The Promise: The Making of Darkness On The Edge Of Town

[Guitar55]

Has anyone caught this documentary that HBO began airing last night? It will be part of the Darkness reissue that comes out in November. The boxed set includes this film, a video of a full 1978 concert, a performanc eof the album in its entirety from 2009, the remastered Darkness CD and a two-CD set of 21 unreleased songs from the Darkness sessions entitled The Promise.

The film contains a lot of footage from the Darkness rehearsals and recording sessions. It ilustrates Bruce's state of mind at the time he was in a two-year legal batttle with his former manager that kept him out of the studio and how that, coupled with the success of Born To Run, led him to create a much more stark and personal album. Well worth watching.

 

[Guitar55]

No interest in this documentary?

 

[twanguru]

It's great, especially the duets around the piano with Little Steven.

 

[jcs]

My fave Springsteen album!

 

[MikeSRV69]

I can't wait to see this film. The way so many people here feel about the Beatles I feel about Bruce. I have been a major fan since junior high and Darkness is one of my all-timers. I may be watching this one all winter.

 

[RocksOff]

It was pretty good, and I'm not even a Springsteen fan.

 

[Lacking Talent]

No interest in this documentary?

Have it on the DVR. Can't wait to watch. First concert I ever attended? This date on the DARKNESS tour:

November 12, 1978, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Field House, Troy, NY

the set list:

High School Confidential
Badlands
Streets Of Fire
Spirit In The Night
Darkness On The Edge Of Town
Independence Day
The Promised Land
Prove It All Night
Racing In the Street
Thunder Road
Jungleland
Rave On
Fire
Candy's Room
Because The Night
Point Blank
Mona
She's The One
Backstreets
Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)
Born To Run
Detroit Medley
Quarter To Three

 

[Guitar55]

For me the Darkness tour included some of Bruce's best shows ever. Rock n Roll marathons.

Have it on the DVR. Can't wait to watch. First concert I ever attended? This date on the DARKNESS tour:

November 12, 1978, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Field House, Troy, NY

the set list:

High School Confidential
Badlands
Streets Of Fire
Spirit In The Night
Darkness On The Edge Of Town
Independence Day
The Promised Land
Prove It All Night
Racing In the Street
Thunder Road
Jungleland
Rave On
Fire
Candy's Room
Because The Night
Point Blank
Mona
She's The One
Backstreets
Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)
Born To Run
Detroit Medley
Quarter To Three

 

[Celticdave]

I don't have cable...but am eagerly awaiting the release!

 

[FatTeleTom]

I managed to catch most of it over a couple of viewings. Good stuff. I would have enjoyed even more detail about the writing and recording process, but it was fascinating as is.

 

[Z_Zoquis]

I've got the Born To Run box and love it and I'm really looking forward to the new one too.

I think Springsteen gets a bit unfairly colored by his 80's success. He was a pretty gritty rocker in the 70's and Darkness is a very edgy record. Afaic, he's the real deal - he has written some truly classic music and he's a remarkable performer.

 

[A-Bone]

I thought it was a well done documentary, and really appreciated the thoughtful character of the more contemporary interview segments with the principals involved in its creation. Plus, I say all this as someone who is not especially Bruce literate -- although this movie has definitely inspired me to purchase Darkness.

 

[Jim S]

My fave Springsteen album!

 

[Gas-man]

I watched about half so far.

The one thing that really stood out was Bruce's Tele tone on one particular live cut.

I'm not a fan of his lead playing at all but his tone was glorious.

Btw, who played the Badlands solo? Is that Bruce? If it's him then I take back what I said about his playing.

 

[Guitar55]

I watched about half so far.

The one thing that really stood out was Bruce's Tele tone on one particular live cut.

I'm not a fan of his lead playing at all but his tone was glorious.

Btw, who played the Badlands solo? Is that Bruce? If it's him then I take back what I said about his playing.

Yes. That's Bruce.