Bruce Springsteen: The Ballad of Jesse James (2006)

"The Ballad of Jesse James" dates to at least 1924 when Bascom Lamar Lunsford recorded the folk song. It has been covered several times since then. Bruce Springsteen recorded his version in 2006. The piece transforms Jesse James into a family man and Robin Hood figure cut down in his prime by a coward. Interesting that a cold blooded killer should be transformed by the culture into a tragic hero.

The Ramblin' Riversiders version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuKSFl6h0VU

Bruce Springsteen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX0xOgygfS4&feature=related