Vinyl LP pressing including digital download. The Ghost of Tom Joad is the eleventh studio album, and the second acoustic album, by iconic singer/songwriter Bruce Springsteen. The album was released on November 21, 1995, through Columbia Records. The album was recorded and mixed at Thrill Hill West, Springsteen's home studio in Los Angeles, California. Following the 1995 studio reunion with the E Street Band and the release of Greatest Hits, Springsteen's writing activity increased significantly. He wrote and recorded the album between March and September 1995. The album consists of seven solo tracks and five band tracks. The Ghost of Tom Joad debuted at number 11 on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album won the 1997 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album.