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Devils & Dust (2005)

Where the lyrics of Devils & Dust take you, and where it was really made.

Starbucks, a possible retail partner, declined to sell this album partly over one song's lyrics, yet it debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200.

Key places

Recorded at Southern Tracks in Atlanta (2005)

Recording site Southern Tracks Recording Studio — Southern Tracks Recording Studio in Atlanta, Georgia is listed as a place where the album was recorded. Toby Scott handled recording for tracks 1–12. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recording credit tied to Los Angeles (2005)

Recording site Motown Recording Studios — Thrill Hill Recording is listed with Los Angeles and New Jersey. The point uses the Los Angeles city-center location, not the exact building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Devils & Dust: 13th studio album by Bruce Springsteen
• His third acoustic album, after Nebraska and The Ghost of Tom Joad
• Released 25 April 2005 in Europe, and the following day in the United States
• Debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200

Background

• Springsteen said many of the songs dated back a decade or more
• "All the Way Home" was written for Southside Johnny to use on Better Days (1991)
• "Long Time Comin'" and "The Hitter" were written and performed on the 1996 solo Ghost of Tom Joad Tour
• "Devils & Dust" appeared in soundchecks during The Rising Tour in 2003
• In 2004 the title song was on the set list for at least one Vote for Change show, but was swapped at the last moment for a 12-string guitar rendition of "Star Spangled Banner"
• The title track was an exclusive preview on AOLmusic.com on March 28
• The next day it was released on iTunes, and also on DualDisc
• Springsteen embarked on a solo Devils & Dust Tour to promote the album

Recording

• Recorded at Southern Tracks Recording Studio, Atlanta, Georgia
• Brendan O'Brien produced tracks 1–12
• Springsteen and Chuck Plotkin produced tracks 2 and 4
• Toby Scott handled recording for tracks 1–12

Cover

• Photography by Anton Corbijn
• Art direction by Chris Austopchuk; design by Dave Bett and Michelle Holme

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Disc 1

Disc 2

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Born September 23, 1949 in Long Branch, New Jersey; grew up in Freehold, New Jersey.
• Inspired by Elvis Presley and the Beatles, began playing with local bands in the 1960s, including the Castiles, Steel Mill and the Bruce Springsteen Band.
• Formed the band that became the E Street Band in October 1972; the name came into use in September 1974.
• Signed to Columbia Records in 1972 by John Hammond; debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. released January 1973.

Members

• Performs solo and with the E Street Band, his backing band since 1972.
• Long-time members include Clarence Clemons, Danny Federici, Steven Van Zandt, Roy Bittan, Max Weinberg and Patti Scialfa.
• Clemons died June 18, 2011; Federici died in 2008.

Career

• Born to Run (1975) brought worldwide fame; Born in the U.S.A. (1984) became one of the best-selling albums of all time.
• Won an Academy Award in 1994 for "Streets of Philadelphia"; inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.
• Has sold more than 140 million records worldwide; holds 20 Grammy Awards and a Special Tony Award.
• The 2023–2025 tour with the E Street Band was among the highest-grossing tours in history.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Rolling Stone gave a rave review, calling the album striking and affecting, and Springsteen's most audacious record since Nebraska
• David Fricke wrote that the songs have a subdued, mostly acoustic flair
• The Guardian opened its review with the Reno lyrics and found the album flawed
• The Guardian praised the album for rarely doing what listeners expect

Records

• Debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200
• Seventh No. 1 album of Springsteen's career and fourth No. 1 debut on the Billboard albums chart
• Second Springsteen album containing only previously unreleased content
• First Springsteen album without the E Street Band
• Gold in the US in 2006; 650,000 copies sold as of November 2008
• Five Grammy nominations, including Song of the Year and Best Rock Song for the title track
• Springsteen won Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• Starbucks was considered as a retail outlet but declined, citing among other factors the lyrics of "Reno"
• Springsteen's refusal to approve a co-branded disc and promotional deal was also cited as a reason
• At a concert at the Tower Theater in Philadelphia, he joked that the album would be sold at Dunkin' Donuts and Krispy Kreme stores
• Devils & Dust was his first album released with a Parental Advisory warning, chiefly due to "Reno"
• At the February 8 Grammy telecast he performed the title track solo, then left the stage without waiting for his partial standing ovation

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

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