Bruce Springsteen - Only the Strong Will Survive

  by Nick Dent-Robinson

published: 7 / 1 / 2023

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Review

The closing track on Bruce Springsteen's last album ‘Letter To You’ released in 2020 was the nostalgic ‘I'll See You In My Dreams’ - and this prompted many to speculate that, as he pushed into his 70s, Springsteen was contemplating retirement. But in a recent interview with American radio host Howard Stern, the singer rebuffed this saying, “I simply can't imagine retirement” - and he confirmed he will be touring again next year with the E Street Band plus he's also been busy in the studio recording a new album of classic soul covers, ‘Only The Strong Survive’. This isn't the first Springsteen album of non-originals. In 2000 ‘We Shall Overcome’ featured songs made famous by top folk singer Pete Seeger. But the soul standards on new release ‘Only The Strong Survive’ probably suit Springsteen's powerful delivery better – and he sounds as if he's enjoying every moment of performing them. The songs on the album are mainly from the 1960s and 1970s – the golden era that Springsteen grew up in. Classics from artists like Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, The Four Tops and Diana Ross are featured and Springsteen, 73, has said this material takes him straight back to his youth around Asbury Park, New Jersey, hearing the songs on the radio and in local clubs. Accompanied by a muscular studio band including the E Street horns and regular backing singer Soozie Tyrell, Springsteen captures the communal joy that is at the heart of the best R & B. Soul man Sam Moore (formerly of Sam & Dave), appears on two tracks, ending some real authenticity to the new album. Particularly impressive are the Frankie Wilson number, ‘Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)’ and Diana Ross's ‘Someday We'll Be Together’ is delivered brilliantly - in a way that is remarkably faithful to the 1969 original. ‘Don't Play That Song’, which was a hit for both Aretha Franklin and Ben E. King, is delivered with true Jersey Shore gusto and The Walker Brothers' ‘The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore’ is very powerful. Maybe Springsteen's strength is conveying joy rather than pain and perhaps Jimmy Ruffin's ‘What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted’ is less sad than the original – but it is still a powerful rendition. There is an overriding sense of fun throughout the album – and Dobie Gray's ‘Soul Days’ which contains some quintessentially Springsteen vignettes is especially enjoyable, sung with Sam Moore and ending with a roll call of the R & B icons who inspired the young Springsteen – including Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke and others. The Boss is in great form throughout ‘Only The Strong Survive’ and his many fans will be delighted by this new release!

Track Listing:-

1 Only The Strong Survive
2 Soul Days
3 Nightshift
4 Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)
5 The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore
6 Turn Back The Hands Of Time
7 When She Was My Girl
8 Hey, Western Union Man
9 I Wish It Would Rain
10 Don't Play That Song
11 Any Other Way
12 I Forgot To Be Your Lover
13 7 Rooms Of Gloom
14 What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted
15 Someday We'll Be Together

Band Links:-

https://brucespringsteen.net/
https://www.facebook.com/brucespringst
https://twitter.com/springsteen

Label Links:-

http://www.sonymusic.co.uk/
https://twitter.com/sonymusicsouth
https://www.facebook.com/SonyMusicSout
https://www.youtube.com/user/essonymus
https://instagram.com/sonymusic
https://plus.google.com/+sonymusic/pos

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