Paid the Cost to Be the Boss is notable for chronicling an interim period in Bruce Springsteen's career. Unable to record because of a legal dispute, Springsteen took to the road in 1976, developing new material onstage. The peak of this period was a series of shows performed in the fall at the Palladium theater in New York at which the E Street Band was augmented by the Miami Horns, and this LP is drawn from the November 4 performance, a show that was taped and later broadcast, which accounts for the good sound quality. Legendary disk jockey Murray the K introduces Springsteen, who leads off with the new (and never released) "Rendezvous," a catchy pop/rock song reminiscent of the Searchers' "When You Walk in the Room." Side One concludes with a drawn-out, intense version of the Animals' "It's My Life" punctuated by a dramatic story about Springsteen's relationship with his father. "Something in the Night," later to turn up on Darkness on the Edge of Town in different form, leads off Side Two, which also features "Growin' Up" (with a story far superior to the one on Live/1975-85) and "Rosalita." The Palladium shows were memorable, and the only complaint to be made about this bootleg is that it isn't longer -- it contains only one-third of one show. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide