For Springsteen, ‘Western Stars’ made sense after book, play

NEW YORK (AP) — “Western Stars” was just change of pace that Bruce Springsteen needed after baring his soul over past few years.

First, he shared his darkest secrets in his memoir, “Born to Run.” n he spent more than a year telling his story five nights a week in Springsteen on Broway. So, an album set in American West, with an accompanying documentary seemed like perfect bookend.

“I see it like that myself, because for me, re was book and n from book we did play. And out of play really came this film,” Springsteen told Associated Press on blue carpet Wednesday for film’s New York premiere. film opens in aters on Oct. 25. album was released in June.

songs of “Western Stars” reveal characters experiencing love and loss, needing family and partners but sometimes feeling lonely and uncertain. In film, Springsteen performs in front of a live audience under cadral ceiling of his family’s giant old barn with a backing band and orchestra.

Between each song he shares commentary and draws connections to his own life. Springsteen’s voice accompanies archive foot and home movies of his family. Several amusing scenes from ir honeymoon touched wife, Patti Scialfa, who missed last month’s world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival.

“I was surprised, because I hn’t seen it in so long. I hn’t even remembered that we did all those silly things. So, it’s actually very, very sweet. It’s really a lovely surprise,” Scialfa said.

presence of American Southwest is felt in music with hints of Glen Campbell and Jimmy Webb and in vast expanses of land shown in film.

Thom Zimny, who shares directing credit with Springsteen on film, knew y h something special.

“Working on ‘Western Stars’ was an interesting time, because it was a different collaboration. Bruce was with me from day one, and literally we knew we h something different. Because sonic landscape of this music, strings, feeling of West, we knew that was different than ‘Springsteen on Broway,’ and all or projects that we worked with, toger,” Zimny said.

Springsteen has plans for a “Western Stars” tour, inste he’s heing back into studio to work on a new E-Street Band record. Springsteen laughed at tion of incorporating recent social and political upheavals in lyrics of band’s new music. He’s leaning toward personal. Most of what he’s written so far “ruminates a little bit about some of things from my past,” Springsteen said.

“I think it’s a little more forward looking than writing memoir or doing a play,” he said.

At 70, Springsteen still impresses audiences around world with his energetic concert performances, but equally as important is his ability to create an album and film like “Western Stars.” At some point, even most established artists stop making new music and begin resting on ir previous accomplishments, despite having successful tours.

Springsteen’s manr Jon Landau said Boss’ approach to his craft is what precludes him from ever being a stalgia act.

“Never gonna happen. magic is that he’s an artist. He’s an artist every day. He’s t looking back, he’s looking forward. I mean he loves to go on tour, and he loves to play his favorite songs. He loves for his audience to hear him. But if he wasn’t pursuing new things, ne of that would matter. It’s new things that keep him young,” Landau said.

Guests at star-studded premiere included Ralph Lauren, Clive Davis, Jon Stewart, Edward Burns, Harvey Keitel, Steven Van Zandt and Gayle King. Music mogul Jimmy Iovine said he’s t surprised by caliber of work Springsteen is creating at this point in his life.

“What Bruce always tries to do is t compromise and do great. Everyone thinks y’re trying to do great, but deep down inside, some people keep going hard, but y - y end up compromising here and re. And this guy doesn’t. He just has interest in doing it until he is completely satisfied with it,” Iovine said.