Bruce Springsteen/CA,USA 8.23.1981

The latest release of the Mike Millard tapes by JEMS was Bruce Springsteen. Speaking of his recordings of Springsteen, the best-selling “LOS ANGELES 1980 3RD NIGHT” and the 1988 LA recording were released by JEMS, but this time the 1981 LA recording was at the sports arena. The sound source, which was not even known to have been recorded by him until now, was enough to surprise enthusiasts all over the world. However, the sound quality of this recording is very different. Unlike the on-sound image that is described as “just like a sound board” every time, it was captured at a little distance. Still, Springsteen’s vocals and Clarence Clemons’ saxophone sound are said to be close. Thanks to that, the sound quality was easy to listen to overall, but the recording condition was definitely unique among Millard’s recordings. Regarding this matter, JEMS commented, “It appears that the position Millard secured that day was too close to the PA.” I see, it seems like the balance between the vocals and saxophone sounds is that the positioning was too far backfired. The balance of Clarence’s saxophone, which was noticeable at the beginning of the show, was too noticeable, and the balance was adjusted as much as possible. Also, the River Tour underwent a major change between 1980 and 1981 with the hit single “Hungry Heart”, which made it difficult to secure a good position in the latter half of the 1981 tour when the audience increased. It’s possible. In fact, there was no audience recording of “This is it!” in the latter half of the 1981 tour, so it was a great achievement that the East Rutherford performance on July 9th was officially released this year in the Live Archive series. Although it is an unusual mirrored sound source, it is still of a sound quality that can be heard sufficiently. On this day, there is a sound source that has been circulating among enthusiasts for a long time, and it is distributed on the online release called “TRAVEL IN FEAR”. In total, the sound image is larger and easier to hear, but the freshness of the sound source itself is overwhelmingly superior to Millard. I can say that this area is also to be expected. Also, it was a time when the popularity of “Hungry Heart” skyrocketed, but it is typical of Millard recording that it did not pick up much of the excitement around it. Above all, the performance was really wonderful every day in the second half of the tour from July to September 1981. “Who’ll Stop The Rain”, which started playing from the previous year, shows a magnificent finish that is truly a completed form, and every song has evolved from the previous year’s performance, creating a truly magnificent atmosphere. Also, the pattern in which “Out In The Street” is played following “Hungry Heart” in the second part is very rare. And at LA Sports Arena in August, rare numbers popped up every day, but on this day, the opening was “Summertime Blues” and the encore was “Rave On”, a song selection that reminded you of the Darkness Tour. But this is also rare. By the way, this time a bonus track has been added by JEMS. It is a document of Springsteen jumping into a Pretenders gig in Pasadena on September 5th, just before the end of the River Tour. Fortunately, Millard was present that day, but he only recorded 20 minutes, probably because it was a band he wasn’t interested in. However, fortunately, Springsteen’s appearance was well recorded in a short time. He mainly serves as a backing chorus, but this is the usual mirrored quality superb sound quality, so you can hear it perfectly. This may be the hidden highlight of this title! Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA, USA 23rd August 1981★It is a sufficiently high quality recording. Disc 1 (70:11) 1. Intro 2. Summertime Blues 3. Prove It All Night 4. Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out 5. Darkness On The Edge Of Town 6. Factory 7. Independence Day 8. Trapped 9. Two Hearts 10 Who’ll Stop The Rain 11. The Promised Land 12. The River 13. This Land Is Your Land 14. Badlands 15. Thunder Road Disc 2 (69:46) 1. Hungry Heart 2. Out In The Street 3. Cadillac Ranch 4. Sherry Darling 5. Fire 6. Stolen Car 7. Backstreets 8. Ramrod 9. Rosalita 10. Rave On 11. Jungleland Disc 3 (32:10) 1. Born To Run 2. Detroit Medley (including Sock It To Me Baby / Sweet Soul Music / Shake) 3. Twist And Shout Bonus Track Perkins Palace, Pasadena, CA, USA 5th September 1981 4. (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher (with Pretenders)