Bruce Springsteen with The Sessions Band: Live in Dublin
123 min · 23 tracks · rock music
A spirited fusion of folk, rock, and gospel, showcasing Springsteen's storytelling through a lively live performance.
Top tracks — play these first
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Atlantic City Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Eyes on the Prize — This track embodies the spirit of perseverance and activism with its roots in civil rights history, making it a poignant highlight of the concert.
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How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live (Bruce Springsteen version) — Springsteen's rendition gives new life to this classic protest song, infusing it with urgency relevant to contemporary socio-economic struggles.
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We Shall Overcome — Closing the concert with this anthem reinforces the album's overarching themes of unity and hope, showcasing Springsteen's role as a voice for the marginalized.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong arrangements and engaging performances but lacks a tightly cohesive narrative across its extensive tracklist.
What we noticed
- Each track is performed with a full band, incorporating rich instrumentation including horns and strings, which enhances the communal feel.
- Many songs are extended with improvisational sections, allowing for dynamic shifts in energy and audience interaction throughout the performance.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- communal celebration vibes
- dynamic live energy flow
- patient storytelling moments
- cathartic sing-along opportunities
- wave-like emotional transitions
Maybe skip if you
- prefer short, standalone tracks
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Fan Favorite — Beloved live album showcasing Springsteen's reinterpretation of his work.
- Themes
- Irish pub gatherings· immigrant narratives· historical perseverance
- Career context
- Released in 2007, this live album captures Bruce Springsteen at a moment of renewed creative energy following his successful 'The Rising' and the politically charged 'Devils & Dust'. The Sessions Band performance features a diverse array of musical influences, marking a departure from his traditional sound into more eclectic territory as he embraces themes of American history and social justice.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Tom Petty· John Mellencamp· Bob Dylan
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Atlantic City Start here 5:10
- 2 Old Dan Tucker 3:31
- 3 Eyes on the Prize 6:03
- 4 Jesse James 5:35
- 5 Further On (up the Road) 5:54
- 6 O Mary Don’t You Weep 6:57
- 7 Erie Canal 4:34
- 8 If I Should Fall Behind 5:13
- 9 My Oklahoma Home 8:25
- 10 Highway Patrolman 5:47
- 11 Mrs. McGrath 5:03
- 12 How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live (Bruce Springsteen version) 3:20
- 13 Jacob’s Ladder 6:59
Disc 2
- 1 Long Time Comin’ 4:48
- 2 Open All Night 8:04
- 3 Pay Me My Money Down 5:59
- 4 Growin’ Up 4:31
- 5 When the Saints Go Marching In 5:12
- 6 This Little Light of Mine 3:08
- 7 American Land 4:22
- 8 Blinded by the Light 4:43
- 9 Love of the Common People 4:39
- 10 We Shall Overcome 5:46
What to play next
We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions
2006
Continues the vibrant folk and communal spirit with a fresh take on traditional songs.
Hammersmith Odeon, London '75
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Further Down the Old Plank Road
The Chieftains
Explores Irish folk traditions, capturing communal celebration and storytelling in a vibrant sound.
Sigh No More
Mumford & Sons
Blends rock and folk with themes of perseverance, community, and emotional resonance in a lively arrangement.
I and Love and You
The Avett Brothers
Merges folk and rock elements while addressing themes of love, loss, and resilience in a heartfelt manner.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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