I didn't much like this record, and I don't think anyone was more surprised by that than me. I'm not sure what I was expecting--and that could be part of the problem-- but to my ear, it just felt flat.
That said, you raise a couple of points I totally agree with. First, I appreciate that he didn't just play the hits, as it were. That would've been easy to do. Probably would've sold well, too. The lesser-known tracks seem to work well comparatively. Second, picking "Night Shift" as a song to cover left me scratching my head.
All of that aside, he's at the point where he can pretty much make whatever sort of record he wants-- I'm glad he's interested in pushing the envelope a little bit.
It wasn't as strong as I was hoping for or expected, but those things that are good about it make it worthwhile. I can also understand why he made it (in the same way I grasp why Dylan made those Great American Songbook records) and thus in some way it's kind of outside how I would evaluate and think about a "regular" release from anyone. And I don't know what it says about me but the smoothness of "Night Shift" is something I really enjoy.
I didn't much like this record, and I don't think anyone was more surprised by that than me. I'm not sure what I was expecting--and that could be part of the problem-- but to my ear, it just felt flat.
That said, you raise a couple of points I totally agree with. First, I appreciate that he didn't just play the hits, as it were. That would've been easy to do. Probably would've sold well, too. The lesser-known tracks seem to work well comparatively. Second, picking "Night Shift" as a song to cover left me scratching my head.
All of that aside, he's at the point where he can pretty much make whatever sort of record he wants-- I'm glad he's interested in pushing the envelope a little bit.
It wasn't as strong as I was hoping for or expected, but those things that are good about it make it worthwhile. I can also understand why he made it (in the same way I grasp why Dylan made those Great American Songbook records) and thus in some way it's kind of outside how I would evaluate and think about a "regular" release from anyone. And I don't know what it says about me but the smoothness of "Night Shift" is something I really enjoy.
I definitely found myself (more or less) comparing it to a "regular" release, or at least the E-Street band sound, which didn't help.