Springsteen Rides A Download Train On New EP

As Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band continue to mix up their shows in Europe on the juggernaut Magic tour with both longer, and increasingly varied setlists, comes word that the Boss is readying his first official live release from that tour. But for all of you old-school fans who simply must have everything the Boss releases -- but are still clinging to those dusty old CDs of yours -- this could be your clarion call to go digital.

Following the blueprint of such artists as Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails, Springsteen’s new four track live E.P. Magic Tour Highlights will be released July 15 and will, initially at least, be available exclusively as an MP3 download through all of the usual digital outlets (iTunes, Amazon, etc.). Springsteen’s official website has also announced that proceeds from sales of the download only product will benefit the Danny Federici Melanoma Fund.

Despite the E.P.’s title, none of the four tracks included are live versions of songs from the Magic album itself. Instead, Springsteen has chosen to feature performances here from the tour that include a variety of special guests, drawing from both rarely played songs from his back catalog, and at least one very well chosen cover song. The Boss is joined by Roger McGuinn for a version of the Byrds’ classic “Turn, Turn, Turn.” On an electrified version of “The Ghost Of Tom Joad,” Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave) likewise turns in a blistering (and long) guitar solo. And in his final live performance with the group, the late E Street Band keyboardist Danny Federici joins his blood brothers for a sentimental rendering of “4th Of July Asbury Park (Sandy).”

Meanwhile, Bruce and the E Street Band continue to dazzle audiences in Europe by mixing up their setlists nightly, including such rarities as “Roulette,” “Janey Don’t You Lose Heart,” and “Drive All Night” in recent shows, and clocking in with the marathon 30 song setlist just two nights ago (7/7/08) in Oslo, Norway, according to the folks at Backstreets Magazine.

Here is the complete tracklist for Magic Tour Highlights as reported by Bruce Springsteen’s official website:
1. "Always A Friend" (performed with Alejandro Escovedo)
Recording Date: 04/14/2008 (Houston, Texas)
2. "The Ghost of Tom Joad" (performed with Tom Morello)
Recording Date: 04/07/2008 (Anaheim, California)
3. "Turn Turn Turn" (performed with Roger McGuinn)
Recording Date: 04/23/2008 (Orlando, Florida)
4. "4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" (Danny Federici's final performance with the E Street Band)
Recording Date: 03/20/2008 (Indianapolis, Indiana)


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