Music Monday: Springsteen- Letter to You

We have a blog series called, “Music Monday,” here on Arner Adventures. Since music creates a soundtrack for our day-to-day living, it only makes sense. “Letter to You” arrives as the first single of the forthcoming Springsteen album of the same name, to be released October 23^rd. This, after 8 years since 2012’s “Wrecking Ball,” the last release of original material featuring the E Street Band.

“Letter to You” comes off as a letter to fans from an artist just over 70, who is looking back and reflecting on the journey we’ve shared through nearly 50 years of his writing, recording, and performing. The song offers all you want from an E Street Band single. The band is as polished as ever, and mostly the same lineup since the 1970’s, minus a few departed players. There is a full sound of layered guitars, keyboards and organ fills, reminiscent of classic era E Street Band. Possibly the only exception being the signature sax solo from Clarence.

Springsteen has been on quite a role in recent years. His autobiography, “Born to Run” is one of the best rock bios you will ever read. His one-man Broadway show, “Springsteen on Broadway” detailing his musical journey, ran for 14 months (and can be found on Netflix) and last year’s “Western Stars” was arguably his best album of original material in 30 years. Springsteen reportedly had not written for the E Street Band in 7 years until, low and behold, last year in a brief spurt of inspiration, wrote the 9 new songs that make-up the new album. 3 older songs which pre-date his recording career but were never recorded, have been recorded to round out the new record. Springsteen’s voice sounds strong, earnest, and sincere on “Letter to You.” If this is any indicator of what’s to come, I will be eagerly anticipating the full album release of “Letter to You,” to arrive in my mailbox.