Bruce at The Super Bowl....

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.

:)

Whilst Springsteen has clearly been influenced by Dylan-he certainly doesn't want to be him, he has carved his own route.
Utter nonsense.

OK, maybe I engaged in a little hyperbole, and, yes, Bruce has carved his own route. But I think there's a lot of truth in what I said.

Nobody is Dylan, and I can't think of somebody better to aspire to be. Bruce didn't invent it, but, yes, has refined it to his own style. It seems that 98% of his fans don't see that, and think that Bruce originated it. I realize I'm shifting my argument from the artist to his fans, but so be it.

I stand by my opinion, including the facts that Bruce is extremely talented, a great songwriter, and great live.