Only the Strong Survive

by Bruce Springsteen

Overview

Only the Strong Survive may be the first time Bruce Springsteen has recorded an album dedicated to soul and R&B, yet those styles have always been present in his music, welling up in the rhythms and outlook of the E Street Band at their most jubilant. This persistent, evident love of soul means his decision to cut a collection of covers of R&B chestnuts isn't surprising, nor is it a shock that the 15 songs chosen for this 2022 comp demonstrate deep knowledge and good taste; those traits have been a constant throughout Springsteen's career. The unexpected thing about Only the Strong Survive is how it's essentially a two-man show between Springsteen and co-producer Ron Aniello, who plays every instrument save brass, woodwinds, and strings. There are also occasional backing vocals, along with two guest spots by Sam Moore, but the basic tracks are all studio creations of Aniello, who expertly re-creates the sounds of Motown, Philadelphia International, Stax, and Chicago's uptown soul. His mastery in crafting the tracks inadvertently illustrates the distance between the originals and the covers; those oldies crackled with the magic created by a bunch of musicians in a small room but these digital wonders feel studied and airless, even if they do sound good. The lack of additional musicians does mean that all the attention is placed on Springsteen's performance and, thankfully, he sounds quite good. He knows how to play with his diminished range, knows how to get a good growl going, knows how to croon without getting saccharine -- skills that help keep the proceedings lively. It's enjoyable enough that it takes a minute to realize that Springsteen and Aniello aren't exactly re-interpreting these 15 songs: they're merely playing them for a lark. That's enough for a good time but once Only the Strong Survive fades out with the last notes of "Someday We'll Be Together," there's not much that lingers behind in the memory. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	11/11/2022
Label:	Columbia
UPC:	0196587565725

Tracks

1. Only the Strong Survive
2. Soul Days
3. Nightshift
4. Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)
5. The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore
6. Turn Back the Hands of Time
7. When She Was My Girl
8. Hey, Western Union Man
9. I Wish It Would Rain
10. Don't Play That Song
11. Any Other Way
12. I Forgot to Be Your Lover
13. 7 Rooms of Gloom
14. What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
15. Someday We'll Be Together

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bruce Springsteen   Primary Artist,Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Dennis Collins   Vocals (Background)
Curtis King, Jr.   Vocals (Background)
Ed Manion   Sax (Baritone)
Rob Lebret   Guitar
Ron Aniello   Bass,Drums,Organ,Piano,Chimes,Guitar,Timpani,Keyboards,Percussion,Vibraphone,Glockenspiel,Farfisa Organ,Vocals (Background)
Rob Mathes   Conductor
Sam Moore   Vocals,Vocal Harmony,Featured Artist
Tom Timko   Sax (Baritone)
Clark Gayton   Trombone
Fonzi Thornton   Vocals (Background)
Bill Holloman   Sax (Tenor)
Curt Ramm   Trumpet
Kevin Buell   Guitar
Soozie Tyrell   Vocals (Background)
Lisa Lowell   Vocals (Background)
Michelle Moore   Vocals (Background)
Barry Danielian   Trumpet

Technical Credits

Jonathan Kaye   Composer
Meghan Foley   Design,Art Direction
James Dean   Composer
Sandy Park   String Contractor
Jan Stabile   Management
Rob Lebret   Mixing,Engineer,String Engineer
Bob Crew   Composer
Mark Satlof   Publicity
Rob Demartin   Photography
Max Lefkowitz   Publicity
Francine Golde   Composer
Jon Landau   Management,Executive Producer
Ron Aniello   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Rob Mathes   String Arrangements
Jerry Butler   Composer
Danny Clinch   Photography
Brian Holland   Composer
Bruce Springsteen   Producer
William Bell   Composer
Ahmet Ertegun   Composer
Harvey Fuqua   Composer
Marc Blatte   Composer
William Weatherspoon   Composer
Paul Riser   Composer
Booker T. Jones   Composer
Jack Daniels   Composer
Barbara Carr   Management
Walter Orange   Composer
Johnny Bristol   Composer
Dennis Lambert   Composer
Leon Huff   Composer
Alex Venguer   String Engineer
Andres Bermudez   Vocal Engineer
Norman Whitfield   Composer
Shari Sutcliffe   Music Contractor
Marilyn Laverty   Publicity
Alison Oscar   Management
Lawrence Gottlieb   Composer
Bonnie Thompson   Composer
Frank Wilson   Composer
Michelle Holme   Design,Art Direction
Ian Kagey   String Engineer
Betty Nelson   Composer
Bob Gaudio   Composer
Bob Ludwig   Mastering
Kenny Gamble   Composer
Lamont Dozier   Composer
Jackey Beavers   Composer
Barrett Strong   Composer
Eddie Holland   Composer
Rodger Penzabene   Composer