Trying To Get To You

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Springsteen Does Whitfield, 1975

Playing Detroit for the first time in October of 1975, on the Born To Run tour, Springsteen did an incredible, one off version of the Norman Whitfield written, Temptations classic, "Ain't Too Proud To Beg," as a duet with "Miami" Steve Van Zandt. It's incredible, and it shreds the Stones version that came out on It's Only Rock N' Roll in 1974. Crank this one up!

Download: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" 10/4/75, Detroit, MI

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

W`hat a great version, Bruce cooks on this tune. He really is a student of 60's music. Got some insight on this from the Springsteen book "For You" that I jsut received. Foryoubruce.com

Eve Siegel said...

Ben: it's a very good version, but I wish Bruce would not call out "Steven" every time. Also the key is too high for Springsteen's voice and he sounds like he's straining.

Why do you always have to add a comment like "it shreds the Stones' version?" The Stones version is better, and both are a tribute to Whitfield. Leave the hating to Bob Lefsetz.

Ben Lazar said...

Couldn't disagree more about the Stones' version, which to my ears, is rote, and is indicative of the rot that had set in by '74. The Bruce version is so alive.

Nasrudin said...

Hey, Ben
Turns out your my cat, my boy, my dude.
(tell Ariel I say hey)
I'mn'a likely call you at Ariel's officina but meanwhile, I wanted to send you this, because it's based on a long narrative piece I did back from this very era, hanging days and nights with Bruce and the guy who in those days was known as Miami Steve, and who mainly wore, pre-disco, three-piece suits with matching fedoras...
(I hung at the pool as well, and I have to acknowledge that hip as he was, he had failed to purchase the matching cabana set, the mid-calf short pants that the really serious R&B guys invested in for those hot August second-show nights....
Man, Raphael S and Earl Palmer... have I got tales to tell you....
http://bartbull.blogspot.com/2007/11/bruce-springsteen-cases-promised-land.html
http://bartbull.blogspot.com/2007/08/springsteen-cases-promised-land-1975.html

http://bartbull.blogspot.com/2007/08/al-green-amazing-grace.html