Dedication (Gary U.S. Bonds album)

Updated on Nov 28, 2024

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Released April, 1981 Twist Up Calypso(1962) Dedication(1981) Artist Gary U.S. Bonds Label EMI America Records		Length 41:30 Dedication(1981) On the Line(1982) Release date April 1981 Genres Rock music, Pop music

Producers Steven Van Zandt, Bruce Springsteen, Gary U.S. Bonds Similar Gary US Bonds albums, Rock music albums

Dedication is an album released by Gary U.S. Bonds in 1981, the first of two on which he collaborated with Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, the second being On the Line, released the following year, 1982. The musicians accompanying Bonds on the album include many members of the E Street Band and the Asbury Jukes. The album includes three songs written by Bruce Springsteen, one written by Steve Van Zandt, and several covers of songs from the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, and others. It also features a duet between Bonds and Springsteen on the track "Jole Blon". Bonds' early 1960s sound had been a major influence on both Springsteen and Van Zandt. The songs written by Springsteen, including the cover of "Jole Blon", were originally intended for his 1980 album, The River, but he felt they fitted better with Bonds and his versions of them have never been released although he has performed most of them live, often featuring Bonds as a special guest.

The album produced several singles. The Springsteen-penned "This Little Girl" was a major success, peaking at #7 in Cash Box and at #11 on the pop chart. It also reached #5 on the mainstream rock chart, as well as the Cajun traditional "Jole Blon", which garnered some album-oriented rock airplay. The album itself reached #27 on the pop album chart and #34 on the R&B album chart. Music writer Dave Marsh called Dedication "one of the most successful comeback albums in rock & roll history".

The album was re-released in 1994 on the Razor Edge label of Razor & Tie music, and then again in 2009 on BGO Records, paired with On the Line.

In a 2016 career retrospective interview with Pods & Sods, Gary revealed that a few additional songs and outtakes recorded during this time may eventually be released.