{"id":22422,"date":"2020-11-16T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-16T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/?p=22422"},"modified":"2020-11-16T05:23:09","modified_gmt":"2020-11-16T13:23:09","slug":"matr-elvis-costello-bruce-springsteen-and-nils-lofgren-black-ladder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/2020\/11\/16\/matr-elvis-costello-bruce-springsteen-and-nils-lofgren-black-ladder\/","title":{"rendered":"MatR: Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, and Nils Lofgren: Black Ladder"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Only years after the release of Patti Scialfa&#8217;s superb third album, <em>Play It As It Lays<\/em>, would the strength, stamina, devotion, and deep abiding love in the album&#8217;s final two-minute track snap into focus.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Black Ladder&#8221; is one of Patti&#8217;s bravest songs, and one of her most telling.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"758\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wYZfyn8mCO0?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p>Anyone surprised by Bruce Springsteen&#8217;s revelation in 2016 of a lifelong struggle with depression clearly hadn&#8217;t paid much attention to his wife&#8217;s lyrics in 2007.<\/p>\n<p>The titular black ladder is a metaphor for the harrowing journey through the depths of a loved one&#8217;s depression to find, reach, and connect with them. Patti&#8217;s been down that ladder many times.<\/p>\n<p>We all have that ladder, though. Bruce&#8217;s may be particularly deep and well-traveled, but at one time or another, we all fall down it. Patti&#8217;s no exception, as she reveals in &#8220;Black Ladder,&#8221; and her song is at heart a pledge of devotion between two partners willing to make the trip down each other&#8217;s ladder when needed and guide the other back up.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Black Ladder&#8221; is a beautiful, powerful song, and a perfect capstone for a collection of songs breathtaking in their blend of bravery and vulnerability.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s also a an extraordinarily deep cut, even for the most devoted fan.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s why it was a shock and surprise when Elvis Costello chose &#8220;Black Ladder&#8221; for his set list when Bruce made a guest appearance on Elvis&#8217;\u00a0<em>Spectacle\u00a0<\/em>series in 2009. Patti wasn&#8217;t present, and her album was already two years old by that point, so Elvis&#8217; inclusion was purely an expression of admiration and appreciation.<\/p>\n<p>Accompanied by both Bruce and Nils on guitar (in a superb mix), Elvis took the lead vocal and did Patti proud with an achingly beautiful rendition.<\/p>\n<div id=\"v-viP0odNS-1\" class=\"video-player\"><iframe title='VideoPress Video Player' aria-label='VideoPress Video Player' width='758' height='426' src='https:\/\/videopress.com\/embed\/viP0odNS?hd=1&amp;cover=1&amp;loop=0&amp;autoPlay=0&amp;permalink=1&amp;muted=0&amp;controls=1&amp;playsinline=0&amp;useAverageColor=0&amp;preloadContent=metadata' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen data-resize-to-parent=\"true\" allow='clipboard-write'><\/iframe><script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\" src='https:\/\/s0.wp.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/video\/assets\/js\/next\/videopress-iframe.js'><\/script><\/div>\n<p>This was the first and only time Bruce has played &#8220;Black Ladder&#8221; in concert. Even with his own wife, it&#8217;s remained unplayed ever since.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Black Ladder<br \/>\n<\/strong><strong>First performed:\u00a0<\/strong>September 25, 2009 (New York City, NY)<br \/>\n<strong>Last performed:<\/strong> September 25, 2009 (New York City, NY)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One time only: Bruce and Nils accompany Elvis Costello in a tender reading of Patti Scialfa&#8217;s gorgeous &#8220;Black Ladder.&#8221;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22858,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4,5],"tags":[2964,796,194,115],"class_list":["post-22422","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cover-me","category-meeting-across-the-river","tag-black-ladder","tag-elvis-costello","tag-nils-lofgren","tag-patti-scialfa"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/spectacle.png?fit=1754%2C936&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9w3Lk-5PE","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":19060,"url":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/1988\/07\/22\/matr-patti-scialfa-and-bruce-springsteen-rainy-day-man\/","url_meta":{"origin":22422,"position":0},"title":"Rainy Day Man","author":"Ken","date":"July 22, 1988","format":false,"excerpt":"Smoky and sultry, \"Rainy Day Man\" is one of Patti Scialfa's best tracks, brimming with breezy confidence and boasting a fantastically funky backing track.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Great&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Great","link":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/category\/great\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/rainday.jpg?fit=1000%2C1000&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/rainday.jpg?fit=1000%2C1000&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/rainday.jpg?fit=1000%2C1000&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/rainday.jpg?fit=1000%2C1000&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":59712,"url":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/25\/kingdom-of-days-september-25-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":22422,"position":1},"title":"Kingdom of Days: September 25","author":"Ken","date":"September 25, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"On this date: the release of Magic, guest appearances with U2 and Eddie Vedder, and a spectacular night with Elvis Costello. More highlights inside.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Kingdom of Days&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Kingdom of Days","link":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/category\/kingdom-of-days\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/bruce-springsteen-magic-2017-billboard-1548.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/bruce-springsteen-magic-2017-billboard-1548.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/bruce-springsteen-magic-2017-billboard-1548.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/bruce-springsteen-magic-2017-billboard-1548.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/bruce-springsteen-magic-2017-billboard-1548.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":27456,"url":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/1988\/02\/23\/matr-patti-scialfa-and-bruce-springsteen-looking-for-elvis\/","url_meta":{"origin":22422,"position":2},"title":"Looking for Elvis","author":"Ken","date":"February 23, 1988","format":false,"excerpt":"One time only: Bruce takes a supporting role in Patti's outstanding civic anthem.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Cover Me&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Cover Me","link":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/category\/cover-me\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/maxresdefault-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/maxresdefault-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/maxresdefault-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/maxresdefault-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/maxresdefault-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":25188,"url":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/1988\/02\/16\/matr-patti-scialfa-and-bruce-springsteen-love-stand-up\/","url_meta":{"origin":22422,"position":3},"title":"Love (Stand Up)","author":"Ken","date":"February 16, 1988","format":false,"excerpt":"Start your Valentine's Day off right with Patti's gorgeous centerpiece from her 2004 album, 23rd Street Lullaby.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Cover Me&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Cover Me","link":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/category\/cover-me\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/admin-ajax-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/admin-ajax-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/admin-ajax-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/admin-ajax-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/admin-ajax-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":19805,"url":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/1988\/01\/11\/matr-patti-scialfa-and-bruce-springsteen-town-called-heartbreak\/","url_meta":{"origin":22422,"position":4},"title":"Town Called Heartbreak","author":"Ken","date":"January 11, 1988","format":false,"excerpt":"An answer song of sorts to \"If I Should Fall Behind,\" Patti Scialfa's \"Town Called Heartbreak\" is one of her strongest tracks and a highlight of the early Magic Tour.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Cover Me&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Cover 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Now","author":"Ken","date":"September 2, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The Rolling Stones' first #1 U.K. hit had a habit of turning up in Bruce's set lists in the strangest places, but fortunately a couple of his team-ups were captured for posterity.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Cover Me&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Cover Me","link":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/category\/cover-me\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/stones.jpg?fit=1013%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/stones.jpg?fit=1013%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/stones.jpg?fit=1013%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/stones.jpg?fit=1013%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 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