She's The Boss Now

September 19 2004
By Mary Huhn


She's married to the Boss, but Patti Scialfa misses the life she led before becoming Mrs. Bruce Springsteen. Her new album, "23rd Street Lullaby," wistfully recalls her bohemian days as a young musician in the early 1970s, living in Chelsea and playing folk pop for quarters on the streets.

"It's a time I really treasure," says Scialfa, now 51. "The streets are a very serene place to play. If you can make your living from that, it's empowering."

She and her pal Soozie Tyrell - a violinist who now plays with the Boss' E Street Band - used to have gigs in clubs like Kenny's Castaways, but they gave up club dates because they deemed it "selling out."

Of course, rents were cheap then, about $150 a month, and she didn't have any young or old Springsteens to keep track of.

"When you're young, you can have a wonderful, self-involved life," she says. "It's like being a gypsy troubadour."

Times, they did a-change. The singer married Springsteen 13 years ago after joining his band, and they're now raising three kids, ages 13, 12 and 10, in New Jersey.

A hectic family life and Springsteen's musical schedule kept her from putting out an album for more than 10 years.

Her last one, 1993's "Rumble Doll," was a love letter to Bruce. Her latest disc is a love letter to herself.

It includes a tune written decades ago about Rose, a waitress, then pushing 50, who shared a restaurant shift with Scialfa.

"You collect all the information and put it in the emotional bank," she says.

While she had the lyrics down, it was difficult for her to record the songs. "I was having trouble getting what I heard in my head on tape," she recalls.

That's when her pal Steve Jordan, who shared that golden age in Chelsea, stepped in to help bring the songs to light.

The resulting album, which features her warm vocals backed by slew of guest musicians, was released in July.

Scialfa is now on her first solo tour. Dates are worked around the kids' school schedule and Springsteen's six Vote for Change tour dates in October.

"My husband and I don't book anything until we know what's up with the kids' schedules," she says.

It's sweet for her to refer to the Boss as her husband. He introduces Scialfa - in concert, at least - as the "First Lady of Love."

"That's Bruce riffing," she says. "He's like Coltrane. He goes off and improvises."

Now Patti can riff on Springsteen, because for a change, the spotlight will be on her. But don't be surprised to see him enjoying the view from the audience.

Scialfa performs at the Bowery Ballroom (6 Delancey St.; [212] 533-2111; doors open 8 p.m.; $25) on Tuesday. Griffi House opens.