Bruce Springsteen's Letter to You

Inspiring, electric and beautifully shot; "Letter To You" takes you deep into Springsteen's thoughts and musical process.

In this documentary, go behind-the-scenes and look at Springsteen's creative process with full performances from The E Street Band, in-studio footage, and never-before-seen material.

The legendary Bruce Springsteen bares his soul in this reflective and intimate look at the making of his new album with the E Street Band. Frequent collaborator and filmmaker Thom Zimny does yet again an excellent job at capturing the essence of the band but also exploring Springsteen's thoughts. The new album is one of the band's best and this doc is beautifully made and worth the watch.

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Thom Zimny captures perfectly the emotional mindset of Bruce Springsteen who leads the E-Street Band on a journey through the early years of The Castiles. Bruce is the only living member of his youthful band, The Castiles, and he looks fondly at the memories that have moulded him into the present master songwriter. He also pays respect to those who have moved on from this world, and to childhood memories that have left an everlasting impression. All through a depth of emotional charged music and stunning images.

We all get to a certain age where we look back on our past and reminisce in certain ways. Springsteen does so with music and this insightful documentary by Zimmy. The bareness and rawness of the black and white photography captures the process of producing an album by a group of legends who have lived to tell the tale. A most wondrous way for any musician to learn the craft of collaborating creatively.

Springsteen is ageing; in recent years he has written his (excellent) memoir, and his music has become more ruminative in keeping with that project. This is on the face of it a fairly simple behind the scenes music documentary, with a few glimpses of craft and band dynamics and a handful of thoughts on each song from the album of the same name aa the film. It's elevated by the economic depth of Springsteen's insight and the beauty of his spoken commentaries and sung words. He is always worth listening to, this man who a wise person once called America's greatest living theologian; a prophetic and pastoral voice who we're lucky to have. Long may he continue.

Next up on Apple Plus TV - a loose documentary for The Boss' upcoming album "Letter to You". Whilst I'd never claim to be the biggest Springsteen fan in the world, my father might be, so his music has been in my life for as long as I can remember.

Springsteen gathers the E-Street Band together for a recording session for their upcoming album, and to reminisce about the times they've had and friends they've lost along the way. The film cuts between performances of the new songs, rehearsal footage, historical photographs and video whilst Springsteen ruminates on the themes behind the album and specific tracks on it.

In the strictest sense, to describe it as a documentary is a little generous. It's neither a full career retrospective, nor a proper look at the complete creation of this album. It's really very well-made promotional material. There is a bit of a formula to how it works, Bruce talks about the theme of the song, which often is one of death or loss, which over cuts beautiful tracking shots of the snowy New Jersey woodland where the studio was located. The band then play bits of the song as they work out the kinks of it, "why don't we try coming in there instead of here" type stuff - and then there's a master version of the recording of the song. Occasionally video or photographs of Bruce's career is intertwined across the run, when it helps to tell the stories.

Whilst it's not a deep dive documentary, that doesn't mean it isn't touching. Hearing them talk about the times they've had and particularly, given the album themes of death, talking about Clarence Clemons and Danny Federici - members who are no longer with us, is affecting stuff. As is the fact that Clemons nephew Jake has taken his place as the band's saxophonist. Bruce's lyrical monologues between songs can feel heavy but seem genuine and appropriate for the music. I don't think the album is likely to win any new fans, as it's pretty in keeping with older stuff, but they are top quality players and this feels like a strong Springsteen entry.

If I'm honest, I can't see myself watching the documentary again but days later I'm still singing little bits of the songs to myself.

Bruce Springsteen is my hero and he has been my hero for many years. His latest album is for me one of his very best. This film is Bruce's way of making up for not being able to take the album out on tour ( also Western Stars) because of covid 19. Bruce knows his fans, he knows we will love it...and we do. This film shows his love for his friends past and present. Bruce's voice is just superb.

If you are a Bruce Springsteen fan you will treasure this movie. If you are not a fan, so what, i don't care, your loss.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN...thank you