Various Artists - One Step Up/Two Steps Back: The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen (1997)

"One Step Up / Two Steps Back: Songs of Springsteen" is one of the most ambitious tribute records ever assembled, boasting two discs and 28 tracks of Bruce Springsteen covers. Comprised equally of newly recorded numbers and previously released tracks, the album is divided between classic Springsteen numbers on disc one, and unreleased songs, rarities and tunes the Boss never recorded on disc two.
By and large, the performances are faithful to the songs and Springsteen's heartland rock aesthetic, which shouldn't be surprising considering Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, John Hiatt, Clarence Clemons, Nils Lofgren, Joe Grushecky, Marshall Crenshaw and Dave Alvin all contribute tracks.
But the best moments on the collection come from artists like the Smithereens, John Wesley Harding, Syd Straw and David Bowie, who stretch Springsteen's sound and make the songs their own. Those are the cuts that make One Step Up / Two Steps Back interesting for non-fanatics, but any diehard Springsteen fan should take a listen to this collection, since the interpretations are all of a consistently high quality.

Track List:
Disc: 1
01. "Aram - Something in the Night" - 4:24
02. "Smithereens - Downbound Train" - 3:45
03. "Kurt Neumann - Atlantic City" - 4:27
04. "John Wesley Harding - Jackson Cage" - 3:30
05. "Nils Lofgren - Wreck on the Highway" - 4:34
06. "John Hiatt - Johnny 99" - 4:34
07. "Dave Alvin - Seeds" - 6:17
08. "Joe Grushecky & The Houserockers - Light of Day" - 4:20
09. "Martin Zellar - Darkness on the Edge of Town" - 5:16
10. "Mrs. Fun - Janey, Don't You Lose Heart" - 4:16
11. "Marshall Crenshaw - All or Nothin' at All" - 3:24
12. "Syd Straw - Meeting Across the River" - 3:41
13. "Ben E. King - 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" - 6:06
14. "Paul Cebar - One Step Up" - 4:28

Disc: 2
01. "The Knack - Don't Look Back" - 2:22
02. "Donna Summer - Protection" - 3:37
03. "Joe Cocker - Human Touch" - 3:49
04. "Elliott Murphy - Stolen Car" - 4:03
05. "David Bowie - It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City" - 3:51
06. "Rocking Chairs - Restless Nights" - 3:23
07. "Robbin Thompson - Guilty" - 5:59
08. "Sonny Burgess - Tiger Rose" - 2:27
09. "Gary U.S. Bonds - Love's on the Line" - 3:41
10. "Clarence Clemons & The Red Bank Rockers - Savin' Up" - 4:21
11. "Southside Johnny & The Ashbury Jukes - The Fever" - 5:10
12. "Little Bob Story - Seaside Bar Song [Live]" - 3:22
13. "Allan Clarke - If I Was the Priest" - 4:11
14. "Richie Havens - Streets of Philadelphia" - 4:01

Released: 1997
Label: Capitol Records
Genre: Pop
Length: 1:57:17
Producer: Various