Product Description

Bruce Springsteen Plugged features the Boss and his band performing a special concert for MTV. Features "Red Headed Woman", "Better Days", "Local Hero", "Atlantic City", "Darkness on the Edge of Town" and many more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10054 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-11-08
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 103 minutes

DVD Description
Tracklisting 1. Red Headed Woman 2. Better Days 3. Local Hero 4. Atlantic City 5. Darkness on the Edge of Town 6. Man's Job 7. Growin' Up 8. Human Touch 9. Lucky Town 10. I Wish I Were Blind 11. Thunder Road 12. Light Of Day 13. The Big Muddy 14. 57 Channels (and Nothin' On) 15. My Beautiful Reward 16. Glory Days

Bonus Songs: Living Proof If I Should Fall Behind Roll The Dice

Synopsis
Tracklisting details not advised.

Customer Reviews

Close but no cigar...
For years, fans had been itching for an official live video. And then this happens.

The story goes that Bruce had agreed to play MTV Unplugged (and there was much rejoicing), but then turned up and plugged in anyway. This is the result.

Now, ignoring the fact that there are very few modern artists who could have performed the original Unplugged format as well as Bruce, we have to make do with what we have.

And what is that? Well, for a start, it's not the E Street Band. The band that are often regarded as the greatest backing band of all time had been "dismissed" at this point (Roy Bittan being the only survivor), and Bruce had recruited a new band with which to tour his two new albums.

And they're OK. They will always suffer from not being the band that everyone wanted to see, but they're perfectly competent (OK, so Shane Fontayne couldn't dance, but you can't have everything). The problem is really with the material. This documents the second-best of Bruce's backing bands performing some of his weakest material.

The sound is good, the visuals (such as they are) are good, the performance is good.

Is "good" enough though? Considering how long we would have to wait for "Live in NYC", and considering that "good" for Bruce equates to "amazing" for most people, then, yes, "good" is enough. It's more "up close" than the later live documents, and the end of the "hairdresser" story is quite amusing.

One for the fans basically. If you're undecided, go for either the New York or Barcelona sets.

The Other Reviewers Are Exaggerrating!
I don't mean to be the "party-pooper", but this DVD is not as great as the other reviewers make out.

First, I am a huge Bruce Springsteen fan and believe him to be one of the last great rock n roll stars. But this DVD came from the low point of his career. You might give five stars to 'Live In New York City' or the 'Anthology' and, definitely, 'Live in Barcelona' but they were staggering. This, simply, is not.

First, there is no E-Street Band in sight (barring the virtuoso "Professor" Roy Bittan). Fair enough if you can find a solid replacement for them. But what are the odds of that? Springsteen would have to steal Prince's Revolution group or something. None of the group on 'MTV Plugged' is up to the task. The drummer lacks Weinberg's power and energy, the lead guitarist is doing a terrible Slash impression and the backing singers have dated badly (early 90s gospel-esque backing - eeek!).

Second, Springsteen performs some of his worst tunes taken from his worst two albums: Lucky Town and Human Touch. Just think how much better a single album they would have made. 'I Wish I Were Blind'? Are you sure you don't mean "bland"?

Third, referring to the DVD itself, there is a severe lack of good extras (three unremarkable songs) and the gig, itself, is remarkably short for a Springsteen Spectacular.

But that is enough negativity because Springsteen is a master of modern music and live performance and if he needs to carry the band or plaster over inadequacies, he steps up to the challenge with bravado.

Many of the songs are excellent: Better Days and Human Touch were great tunes. Atlantic City is sung with incredible heart and power, Roy Bittan providing a great assist on keyboards. Thunder Road is a rare acoustic performance on guitar. Man's Job is helped along by truly great co-vocals by one of the backing singers who is having a blast. But the true standouts are one of the most angry 'Darkness On The Edge Of Town's you are likely to hear; a stonking Glory Days ("Whatever I do, follow me!"); and a brilliant 'Lucky Town' with good backing vocals and some mean lead guitar from Bruce at the end ("Let's get lucky!").

The sheer atmosphere of the event carries the DVD: there is a bright and breexy early 90s feel of optimism and excitement that the crowd is part of such an exclusive. Plus there is typically interesting banter from Springsteen: I especially like his rant before 'Local Hero'.

To sum up, not as great a DVD as the other reviewers make out. But it has some rare and stomping performances, great banter and is a bargain so who cares?

Probably the best concert ever
Ever got in from a night out, half stoned, flick on the telly and something wonderful happens? I dont mean your old lady decides to get frisky. This was an epiphany. A moment of absolute joy in a life of fleeting pop nobodies. Worth it for Thunder Road alone. If you want to understand something about the American condition, this is the concert for you. Bruce speaks for an entire continent. Buy two.