The cover of Joe Grushecky’s 1995 “American Babylon” album.
A 25th anniversary edition of Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers’ 1995 album American Babylon will be released Oct. 29. Bruce Springsteen produced the original album, played guitar and sang on it, co-wrote two of its songs, and backed Grushecky on a tour promoting it. The new package will include three demos and 12 live tracks from that tour, including some featuring Springsteen.
(OCT. 29 UPDATE: The album has now been released, and its label, Cleveland International, has put two live tracks with Springsteen, “Light of Day” and “Down the Road Apiece,” on YouTube. I have embedded them below.)
The live tracks were recorded at the Nick’s Fat City nightclub in Pittsburgh, Grushecky wrote on Facebook. (According to Brucebase, there were two shows at Nick’s Fat City, on Oct. 20-21, 1995).
For information, visit facebook.com/JoeGrushecky.
Here is the setlist of the deluxe edition, as listed on Apple Music.
CD1:
Original Album:
“Dark and Bloody Ground”
“Chain Smokin’ ”
“Never Be Enough Time”
“American Babylon”
“Labor of Love”
“What Did You Do in the War”
“Homestead”
“Comin’ Down Maria”
“Talk Show”
“No Strings Attached”
“Billy’s Waltz”
“Only Lovers Left Alive”
“Chain Smokin’ ” (demo)
“Never Be Enough Time” (demo)
“Only Lovers Left Alive” (demo)
CD2:
“No Strings Attached” (live)
“Only Lovers Left Alive” (live)
Bruce Springsteen intro (live)
“What Did You Do in the War” (with Bruce Springsteen, live)
“Chain Smokin’ ” (live)
“Labor of Love” (live)
“Never Be Enough Time” (live)
“Dark and Bloody Ground” (live)
“Pumping Iron” (live)
“Homestead” (live)
“American Babylon” (live)
“Light of Day” (feat. Bruce Springsteen, live)
“Down the Road Apiece” (feat. Bruce Springsteen, live)
Since “What You Did in the War” is listed as “with” Springsteen and “Light of Day” and “Down the Road Apiece” are listed as “featuring” Springsteen, I’m assuming he only played guitar and possibly sang backing vocals on “What You Did in the War,” but sang lead or duet vocals on “Light of Day” and “Down the Road Apiece.”
Grushecky performed American Babylon in its entirety at two shows at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park in 2015 (to celebrate the album’s 20th anniversary), and later released a live album from those shows.
We need your help!
CONTRIBUTE TO NJARTS.NET
Since launching in September 2014, NJArts.net, a 501(c)(3) organization, has become one of the most important media outlets for the Garden State arts scene. And it has always offered its content without a subscription fee, or a paywall. Its continued existence depends on support from members of that scene, and the state’s arts lovers. Please consider making a contribution of any amount to NJArts.net via PayPal, or by sending a check made out to NJArts.net to 11 Skytop Terrace, Montclair, NJ 07043.
