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Summary: From the Back of the Book
Review: "A well-researched, passionate, musicologially informed and politically astute appreciation of the great rock 'n' roll artist." E.L. Doctorow "Springsteen is one of the few artists of the last hafl century who can be called turly original. He looms so large on the landscape of popular music that I am surprised that this book wasn't written before now. It Ain't No sin to Be Glad You're Alive is Fascinating, biographies of musicians. It ranks with Peter Guralnick's work and is an essential document in evaluating Springsteen's legacy" Rosanne Cash
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Summary: The real Bruce is everything we hoped for...
Review: "If a body catch a body comin' through the rye" Holden Caulfield would have loved Bruce Springsteen. He's no phony (to us or himself) and Alterman captures that so well. Bruce has the same frailties that we have, which endears him all the more. My parents died several years ago and the home we grew up in was sold. I found myself driving out of my way to go past the old home without really knowing why. Alterman gives an insight into Bruce having the same unconscious habit that has given me something to think about regarding my own past. I could not put this book down. There is a lot of human insight in this book that non-fans could even connect with. Alterman knows his subject. It's a great story and my next book is a letdown already.
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Summary: Bruce, the phenomenon, from all sides
Review: A good, quick read that covers all the ground Marsh's early promotional bio did, with additional insight into the psyche of the artist, his impact on pop culture, his political and spiritual evolution, and the nature of his fans from the perspective of a fan. Thoughtful and entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: Bruce, the phenomenon, from all sides
Review: A good, quick read that covers all the ground Marsh's early promotional bio did, with additional insight into the psyche of the artist, his impact on pop culture, his political and spiritual evolution, and the nature of his fans from the perspective of a fan. Thoughtful and entertaining.
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Summary: The book Springsteen deserves
Review: A work that does justice to Springsteen. It perfectly captures the power of his art and explains why he means so much to so many people. Not only does it provide criticial insight into his work, it shows how his art intersected with the events of his life and the culture around him. Well written and totally engrossing, it is a pleasure to read. If you only get one Springsteen book, this should be it.
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Summary: Too Much Alterman
Review: Agreed - it does read like a term paper. Not sure if it was over-edited and any potentially interesting stuff was taking out, or if it wasn't touched and too much about the author was left in (who cares if his family didn't like him going to the No Nukes concerts on Yom Kippur?). Alterman is a professional, and this reads like a college paper. Quoting other journalists (especially Griel Marcus) is just lazy, and quoting from the songs is amateurish. Most unforgivable line: "changes made uptown and the big man joined the band" to cover Clarence Clemmons joining the E Street Band permanently. It made my skin crawl. Don't waste your time unless you don't know anything about Springsteen.
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Summary: short, concise, accurate and fun!
Review: Alterman presents a well researched and documented book complete with analysis that attempts to explain why Springsteen's art motivates others to take direct action in their own respective communities. The book seems to suggest that Springsteen is providing a soundtrack for the idealism that the pundits have told us died in earlier years. Sprinsteen reminds us that we aren't alone struggling in the wilderness for the things that matter; that there is a communitiy of people out there who are working toward better lives in their own neighborhoods and there is something to this idea that there is power and redemption to be found in rock-n-roll; but let us not forget, through it all, the politics and ideas of community aside, there was an 11th commandment; "Let it rock".
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Summary: Bruce Springsteen: Art, History and Passion
Review: Bruce Springsteen's music at times seems no less than magical in its power. Three years ago, I bought the greatest hits collection looking for of all songs, "Dancing In the Dark." But, from the moment that I first heard Born to Run and Thunder Road I realized that I found some sort of lost scrolls.
After purchasing album after album and gaining more and more about Springsteen I decided to learn more about my newfound musical hero. "It Ain't No Sin to Be Glad You're Alive" is a literary masterpice that is an excellent compliment to Springsteen's eclectic catalog. The book digs deep into the history of Bruce and illuminates angles heretofor never seen. It is consise, and at times almost feels as though it is a review of each album stapled together. However, the personal stories and Alterman's own powerful feelings on Bruce produce a wonderful tapestry of history, art, and passion. In short, this short book proves just why Bruce makes it "no sin to be glad you're alive."
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Summary: Born To Bow
Review: Eric Alterman and Bruce have one thing in common. They both worship the ground Bruce walks on. Eric, and fans like him, that bow at the altar of Bruce need to get a life. The idea that Bruce or Eric have a "cultural impact" is just nonsense. Bruce is a talented songwriter and performer and it pretty much ends right there. Making him the focal point of ones life will rob you of time. If Bruce has a message in his songs it's about movement in life and growing up so why can't fans just take the advice he offers and let it rest already.
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Summary: How to connect with Bruce Springsteen
Review: Eric Alterman has achieved in this book what I belive no other author has been able to achieve when it comes to analysing the music of Bruce Springsteen. In it he delves into the lyrics to Bruce Springsteen songs and how they reflect what stage of life he was experiecing at a certain time in his career.In addition, each albumn is analysed in terms of success and artistic merit, as well as a look at the tours conducted following each record. A must for any long time Bruce Springsteen fan, as well as any new fans of the "Boss".
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