Customer Reviews

We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions

5 star:		(232)
4 star:		(59)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(23)
1 star:		(60)

 

 

As a red-blooded American woman I have always loved Bruce Springsteen's music, but even older than my affection for Bruce is my affection for Pete Seeger. However, for years my husband has felt the need to leave the room whenver I've put Pete's music on, in an effort to escape Seeger's flawless and perfect earnestness. I think he just didn't think Pete was any FUN. Fortunately I think he will like Bruce's "let's have a party" spin on some of Pete's old favorites. If you never thought you'd get up and dance to Pete Seeger music, this album will change your mind.

On a more detailed level, the music ranges from really sublime to a bit disappointing. On the disappointing side I found "Shenandoah" almost incomprehnsible; Bruce is mumbling again, the pace is lugubrious, and the beautiful haunting melody is lost in the arrangement. Likewise "How Can I Keep from Singing" (a bonus track). On the other hand, Bruce's choice to use a host of Nawlins musicians on numerous tracks both energizes the music and makes it deeply meaningful on certain songs: "Jacob's Ladder" really swings, and "O Mary Don't You Weep" takes on a kind of redemptive quality. The song's lyrics (O Mary Don't you Weep....Pharoah's Army has drownded) seem to tell the listener that New Orleans will rise from the waters. The horn section really rocks throughout. "We Shall Overcome," in contrast, is quiet, contemplative, and moving - a contrast to the assertive fists-in-the-air version you may have in your head from countless peace marches.

By the way, this album comes on two discs - one is a DVD including the filming of several numbers. It didn't add much to my enjoyment of the music. However, if you are looking for the two bonus tracks, "How Can I Keep from Singing" and "Buffalo Gals," which do not appear on either the CD disc or on the liner notes, this is where you must look.

This album raises a couple important questions. First off, why is the best country music of the past ten years coming off of a Bruce Springsteen record? Secondly, why won't radio play songs this honest and true?

But I'm not gonna deal with those questions, because I don't have the time, and quite frankly, I just don't care. What DO I care about, you ask? What I care about is this: Springsteen's latest record, a collection of traditional folk songs attributed to the great Pete Seeger. These songs are true Americana; their simple lyrics paint a portrait of life as seldom seen these days. And Springsteen and company's performance is exquisite; you can tell the musicians are simply having a stellar time performing these little nuggets. By weaving fiddle and banjo into the mix, Springsteen has crafted one of the best folk albums in years...and also, incidently, one of the best country albums...and best rock albums...

These songs speak straight to the heart. Most of 'em you'll know--you've heard 'em in concert, on the radio, or maybe even learned them in grade school (there're a couple on here I hadn't even thought of in years; it was a delight to hear them again). "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions" is a great traditional folk/rock/country record, by Bruce Springsteen, one of the most innovative artists out there. By consistently bending the rules, Sprinsgteen has crafted a legacy of honest, true-to-self material...and this album fits right in there, while at the same time paying homage to one of the great American songwriters. Buy this album, sing along, dance along if you wish, and experience the majesty of what a few simple chords and lyrics can do.

From the perspective of the career of Pete Seeger, "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions" is not what you might expect because if you think this is going to be a collection of covers of the greatest songs written by the American folk icon, then you are gong to be surprised and possibly disappointed. "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?," "If I Had a Hammer," and "Turn, Turn, Turn" are not going to be found here. The most recognizable song would be the title track, the song Seeger based on a spiritual that became the anthem of the Civil Rights movement. But this baker's dozen collection of tracks more about traditional songs that Seeger performed that Bruce Springsteen is passing along to a new generation. The second most recognizable song would probably be the last one, "Froggie Went a Courtin'" (which has been around at least since 1549), although "Erie Canal" would have to be second on that list. If you have any passing familiarity with American folk music then "Shenandoah," "John Henry," and "Old Dan Tucker" should be recognizable as well.

Then again, this album is not what you would expect from a Bruce Springsteen album, given that the Boss has never done a cover album before. He has done a few notable covers, from Tom Wait's "Jersey Girl" and Patti Smith's "Because the Night" to "War" and "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," so it is interesting that Springsteen would suddenly decide to do it for an entire album. Seeger is certainly a legend, and if this album introduces a new generation of fans to his work so much the better. But having watched Springsteen fail (by his standard anyway) with his acoustic albums "Nebraska," "The Ghost of Tom Joad," and "Devils & Dust," it is interesting to see what happens when he takes his acoustic guitar and backs it up a full folk music ensemble recording LIVE, without rehearsals, in three one-day sessions cut in 1997, 2005 and 2006. The irony is that those other acoustic efforts sound more like Seeger's work than this album, because most Seeger recordings are just him playing his banjo. But if you flip the CD over for the DVD side of the disc you can see the recording of some of these tracks and that what you think was going on in the studio from listening to these tracks is just what you see. Plus there are a couple of bonus tracks on the other side, "Buffalo Gals" and "How Can I Keep from Singing."

The background on this 2006 album is that Springsteen was working on putting together a second album of "Tracks," collecting his rarities, when he came across a set of recordings he had made in 1997 for the Seeger tribute album, "Where Have All the Flowers Gone: The Songs of Pete Seeger." The only contribution from Springsteen ended up being "We Shall Overcome" on the album which had 39 tracks recorded by everyone from the Weavers and Peter, Paul & Mary to the Indigo Girls and Ani Difranco. This inspired Springsteen to record an entire album of folk tunes that Pete Seeger had popularized, and some of the musicians he brought together for this album had played on those sessions back in 1997. The liner notes by Dave Marsh provide a brief introduction on the background of each song. For example, "Old Dan Tucker," is: "An antique fiddle tune, often used for square dances, made famous around 1843 when Dan Emmett, one of the greatest early minstrel singers, wrote a version of these lyrics for his group, the Virginia Minstrels." You have to admire the mix of brevity and detail, which contrasts nicely with the rollickin' good time these musicians have in the studio. I find these songs addictive, and while they are not everybody's cup of tea, they have my toe tappin' through constant replay.

I bought this CD on a whim, needing to get to 25 bucks for free shipping. Being a moderate fan of Springsteen, I was expecting to enjoy this release; what I didn't expect was to be blown away as soon as I heard the 1st chords of the 1st track.

All of these songs are familiar to me; what is so unexpected is the joy in hearing renditions that FEEL fresh and spontaneous. Yes, I say feel because these are songs meant to be felt, not just heard. That is the magic of folk for me and this remarkable entourage captured not just sound but feeling in this recording.

Before t.v., mp3 players, highways and all of the other wonderful things we take for granted, entertainment was found in families and friends gathering at night to sing and tell stories. This CD reminds me of time spent in a corner of rural Vermont 25 years ago where this tradition was still practiced. For bringing this memory back and capturing a sense of that pure joy, again I say "Thanks, Bruce".

After listening to the album and seeing the show, my wife summed it up best. Only Bruce could take folk and have you dancing in the aisles. What a great album and show. If you get the chance, go to the show. You will leave feeling good. My hands still hurt from all the clapping we did. I hope he takes more folk songs and does another album. Bruce seems happy and that makes his music better.

This album comes at a perfect time for me. I'm a longtime Springsteen fan, but I've lost interest in his music lately, finding it a bit repetitive and, well, uninteresting. On the other hand, I've been discovering and loving American Roots music via "O Brother" and later Dan Zanes (check out his "Parades and Panoramas"). So of course I was interested in Bruce's new experiment.

The joy and energy on this record are infectious and uplifting. This kind of music is a perfect match for Springsteen, and it's great to hear his voice backed by such a full range of sound.

Well from the liner notes Bruce didn't discover Pete until '97 or so. So I guess I am one up on Bruce there, I discovered Pete when I was but a wee lad hiding from my life in the bookshelves of of the local library of whichever town we happened to be living in that week. Well I can't remember where we were living for sure, but I do remember it was before I discovered SBR which was the summer of 1985. So I would say Pete was a couple of years before Funny that was the same time frame I discovered Bruce ) Well Pete's music and politics made a huge impact on me, the same as Bruce's has. I was listening to Pete and Punk music through quite a bit of my teen years, with Bruce and Rainmakers thrown in. I didn't realize until much later in life that the central theme in most of the music I was listening to was the survival of the human spirit. So I guess you can almost say that my life in music has almost come full circle and at least from my perspective, Bruce has done one hell of a job on this recording. He has brought the music a little forward with it just being his voice without losing the flavor of the music. hmmm does music have flavor? Oh well that is how I feel and if you like Bruce, Pete, or Folk music take a listen.

Wow, this CD is Outstanding. I was a little hesitant to buy it. I did not want to be KumByeAhed to death with folk music but I heard a review on "Fresh Air" and the cuts sounded great. I just listened to it for the first time and had to stay in the driveway to finish the whole CD. Bruce has provided amazing arrangements that don't just blow new life into these tunes; he makes them take on a new life. He has such respect and understanding of what makes music great. With his touch the songs are sharp at times melancholy & soulful and wonderfully energized. There is a great New Orleans flavor to many of the cuts too which I really enjoyed.

Five HUGE Stars!! Powerful and Triumphant!! A landmark meeting of Two Giants: a singer and a songwriter. Bruce Springsteen was BORN to sing Pete Seeger's songs!! He is a powerful artist with honesty and the ability to sing you a story, which is just what's needed to pull this concept off. Likewise for the folk songs of Mr. Seeger, which are literally a 20th Century musical history of the USA, whether sung by Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, Joan Baez, Cisco Houston, or The Boss. These songs are timeless and honest, sometimes actually being old songs which Pete resuscitated with new lyrics and relevance, and they belong to people seeking peace, justice, and what the world could be. All recorded live, unrehearsed, and very spontaneous, Bruce is on fire as he sings Pete's songs backed by an amazing band.

Forty years into his amazing career, "The Boss" can 'bring it', placing his personal stamp on everything he sings. The 'Pieces De Resistance', the best of the best, for me are: "John Henry", "Erie Canal", a gut-wrenching "Shenandoah" (my personal favorite), "Pay Me My Money Down", and "We Shall Overcome" (another favorite), which are outrageously good. Also great is the raw beauty of blazing versions of "Old Dan Tucker" (yet, another favorite) and "O Mary Don't You Weep", especially the intros and the endings and then everything in between. "Keep Your Eye On The Prize" begins with a solitary banjo and quickly moves to a wild New Orleans street funeral band and then back. You can tell Bruce is enjoying himself a lot.

Bruce is backed by a group that sounds truly authentic and should have a name like "The Great American Folk Orchestra" or such. Giving off hints of Scottish highland jigs, New Orleans zydeco bands, bluegrass porch groups, Carolina outer island music, Mingus jazz workshops, Freehold rock groups, and Wednesday night church choirs, it's sensational. They are MARVELOUS! Watch out, 'E Street Band', you've got competition!

Pete Seeger, now in his mid-80's and virtually retired, will love this acoustic recording when he hears it. It's SENSATIONAL!!! Five HUGE Stars!!

(Note: this review is based on an ITunes 13 track download, with 2 videos and a digital booklet: quite the package!!)

First and foremost if you don't like this style of music, you probably will not like this. These cover songs were written a long time ago and represent a style of music that has been long been forgotten in the wake of today's corporate-created bands.

As for those who whine about Bruce's politics? I'm not interested in his politics, what I'm interested in is good music and this meets that criteria. If he injects a line or two in order to use his freedom of speech to give a personal message? I can live that, even if I disagree with some of his views.

I love classic Amercian music and nothing in any of these recordings change the fact these songs are part of American history and if there is one modern Rock singer who actually has the ability to sing these songs and do them justice: It's Bruce Springsteen.

The Seeger Sessions is another example of Bruce Springsteen's remarkable versatility and incredible talent. The genius in Bruce Springsteen is his willingness expand beyond what the public expects from him and the fact he does it well.