Imagine The Boss going through all the pressure of say The Strokes or (God forbid) The Arctic Monkeys.  Despite not having the large media scope helping/hindering today's artists, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band still had a the weight of a nation on their shoulders when they touched down in
Old Blighty for the very first time in late 1975.

In fact it was probably nothing like they were expecting: huge billboards and press ads talking up this gifted group of musicians. The marketing department had done their job. History recalls Springsteen not taking it well and that they were scared as hell before performing. Thankfully history can be re-written (as it always is for the winners).

This 2 disc live documents goes to show that the fear that gripped them prior to taking the stage turned their performance into a cathartic experience both for the band and the audience.  Brilliantly restored by Bob Clearmountain, without removing the charm of the mid 70s, this gig at the Hammersmith Odeon is one of the best live performances put to disc.

A stripped down 'Thunder Road' opens the set with just Bruce's vocals and Professor Roy Bittan's deft piano as backing. The version here shows that behind the Spector-like production, 'Thunder Road' is a wonderfully descriptive tale. The band then kick in for the R&B stomper of 'Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out' where Springsteen's cries of I'm all alone" resonate more so as the stranger in a strange land. By the time they lay out the perfect take on 'Spirit In The Night' it is good night Irene. The crowd and the town is now his and there is nothing anyone can do about it.

The momentum and energy continues throughout the night as song after song they slay the crown. It's Hard To be A Saint In The City and  Rosalita (Come Out Tonight) in particular point out that the E Street Band were on an entirely different plain to everyone else in the 70s whilst the 17 plus minutes of Kitty's Back (with a sneaky nod to Van Morrison) is simply mind-blowing.

Truthfully there is very little to scoff at here though it must be said that the E Street Shuffle does labour in places. Finally bootleggers the world over can throw out their dodgy copies of the Hammersmith Odeon gig and embrace this magnificent release.