"Darkness was my 'samurai' record," Springsteen writes,
"stripped to the frame and ready to rumble.” But the music that
got left behind was substantial.
This extraordinary deluxe package comprises nearly six hours of
film and more than two hours of audio across 3 CDs and 3 DVDs. It
comes with an 80-page containing facsimiles from
Springsteen's original s from the sessions,
which include alternate lyrics, song ideas, details,
and personal notes in addition to a new essay by Springsteen on
the album and never-before-seen photographs.
The Deluxe Package also features The Promise: The Making of
"Darkness" on the Edge of Town, a documentary directed by Grammy-
and Emmy-winning filmmaker Thom Zimny. The ninety-minute film
combines never-before-seen footage of Springsteen and the E
Street Band between 1976 and 1978, including home rehearsals
and studio sessions with new interviews with Springsteen, E
Street Band members, manager Jon Landau, former-manager Mike
Appel, and others closely involved in the making of the record.
In addition, the set features more than four hours of live
concert film from the Thrill Hill Vault, including the bootleg
house cut (the footage that appeared on-screen at the concert)
from a 1978 Houston show, and a 2009 performance of Darkness on
the Edge of Town in its entirety from Asbury Park. The special
performance in Asbury Park was in HD without an audience and
successfully recreates the stark atmosphere of the original
album.
The Deluxe Package also includes Darkness on the Edge of Town,
digitally remastered for the first time, as well as the 2 CD set
The Promise: The Lost Sessions from Darkness On The Edge Of Town.
The two discs contain a total of 21 previously-unreleased songs
from the 'Darkness' sessions, songs that, as
Springsteen writes, "perhaps could have/should have been released
after Born To Run and before the collection of songs that
Darkness on the Edge of Town became." Highlights include the
extraordinary rock version of "Racing in the Street," the
never-before-released original s of "Because the Night,"
"Fire," and "Rendezvous," the supreme pop opus "Someday (We'll Be
Together)," the hilarious "Ain't Good Enough for You," the superb
soul-based vocal performance on "The Broken Hearted," the utterly
haunting "Breakaway," and the now finally released, fully
orchestrated masterpiece and title song, "The Promise." All 21
songs have been mixed by Springsteen's long-time collaborator,
Bob Clearain. According to long-time manager/producer Jon
Landau, "There isn't a weak card in this deck. The Promise is
simply a great listening experience."
This package gives fans an unprecedented look into Springsteen's
creative process during a defining moment in his career.
DVD 1: The Promise: The Making of "Darkness on the Edge of Town"
DVD 2: Darkness on the Edge of Town (Para Theatre, Asbury
Park, NJ, 2009)
1. Badlands
2. Adam Raised A Cain
3. Something In The Night
4. Candy's Room
5. Racing In The Street
6. The Promised Land
7. Factory
8. Streets Of Fire
9. Prove It All Night
10. Darkness On The Edge Of Town
Thrill Hill Vault (1976-1978)
1. Save My Love (Holmdel, NJ 76)
2. Candy's Boy (Holmdel, NJ 76)
3. Something In The Night (Red Bank, NJ 76)
4. Don’t Look Back (NYC 78)
5. Ain't Good Enough For You (NYC 78)
6. The Promise (NYC 78)
7. Candy's Room Demo (NYC 78)
8. Badlands (Phoenix 78)
9. The Promised Land (Phoenix 78)
10. Prove It All Night (Phoenix 78)
11. Born To Run (Phoenix 78)
12. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight) (Phoenix 78)
DVD 3: Houston '78 Bootleg: House Cut
1. Badlands
2. Streets Of Fire
3. It’s Hard To Be A Saint In The City
4. Darkness On The Edge Of Town
5. Spirit In The Night
6. Independence Day
7. The Promised Land
8. Prove It All Night
9. Racing In The Street
10. Thunder Road
11. Jungleland
12. The Ties That Bind
13. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
14. The Fever
15. Fire
16. Candy's Room
17. Because The Night
18. Point Blank
19. She's The One
20. Backstreets
21. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
22. Born To Run
23. Detroit Medley
24. Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
25. You Can't Sit Down
26. Quarter To Three