So I had this boyfriend at age 13 who used to ‘borrow’ his mom’s car and drive around the streets of the mining town that is Newcastle. I would leave the window of the sitting room (reserved for the dominee) open and wait to hear the engine of the old Mercedes and the sound of packages dropping to the floor. These gifts he delivered varied from lyrics he wrote himself to necklaces and TAPES he made of his original 1970’s Bruce Springsteen records. This was back in the day when no one knew who The Boss was. When ‘Born in the USA’ hit the South African charts I was already a fan….

Over the last twenty years I followed Bruce’s career with keen interest. Through the commercial flops, the gushing reviews and scandals. His last album, The Seeger Sessions, was a tribute to the folk legend Pete Seeger. I desperately wanted to buy and enjoy the album, but the ‘twang’ element was too darn strong for all but one song called ‘Oh Mary don’t you weep’. Of course I bought the song on iTunes.

Then this damned album is released. Bruce took the Sessions Band on a three night tour of Dublin! Critics are calling it a moment in history for Dublin. One of Bruce’s best concerts ever. They are right.

The twang element is gone. In its place are a trumpet, violin, backing choir, harmonica, sousaphone, mandolin, penny whistle, euphonium, accordion and a steel guitar…

Take Bruce add some Tom Waits, Buena Vista, Irish folk music and Seeger’s songwriting. You can only have goose bumps.