Bruce Springsteen has just released two new concerts into his ever-growing list of shows available as made-on-demand CD-Rs and digital downloads at nugs.net.  The first is from February 7, 1977 in Albany, New York and the second is from the next night, February 8 in Rochester, New York.  They are significant as no soundboards from this portion of Springsteen's touring career have ever surfaced before, and because they also feature a song which sees its first official release here:  "Action in the Streets."

The years 1976 and 1977 were a bit trying for Springsteen.  After the breakthrough success of Born to Run in 1975, he and the E Street Band embarked on a long tour to promote the album.  The touring was to have lasted about a year and then work was to begin on a new album.  However, Springsteen became involved in litigation with his former manager Mike Appel and was barred from entering the studio.  Therefore, in order to bring in revenue, the tours continued.

These two concerts kick off what was to become the last leg of the tour, as the various lawsuits would be settled in May of 1977 and Bruce and the band would immediately begin work on Darkness on the Edge of Town.  The Darkness song "Something in the Night" is performed both nights with alternate lyrics from the later album version.  Two songs eventually cut from the album are also featured: "Rendezvous" and "The Promise."  "Backstreets" from Born to Run also features expanded lyrics in its mid-section.  Springsteen covers Eddie Floyd one night with "Raise Your Hand." In addition, the soul-tinged "Action in the Streets" makes its first official release with these two recordings.  Despite being performed at every show during this 1977 tour, Springsteen never laid it down in the studio.  Springsteen and The E Street Band are joined here by The Miami Horns in a different line-up from the one that recorded with fellow New Jersey musician Southside Johnny.

These two shows come from Front of House mix tapes recorded by Chas Gerber.  There are a couple of dropouts due to the tapes being flipped during the performances.  However, between the two shows, a complete version of each song is available.  The digital transfers and restoration were made by John K. Chester and Jamie Howarth, using the Plangent Process.  The concerts have been mastered by Jon Altschiller.

Each concert (sold separately or as part of a bundle) will be offered in Direct Stream Digital or DSD ($49.95 each separate/$89.95 bundle) - a format with 64 times the sampling rate of CD - as well as the usual options of MP3 ($9.95 each separate/$16.95 bundle, 256 kbps), FLAC or Apple Lossless ($12.95 each separately/$22.95 bundle), HD-Audio ($24.95 each separate/$44.95 bundle, 24 bit/192 kHz, FLAC-HD or ALAC-HD) and CD-R ($23.00 each separate/$39.95 bundle).  CDs will ship on August 28, but those purchasing the CD sets have the option to pay $28.95 for each concert separately or $49.95 in a bundle to obtain the MP3s immediately.

All previous volumes of The Bruce Springsteen Archive Series - plus his concerts from 2014 through 2017 - are available at Springsteen's official live store for download and physical purchase.  You can order and also sample tracks at the links below!

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, Palace Theatre, Albany, New York, 1977 (Columbia/Nugs.net, 2017)

1. Something in the Night
2. Spirit in the Night
3. Rendezvous
4. It's My Life
5. Thunder Road
6. Mona
7. She's the One
8. The Promise
9. Backstreets
10. Growin' Up
11. Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
12. Jungleland
13. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
14. 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)
15. Action in the Streets
16. Born to Run

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, Auditorium Theatre, Rochester, New York, 1977 (Columbia/Nugs.net, 2017)

1. Something in the Night
2. Rendezvous
3. Spirit in the Night
4. It's My Life
5. Thunder Road
6. Mona
7. She's the One
8. Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
9. Action in the Streets
10. Backstreets
11. Jungleland
12. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
13. 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)
14. Raise Your Hand
15. The Promise
16. Born to Run