Editorial Reviews

Who better to appreciate Bruce Springsteen's songs than fellow singer-songwriters? A cast of names great and small contribute heartfelt, musically varied renditions of the Boss's best to this benefit collection -- all proceeds and artists' royalties go to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation and the Kristen Ann Carr Fund. With the notable exception of the mighty Dion, who turns in a vocally rich, lullaby-sweet version of "Book of Dreams," most of the artists come from the rock and Americana worlds, from established names such as Elvis Costello, Nils Lofgren, Graham Parker, and Joe Ely to underground favorites such as Cindy Bullens, Sid Griffin, Jesse Malin, and Jason Ringenberg. Springsteen's songs are nothing if not elastic, easy foils for this crew's varied attacks. In a solo, acoustic performance, Dan Bern plucks the ache from the heartstrings of "Thunder Road," while Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers provide party fuel with an "acoustic boogie version" (Grushecky's words) of "Light of Day." Stretching the set's stylistic reach, Steve Wynn captures the paranoia of "State Trooper" in a trancelike electric version, and Jennifer Glass gives "Bobby Jean" a bluegrass spin. The booklet includes comments from each contributor on the song choices, illuminating the vast reach of both Springsteen's music and the story of the collection's other honoree, the Boss's friend Kristen Ann Carr, who died of Sarcoma, a form of cancer, and inspired this and many other fund-raising projects. Lydia Vanderloo, Barnes & Noble

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