Bruce Springsteen's Letter to You

I dig docs telling the story of "teams" and "brotherhoods" and in this way Letter delivers but, as noted, the music is tired and Bruce.at times, sounds a little too full of himself. It's worth a watch.

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.

'Bruce Springsteen's Letter to You' (2020) really is just a letter to "you". With "you" being all the people from Bruce's life who have shaped him and in this film/album its for those who have passed on. Springsteen reminisces of his youth growing up in New Jersey in the 1960s.

At his recording studio in New Jersey with the E Street Band, Springsteen writes, records, and details the meaning of each song from the album. The only survivor from his first recorded band, The Castiles, Springsteen grieves but remains driven as music remains his only outlet during tough times. With touching tributes to former bandmates, this film is really a behind the scenes look at his critically acclaimed 2020 album, 'Letter to You'. The black-and-white film and and personal interviews make the film unique as it is not a regular film or documentary but styled as a mixture.

Overall its pretty good, but is really meant for Bruce Springsteen fans especially those have listened to the album. But those who are older or have lost those close to them can relate to Springsteen's grief and perseverance to carry on for those who have left. Give it a watch if these topics speak to you.

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.