ALL GOOD things come to those who wait… it’s an often used phrase, but in the case of Bruce Springsteen’s latest album, The Promise, it’s one that seems perfectly appropriate.

The album is comprised of two discs containing a total of 21 previously-unreleased songs from the Darkness on the Edge of Town recording sessions… which, in Springsteen’s own words, “perhaps could have/should have been released after Born To Run and before the collection of songs that Darkness on the Edge of Town became”.

So, what became of them in the interim? Following the release of Born To Run, Springsteen fell out with his then manager, Mike Appel, and was unable to put out a follow-up for three years.

As legal issues worked themselves out in typically protracted fashion, Springsteen hung out in the recording studios and delivered around 70 tracks which, while thematically similar to those songs on Born To Run, also contained a greater sense of optimism.

The majority of this material has never seen the light of day until now, while a couple – most notably Because The Night – was shipped out to become a hit for Patti Smith.

But had this remained unearthed, a wealth of great material might have been lost… from the classic lyricism of The Boss during his earliest, most cherished days… to the saxophone work of Clarence Clemons.

Hence, The Promise is a gift in many ways… a gift to the older critics who once doubted Springsteen’s ability to successfully follow-up Born To Run, a gift to his fans (who have consistently remained loyal) and a gift to himself that marks the completion of a documentary built around footage from those sessions.

It’s an all-American collection of songs, admittedly, that will probably do little to win Springsteen any new followers. But there is plenty to savour, as well as to underline the sizeable talents of one of America’s greatest living rock ‘n’ roll artists.

CD1 is particularly rife with classic moments… from the harmonica soaked album opener Racing In The Street to the Spanish Harlem vibed Gotta Get That Feeling, through to the moody broken heartedness (and sax-soaked) One Way Street.

In contrast, meanwhile, there’s the overt romanticism of Someday (We’ll Be Together), which comes with an epic, almost gospel-backed female chorus and a cinematic sweep.

The original version of Because The Night is also well worth the wait… every bit as memorable as the Smith version (if not better thanks to Springsteen’s more restrained vocal).

CD2, meanwhile, offers insights into the thinking and eventual lyrics of some of Springsteen’s subsequent hits, with the origins of I’m on Fire evident on Spanish Eyes and Thunder Road very definitely present on title track The Promise.

A song like The Brokenhearted, meanwhile, with its epic sense of slow-build, layered trumpets and strong storytelling values undoubtedly sowed the seeds for bands like The Killers.

The final word on this album must, however, go to Springsteen’s long-time manager/producer Jon Landau, who says of the album: “There isn’t a weak card in this deck. The Promise is simply a great listening experience.” It’s a fine way to sum up what to expect.

Download picks: Racing In The Street, Gotta Get That Feeling, Someday (We’ll Be Together), One Way Street, Because The Night, The Brokenhearted, The Promise, Save My Love, Fire

Track listing:
CD1

1. Racing In The Street (‘78)
2. Gotta Get That Feeling
3. Outside Looking In
4. Someday (We’ll Be Together)
5. One Way Street
6. Because The Night
7. Wrong Side Of The Street
8. The Brokenhearted
9. Rendezvous
10. Candy’s Boy

CD 2:

1. Save My Love
2. Ain’t Good Enough For You
3. Fire
4. Spanish Eyes
5. It’s A Shame
6. Come On (Let’s Go Tonight)
7. Talk To Me
8. The Little Things (My Baby Does)
9. Breakaway
10. The Promise
11. City Of Night

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