Timmy84 said:

The Wal*Mart disc is limited to songs recorded with The E Street Band.

Ace said:

Really, i think you are living in a dream when you think they are getting paid this $$ for recording on a label. Springsteen may be loaded, but that doesnt mean its ok for him to be ripped off. Mellencamp is far from getting paid, back in 1993 when he did "HUMAN WHEELS" he quit the label when they could only get his single to number 60, saying "im not recording these songs so you guys cant get them played, thats your job" and thats the truth, these label cats and A&R dudes get the $$$$ up the ass, much more than the artist, and if they arent doing things to get them played, then why shouldnt they do their own ways of promoting?? I mean is everyone gonnaa get on PRINCE's case when he releases his new albums through "Best Buy" only because he wants more money than a label will pay him? Why shouldnt he want to get what is due him and his work?

errant said:

My favorites are Human Touch, Lucky Town and that era's outtakes (see Tracks, Disc 4).

Superfluous compilation anyway.

Ace said:

Ace, I commend you. You're the ONLY person who likes Human Touch. "Sad Eyes" is a beauty though. Why he didn't release it on HT and put out dreck like "Real Man" in its place is, frankly, shocking. Mind you, his latest album is complete shit .... And I'm a massive fan of his.

It's missing one of my very favorites:

"I'm On Fire" {http://ca.youtube.com/wat...o1npZWR5qk)

GH has "Better Days", "Blood Brothers" and "This Hard Land" (although the version of 'THL' on Tracks smokes that one), but Essential includes "Tunnel of Love", "Lucky Town" and "Living Proof" (among others). It also goes up through The Rising, so you get "The Ghost of Tom Joad", "The Rising" (meh), "Lonesome Day" (eh), "Mary's Place", "Land of Hope and Dreams" and "American Skin (41 Shots)".

Cinnie said:

I don't think Bruce realizes just how popular "I'm on Fire" is. My personal theory is that that song/video launched Born in the U.S.A. into the stratosphere.

Ace said:

I keep hearing people say this; have to check it out, as I love the song. Is the Tracks version from earlier in his career?

Ace said:

I agree. And that full video with the whole car skit was played probably more than "Dancing In The Dark"

Cinnie said:

You'll notice how his popularity just pinned after that. While I suppose the "Dancing in the Dark" vid made him somewhat of a pin-up, the combination of this song and its video put him in bonafide sex symbol territory

Prince does not get enough credit for his independence (No record labels, Clear Channel or saturated commercialization).

WWAD? What Would Ayn Do?

I say take as much money as you can get for your product. You labored over it, you breathed life into it, you should get paid for it. In an industry filled with looters and thieves, I see nothing wrong with Bruce finding the most lucrative avenue to follow. I understand the supposed contradiction between his workers rights themes and this Wal-Mart deal but truth be told, its up to the workers to out their foot down and change the way their treated. It's not up to Bruce Springsteen.

As long as people accept the conditions of that sort of employment, that sort of employment will not change.

WWAD? What Would Ayn Do?

I say take as much money as you can get for your product. You labored over it, you breathed life into it, you should get paid for it. In an industry filled with looters and thieves, I see nothing wrong with Bruce finding the most lucrative avenue to follow. I understand the supposed contradiction between his workers rights themes and this Wal-Mart deal but truth be told, its up to the workers to out their foot down and change the way their treated. It's not up to Bruce Springsteen.

As long as people accept the conditions of that sort of employment, that sort of employment will not change.

sassybritches said:

A rare sassybritches/Ace agreement. Maybe there is hope for the Middle East, after all!

sassybritches said:

Sure, but workers can only do that collectively (i.e. through a union), and Wal-Mart are notoriously anti-union in their company philosophy and their union-busting practices.

deebee said:

no, employees can do that by refusing to work for a company whose business practices they disagree with. you can't have your cake and eat it, too.

(damn typos...thx cinnie)
[Edited 2/1/09 17:23pm]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090130/ap_en_ot/people_springsteen


NEW YORK – The Boss is owning up to a mistake.

In an interview with Sunday's New York Times, Bruce Springsteen says he shouldn't have made a deal with Wal-Mart. This month, the store started exclusively selling a Springsteen greatest hits CD.

Some fans were critical because Springsteen has been a longtime supporter of worker's rights, and Wal-Mart has faced criticism for its labor practices.

Springsteen told the Times that his team didn't vet the issue as closely as he should have, and that he "dropped the ball on it."

Springsteen went on to say: "It was a mistake. Our batting average is usually very good, but we missed that one. Fans will call you on that stuff, as it should be."

Springsteen released his new CD "Working on a Dream" this week and is performing the halftime show at the Super Bowl.

daPrettyman said:

If only Janet would be this truthful and succint!

Props to him. His music sucks, but he's a good dude.