Sidetracked

I’ve seen the future of rock ’n’ roll, and his name is Bruce Springsteen.

OK, so maybe that line has been used already. But when rock critic Jon Landau wrote that in the ’70s, Springsteen hired him to become his producer. So I figure maybe, you know …

Bruce? Call me?

OK, so maybe Bruce is no longer the future of rock ’n’ roll. But he’s for sure a big part of its past. And he’s not washed up, as is proven by his latest effort, “Magic.”

Having previewed it online, I bought it the first day, which is at least partial payback, I figure, for that “Tunnel of Love” album I copied last year. Or the “Born in the U.S.A.” album before that (though, in my defense, I did pay for the cassette back in the ’80s).

This album, of course, marks the return of the E Street Band, and it shows with the twinkling piano keys, Clarence Clemons’ unmistakable sax and Steven Van Zandt’s yelping backing vocals.

I was surprised that some of the songs sound a lot like ’60s pop hits, but they’re still catchy. And Springsteen’s lyrics are typically profound. Some critics noted that this album wasn’t as political as past efforts, but that’s not really true. It’s just that Springsteen is so subtle, you often overlook the message.

Anyway, I recommend it. And while you’re at it, go ahead and buy Phil Collins’ “No Jacket Required.” Because rumor has it that someone recently copied that one as well.

***

At one time, I thought I might also recommend “The Historian,” a novel by Elizabeth Kostova, but now I’m not so sure. The fact that the book took me — and I’m almost embarrassed to admit this — MONTHS to read probably suggests it was a little slow.

The book came out with much hype, mostly because Kostova was awarded a fat $2 million advance — virtually unheard of for a first-time writer. And it was often reported that it took her 10 years to write the book, which is a literary Dracula tale.

But it’s so long, at times I felt like it might take me 10 years to read it. And the writer had this bad habit of introducing a character on, say, page 300, then re-introducing that character again on page 600, without reminding us who that character was. It was so frustrating, at times I wanted to put a wooden stake through the book.

As fate would have it, I’m out of wooden stakes.

Anyway, let’s hope they iron out such problems when the movie comes out. Of course, it could be a while. The screenplay writer is just now wrapping up his adaptation. And, according to IMDB.com, its release date has been set for 2010.

***

Hey, so there’s nothing local about this blog entry, is that what you’re saying?

You want more local stuff?

Well, how about this weekend’s Open Studios Tour? In Saturday’s paper, we will spotlight three of the 283 artists participating in this year’s tour, which is the major fundraiser for Arts Obispo.

And as long as I’m promoting our stories, check out Thursday’s Ticket, when we preview the “Phantom of the Opera” silent film screening at the PAC. The screening, a fundraiser for the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, will feature organist Bob Mitchell, who turns 95 this week.

— Pat P.

Posted on October 9th, 2007 by Pat
Filed under: Music