A true believer. That’s right a true believer. In the early 70’s, as a student at Syracuse University, in a little 150 person standing club on the frozen Syracuse campus, I became a true believer; for it was that night I saw and listened to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Belief that he was the chosen, chosen to carry on from Dylan, who was the chosen to carry on from Guthrie. Belief even after my first wife used his 1984 concert tour as a device to punctuate the end of our marriage. (She cared not a whit about Springsteen, knew I did, picked up two tickets) took a girlfriend, while I stood outside the Dome and heard the muffled roar!) Belief through his odyssey from New Jersey to California, now back to New Jersey. From the short lived glamour marriage, to the longer term marriage with the Jersey girl, Patti Scalfia. Belief, my friends, that rock and roll can make a difference, and while it might not save the world, it does make the world a better place to hang out.

  So along comes, Tracks. A four CD boxed set. If this review were about any one of the discs inside, each one would rate four or five stars. Box sets are sort of annoying. Usually packaged with an intent to sell, usually with underwhelming results. Not so with this boxed set. It rates among the better packages ever produced. The inner book contains lyrics for every song included. Each disc is contained in a separate holder with cover art honoring the time from when the music was produced. Tracks is simply all of the music Springsteen wanted to have released, but didn’t have space for on the limited venue of vinyl or on the 75 minute format of CD.

  The format of the packaging is a real find. Beyond the lyrics, the pictorial history of Bruce and the E Street band is a nostalgia trip. Seeing the hair length, the beard appearances, the clothing changes, gives one a sense of their own journey. Band members and the changes over the years are expertly defined inside the booklet. The sobering aspect of the set comes when you hit the musician list for the last disc: Bruce Springsteen and Roy Bittan. If the box set is a reflection of his career than it does seem appropriate that the last disc be largely a solo effort.

  There are no disappointments. Long time Springsteen followers will hear gems only previously performed in concert. There are chestnuts and some remarkable new songs, eleven in total. Some outtakes, a few remakes, and some good old returns. The clarity of music and effort is outstanding. This is not a "Best of" box set. It is a collection of personal favorites by the artist. If you, like me are a true believer, you’ll enjoy the set as much as I have. It has been years since the hype of Bruce swept the country. I am not referring to the magic year of 1975, when he made the covers of Time and Newsweek simultaneously. Referring more to the 1984 period, where Springsteen saturation was at its peak. Even a true believer was perilously close to becoming "Bored in the USA". His response? Stay true to his beliefs and his music. His music post Born in the USA, up through The Ghost of Tom Joad, has not been commercially oriented. It has been music for the people, by a people’s guy. We can’t forget that this is an artist who helped define giving back to communities at large. Food kitchens and shelters have been eager recipients over the years. Very Guthrie! As a historical reference, Springsteen has traversed our emotional and political landscape.

  A great holiday gift for the Springsteen follower in your life. It’s a real beaut!

****

- SABA