To say that Springsteen's live shows with the E Street Band were legendary is the height of understatement. On a good night, the set might extend to three and four hours of exhilarating, pulse-pounding rock & roll. How best to capture that on CD? Or was it possible at all? As it turns out, Live 1975-1985 comes as close to the experience as possible. Culling material from various tours and settings ranging from small rooms to stadiums, the three-CD set emphatically displays Springsteen's charisma as a bandleader and storyteller and makes plain the sheer power of the E Street Band. Some of the many highlights here include covers of Edwin Starr's "War," Tom Waits's "Jersey Girl," and Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land" and rare versions of originals such as "Because the Night," "Fire," and "Seeds." And relax--all the hits are here as well. If you never saw Springsteen and the E Streeters back then, you might still get your chance. But this set chronicles a special time in the life of a special performer. --Daniel Durchholz

2009-05-25 -- 5/5:: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band Live/1975-85
My wife & I had just seen them in concert, so I wanted to recapture that great feeling. While I had several of his studio CD's - which I love - this CD rekindled the experience of his Live performance. The energy and grit can never be truly recaptured, but this 3 disc CD comes close. I love it. Some of his lesser known songs (i.e. not the big hits played on mainstream radio) such as Seeds, and Rosalita, are best heard on Live albums or in person. This CD gives you a glimpse into why Springsteen and his band are among the best in arena performers.

2009-05-19 -- 3/5:: Time for a reassessment.
I like Bruce and I like portions of this release. I just saw him and the E Street Band in concert and it one of the most exhilarating (and loud)experiences in recent memory. I hope that he releases a CD of the current tour as it would show Bruce in a updated light; one with an expanded appetite to incorporate americana folk and even a little country into the repertoire, not just as a novelty item.

However, the most startling songs were the covers and previously unreleased songs, both at the recent concert (ex. The Who's My Generation) and on this CD. I do not know why, but one cannot download any song from this release as a mp3. Why is that? Other titles are available for download but not this one. Why? After 23 years of being in exisitence, the sheen has worn off the album and the gems should be made available for the individual songs. Why can't they be, here?

2009-05-05 -- 5/5:: Easily the best live album ever
This 3cd set from bruce is the hallmark of his career and although it could have included a few more important songs, this compilation is outstanding. I know alot of Clapton, Alman Brothers, Rolling Stones, Who, Seger, etc. fans will claim there are better live albums out there but Springsteen is in a class by himself when it comes to live performances and this set captures all of his greatness over a 10 year period. The highlights of this set include Born In The U.S.A. (blows the album version away), The River (a truly memorable performance), Backstreets, Seeds, Reason To Believe (Bruce's voice has never been better), Racing In The Street (epic version), No Surrender (a better, slowed down version from the album), and Jersey Girl. The whole set is tremendous and anyone who apreciates great live performances should have this in their collection whether they like Springsteen or not- there will never be another Springsteen.
Note: It's important to get the remastered version of this set as the quality of the original printing was not that good.

2009-04-20 -- 5/5:: An awsome box set
This is an amazing recopilation of one decade of music of the Bruce Springteen, the selection of the songs is great and it has the plus that all of them are alive!!! the sound is incredible!!!! you play the discs and you can't stop listen to them, you want to hear it again and again, the coordination between the music and the audience is great; this is a jewel of rock, if you buy it I garantee that you will enjoy it; even for those whose not are Springsteen's fans, they became one once they hear this album.

2009-02-08 -- 5/5:: Glory Days
I am glad I did buy this remarkable collection showcasing Springsteen in full voice before the Superbowl performance because I don't think I would have afterward.