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For Springsteen, 'Western Stars' Made Sense After Book, Play

Associated Press

   NEW YORK - "Western Stars" was just the change of pace that Bruce
   Springsteen needed after baring his soul over the past few years.

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

   "I see it like that myself, because for me, there was the book and then
   from the book we did the play. And out of the play really came this
   film," Springsteen told The Associated Press Wednesday at the film's
   New York premiere. The film opened in theaters Oct. 25. The album was
   released in June.

   Film a concert and a commentary

   The songs of "Western Stars" reveal characters experiencing love and
   loss, needing family and partners but sometimes feeling lonely and
   uncertain. In the film, Springsteen performs in front of a live
   audience under the cathedral 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 footage and home movies
   of his family. Several amusing scenes from their honeymoon touched
   wife, Patti Scialfa, who missed last month's world premiere at the
   Toronto International Film Festival.

   "I was surprised, because I hadn't seen it in so long. I hadn'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.

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