BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Only The Strong Survive (Columbia)
After 2006’s Seeger Sessions, Only The Strong Survive is Bruce Springsteen’s second covers album in a musical career approaching its half-century. His own hefty back catalogue, full of protest and affairs of the heart, is a mirror held up to the conscience of America. Here, he covers soul gems that have resonated with him over the years, including Motown’s 1960s-to-80s stretch.
Springsteen’s full-throttle version of Frank Wilson’s classic Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) is an absolute winner, and the Commodores’ tribute to Marvin Gaye, Nightshift, is another beauty that the New Jersey icon manages to pull off with relative ease. I Wish It Would Rain by The Temptations is yet another on-show here.
With Only The Strong Survive, Springsteen not only takes ownership of the tracks he covers but cooks up both a mighty soundtrack and remedy to this winter of ever-growing worldwide discontent.
words DAVID NOBAKHT
Want more music?
The latest reviews, interviews, features and more, from Wales and beyond.