/06/desolation-nebraska/comment-page-1/#comment-588 Satisfied '75 Wed, 07 Mar 2007 20:02:27 +0000 http://aquariumdrunkard.com/?p=1171#comment-588 didactic, where ya been all my life? didactic, where ya been all my life?

]]> By: Tyler http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/03/06/desolation-nebraska/comment-page-1/#comment-584 Tyler Wed, 07 Mar 2007 18:36:06 +0000 http://aquariumdrunkard.com/?p=1171#comment-584 maybe it's the reason you avoided his music for so long, but that doesn't change the fact that it's any less the right version for the song. in the Guthrie-ish Nebraska demo version, it's a folky trying to feel what it's like to be in this character's shoes. it's a character sketch. in the BITUSA version, he IS that guy, for better or for worse (which is why so many people misinterpret it, just as real people are tougher to pin down than sketches). also, it's fun to sing and dance to when you're drunk! maybe it’s the reason you avoided his music for so long, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s any less the right version for the song. in the Guthrie-ish Nebraska demo version, it’s a folky trying to feel what it’s like to be in this character’s shoes. it’s a character sketch. in the BITUSA version, he IS that guy, for better or for worse (which is why so many people misinterpret it, just as real people are tougher to pin down than sketches).

also, it’s fun to sing and dance to when you’re drunk!

]]> By: j. neas http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/03/06/desolation-nebraska/comment-page-1/#comment-564 j. neas Wed, 07 Mar 2007 15:19:23 +0000 http://aquariumdrunkard.com/?p=1171#comment-564 And I probably don't need to mention this to you, Satisfied '75, but for anyone who hasn't heard The Cash Brother's song "Nebraska" from the album <i>How Was Tomorrow?</i>, well, there's no better summary of that late night <i>Nebraska</i> drive than that song. And I probably don’t need to mention this to you, Satisfied ‘75, but for anyone who hasn’t heard The Cash Brother’s song “Nebraska” from the album How Was Tomorrow?, well, there’s no better summary of that late night Nebraska drive than that song.

]]> By: didactic http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/03/06/desolation-nebraska/comment-page-1/#comment-561 didactic Wed, 07 Mar 2007 14:51:10 +0000 http://aquariumdrunkard.com/?p=1171#comment-561 Um, allow me, if you will, to point out that it's RITE (not right) of passage (we're talking here about age-old coming of age patterns, not which ship gets to proceed through the lock next) and in the instance above - "at the time of it’s recording" - it's ITS (not it's). Small points perhaps but then we all hug our little destinies; mine, it would seem, involves expressing my admiration and gratitude for your fine, fine. sight, um, that is to say, SITE, by informally doing it's (sic) copy editing. Carry on my Drunkard friend. (No, seriously. Carry on.) Um, allow me, if you will, to point out that it’s RITE (not right) of passage (we’re talking here about age-old coming of age patterns, not which ship gets to proceed through the lock next) and in the instance above – “at the time of it’s recording” – it’s ITS (not it’s). Small points perhaps but then we all hug our little destinies; mine, it would seem, involves expressing my admiration and gratitude for your fine, fine. sight, um, that is to say, SITE, by informally doing it’s (sic) copy editing. Carry on my Drunkard friend. (No, seriously. Carry on.)

]]> By: Sean http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/03/06/desolation-nebraska/comment-page-1/#comment-545 Sean Wed, 07 Mar 2007 08:46:16 +0000 http://aquariumdrunkard.com/?p=1171#comment-545 I'm still new to Bruce...but Nebraska is the one album I own so far and I friggin love it. Atlantic City is so amazing. Thanks for the demo of Born In the USA. I’m still new to Bruce…but Nebraska is the one album I own so far and I friggin love it. Atlantic City is so amazing. Thanks for the demo of Born In the USA.

]]> By: Satisfied '75 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/03/06/desolation-nebraska/comment-page-1/#comment-535 Satisfied '75 Wed, 07 Mar 2007 04:52:26 +0000 http://aquariumdrunkard.com/?p=1171#comment-535 indeed, you are correct, I am absolutely saying that. In fact, the '84 version of BITUSA is why I avoided the man's music for a good 10+ years. But I agree w/ you, bruce is a badass. And far, far, far from a "dumb guy." indeed, you are correct, I am absolutely saying that. In fact, the ‘84 version of BITUSA is why I avoided the man’s music for a good 10+ years.
But I agree w/ you, bruce is a badass. And far, far, far from a “dumb guy.”

]]> By: andy http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/03/06/desolation-nebraska/comment-page-1/#comment-533 andy Wed, 07 Mar 2007 04:22:37 +0000 http://aquariumdrunkard.com/?p=1171#comment-533 nebaska is one of my all time favs, for so many of the reasons you described. great write-up...thanks for motivating me to take a slow drive in my car earlier tonight with the cd... nebaska is one of my all time favs, for so many of the reasons you described. great write-up…thanks for motivating me to take a slow drive in my car earlier tonight with the cd…

]]> By: Tyler http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/03/06/desolation-nebraska/comment-page-1/#comment-532 Tyler Wed, 07 Mar 2007 04:14:53 +0000 http://aquariumdrunkard.com/?p=1171#comment-532 if you're saying that the official version of "Born In The USA" is anything less than excellent, I gotta disagree with you damn near completely, sir. but you're right about Nebraska. as an indie rocker and recent convert to Bruce's amazing-ness, it really bugs me how he's so often written off as this dumb guy who has recorded one classic (Nebraska) and tons of crap. so not true. dude's a fucking monster. if you’re saying that the official version of “Born In The USA” is anything less than excellent, I gotta disagree with you damn near completely, sir. but you’re right about Nebraska.

as an indie rocker and recent convert to Bruce’s amazing-ness, it really bugs me how he’s so often written off as this dumb guy who has recorded one classic (Nebraska) and tons of crap. so not true. dude’s a fucking monster.

]]> By: Frank http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/03/06/desolation-nebraska/comment-page-1/#comment-495 Frank Tue, 06 Mar 2007 23:02:42 +0000 http://aquariumdrunkard.com/?p=1171#comment-495 Allow me to recommend the "Alone in Colt's Neck" bootleg of Nebraska sessions, if you don't already have it -- info at http://www.newc.com/theboots/newlook/lostmasters/lmv1.html. Your description of the feel of those tracks, like waking up from a fever dream, is dead-on. It's high time I pulled the record out again -- it's been a while. Allow me to recommend the “Alone in Colt’s Neck” bootleg of Nebraska sessions, if you don’t already have it — info at http://www.newc.com/theboots/newlook/lostmasters/lmv1.html. Your description of the feel of those tracks, like waking up from a fever dream, is dead-on. It’s high time I pulled the record out again — it’s been a while.

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