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Lost And Found: Selections From The Lost Albums (2025)

Once again, Bruce Springsteen reaches into his deep vault to release the second massive boxed set of material that for any number of reasons, did not get released. These 20 tracks are pulled from various albums in that boxed set. I’m glad that he offered up a budget sampling of material for those of us unable to swing the cost of the seven CD set. Many will unfairly call the boxed set “leftovers.”

“The compilation showcases his versatility across genres: from the raw, lo-fi LA Garage Sessions ’83 that bridges Nebraska and Born in the U.S.A., to the innovative drum loops and synthesizers of Streets of Philadelphia Sessions unreleased film soundtrack work from Faithless, soulful country arrangements with pedal steel from Somewhere North of Nashville, richly textured border tales from Inyo, orchestral mid-century noir from Twilight Hour.” – Springsteen’s website.

I was curious about this 20 track set so I borrowed a copy to check it out. My first reaction was, this is quite a mixture of musical styles. Some songs appealed to me at first listen, others didn’t. Realizing I needed to give this another listen or two, I did so.

These are not E Street Band songs. These are full-on Bruce Springsteen songs. Yes, there are tracks that occasionally feature a band member, but Springsteen is the lead craftsman here.

From the LA Garage Sessions ‘83. Bruce on all of the instruments. These are pretty good songs. Glad they were released here.Recorded around the time of Nebraska and Born in the U.S.A. Bruce was reportedly not in very good shape on several levels. Writing and recording was his way of dealing with the darkness. “Follow That Dream”
“Seven Tears”
“Unsatisfied Heart”

From Streets of Philadelphia Sessions. Again, he plays almost of the instruments. These are moody songs, but really like them. Heavy use of drum machines and synthesizers. The “loops album” this is called. He recorded the songs during 1994-95, mostly by himself. Very somber and lacking the traditional rock and roll approach, considering the rise of grunge and indie rock.
“Blind Spot”
“Something In The Well”
“Waiting On The End Of The World”

From Faithless. The album these tracks come from were “intended to be a soundtrack for a ‘spiritual Western’ film that was never produced.” Recorded in the 2000s while in Florida, is described by writer Steven Hyden as “Bruce at his most ethereal, with an emphasis on atmospheric instrumentals.” There is an earthiness in these songs, a spirituality like you could hear these two songs around the campfire, the church of the plains. I’d like to hear more of this album.
“Faithless”
“God Sent You”

From Somewhere North of Nashville. Springsteen said these songs were inspired by “the sounds of honky tonk, rockabilly and uptempo country.” He recorded this batch of songs at the same time as The Ghost of Tom Joad. Springsteen used several members of the E Street Band for the sessions. The songs included here are probably my least favorite.
“Repo Man”
“Detail Man”
“You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone”

From Inyo. Recorded maybe in the late 1990s, this is Bruce delving into the experience of Mexican immigration on the fabric of America. He worked with a mariachi band no less. Interesting variation, he never stands still.
“The Lost Charro”
“Inyo”
“Adelita”

From Twilight Hours. In the spirit of his album Western Stars, his journey into the lush and cinematic world of the 1960s. With complex arrangements of the Burt Bacharach/Jimmy Webb style, these song could fit on that record. Dismissed by many fans and critics, Western Stars is one of my top Springsteen albums. These three songs are lovely.
“Sunday Love”
“High Sierra”
“Sunliner”

From Perfect World. Recorded from the mid 1990s to the present. More rock and roll, songs that didn’t fit, but couldn’t be left behind. Several gems here.
“I’m Not Sleeping”
“Rain in the River”
“You Lifted Me Up”

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Final Thoughts…

Unfortunately, I can’t invest in the big boxed set, but appreciate that he gave a broad sampling of what he unearthed. There is a diverse style represented here, even the songs I didn’t warm to, still are interesting knowing about.