I have found over the years that 'speculating' is a favorite pastime for many a Bruce fan.
So....let's speculate. I've seen many opinions regarding this fantastic latest release as possibly being some sort of farewell from Bruce....at least as it pertains to music with the mighty E Street Band. I can't agree with this....at all. Mostly because I'm of the opinion that the best Bruce is Bruce with this Band and based solely on how great 'Letter To You' is, there's more gas in that tank.
There's always a few angles to this guessing game....there's what I 'want' Bruce to do next....what I 'think' Bruce will do next and the the only angle that matters...what Bruce himself decides to do next. I find it hard to believe Bruce would close up the E Street Shop without some gigs. But these days that's an iffy proposition and falls under the 'time will tell' cliche. What I really want is more recordings done in the manner of LTY. I don't care if it's covers....or new stuff Bruce comes up with or revisiting the old catalog. The sounds caught during those few days of recording last Fall are so phenomenal it stands to reason they should get together again for more....while they can.
As far as touring goes....like I'm pretty sure 99% of the fans...I want one more...at least one more show. I'd like to think Bruce wants that too. Only he knows for sure.
So....what's next?
I am wondering, especially if he can't tour until 2022, which I feel is realistic, he might get back in the studio with the band and dig out some more of the old songs. Given the quality of the three on LTY I think that would be a great project.
He said on the Dermot O'Leary interview that he and the band recorded Janey a few years ago, thinking it might be a RSD release, but he thought it was too good for that, but it gave him the idea of revisiting stuff.
I'd say we will get more archive shows, then next year a return to Europe for Stadium shows. U.S shows next in the Fall of '21, then a boxset for the Holidays.
There‘e a number of ways they could put out all sorts of different things and I can’t find one good reason why they don’t.
I don’t see, for example, why they don’t just release existing archive footage that the fans would love to see by just publishing everything on YouTube.
Same goes for lost albums and songs. There is no reason why these can’t be released in a more relaxed and informal way than putting out a box set and everything that comes with that. Well, other than money, that is.
I’d love a new record as much as any fan, but I doubt we’ll see a new album any time soon - this album only came because Bruce had a short burst of writing, so I guess fingers crossed he takes confidence from the success of this record and we get another burst of writing.
In lieu of a tour, I’d love a Darkness Live at the Paramount style performance of the album front to back - hopefully the virus recedes a bit in the US so that something can get organised
Oh Man ....an album of rock and roll covers. I guess i wish they had done this when Clarence and Danny were still in good form. Thank God for the Archive series we did get a decent amount of these.
Unfortunately for all of us ..... The new boss is a little chinese virus because there can be no question that LTY was meant to be toured.
Lets hope the boys ( old men 😯 ) will be healthy and ready to go when the time comes.
There has to be Tracks 2 next year especially if there is no tour, or if there is a tour it would mean there would be product to go along side it. If Bruce is being reflective then the next studio album may be sequel songs. We can find out what happened to all those shut-down strangers and hot rod angels. Or Bruce may take looking back to an extreme and tell the stories and struggles of Americans throughout American history and this would be acoustic. Or, he might write a musical. The last is least likely.
Always in motion, is the future. Especially with our man Bruce.
I think first and foremost Bruce (and the band) are performing musicians. In the absence of COVID, absolutely 100% there would be a tour to look forward to (if not already underway) right now.
But, alas, it is what it is. But I think that itch to get back on the road would be strong. I'd say anything being worked on would be put aside the instant live performing became possible again.
Otherwise, I suspect a box set could be next. Over on BTX a few people who appear to have some insider knowledge have said two years in a row that a Tracks 2 box was ready and planned for Christmas release, but put aside for the Western Stars movie and soundtrack last year and seemingly again this year in favour of the new record. The inference seems to be this is pretty much ready to go with just a decision needed on when to release it.
But who knows... The BITUSA box seemed all but inevitable also at one time, this seems to have gone on the backburner now. Perhaps they are now targeting the 40th anniversary for that one.
The Tracks 2 project also is rumoured to be a 'lost' albums concept more than outtakes from released albums. Who knows, with the success of the three old songs being re-recorded for LTY, perhaps Bruce will start second guessing and reassessing how to present that material also.