Orel Family

Bruce Springsteen introducing Western Stars at TIFF Last night, Bruce Springsteen's new film "Western Stars" premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film consisted primarily -- at least in terms of time -- of live versions of the songs on the "Western Stars" album, performed at Bruce's barn in New Jersey over a period of several days, for an audience of friends. Bruce has put out accompanying video material to studio releases before; this took the concept to another level. I was among the fortunate 1800 or so to be in attendance at Toronto's Roy Thompson Hall for the first showing. This film is for fans, especially for fans who'd like to see live performances of the new album. Bruce has been emphatic that he will not be touring behind this album, so this is likely as close as we'll come to seeing him perform it live. An orchestra of approximately 30 members backed the live performances at the barn. Several member...

promotional photo for Western Stars. Bruce and the El Camino. "Maps don't do much for me, friend. I follow the weather and the wind." An album of new Bruce Springsteen music is basically Flag Day. Tomorrow, June 14th, is Flag Day. "Western Stars" is coming out. Western Stars is a set of contemplative vignettes, set out on open roads and empty plains. The characters are aging actors, stunt men, men young and old. They don't talk a whole lot about what they do or how much money they (maybe don't) have, where they're going or why, or where they've been, except sometimes in dark hints. There's a kid wonderstruck by the bigness of his world, the old actor, the failed songwriter, and a lot of loneliness. There are also references to other songs, both Bruce's and others, more than I can count, and yet it's new. The album opens with "Hitch Hikin'." This feels instantly like it's hooking in to the Woody Guthrie so...

A soft snare drum part, coming in like a rail car going down the tracks, then a bass line, a rhythm guitar. Then the lyrics: "Had enough of heartbreak and pain," and we know we have a Bruce Springsteen song. The lyrics and melody call back many references. I hear Glen Campbell (take your pick, I'll go with "Gentle on My Mind" ), I hear Danny O'Keefe ( "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues" ), I hear Harry Nilsson ( "Everybody's Talkin'" ). "Hello Sunshine" is the first song off Bruce's album Western Stars, due out in mid-June. A couple years ago, Bruce told "Variety" magazine that the "album is influenced by Southern California pop music of the ’70s: Glen Campbell, Jimmy Webb, Burt Bacharach, those kinds of records." So it's not especially surprising to hear those elements coming through in the first released track. Ron Aniello , who produced "Western Stars," told "Ro...