While 1982's Nebraska was Springsteen's first acoustic work, it was a happy accident, drawing from a series of spare four-track demos recorded in his bedroom. The Ghost Of Tom Joad, meanwhile, was an intentionally stark album, primarily consisting of solo acoustic numbers like the aching title track (famously re-interpreted by Rage Against The Machine). It also featured several full band tracks, including appearances by E Street Band keyboardist Danny Federici and bassist Garry Tallent after a full band reunion in the studio the previous year. The Ghost Of Tom Joad was also Springsteen's first full album to win a Grammy Award, in the category of Best Contemporary Folk Album.

Tracklist

A1 The Ghost Of Tom Joad 4:23
A2 Straight Time 3:25
A3 Highway 29 3:39
A4 Youngstown 3:52
A5 Sinaloa Cowboys 3:51
A6 The Line 5:14
B1 Balboa Park 3:19
B2 Dry Lightning 3:30
B3 The New Timer 5:45
B4 Across The Border 5:24
B5 Galveston Bay 5:04
B6 My Best Was Never Good Enough 2:00