We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions [DUAL DISC]

Bruce Springsteen

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 25, 2006)
• Original Release Date: April 21, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Dual Disc
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000EU1PNC
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (383 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,089 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Track Listings

1. Old Dan Tucker

2. Jesse James

3. Mrs. McGrath

4. Oh, Mary, Don't You Weep

5. John Henry

6. Erie Canal

7. Jacob's Ladder

8. My Oklahoma Home

9. Eyes On The Prize

10. Shenandoah

11. Pay Me My Money Down

12. We Shall Overcome

13. Froggie Went A-Courtin'

14. Buffalo Gals (bonus track)

15. How Can I Keep From Singing (bonus track)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The premise was simple. Bruce Springsteen invites a dozen or so New York City musicians--packing banjos, fiddles, accordions and the like--to his New Jersey farmhouse for a three-day hootenanny, and tape is rolling. The results are sublime, his 21st album featuring their versions of songs harvested from Springsteen's dog-eared LPs by Pete Seeger. Not all written by Seeger, the songs are how the American folk icon interpreted them, and these organic recordings, with no rehearsals or overdubs, pay tribute with the simplicity and spontaneity he intended. It's not hard to link Springsteen's dissatisfaction with American politics to the protest song "We Shall Overcome" or even the Irish ballad "Mrs. McGrath," where he alters the lyrics to read, "I'd rather have my son as he used to be/Than the King of America and his whole navy." But the beauty of these Seeger Sessions are pieces that underscore the mood of the bandleader, which borders on down-home amusement: the bluegrass outlaw ballad "Jesse James," the Dylanesque "Pay Me My Money Down" and the euphoric "Jacob's Ladder," a gumbo-and-whiskey-fueled romp that could pass for the closing hymn at the Church of Asbury Park. --Scott Holter

Product Description

VIDEO

A 40-minute film about the recording of the album with artist commentary. Includes filmed performances of:

John Henry Pay Me My Money Down Buffalo Gals Erie Canal O Mary DonÂ’t You Weep JacobÂ’s Ladder Froggie Went A CourtinÂ’ Shenandoah

Plus four bonus live tour videos:

How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live (Bruce Springsteen Version) Bring Â’Em Home American Land Pay Me My Money Down

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

220 of 244 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A minority viewpoint from a fan of both Seeger and Springsteen, April 26, 2006

By	bensmomma "bensmomma" (Ann Arbor, Michigan) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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.

161 of 179 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good, honest, traditional music, April 25, 2006

By	DanD - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks, Bruce !, September 2, 2006

By	JackieVT (Vermont United States) - See all my reviews

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".