The Ghost of Tom Joad
The Ghost of Tom Joad | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Studio album by | ||||
Released | November 21, 1995 | |||
Recorded | March–September 1995 | |||
Studio | Thrill Hill Recording | |||
Genre | Folk, folk rock | |||
Length | 50:16 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Producer | Bruce Springsteen, Chuck Plotkin | |||
Bruce Springsteen chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from The Ghost of Tom Joad | ||||
|
The Ghost of Tom Joad is the eleventh studio album and the second acoustic album, by American recording artist Bruce Springsteen. The album was released on November 21, 1995, through Columbia Records. The album was recorded and mixed at Thrill Hill West, Springsteen's home studio in Los Angeles, California.
Following the 1995 studio reunion with the E Street Band and the release of Greatest Hits, Springsteen's writing activity increased significantly. He wrote and recorded the album between March and September 1995. The album consists of seven solo tracks and five band tracks.
The Ghost of Tom Joad debuted at number 11 on the US Billboard 200 chart, with 107,000 copies sold in its first week.[1] The album won the 1997 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album.
Reception and composition[]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Entertainment Weekly | B−[3] |
The Guardian | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Houston Chronicle | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Los Angeles Times | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
NME | 9/10[7] |
Pitchfork | 7.6/10[8] |
Q | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Rolling Stone | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
USA Today | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Ghost of Tom Joad received mostly favorable reviews. Mikal Gilmore of Rolling Stone called it "Springsteen's best album in ten years," and considered it "among the bravest work that anyone has given us this decade."[10] However, it reached only number 11 on the Billboard 200, breaking a string of eight consecutive Top 5 studio albums in the United States for Springsteen.[12]
In The Village Voice's annual Pazz & Jop critics poll for the year's best albums, The Ghost of Tom Joad placed at #8 in the voting.[13] Robert Christgau, the poll's creator, commended the album for being "the most courageous and the most depressing of the year," pointing out that Springsteen was the only artist in the poll's top 40 "to directly address the war on the poor (and, increasingly, what is called the middle class) that is now the political agenda of the industrialized world." However, he also criticized Springsteen's choice "to muffle his songs, so that only those who really want to hear their despair will bother trying. His tunes, arrangements, and mysteriously praised 'phrasing' aren’t just forbiddingly minimal — often they’re rather careless. This Brechtian strategy may be justified aesthetically. But it’s no paradox that it fails to engage — and no capitalist plot that it’s sold [expletive], either. The Ghost of Tom Joad is a bore. It is recommended to the many people of conscience who’ve developed a taste for ambient techno and the Sea and Cake."[14]
Bill Wyman of The Chicago Reader thought The Ghost of Tom Joad was disappointing, writing that "Springsteen can be so literal that it's hard to appreciate some of the record's subtleties." He criticized the album for being "stolidly depoppified to ensure that no one will derive actual pleasure from it."[15]
The album is mainly backed by acoustic guitar work and the lyrics on most tracks are a somber reflection of life in the mid-1990s in America and Mexico.[16] The character of Tom Joad entered the American consciousness in John Steinbeck’s 1939 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Grapes of Wrath, set against the economic hardships of the Great Depression.[16] This spawned a film version starring Henry Fonda, which in turn inspired folk singer Woody Guthrie to pen "The Ballad of Tom Joad".[16]
The album's release was followed by Springsteen's solo acoustic Ghost of Tom Joad Tour, which ran from 1995 to 1997 and took place in mostly small venues.[16]
Track listing[]
All songs are written by Bruce Springsteen.
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "The Ghost of Tom Joad" | 4:23 |
2. | "Straight Time" | 3:25 |
3. | "Highway 29" | 3:39 |
4. | "Youngstown" | 3:52 |
5. | "Sinaloa Cowboys" | 3:51 |
6. | "The Line" | 5:14 |
7. | "Balboa Park" | 3:19 |
8. | "Dry Lightning" | 3:30 |
9. | "The New Timer" | 5:45 |
10. | "Across the Border" | 5:24 |
11. | "Galveston Bay" | 5:04 |
12. | "My Best Was Never Good Enough" | 2:00 |
Unreleased outtakes[]
Twelve of the 22 songs recorded during the album's sessions made the final cut while "Dead Man Walkin'" was released on the soundtrack for the movie Dead Man Walking and later on The Essential Bruce Springsteen and "Brothers Under the Bridge" was released on Tracks. "I'm Turning Into Elvis" and "It's the Little Things That Count" remain unreleased; however, they were performed live while "Idiot's Delight" and "I'm Not Sleeping" were also performed live and along with "1945" and "Cheap Motel" were co-written with Joe Grushecky, who recorded the four songs for his 1997 album Coming Home.[17]
- "Cynthia"
- "Tiger Rose"
- "I'm Turning Into Elvis"
- "It's the Little Things That Count"
- "Idiot's Delight"
- "I'm Not Sleeping"
- "1945"
- "Cheap Motel"
Personnel[]
Credits as listed in the album liner notes.[18]
Musicians
- Bruce Springsteen – vocal (tracks 1-12), guitar (tracks 1-12), harmonica (tracks 1, 10), keyboard (tracks 3, 5-7, 11, 12)
- Danny Federici – keyboard (tracks 1, 2, 8, 10), accordion (track 10)
- Chuck Plotkin – keyboard (track 4)
- Gary Mallaber – drums (tracks 1, 2, 4, 8, 10), percussion (tracks 2, 4)
- Marty Rifkin – pedal steel guitar (tracks 1, 2, 4, 10)
- Garry Tallent – bass (tracks 1, 8)
- Jim Hanson – bass (tracks 2, 4)
- Jennifer Condos – bass (track 10)
- Soozie Tyrell – violin (tracks 2, 4, 8, 10), backing vocal (track 10)
- Lisa Lowell – backing vocal (track 10)
- Patti Scialfa – backing vocal (track 10)
Technical
- Toby Scott – engineering and mixing
- Greg Goldman – engineering assistant
- Gary Myerberg – technical maintenance
- Shari Sutcliff – musician contracts
- Terry Magovern – research
- Sandra Choron – art direction
- Harry Choron – art production
- Eric Dinyer – cover art
- Pam Springsteen – interior photographs
Charts[]
Weekly charts[]
|
Year-end charts[]
|
Certifications and sales[]
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[36] | Gold | 35,000^ |
Austria (IFPI Austria)[37] | Gold | 25,000* |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[38] | Gold | 100,000* |
Canada (Music Canada)[39] | Gold | 50,000^ |
France (SNEP)[40] | Gold | 100,000* |
Italy | — | 200,000[41] |
Norway (IFPI Norway)[42] | Gold | 25,000* |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[43] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[44] | Gold | 100,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[45] | Gold | 500,000^ |
Summaries | ||
Europe (IFPI)[46] | Platinum | 1,000,000* |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
References[]
- ^ JERRY CROWE and ROBERT HILBURN (November 30, 1995). "Something to Twist and Shout About : Pop music: Beatles' album sells more than 855,000 copies its first week--the third highest ever--and initial figures are believed to be a revenue record". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Deming, Mark. "The Ghost of Tom Joad – Bruce Springsteen". AllMusic. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
- ^ Browne, David (November 24, 1995). "The Ghost of Tom Joad". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 16, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
- ^ Sweeting, Adam (November 24, 1995). "Bruce Springsteen: The Ghost of Tom Joad (Columbia)". The Guardian.
- ^ Selvin, Joel (November 19, 1995). "Springsteen, the Storyteller". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
- ^ Hilburn, Robert (November 19, 1995). "The Return to Desolate Highway". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
- ^ "Bruce Springsteen: The Ghost of Tom Joad". NME. November 18, 1995. p. 46.
- ^ Sodomsky, Sam (May 19, 2018). "Bruce Springsteen / The E Street Band: The Album Collection Vol. 2, 1987–1996". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
- ^ "Bruce Springsteen: The Ghost of Tom Joad". Q. No. 162. March 2000. p. 124.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Gilmore, Mikal (December 28, 1995). "The Ghost Of Tom Joad". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
- ^ Gundersen, Edna (November 20, 1995). "Springsteen's stark vision of 'Tom Joad'". USA Today.
- ^ "Bruce Springsteen – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
- ^ "The 1995 Pazz & Jop Critics Poll". The Village Voice. February 20, 1996. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (February 20, 1996). "Lost in the Soundscape". The Village Voice. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- ^ Wyman, Bill (1995-11-30). "Theater Critic's Choice: Bruce Springsteen". The Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Symynkywicz, Jeffery B. (2008). The Gospel According to Bruce Springsteen: Rock and Redemption, from Asbury Park to Magic. Westminster John Knox Press. ISBN 0-664-23169-1. p. 122.
- ^ http://brucebase.wikispaces.com/The+Ghost+Of+Tom+Joad+-+Studio+Sessions
- ^ "Bruce Springsteen – The Ghost Of Tom Joad". Discogs. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Bruce Springsteen – The Ghost of Tom Joad". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Bruce Springsteen – The Ghost of Tom Joad" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Bruce Springsteen – The Ghost of Tom Joad" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
- ^ "Listen – Danmarks Officielle Hitliste – Udarbejdet af AIM Nielsen for IFPI Danmark – Uge 47". Ekstra Bladet (in Danish). Copenhagen. November 26, 1995.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Bruce Springsteen – The Ghost of Tom Joad" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
- ^ "Bruce Springsteen: The Ghost of Tom Joad" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
- ^ "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Bruce Springsteen – The Ghost of Tom Joad". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Bruce Springsteen – The Ghost of Tom Joad". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Bruce Springsteen – The Ghost of Tom Joad". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Bruce Springsteen – The Ghost of Tom Joad". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
- ^ "Bruce Springsteen | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
- ^ "Bruce Springsteen Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
- ^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 1995". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
- ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1996". Billboard. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2008 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
- ^ "Austrian album certifications – Bruce Springsteen – The Ghost of Tom Joad" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
- ^ "Brazilian album certifications – Bruce Springsteen – The Ghost of Tom Joad" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – Bruce Springsteen – The Ghost of Tom Joad". Music Canada. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
- ^ "French album certifications – Bruce Springsteen – The Ghost of Tom Joad" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
- ^ "Springsteen a Sanremo con "furore"". La Stampa (in Italian). February 9, 1996. p. 25. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
il suo nuovo album ha venduto in pochi mesi 200 mila copie, mentre i critici, nelannuade referendum del mensile musica e dischi.
- ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
- ^ Salaverrie, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (PDF) (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. p. 942. ISBN 84-8048-639-2. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
- ^ "British album certifications – Bruce Springsteen – The Ghost of Tom Joad". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
- ^ "American album certifications – Bruce Springsteen – Ghost of Tom Joad". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
- ^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 1996". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
- Bruce Springsteen albums
- 1995 albums
- Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album
- Albums produced by Chuck Plotkin
- Columbia Records albums