On The Tracks 2.20 – The River

RELEASED 11/10/80

All words and music by Bruce Springsteen.
Recorded at The Power Station, NYC. Mixed at Clover Recording
Studios, LA.

Roy Bittan – Keyboards
Clarence Clemons – Sax, Vocal
Danny Federici – Keyboards, Vocal
Howard “Eddie” Kaylan – Vocal
Bruce Springsteen – g/v/hrc/b
Garry Tallent – Bass, Horn
Steve Van Zandt – Guitar, Vocal
Mark Volman – Vocal
Max Weinberg – Drums

Charts : Billboard #001, entered Nov 1 , 1980

THE TIES THAT BIND 3.29
SHERRY DARLING 4.00
JACKSON CAGE 3.02
TWO HEARTS 2.39
INDEPENDENCE DAY 4.39
HUNGRY HEART 3.15
OUT IN THE STREET 4.15
CRUSH ON YOU 3.08
YOU CAN LOOK… 2.34
I WANNA MARRY YOU 3.20
THE RIVER 4.56
POINT BLANK 5.59
CADILLAC RANCH 3.01
I’M A ROCKER 3.32
FADE AWAY 4.36
STOLEN CAR 3.50
RAMROD 3.57
THE PRICE YOU PAY 5.24
DRIVE ALL NIGHT 8.22
WRECK ON THE HIGHWAY 3.44

BE TRUE (B SIDE) 3.38
HELD UP WITHOUT A GUN (B SIDE) 1.13

ROULETTE (B SIDE) 3.42

ALTERNATES

(TO)BE TRUE V1 3.46 DROC1
V2 dbl track vocal 3.45 TTTB
V3 TAKE 28 3.48 DROC1
V4 count in 3.50 DROC1
V5 original version 3.39 LMVI
3.37 TRACKS
V2 – has double tracked vocals and the sax solo comes in later
V4 – has more bass, double tracked vocal and a different sax solo
V5 is also double tracked vocally and may pre-date V2
Tracks version from 21/7/79 with lyric changes.
All the takes show the different subtle arrangements the band can give to a song.

CADILLAC RANCH 2.58 RO/DROC2
This version features a different vocal and a different guitar effect at the end

CRUSH ON YOU V1 no sax solo/slower 3.19 RO/DROC2
V2 fade in/out 3.06 RO/DROC2
Both versions have the same vocal which is not the same as the official take, there is also a slight change in verse 2 with “little girl” instead of “darling” being used.
V1 has more background vocals and a different mix with no solos from guitar or sax.

DRIVE ALL NIGHT 0.59 LMVII
Small segment of Bruce solo working out a part of the song and referring back to a studio take in the process.

FADE AWAY V1
V2 (vocal 19) 4.46 RO/DROC2
Both versions are different mixes of the official track

HUNGRY HEART V1 TAKE 2 3.21 TTTB
V2 Original speed 3.44 DROC2
V3 Instrumental 2.48 DROC2
V4 (21/6/79) 3.26 LMVI
V5 vocals vary (21/6/79) 3.18 LMVI
V6 different harmonies 3.29 LMVI
V1 has only minor mix variations to the official track
V2 features the full unedited take at the original speed prior to it being speeded up for release. The outro is longer and comes to a halt rather than fading out as on the official release
V4 is an alternate mix at the original spped with extended ending
V5 has minor vocal changes & V6 has different harmony sections as well as being speeded up.

I WANNA MARRY YOU V1 (TAKE 8) 3.27 RO/DROC2
V2 (TAKE 9) 3.25 RO/DROC2
V3 (TAKE 22) 3.20 RO/DROC2
V4 (TAKE 4) 3.22 TTTB/DROC2
V5 (new vocal) 3.30 LMV
V6 (TAKE 16) 3.30 LMV
V7 (TAKE 22) 3.28 LMV
V8 (TAKE 24) 3.21 LMV
V9 (TAKE 12) 3.31 LMV
All these are different mixes with the same vocal as on the official track V4 was recorded on 24/9/79. V5 – 9 are with a different vocal and have various different mixes, mainly to the organ/keyboards and date from 20/7/79.

INDEPENDENCE DAY (full take with the
extended ending) 5.27 DROC1

JACKSON CAGE V1 1.18 DROC2/LMVII
V2 2.42 LMXV
V3 2.55 LMXV
V4 1.31 LMEC2
V1 are mere fragments of what would eventually become the song.
V2/3 are from a band rehearsal 5/2/80 and feature different music and lyrics from the final version
See also White Town. V4 is a very early demo with Bruce singing the lyrics over the music from Restless Nights. Some of the lyrics are reused in the track “Where The Bands Are”

OUT IN THE STREET V1 unedited 4.13 DROC2
V2 Different vocal 4.14 DROC2
Both takes are unedited and feature different vocal takes to the official one.

PRICE YOU PAY V1 alt verse three 5.43 TTTB/DROC2
V2 different lyrics &
more verses 5.29 LMVI
Take 1 of the song with the extra verse 3 as performed on the tour. Recorded on 25/9/79
The second version is radically different with a shorter intro and lyric changes with extra verses and was recorded on 21/6/79.

POINT BLANK V1 (TAKE 12) 4.59 DROC1
V2 (TAKE 11) 5.07 DROC1
V3 (TAKE 9) 5.37 DROC1
V4 (TAKE 3) 5.24 DROC1
V5? 0.56 LMC
All these feature completely different music to the released version with alternate lyrics. Guitar lines and drums vary between the various versions. We can only speculate as to why these versions exist as the eventually released track is virtually the same as the version played on tour in 1978. V5 is a acoustic workup of a guitar part which Bruce hums over a guitar backing from June 1979.

RAMROD V2 clear mix 3.50 DROC1
V3 more bass/drum 3.46 RO
V4 more vocal on solo 3.39 RO/DROC2
V5 dbl track vocal 3.45 RO
V6 end only 0.28 RO/DROC2
V7 different mix 4.20 LMV
V8 different mix 4.20 LMV
V8 different mix and vocal 4.23 LMV
V9 tail section/sax part snippets LMV
These are basically variants on the mix. The track was probably developed from the Darkness out-take where it was originally recorded. V7 – 9 date from 20/7/79

THE RIVER (TAKE 5) 4.44 TTTB
Recorded on 3/9/79, this is an earlier take with a different mix, no backing vocal and an alternate main vocal
See also the track “Oh Angelyne” which was the early rough version with many of the final lyrics.

SHERRY DARLIN’ This may be
a Darkness take 4.05 DROC2
This take is an alternate mix with more audience noise at the beginning and in the middle section

STOLEN CAR
(AKA SON YOU MAY KISS THE BRIDE)
V1 4.18 DBTR
V2 4.13 DBTR
V3 (TAKE 3) (26/7/79) 4.24 TTTB/DROC2/TRACKS
V4 3 extra verses 4.34 LMVI
V5 4.10 LMVI
V6 band rehearsals LMXIII
V7 full take 3.39 LMXIII
V8 practice takes LMXIII
V9 practice takes LMXIII
V10 7.42 LMXV
V11 6.14 LMXV
V12 7.31 LMXV
V13 7.58 LMXV
V14 3.21 LMEC2
These takes have a different arrangement, alternate lyrics and an additional verse to the official take.
V3 is an later full take recorded 24/9/79 with slight lyric variations as well as the extra verse.
V4 is longer and has slight differences to the V3 take V4 & 5 date from a very early session of 21/6/79 and feature early versions of the track prior to it being slimmed down
V6-13 are from Jan 1980 and feature the song evolving from the original out-take (and lyrics) to the final version through several incarnations including some which have everything included from both variants.
V14 is probably the earliest demo with the lyrics sung over the music from the band demo version of Restless Nights.

THE TIES THAT BIND (TAKE 8) 3.29 TTTB/DROC2
Different mix 3.25 LMVI
band rehearsal (*) 4.02 LMXIV
Basically similar to the released version with a minor lyric difference in the chorus

TWO HEARTS (*) band rehearsals #1 2.36 LMXI
from 22/2/80 #2 1.55 LMXI
at Telegraph #3 2.37 LMX1
Hill #4 2.41 LMXI
#5 1.13 LMXI
#6 0.53 3.20 LMXI
#7 5.08 LMXI
#8 3.26 LMXI
Solo take 1.09 LMVII
#2,5, & 7 are just segments of the song.
#1 & 3 are full takes.
#4 has a key change
#6 & 8 have the most radical changes with a new verse and guitar solo added in.
Shows how the band change a song in a very subtle way with each refinement – fascinating.
The solo take is from 11/1/80 and is an early work through prior to rehearsing with the Band.

WRECK ON THE HIGHWAY country version 3.30 LMXIII
This is a band rehearsal of the song with a different approach

YOU CAN LOOK V1 home demo 1.13 DROC1
V2 home demo 2.09 DROC1
V3 (TAKE 3)
(Rockabilly version) 2.04 TTTB/DROC2
V4 acoustic 1.56 RO
V5 solo master 2.40 LMVII
V6 solo master 2.42 LMVII
V1/2 are home acoustic demos probably from around June 1979
V3 – the so-called rockabilly version was made into an acetate and was recorded on 1/9/79, it features a different arrangement.
V5 & 6 are solo demos from 11/1/80 and feature radically different reggae style versions, with alternate lyrics. V6 is the best of these.

RIVER OUT-TAKES

BABY COME BACK 2.01 LMIX

BABY DON’T GO V1 fairly complete 2.26 LMVIII
V2 faster diff version 1.08 LMVIII

BREAK MY HEART (TONIGHT) (*) V1 complete 2.46 LMXIV
V2 sax solo 3.00 LMXIV
Another pretty good song – complete take with the sax solo’s being worked on in V2

BRING ON THE NIGHT (*) V1 (14/5/79) 0.53 0.55 LMXI
V2 2.36 LMXII
V3 3.15 LMXI
V4 4.10 LMIX
V5 1.20 LMIX
Full Take (13/6/79) 2.35 TRACKS
A different version to the Darkness out-take, two small snippets – still fairly dull V2 is a fuller band rehearsal take and sounds the same as the Darkness out-take?
V3 have different music and are acoustic demos prior to the band working on the song. Music is very like that used on the “Love And Kisses” acoustic demos
V5 is another acoustic demo with a tune and structure closer to that in V2
Tracks version is complete, with worked out lyric and is exactly the length of the original Darkness/River outtake. The song contains lines and themes found in the track “My Love Will Not Let You Down”

CHAIN LIGHTNING V1 initial verse 1.07 LMVIII
V2 second verse 1.24 LMVIII
V3 snippet 0.29 LMVIII
V4 (30/3/79) 2.18 LMIV
V1- 3 Another acoustic and fragmentary song which went on to be recorded by the band in rehearsals. Good driving rock song. V4 – band rehearsal – great song, another unreleased classic

CHEVROLET DELUX

V1 one verse/chorus 1.17 DROC1
V2 diff verse/chorus 1.53 DROC1
V3 diff verse – faster 1.35 DROC1
V4 vocal higher 1.49 DROC1
V5 diff verse/part chorus 1.10 DROC1
V6 most complete take 5.06 DROC1
V7 band rehearsal 5.19 LMXII
V8 band rehearsal 6.53 LMXII
V1-6 are the acoustic work up of the song known for some time
V7-8 are full take band rehearsals which are excellent

CINDY V1 (TAKE 3) 2.18 TTTB/DROC2
V2 alt take 2.24 LMV
V3 alt with harm vocal 2.24 LMV

This is the same track which has been known for some time, but has circulated at the wrong speed previously. V2 & 3 are from 20/7/79 and feature Clarence (V3) on vocal harmonies and a different mix.

DOLLHOUSE V1 2.12 LMC
V2 0.48 LMC
3.29 TRACKS
V1/2 are acoustic demos which have very different words to the final studio cut. The demos date from June 1979 whilst the studio take is from 21/8/79.

DOWN IN WHITETOWN
V1 3.06 DROC1
V2 3.13 LMVII
V3 0.55 LMVII
V4/5 0.50/0.43 LMVII
Very undeveloped track, V1 contains some lyrics which were later used in Jackson Cage and the track is indeed very similar to You Gotta Be Kind (see above). The V3 take is interrupted by Bruce for some harmonies for Drive All night and it seems that V4/5 may be a continuation or even the same track replayed.

EVERYONE LOVES YOU 1.12 LMIX

EVERYBODY’S LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY
(AKA “BLACKWOOD“) 0.43 DROC1

EVERYBODY WANTS MY BABY 2.47 LMVII

EVERY DAY AND EVERY NIGHT 4.02 LMVIII
Has some similarities to “Janey Don’t You Lose Heart” but the relationship isn’t clear, some guitar lines from the “Protection” acoustic demos are also used

FADE TO BLACK V1 4.12 LMVII
V2 0.46 LMVII

FIND IT WHERE YOU CAN (*) V1 1.36 LMXIV
V2 full take 3.53 LMXIV
V3 acoustic 2.47 LMIX
Another gem – tremendous song
V3 is the acoustic demo

FROM SMALL THINGS V1 acoustic demo
V2 full band demo 2.30 DROC2
Tremendous version of the song given to Dave Edmunds.

HELD UP WITHOUT A GUN
V1 1.07 DROC1
V2 0.10 DROC1

#1 band rehearsals at 5.33 LMXI
#2 Telegraph Hill 1.10 LMXI
#3 22/2/80 1.15 LMXI
#4 1.11 LMXI
#5 1.34 LMXI
#6 1.13 LMXI
#7 2.00 LMXI
#8 1.12 LMXI
V1 -2 Almost identical to the released version.
The band rehearsal takes are very different to the studio arrangement.
#1,5 & 7 are segments while the band work out different changes.
Of the full takes #4 is the most interesting having only Miami Steve on vocals.

I DON’T KNOW 1.35 DROC1

I DON’T WANNA BE (*) (16/9/79) 3.37 LMIV
Excellent track, with the vocal too low unfortunately.

(I WANNA BE) WHERE THE BANDS ARE 3.27 DROC1
3.42 TRACKS
A great rocking track worthy of inclusion on the LP. Tracks version from 9/10/79 is I think the same take that has already circulated but is now at the right speed and the quality is so much better – probably due to proper mixing. Some lyrics from this track end up being used again in Jackson Cage.

I WANNA BE WITH YOU 3.12 LMVI
3.15 TRACKS
Newly discovered version from The River sessions, more powerful than the Darkness out-take
Tracks version recorded 31/5/79 is different to the Lost Masters take with lyric changes in the third chorus and last verse.

I WANNA START A BRAND NEW LIFE 1.25 DROC1

I’M GONNA BE THERE TONIGHT (*)
V1 2.13 DROC2
V2 slower 3.27 DROC2
Very early incarnation of Out in The Street. The lyrics are incomplete and different to the later versions.

IN THE CITY TONIGHT (*)

V1 – intro work outs 4.47 LMXIV
V2 – complete take 4.14 LMXIV
V3 – change takes 1.37 LMXIV
V4 – complete take 4.01 LMXIV
V5 – various segments 8.41 LMXIV
V6 – complete new take 3.46 LMXIV
V7 – end segments 3.19 LMXIV
Another glimpse into the recording process of the band – segments are worked on, included in the song and then worked on again. This song recorded 25/3/79 as a band rehearsal – It’s worth noting that the “Untitled” song on DROC2 is this track, and appears to be some of the same takes, but in poorer quality

UNTITLED #1 (*) 0.54 DROC2
UNTITLED #2 (*) 0.38 DROC2
See “In The City Tonight” – These are just fragments of a song being worked on.

JEANNIE NEEDS A SHOOTER V1 harmonies 1.34 LMVIII
V2 2.08 LMVIII
A version of “Janey Needs A Shooter” using the same words as the earlier outtakes in V2. V1 is just the new guitar part with harmonies by Bruce.

JOLE BLON V1 4.44 LMXIII
V2 1.29 LMXIII
V3 3.44 LMXIII
from a band rehearsal Jan 1980 – V2/3 are slowed down

LIVING ON THE EDGE OF THE WORLD
V1 3.52 LMXII
V2 4.26 LMXII
V3 4.16 LMXII
4.14 TRACKS
V1-3 are all rehearsal takes which are musically the same as the final track but the words are very difficult to make out and seem different – they may be bluffed vocals however. Tracks version recorded 7/12/79. Lyrics are a formative version of those used on “Open all Night” and there is a line later used in “State Trooper“. Great track though.

LOOKING FOR LOVE (*) AKA “OUT ON THE RUN“

V1 early 2.42 DROC2
V2 complete 2.47 LMXIV
V3 complete 2.50 LMXIV
V4 complete 3.04 LMXIV
V5 0.51 LMIX
V1 has incomplete lyrics. V2 – 4 must be a later session with more complete lyrics and more polished band performances. Real enthusiastic endings to a couple of takes. V5 is the original acoustic guitar riff.

LOOKING OUT FOR NUMBER ONE
(AKA “MR OUTSIDE“) V1 3.09 DROC1
V2 0.25 DROC1

LOOSE ENDS V1 mix No 1 4.01 DROC1
V2 faster guitar 4.00 DROC1
V3 (TAKE 2) 4.04 TTTB
4.00 TRACKS
V1 and 2 are rough mixes with musical differences and rough vocals
V3 was recorded (or mixed down) on 23/9/79 – and we all know whose birthday that is.
Tracks version from 18/7/79 and may be the same as V3 but is a different mix.

LOVE AND KISSES V1 two segments 0.18 2.44 LMVIII
V2 harmony 0.25 LMVIII
V3 2.20 LMIX
All these are acoustic demos with V3 being the most complete version – some of this is used on “Looking For Love”

LOVE IS A GUN V1 1.14 LMIX
V2 4.14 LMIX

LOVE WILL GET YOU DOWN V1 1.16 LMIX
V2 5.00 LMIX
V3 0.44 LMIX
V4 1.10 LMIX

MAN WHO GOT AWAY V1 (acoustic demo) 2.55 LMIV
V2 1.14 LMVIII
V3 4.00 LMIV
V2 features Bruce humming harmony parts over what appears to be the demo V1
V3 is a band version from 30/3/79

MARY LOU V1 intro/harmony 0.42 LMVIII
V2 diff lyrics 1.18 LMVIII
V3 diff lyrics 2.13 LMVIII
V4 diff lyrics 2.45 LMVIII
V5 no count/longer 3.19 DBTR
V6 count in 3.09 DROC1
V7 very early demo 3.03 DROC2

V8 band rehearsals 2.00 LMXI
V9 At Telegraph Hill 0.34 LMXI
V10 14/5/79 2.13 LMXI
V11 3.14 LMXI
V12 3.13 LMXI
V13 3.10 LMXI
V14 band rehearsal _16/9/79) 3.04 LMIV
full take (30/5/79) 3.18 TRACKS
V1-4 Very early acoustic versions of this “Be True” variant – the different versions have altered lyrics as Bruce writes it as he goes along.
The song that ultimately developed into Be True.
V8-14 The band rehearsals are interesting, but not as much as some of the other rehearsal session material. Some are segments only, the rest are full takes.
Some of the lyrics also turn up in “White Lies”

NIGHT FIRE (*) V1 4.41 DROC2
V2 2.08 DROC2
V3 5.03 DROC2
V4 (30/3/79) 4.40 LMIV
Again a very rough incomplete song which resembles Jackson Cage in feel – the takes illustrate the way Bruce and the band interact in the studio.

OH ANGELYNE
V1 1.35 DROC1/LMVI
V2 0.49 LMVI
V3 2.59 LMVI
V4 2.20 LMVI
Very early version of “The River”

PARTY LIGHTS 3.23 LMVII
Early version of Fade Away with some resemblances to I Wanna Marry You.

PROTECTION V1 fairly complete 3.34 LMVIII
V2 small section 0.51 LMVIII
V3 several sections LMVIII
V4 complete take 3.25 LMVIII
V5 harmony part 0.16 LMVIII
Probably an early version of the BITUSA outtake of the same name – some of the lyrics are the same but the music is different.

RESTLESS NIGHTS 3.52 DROC1
V1 slow version 2.37 LMXII
V2 3.41 LMXII
V3 practice takes 0.42/0.54 LMXII
V4 practice segments 2.05/2.02 LMXII
V5 instrumental break 3.39 LMXII
V6 4.32 LMXII
V7 4.29 LMXII
V8 0.40/5.01 LMXIII
V9 various segments LMXIII
V10 new solos 3.30 LMXIII
V11 various segments LMXIII
V12 full take/ending 3.49/0.30 LMXIII
V13 full take new end 3.47 LMXIII
Final version 3.41 TRACKS
Another stunning completed out-take. V1-7 from band rehearsals 10/1/80, V8-13 from 11/1/80 rehearsals, with very low vocals. Another insight into the recording process with the band trying new segments and then adding them to full takes of the song. Some versions are much faster than the finally finished track and several include great solos from various members.
Tracks version is from 11/4/80 and has a different vocal mix.

RICKI WANTS A MAN OF HER OWN V1 2.47 DROC1
V2 2.54 LMV
V3 2.43 TRACKS
Finished track which many argue is better than some that made it to the LP. V2 is from 20/7/79 and features minor lyric changes and a different mix with the organ featured more. V3 features a different next to last verse (two lines are changed) and is from 16/7/79 – misdated 77 on the liner notes to TRACKS.

ROULETTE V1 3.37 DROC2
V2 vocal/pace slower 3.42 RO
V3 milder guitar solo 3.42 RO
V4 Dbl track vocal 2.26 DROC1
V5?? original full take 3.46 DROC1
V6 real original (3/4/79) 3.39 LMIV
V7 (acoustic demo) 1.26 LMIV
3.49 TRACKS
Eventually released as a B – side this was an out-take for a long time.
V1 is a take without any of the piano
V4 is a partial take with double tracked vocals and a different tempo
V5 is the original full take with the original drum sound
V6 is a band rehearsal from very early in the sessions
V7 is Bruce’s original acoustic demo of the song

SHE’S A ROCKER V1 (TAKE 4) 3.20 LMV
V2 (TAKE 6) 3.22 LMV
Basically this is the same as “I’m A Rocker” but with different lyrics.

SLOW FADE V1 18.57 LMXV
V2 2.52 LMXV
V3 3.10 LMXV
V4 3.24 LMXV
V5 2.49 LMXV
V6 3.04 LMXV
V7 acoustic demo 2.38 LMC
Interesting rehearsal session of a song which disappeared without much of a trace – a lyric sheet exists
V1 is a massive selection of different work -outs, the rest are full takes but the lyrics are hard to decipher apart from V7 which is a full acoustic take.

STOCKTON BOYS V1 2.46 LMVII
V2 1.23 LMVII
V3/4 1.08 LMVII
A few run throughs of a promising song, with lyric variations between each version.

STOCKTON GIRLS 1.42 LMVII
Essentially same as Stockton Boys, with lyric changes.

TAKE ‘EM AS THEY COME V1 4.16 DROC2
V2 5.32 LMIX
V3 0.54 LMIX
V4 4.20 DDITV
V5 4.25 TRACKS
One of the best out-takes from this era – V1 is the full band studio version
V2 is the original acoustic work out with mostly bluffed lyrics. V3 is a brief acoustic structure similar to the band version. V4 is a full band with extra verse. Tracks version recorded 10/4/80, last two verses are different to other versions.

THE TIME INBETWEEN 0.15 DROC1

UNDER THE GUN V1 intro/chorus 4.38 LMVIII
V2 riff 0.17 LMVIII
V3 riff/chorus 0.54 LMVIII
V4 two segments 1.40 2.17 LMVIII
V5 segment 0.45 LMVIII
V6 3.02 LMIV
V7 3.03 LMIV
V8 2.44 LMIV
V9 2.06 LMIV
V10 1.54 LMIV
V1-5 are the acoustic demos for the song, one lyric from here is used on The River.
V6-10 are band rehearsals of the song and are interesting as not only do we get a previously unheard out-take but we also see how the band have a pre-conceived idea of how long the track should be and then play with the different parts to achieve this. The takes date from 30/3/79 and the song is also known as “Rich Punk“.

WALKING ON THE AVENUE V1 3.38 LMIX
V2 3.00 LMIX

Fairly complete run through of a song not unlike This Little Girl.

WALK DON’T RUN (*) (22/2/80) 2.20 LMXI
This is not a Bruce original (it is a version of Pipeline by The Chantals)

WHITE LIES
(AKA “DON’T DO IT TO ME“) (alt Be True) 2.42 DROC1
Similar to Be True in some ways

YOU GOTTA BE KIND 1.59 LMVII
Another reggae style song

YOU GOTTA FIGHT 2.09 DROC1

All tracks were recorded at The Power Station, NY between April 1979 and August 1980, although the sessions are divided between 1979, when a single album was planned (the so called “Ties That Bind” the cover mock up of which is shown above) and 1980 when the decision was taken to release a double LP.

It seems there were band rehersals to work out songs which may or may not have been used for subsequent studio treatment.

Most of these sessions were done in the studio but were “live” takes of acoustic demos of songs Bruce was working on. Tracks marked above with (*) are said to originate at this type of session, and it is suggested that most of these were in early 1979, although some date from later in the sessions. Information available from the Lost Masters so far would indicate that some of these band rehearsal sessions are from Telegraph Hill, Holmdel indicating Bruce’s House.

The first song recorded at the sessions, in the studio, was Roulette, of which the first version known is from 3/4/79. Tapes from before this date are known – ie Chain Lightning, Under The Gun etc from 30/3/79 but these are the band rehearsals prior to using studio time.

The tape formerly labelled “Pre-River Demos” with tracks including Chevrolet Delux, You Can Look, Whitetown, etc being worked up as acoustic demos more likely dates from around June 1979 mid way through the River sessions and therefore is included here. These type of tracks originate from tapes Bruce was obviously using to record ideas at home which ultimately might evolve into fully fledged songs. Whilst many of the takes are mere fragments, some are more complete versions.

The tapes do give a fasinating perspective to the recording process Bruce goes through in developing a song. From the more recent Lost Masters releases we get the original acoustic ideas, followed by the band rehearsals and ultimately, if the song made it that far, a polished studio version, or versions.