American Babylon (25th Anniversary Edition)

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Original

Collaboration

Compilation

Commercially Released: October 17, 1995
 / October 29, 2021 (25th Anniversary) / April 29, 2022 (25th Anniversary Vinyl)
Label: Plr / Cleveland International (25th Anniversary)
Produced by Bruce Springsteen, Joe Grushecky ("American Babylon" only),
 Rick Witkowski ("American Babylon" and Disc 2)
Recorded by Toby Scott, Rick Witkowski
Mixed by Bob Clearmountain, Toby Scott
Mastered by Dave Collins
Design by Harry Choron, Sandra Choron
Photography by Pam Springsteen, Bruce Springsteen, Neal Preston

Overview

American Babylon is a Joe Grushecky record with The Houserockers, produced by Bruce Springsteen. Bruce also co-wrote two of its songs, played various instruments, and sang backup on many tracks. The 25th Anniversary Edition releases include full bonus discs with lots of Springsteen content as well.

^{Source: Wikipedia}

Released

Audio - American Babylon

#	Song Title	Running Time	Release
1.	DARK AND BLOODY GROUND	5:39	GUEST: BABYLON
2.	CHAIN SMOKIN'	4:02	GUEST: BABYLON
3.	NEVER BE ENOUGH TIME	5:32	GUEST: BABYLON
5.	LABOR OF LOVE	4:55	GUEST: BABYLON
6.	WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE WAR	3:33	GUEST: BABYLON
7.	HOMESTEAD	4:11	GUEST: BABYLON
8.	COMIN' DOWN MARIA	4:20	GUEST: BABYLON
9.	TALK SHOW	5:15	GUEST: BABYLON
11.	BILLY'S WALTZ	3:10	GUEST: BABYLON
12.	ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE	5:52	GUEST: BABYLON

^{Total Running Time: 55:08}

Audio - American Babylon (25th)

#	Song Title	Running Time	Release
1.1.	DARK AND BLOODY GROUND	5:39	GUEST: BABYLON
1.2.	CHAIN SMOKIN'	4:02	GUEST: BABYLON
1.3.	NEVER BE ENOUGH TIME	5:32	GUEST: BABYLON
1.5.	LABOR OF LOVE	4:55	GUEST: BABYLON
1.6.	WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE WAR	3:33	GUEST: BABYLON
1.7.	HOMESTEAD	4:11	GUEST: BABYLON
1.8.	COMIN' DOWN MARIA	4:20	GUEST: BABYLON
1.9.	TALK SHOW	5:15	GUEST: BABYLON
1.11.	BILLY'S WALTZ	3:10	GUEST: BABYLON
1.12.	ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE	5:52	GUEST: BABYLON
1.13.	CHAIN SMOKIN' (Demo)	3:52	GUEST: BABYLON25
1.14.	NEVER BE ENOUGH TIME (Demo)	5:17	GUEST: BABYLON25
1.15.	ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (Demo)	5:42	GUEST: BABYLON25
2.3.	BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN INTRO (Live)	0:50	GUEST: BABYLON25
2.4.	WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE WAR (Live)	4:01	GUEST: BABYLON25
2.5.	CHAIN SMOKIN' (Live)	4:35	GUEST: BABYLON25
2.6.	LABOR OF LOVE (Live)	6:33	GUEST: BABYLON25
2.7.	NEVER BE ENOUGH TIME (Live)	6:35	GUEST: BABYLON25
2.8.	DARK AND BLOODY GROUND (Live)	5:29	GUEST: BABYLON25
2.9.	PUMPING IRON (Live)	8:36	GUEST: BABYLON25
2.10.	HOMESTEAD (Live)	4:32	GUEST: BABYLON25
2.11.	AMERICAN BABYLON (Live)	5:19	GUEST: BABYLON25
2.12.	LIGHT OF DAY (Live)	7:17	GUEST: BABYLON25
2.13.	DOWN THE ROAD APIECE (Live)	6:17	GUEST: BABYLON25

^{Total Running Time: 2:22:28}

Audio - American Babylon (25th Vinyl)

#	Song Title	Running Time	Release
1.1.	DARK AND BLOODY GROUND	5:40	GUEST: BABYLON
1.2.	CHAIN SMOKIN'	4:04	GUEST: BABYLON
1.3.	NEVER BE ENOUGH TIME	5:33	GUEST: BABYLON
1.5.	LABOR OF LOVE	4:57	GUEST: BABYLON
1.6.	WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE WAR	3:34	GUEST: BABYLON
1.7.	HOMESTEAD	4:13	GUEST: BABYLON
1.8.	COMIN' DOWN MARIA	4:23	GUEST: BABYLON
1.9.	TALK SHOW	5:15	GUEST: BABYLON
2.1.	BILLY'S WALTZ	3:13	GUEST: BABYLON
2.2.	ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE	5:54	GUEST: BABYLON
2.4.	BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN INTRO (Live)	0:50	GUEST: BABYLON25
2.5.	WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE WAR (Live)	4:01	GUEST: BABYLON25
2.6.	NEVER BE ENOUGH TIME (Live)	6:34	GUEST: BABYLON25
2.7.	AMERICAN BABYLON (Live)	5:19	GUEST: BABYLON25
2.8.	LIGHT OF DAY (Live)	7:17	GUEST: BABYLON25
2.9.	KEEP A KNOCKIN' (Live)	4:23	GUEST: BABYLON25

^{Total Running Time: 1:29:57}

Additional Information

Artwork

^{© All credits to the original photographer. We do not monetize a photo in any way, but if you want your photo to be removed, let us know, and we will remove it.}

Personnel

• Joe Grushecky: Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica
• The Houserockers
  • Bernie Herr: Percussion
  • Art Nardini: Bass
  • Joe Pelesky: Keyboards
  • Joffo Simmons: Drums
  • Bill Toms: Guitar
• Zack Alford: Drums
• Shane Fontayne: Electric Guitar
• Leon Pendarvis: Keyboards
• Patti Scialfa: Backing Vocals
• Jerome Smith: Bass
• Bruce Springsteen: Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Keyboards, Bass, Percussion
• Rick Witkowski: Backing Vocals

Media

Related Releases

• All Versions
  • American Babylon

• Other
  • Labour Of Love EP

On The Tracks

BILLY'S WALTZ

3:10

GUEST: BABYLON

Note:

CHAIN SMOKIN'

4:02

GUEST: BABYLON

Note:

COMIN' DOWN MARIA

04:22

GUEST: BABYLON

Note: "Comin' Down Maria" was produced by Springsteen, who also provided the majority of musical accompaniment for the recording, which took place on July 12, 1994. It also features harmony vocals from Patti Scialfa.

DARK AND BLOODY GROUND - V1		uncirculating
DARK AND BLOODY GROUND - V2	5:39	GUEST: BABYLON

Note: Co-written by Springsteen and Joe Grushecky in 1994–95. Recorded by Bruce Springsteen, Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers at Thrill Hill Recording, Beverly Hills, March 1995 and released on Grushecky's album American Babylon in October 1995. A Springsteen vocal version exists, but does not circulate.

HOMESTEAD - V1	4:14	SA
HOMESTEAD - V2	4:11	GUEST: BABYLON

Note: Co-written by Springsteen and Joe Grushecky and released on Grushecky's American Babylon album in October 1995. Grushecky wrote the lyrics, which he showed to Springsteen in Los Angeles around October 25, 1993; Springsteen composed the music and the two recorded the song together at the Hit Factory, New York during November 1993. Springsteen's own version surfaced in November 2013, broadcast on E Street Radio.

LABOR OF LOVE

4:39

GUEST: BABYLON / GUEST: LABOUREP

Note:

NEVER BE ENOUGH TIME

5:32

GUEST: BABYLON

Note:

ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE - V1		uncirculating
ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE - V2	05:54	GUEST: BABYLON

Note: "Only Lovers Left Alive" was produced by Springsteen, who also provided the majority of musical accompaniment for the recording, which took place on July 12, 1994. V1 features an extensive guitar workout from Bruce, while V2 was re-recorded with The Houserockers on a later date.

TALK SHOW

05:14

GUEST: BABYLON

Note: "Talk Show" was produced by Springsteen, who also provided the majority of musical accompaniment for the recording, which took place on July 12, 1994.

WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE WAR

3:33

GUEST: BABYLON

Note:

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^{Studio Sessions: Collaborations
Recorded: October 25, 1993, November, 1993, July 12, 1994, March, 1995, and May, 1995.}

Recording 'Live' Dates

Media	Song Title	Recording Date	Location
25th Anniversary Bonus Disc
D2	"Bruce Springsteen Intro" What Did You Do In The War Chain Smokin' Labor Of Love Never Be Enough Time Dark And Bloody Ground Pumping Iron American Babylon Down The Road Apiece	October 20, 1995	Nick's Fat City, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
D2	Homestead Light Of Day Keep A Knockin'	October 21, 1995	Nick's Fat City, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Gallery/News

^{© All credits to the original photographer. We do not monetize a photo in any way, but if you want your photo to be removed, let us know, and we will remove it.}

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Links:

• Springsteen-Produced Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers’ ‘American Babylon 25th Anniversary Edition’ Out This Fall ^{(AmericanBluesScene)}
• Joe Grushecky: Still Rocking the House ^{(DisciplesOfSound)}
• American Babylon: A Retrospective ^{(EStreetShuffle)}
• Grushecky will release deluxe ‘American Babylon’ with Springsteen featured on some live ’95 tracks ^(NJArts)

Lyrics

• American Babylon
• Billy's Waltz
• Chain Smokin'
• Comin' Down Maria
• Dark And Bloody Ground
• Homestead
• Labor Of Love
• Never Be Enough Time
• Only Lovers Left Alive
• Pumping Iron
• Talk Show
• What Did You Do In The War

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