Bruce Springsteen is giving a Christmas gift to his fans. Earlier this month, Springsteen released The Ties That Bind: The River Collection box set which contained The River, an alternate version of the album and disc of outtakes. Also included in the box set was a filmed concert from Tempe, Arizona, recorded on November 5, 1980. However, not all of the concert was filmed, so the complete show was not in the box set.
Fortunately, the entire audio from the concert was preserved. Now, Springsteen is releasing the audio from the missing portion of the show (10 tracks). And, as a gift (to everyone, not just those who purchased the Ties That Bind box) the mp3 version of the 10-song set is free. The newly released portion of the show has been mixed from the original multi-track tapes by Bob Clearmountain this month. It has been mastered by Adam Ayan at Gateway Mastering.
The partial show is also offered in higher quality formats to purchase. These include: FLAC or Apple Lossless ($9.95), HD-Audio ($15.95, 24 bit/192 kHz, FLAC-HD or ALAC-HD) and CD-R ($18.00). The CD-Rs will begin shipping in mid-January.
You may go to the links below to download the free mp3 version of the tracks or purchase one of the higher quality versions. Merry Christmas!
Bruce Springsteen, ASU Activity Center, Tempe, Arizona, 1980 (Partial Show) (Columbia/Nugs.net, 2015)
- Darkness on the Edge of Town
- Independence Day
- Factory
- Racing in the Streets
- Candy's Room
- The Ties That Bind
- Stolen Car
- Wreck on the Highway
- Point Blank
- Backstreets
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Why not just release the ENTIRE SHOW on audio then?
I mean, hey, thanks for the freebie, Bruce. But I can't play the DVD or Blu-Ray in the car, and even if I could the running order's all out of whack with some tracks on that, and the others being released audio-only.
They oughta just make the entire thing the next release in Springsteen's "Vault" series, not just a partial release. Free mp3s are one thing, but $18 for a 10 song CD (CD-R, no less) is just nuts.
Google "DVD Audio Extractor" (or just go to dvdae.com), it's a piece of software that will convert DVD chapters into audio files (in whichever format you choose - MP3, WAV, FLAC, etc). There's a month-long free trial, and I think the permanent version costs about $30 or so?
(I swear this isn't a paid endorsement or anything; I've just found it to be really useful for all the concert DVDs I've got so that I can listen to them more easily with the rest of my music.)
Excellent idea. Thanks!
I call this a non sale sale. In other words no point . Here's10 free songs IF. I hate marketing.
IF what? I downloaded the ten free songs. That was it. I am enjoying them. I haven't purchased the River boxed set. What do you mean by IF?
Hi Nic, when I click on the link for the free mp3 file, it appears that I need to buy the $18.00 CD to get the free ten songs. I thought I could just download the free 10 songs and not buy anything. That's what I meant by IF. I can get the free mp3's IF I buy the $18.00 CD. That's what I meant unless I'm doing something wrong.
"And, as a gift (to everyone, not just those who purchased the Ties That Bind box) the mp3 version of the 10-song set is free."
If you click "buy show" you will see the "free mp3" option, follow it through the free purchase, and they will give you the mp3's for free to download. It is confusing becuase they require you to go through the purchase process, but there is no charge. Most importantly, these versions are incredible. It instantly reminds you how great Springsteen 1980 was. (The River was my first Springsteen concert, last row, behind stage and I felt like I was on stage and part of the band)
Hi Nic, Thanks for the information. I guess one had to sign up before downloading. You were correct though, I got the 10 songs free. I guess I should try and delete my comment or at least write a new one to clarify my statement.
I'm sure it's all great, and a 1980 recording of better quality than the 12/31/80 show (which is a wonderful show, but the sound could be better) makes it all the more frustrating they aren't releasing the full show in audio.
They eventually released Hammersmith Odeon 1975 on CD after the DVD only in the BTR box. There's no good reason to not do it here too. A shame.
I was hoping he was releasing the 10 songs free and charging for the full concert. Disappointed that the whole show isn't on CD. I bought the river box and would gladly pay for the whole show on CD. Too bad.
I'm wondering if there's a chance Bruce does what he did with the Born To Run box set and issues the DVD audio as a separate CD later on.
That would be a pleasant surprise. Really, I see no reason for them to not do that. The entire audio portion was recorded, so why let the tapes just sit?
Unfortunately, reading the comments on the Live Springsteen site, only a handful of people have actually asked about this. Most everyone's just "Thanks Bruce! You're awesome!" Only one person has dared ask why a single CD is being sold for $18.
So is this the final topic of the second disc? Haven't seen an update in a long time.
Hi Brian,
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