Springsteen Announces New Album

The announcement from the Bruce Springsteen camp detailing the January arrival of The Boss’ new album gives you plenty of information about the long-player, but doesn’t mention a tour.

Photo: AP Photo / Polfoto / Tariq Mikkel Khan
Parken National Stadium Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmak

Springsteen’s 18th studio album, High Hopes arrives Jan. 14 on Columbia.  Described as some of his “best unreleased material from the past decade,” the disc includes studio versions of two songs that have become E Street concert staples – “American Skin” and “Ghost Of Tom Joad.” The album also includes Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello guesting on several tracks.  A longtime friend of Springsteen’s, Morello filled in for Steve Van Zandt during the 2013 Australian tour.  According to Springsteen’s notes about the album, it was during that outing that Morello suggested adding “High Hopes” to the concert setlist.

The album also includes performances by organist Danny Federici who died in 2008 and saxman Clarence Clemons who passed away three years ago.

Here’s the track list:

1. High Hopes (Tim Scott McConnell) – featuring Tom Morello
2. Harry’s Place * – featuring Tom Morello
3. American Skin (41 Shots) – featuring Tom Morello
4. Just Like Fire Would (Chris J. Bailey) – featuring Tom Morello
5. Down In The Hole *
6. Heaven’s Wall ** -featuring Tom Morello
7. Frankie Fell In Love
8. This Is Your Sword
9. Hunter Of Invisible Game * -featuring Tom Morello
10. The Ghost of Tom Joad – duet with Tom Morello
11.The Wall
12. Dream Baby Dream (Martin Rev and Alan Vega) – featuring Tom Morello

Produced by Ron Aniello with Springsteen.  *Produced by Brendan O’Brien.  **Produced by Brendan O’Brien, co-produced by Ron Aniello with Springsteen.

“This is music I always felt needed to be released,” Springsteen wrote in the liner notes for High Hopes.  “From the gangsters of ‘Harry’s Place,’ the ill-prepared roomies on ‘Frankie Fell In Love’ (shades of Steve and I bumming together in our Asbury Park apartment) the travelers in the wasteland of ‘Hunter Of Invisible Game,’ to the soldier and his visiting friend in ‘The Wall,’ I felt they all deserved a home and a hearing. Hope you enjoy it.”

What today’s announcement does not mention is a tour supporting High Hopes.  So far, Springsteen & E Street are scheduled to play South Africa in January followed by a return to Australia in February and New Zealand in early March. Here’s the 2014 schedule as it stands today:

Jan. 26 – Cape Town, South Africa, Bellville Velodrome
Jan. 28 – Cape Town, South Africa, Bellville Velodrome
Jan. 29 – Cape Town, South Africa, Bellville Velodrome
Feb. 1 – Johannesburg, South Africa, FNB Stadium
Feb. 5 – Perth, Australia, Perth Arena
Feb. 7 – Perth, Australia, Perth Arena
Feb. 8 – Perth, Australia, Perth Arena
Feb. 11 – Hindmarsh, Australia, Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Feb. 12 – Hindmarsh, Australia, Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Feb. 15 – Melbourne, Australia, AAMI Park
Feb. 16 – Melbourne, Australia, AAMI Park
Feb. 19 – Sydney, Australia, Allphones Arena
Feb. 22 – Pokolbin, Australia, Hope Estate Winery
Feb. 23 – Pokolbin, Australia, Hope Estate Winery
Feb. 26 – Boondall, Australia, Brisbane Entertainment Centre
March 1 – Auckland, New Zealand, Mt Smart Stadium
March 2 – Auckland, New Zealand, Mt Smart Stadium

Visit BruceSpringsteen.net for more information.

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