The Promise (Bruce Springsteen album)

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The Promise
Bruce Springsteen - The Promise.jpg
Compilation album by
Bruce Springsteen
ReleasedNovember 16, 2010 (2010-11-16)
Recorded1977–1978, 2010
GenreRock, heartland rock
Length88:05
LabelColumbia
ProducerBruce Springsteen, Jon Landau
Bruce Springsteen chronology
Working on a Dream
(2009) 		The Promise
(2010) 		Wrecking Ball
(2012)
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band chronology
Working on a Dream
(2009) 		The Promise
(2010) 		Wrecking Ball
(2012)

The Promise is a studio album by American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, released November 16, 2010 on Columbia Records.[1] The album is a collection of previously unreleased songs which were recorded during the Darkness on the Edge of Town sessions in 1977–1978, with some vocals and additional instrumentation overdubs recorded in 2010. It was released in 2CD and 3LP formats.[2] The album is also available as part of the box set The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story.[3][4] The two-CD version of the release entered the UK Albums Chart at number 7.[5] It had been in production for many years and was originally scheduled to be released for the 30th anniversary in 2008. The Promise debuted at #16 on the Billboard 200, while the box set, The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story, debuted at #27.[6]

The album features one of the last appearances of Clarence Clemons before his death in June 2011. Clemons is featured on the song "Save My Love", which was the only song on the album completely re-recorded by Springsteen and the E Street Band for the project.

Promotion[]

On November 16, 2010, Springsteen performed "Because the Night" and "Save My Love" with Steven Van Zandt, Roy Bittan and the Roots on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (along with a cover of Willow Smith's "Whip My Hair" with Fallon posing as Neil Young).[7] Songs from the album were performed during Springsteen's Wrecking Ball Tour in 2012–2013.

Critical reception[]

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic94/100[8]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic4.5/5 stars[9]
BBC Music(favorable)[10]
The Guardian5/5 stars[11]
Mojo5/5 stars[12]
Q4/5 stars[13]
Pitchfork Media(8.5/10)[14]
PopMatters7/10 stars[15]
Tom HullB+ ((1-star Honorable Mention))[16]
Uncut5/5 stars[17]

Upon its release, The Promise received acclaim from most music critics.[8] At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 94, based on 17 reviews, which indicates "universal acclaim".[8]

Allmusic gave it four and a half stars; they stated that, "The Promise stands on its own as a great Bruce Springsteen record; it feels finished, focused, and, above all, offers more proof that Springsteen is one of the greatest rock and pop songwriters" although stating that "The Promise" was the only track that might have added something to the original Darkness on the Edge of Town album.[9] BBC Music had a favorable review and stated "The Promise is as compelling an advert for the Boss’s beautiful, blue-collar soul as you’re likely to find outside of the hits; an indispensable portrait of an artist at the top of his game."[10]

Commercial performance[]

The Promise debuted at #16 on the Billboard 200.[6] While not selling as well as his previous studio albums on the American charts, the set did well on the European charts (with first week worldwide sales of over 187,000 units), opening at No. 1 in Germany, Spain, and Norway. It also charted at No. 4 in The Netherlands, Denmark and Ireland, No. 5 in Austria, No. 7 in the United Kingdom and No. 9 in Switzerland.[18]

Track listing[]

All songs written by Bruce Springsteen, except where noted.

See also Darkness on the Edge of Town: The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story box set for the complete box set track listing
Disc One
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Racing in the Street ('78)" 6:49
2."Gotta Get That Feeling" 3:17
3."Outside Looking In" 2:16
4."Someday (We'll Be Together)" 5:35
5."One Way Street" 4:19
6."Because the Night"Springsteen, Patti Smith3:25
7."Wrong Side of the Street" 3:34
8."The Brokenhearted" 5:19
9."Rendezvous" 2:37
10."Candy's Boy" 4:38
Disc Two
No.TitleLength
1."Save My Love"2:36
2."Ain't Good Enough for You"4:01
3."Fire"4:08
4."Spanish Eyes"3:50
5."It's a Shame"3:14
6."Come On (Let's Go Tonight)"2:18
7."Talk to Me"4:20
8."The Little Things (My Baby Does)"3:17
9."Breakaway"5:30
10."The Promise"5:52
11."City of Night"2:58
12."The Way (hidden track)"3:42

Personnel[]

Adapted from the album's liner notes:

  • Bruce Springsteen – lead vocals, guitars, harmonica
  • Roy Bittan – piano
  • Clarence Clemons – saxophone, percussion
  • Danny Federici – organ, glockenspiel
  • Garry Tallent – bass guitar
  • Steve Van Zandt – guitar, harmony vocals, horn arrangement
  • Max Weinberg – drums
  • Bob Chirmside - bass on "It's A Shame"
  • Jon Landau - drums on "It's A Shame"
  • Barry Danielian - trumpet on "The Brokenhearted", "It's A Shame" and "Breakaway"
  • Curt Ramm - trumpet on "The Brokenhearted", "It's A Shame" and "Breakaway"
  • Rick Gazda - trumpet on "Talk To Me"
  • Bob Muckin - trumpet on "Talk To Me"
  • Stan Harrison - tenor saxophone on "The Brokenhearted", "It's A Shame", "Talk To Me" and "Breakaway"
  • Ed Manion - baritone saxophone on "The Brokenhearted", "It's A Shame", "Talk To Me" and "Breakaway"
  • Dan Levine - trombone on "The Brokenhearted", "It's A Shame" and "Breakaway"
  • Richie "La Bamba" Rosenberg - trombone on "Talk To Me"
  • David Lindley - violin on "Racing in the Street ('78)", "Come On (Let's Go Tonight)"
  • Tiffeny Andrews – backing vocals on "Someday (We'll Be Together)" and "Breakaway"
  • Corinda Carford – backing vocals on "Someday (We'll Be Together)" and "Breakaway"
  • Michelle Moore – backing vocals on "Someday (We'll Be Together)" and "Breakaway"
  • Antionette Savage – backing vocals on "Someday (We'll Be Together)" and "Breakaway"
  • Patti Scialfa – backing vocals on "Someday (We'll Be Together)" and "Breakaway"
  • Soozie Tyrell – backing vocals on "Someday (We'll Be Together)" and "Breakaway"

Technical

  • Jon Landau, Bruce Springsteen – original tracks production
  • Bruce Springsteen – additional production
  • Jimmy Iovine, Toby Scott – recording
  • Thom Panunzio, Rob Lebret – assistant engineers
  • Bob Clearmountain – mixing
  • Brandon Duncan – mixing assistant
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering
  • Ken Asher – string arrangement on "The Promise"
    • Toby Scott – recording project supervisor
    • Rob Lebret, Kevin Buell – assistants
  • Kevin Buell – guitars support staff
  • Harry McCarthy – drums support staff
  • Shari Sutcliffe – musician contracts
  • Toby Scott, Matt Kelly, Donna Kloepfer, Sean Brennan, Tim Sturgis – archive research, retrieval and restoration
  • Eric Meola – photography
  • Michelle Holme, Dave Bett – art direction

Charts[]

Certifications[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[46] Gold 15,000^
Ireland (IRMA)[47] Platinum 15,000^
Italy (FIMI)[48] Platinum 50,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[49] Gold 30,000^
Sweden (GLF)[50] Platinum 40,000double-dagger
United Kingdom (BPI)[51] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[52] Gold 250,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
double-dagger Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References[]

  1. ^ "The Promise [Doppel-CD]" (in German). Amazon.de. Retrieved November 12, 2010.
  2. ^ "Bruce Springsteen – the Promise (2010, 180g, Vinyl)". Discogs.
  3. ^ "Columbia Records to release Bruce Springsteen's 'The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story' Nov. 16". www.brucespringsteen.net. Archived from the original on December 5, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
  4. ^ "Springsteen Announces Massive 'Darkness' Set". Rolling Stone. August 26, 2010. Archived from the original on August 28, 2010. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
  5. ^ "Official UK Albums Top 100". Official Charts Company. November 21, 2010. Retrieved November 21, 2010.
  6. ^ a b "'The Promise: The Darkness On The Edge Of Town Story' Is Fastest Selling Box Set Of 2010".
  7. ^ "Bruce Springsteen Rocks 'Fallon' with 'Promise' Tracks, 'Whip My Hair'". Billboard.
  8. ^ a b c "The Promise Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  9. ^ a b Jurek, Thom. "Bruce Springsteen The Promise review". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  10. ^ a b Denney, Alex (2010). "Bruce Springsteen The Promise review". Music. BBC. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  11. ^ Williams, Richard (November 11, 2010). "The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story - review". The Guardian. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  12. ^ "Bruce Springsteen - The Promise". Mojo (205): 112. December 2010.
  13. ^ "Bruce Springsteen - The Promise". Q: 119. December 2010.
  14. ^ Richardson, Mark (November 17, 2010). "Bruce Springsteen - The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  15. ^ Fiander, Matthew (November 16, 2010). "Bruce Springsteen: The Promise". PopMatters. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  16. ^ Hull, Tom (October 29, 2016). "Streamnotes (October 2016)". Tom Hull - on the Web. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  17. ^ Scoppa, Bud (December 2010). "Bruce Springsteen 'The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story'". Uncut. p. 82.
  18. ^ "Rihanna Scores Euro Albums, Singles Chart Double". Billboard.com. September 14, 2009. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
  19. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Bruce Springsteen – The Promise". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  20. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Bruce Springsteen – The Promise" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  21. ^ "Ultratop.be – Bruce Springsteen – The Promise" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  22. ^ "Ultratop.be – Bruce Springsteen – The Promise" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  23. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Bruce Springsteen – The Promise" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  24. ^ [1] Archived November 27, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  25. ^ "Bruce Springsteen: The Promise" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  26. ^ "Lescharts.com – Bruce Springsteen – The Promise". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  27. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Bruce Springsteen – The Promise" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  28. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Bruce Springsteen". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  29. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Bruce Springsteen – The Promise". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  30. ^ "Charts.nz – Bruce Springsteen – The Promise". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  31. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  32. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Bruce Springsteen – The Promise". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  33. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Bruce Springsteen – The Promise". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  34. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Bruce Springsteen – The Promise". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  35. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  36. ^ "Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  37. ^ "Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  38. ^ "Top de l'année Top Albums 2010" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  39. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  40. ^ "Top 50 Albumes 2010" (PDF). Promusicae.es. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 3, 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  41. ^ "Årslista Album – År 2010" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  42. ^ "End of Year 2010" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  43. ^ "Årslista Album – År 2011" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  44. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2011". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  45. ^ "Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2011". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  46. ^ "Danish album certifications – Bruce Springsteen – The Promise". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  47. ^ "The Irish Charts - 2010 Certification Awards - Platinum". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  48. ^ "Italian album certifications – Bruce Springsteen – The Promise" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved October 10, 2016. Select "2016" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "The Promise" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Album e Compilation" under "Sezione".
  49. ^ "Spanish album certifications" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Select Albums under "Chart", enter 2012 in the field "Year". Select 23 in the field "Semana". Click on "Search Charts".
  50. ^ "Veckolista Album - Vecka 21, 27 maj 2011" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
  51. ^ "British album certifications – Bruce Springsteen – The Promise". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  52. ^ "American album certifications – Bruce Springsteen – The Promise". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
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