Hammersmith Odeon, London '75

Had this album been released back in 1975 or 1976, this very well might have been as significant as, say, Kiss "Alive" or the Who's "Live At Leeds."In the first case, THAT album brought a worldwide audience to a group with only three previous, poor-to-average sales. This would have done the same.As in the second case, it demonstrates a whole new, but unbelievably powerful side to a performer mostly known for their studio work.Simply put, this album shows that Bruce and The E Street Band were easily among the best live performers of the day. And now, thirty years on, it shows that they're amongst the best ever.There is energy here that would shame the most hyperactive punk rocker.There is musicianship here that would impress any elitist jazz critic.There is drama here that would astonish any modern day film student. Yes, film. These performances play in your head like film. They're vivid, detailed. They have plot and characters. There's suspense and comedy.This is the real deal, the whole magillah. This is an unbelievably satisfying listening experience.The best thing about the record, besides the fact that such a well recorded document from such a legendary show even exists, is that we Bruce fans can hear the band tear through songs from the "Born To Run" album like we've never heard them before."Born To Run" is not a career highpoint yet, it's a call to arms.My God..."She's The One" is a hurtling freight train, out of control; loud, fast and loose. It's thrilling.The band isn't playing songs they've played a thousand times before. They are finding their way through new sounds and tempos and textures. All that creative energy comes RIGHT through your speakers.Listen to Clarence's sax breaks...they're fresh and explosive.Listen to Roy Bittan's piano...masterful chord works with finger-knotting flourishes.Hear Miami Steve wailing along, dueling with the Boss himself on call-and-response guitar solos as if the two of them are facing off in an alley with knives in a gangfight.Has Max Weinberg ever been as clean and crisp, yet at the same time thundering like no other?The set list is a dream. Getting the Detroit medley and a rollicking "Quarter to Three" to end the show is a treat for rock fans, not just Bruce fans. "Thunder Road" regains its' poetry. "Jungleland" retains its' epic, widescreen quality. "Rosalita" remains a full-on party, as does an early-in-the-show "Tenth Avenue."I think it's fine that this is available on video AND audio. I will probably listen to this more than I will re-visit the DVD, but they are BOTH nice to have.And for a pathologic Bruce fan like myself, essential.

In 1975, the weight of the world was on young Bruce Springsteen's shoulders when he and the E Street Band headed for London for the very first time. Constant touring and rave reviews hadn't translated into record sales and his label, which had taken a gamble on him when they signed him in the first place, was about to dump him. Worse, every night he had to face skeptical crowds who wanted to see why critics kept calling this young ruffian from New Jersey "the future of rock and roll." Such was the case in 1975 when they walked out on the stage at the Hammersmith Odeon.With everything on the line, Bruce and the boys played like they had nothing to lose. They were lean, young, and hungry. They played with heart. They played with passion. They played with urgency. And, on this night, they were untouchable. This CD captures that show in its entirety (a DVD of the show is included in the 30th Anniversary box set of Born To Run).Few bands can match the versatility that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band display here. Witness the opening tender, wide-eyed rendition of "Thunder Road" followed by a feisty, swaggering version of "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out." Or "She's The One" which goes from a slow simmer to a full boil in a mere five minutes. Or "Born To Run," which Bruce plays with all of the blue-collar grit and youthful defiance that would later make the song a classic. Or how 'bout the "Detroit Medley," in which the band absolutely ROARS through Mitch Ryder's "Devil With A Blue Dress On," "Good Golly Miss Molly," and "Jenny Take a Ride"? He follows THAT with a heartbreaking reading of "For You" before revving things up again, ramrodding through a rollicking version of Gary U.S. Bonds' "Quarter To Three." Are you KIDDING me?I didn't even mention the absolute insanity of the 17+ minute version of "Kitty's Back," in which Bruce and the guys go out of their freaking minds, did I? Heck, I didn't even mention "Jungleland," my favorite song in the entire Springsteen catalog. No, I didn't mention most of the songs here, because I want you to experience this show for yourself. PLEASE -- do yourself a favor and BUY THIS CD NOW! You won't regret it, I promise.(By the way, some other reviewers were wondering about the absence of "Pretty Flamingo" from this CD. This show is from November 18, 1975 -- their first show in London. They played a second show at Hammersmith Odeon on November 24, 1975 and THAT was the show that contained "Pretty Flamingo." By most accounts, the second show was even better than the first, if you can imagine that, as Bruce performed 22 songs in nearly three hours.)

Bruce Springsteen & the East Street Bands very first European tour and show case concert for the English press. In 1975 they played for a 500 people room. Now he draws a hundred thousand screaming fans.

It's all about them drums, baby!! Obviously, the whole band is hot to trot here during this performance. There is sheer joy at hearing the piano and guitars stretch out during some of the more improvisational moments. But I really want to draw attention to Max Weinberg. His drumming here is phenomenal! Seriously, I must look like a madman when I drive down the road with this album cranked, for I am air drumming all over the place, imitating the Mighty Max--all while driving with my knee, mind you. Yes, it's a sight! But I can't help it: it's so cool. And I'm a guitar player. I'm supposed to be playing air guitar, man! But this one has my mind focused on the drums.It's a solid concert from beginning to end, covering those early years from Bruce and company. The set is missing some of his great stuff from Darkness on The Edge of Town, but I'm here to tell you you must buy this in tandem with the '78 Cleveland show. This way you've covered all your bases. Great, great, great!! That's all I can say.And this is coming from a person who is 30 years old, who grew up thinking the Boss was lame, for all those old folks and Baby Boomers. Now I'm passionately singing along to every word of Thunder Road, haha. Personally speaking, this live album really did convert this Bruce non-believer.

Se lo compré de regalo para mi sobrina y le encanta!!

Concerto del boss e la sua mitica band al Hammersmith odeon di Londra nel 1975.l' intensità di questo concerto,unito all'ecclettismo dei musicisti lo fanno andare al top dei concerti di Bruce.💯

I am a long time Springsteen fan. I have pretty much all of the “official” albums on CD and vinyl...yes I’m that sort of fan! However, I had hesitated over buying this because to my mind it was, essentially, a 40+ year old bootleg and I was wary of just how good a recording it could be. Fast forward to September 2020, and like many other Springsteen fans I got myself caught up in the 45th anniversary of Born to Run and so dug out my 30th anniversary CD box set which contains the DVD of this show. I’d never watched it before and wow, I have to say I was blown away with the gig, the picture quality and crucially the sound quality! This was no bootleg! So, I took the plunge and bought the CD...and yes, it was worth it!

Was so glad that this album came out in vinyl, I have all his albums and rate this one in my top five, It is like you are there in person listening to this album,also bought it on record store day and did not want to open that copy.so this one a great buy!!

Alors que l'Europe vit à l'heure du disco et que Londres s'apprête à surfer sur la vague punk, voilà que débarque notre Américain pour son premier concert sur notre vieux continent pour nous en mettre plein (la vue et surtout) les oreilles! Et quelle claque! Aux prémisses de leurs carrières, Bruce Springsteen et son fabuleux E Street Band sont bien décidés à nous offrir toute l'étendue de leurs talents. Du rock n' roll, de la soul, du rythm n' blues, tout est excellent dans ce live. Un magnifique Thunder road épurré suivi des survoltés 10th avenue freeze-out et Spirit in the night puis d'un émouvant Lost in the flood: on sait que le meilleur est à venir. Un E street shuffle de 12' méconnaissable et ralenti nous délecte les oreilles avec en prime la magnifique guitare slide de Miami Steeve. Puis arrive la cerise sur le gateau, la perle, le diamant brut: le sublissime Kitty's back de 17' ! C'est maintenant, pour moi, le meilleur morceau live de Springsteen car tout y est: du rythme, de l'émotion, de la sincérité. Chacun des membres nous gratifie d'un solo aussi beau les uns que les autres. des superbes percus accompagnent la basse de Tallent et les claviers de Fédérici, Roy bittan justifie son surnom de Professor et on comprends pourquoi Clarence clémons est LE big man, sans oublier le duel à la guitare entre Steeve et Bruce. Et comme si ça ne suffisait pas, notre bande remet le couvert avec Jungleland et Rosalita avant de retourner à l'émotion pure avec un sublime For you puis de s'envoler à nouveau pour un bon vieux et vrai rock n' roll. Ce live est a absolument posséder pour tout fan du boss et en complément du coffret célébrant les 30 ans de Born to run. Il va même vous faire oublier le formaté live 75/85 qui nous a pas révélé le véritable talent de ce groupe d'exception.