Bruce at The Super Bowl....

I think the reason why Bruce is so polarizing is due to his politics. No one begrudges Mick Jagger for being a "Rock Star" because he doesn't try to be anything else. He is what he is.

There is nothing worse than a conservative politician shoving family values down my throat and then getting caught playing footsies in the bathroom stall. Except, when liberals, worth hundreds of millions of dollars try to tell me to drive a hybrid as they run around in jets. I agree with Cleaneduhippy, it's hypocrisy.

"I got the fortunes of heaven in diamonds and gold
I got all the bonds baby that the bank could hold
I got houses 'cross the country honey end to end
And everybody buddy wants to be my friend
Well I got all the riches baby any man ever knew
But the only thing I ain't got honey..."
A - no respect
B - a private life
C - political credibility
It must be tough being a superstar!

I like both Springsteen and Dylan.

They are related but different.Comparisons are difficult for a variety of reasons but to suggest Springsteen isn't fit to carry Dylan's guitar is wrong, badly wrong.

Both have incredible strong suits and both have flaws.
Dylan is less controversial (mostly) because he remained apolitical Springsteen has upset a lot of Americans by being very political.

In both cases you need to look beyond the surface, the myth and the popular conceptions-if you do that you will be deeply rewarded.
However Audiophiles in the main go surface deep with music and throw about glib statements and are stained with deep prejuidices a lot of the time...in the main and that's not aimed at you Audiofeil as you appear to understand music in the main.

My issue is that I think that Springsteen wants to be Dylan, and always has. He's not.

I've seen Bruce live a number of times, and once I get past the hype and ego and the "Jersey", I think he's great live. But I've also seen Dylan - Bob Dylan sang "He Was a Friend of Mine" - and Springsteen, you're no Dylan.

I will try to sort this out:

Bob:

Zimmie. MN. NY Coffee Houses. Baez. The Band. Traitor.
Motorcycle Crash. Sarah. Divorce. Eyeliner. Jesus. No Jesus. Tours. Daniel Lanois. Victoria's Secret. No Super Bowl.

Bruce:

Boss. NJ. NY Clubs. Ski Cap and Wife Beater. Wordy songs.
Chevys. Darkness. More Darkness. Hit Machine. Wedding. Divorce. Remarry. Sack Band. Nu Soul. Film Scores. Rehire Band. Tours. Super Bowl.

:)