Bruce Springsteen – We Shall Overcome: Seeger Sessions

Bruce Springsteen
Artist: Bruce Springsteen
Title: We Shall Overcome: Seeger Sessions
Label: Columbia
Rating: 8.5/10

FILE UNDER: Holy folk.

CORPORATE LINE: ‘We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions’ features Bruce’s personal interpretations of thirteen traditional songs, all of them associated with the legendary guiding light of American folk music, Pete Seeger, for whom the album is named. Speaking of the origins of the new music, Springsteen said, “So much of my writing, particularly when I write acoustically, comes straight out of the folk tradition. Making this album was creatively liberating because I have a love of all those different roots sounds… they can conjure up a world with just a few notes and a few words.” Springsteen recorded the album with a large ensemble. The musicians on the record are Springsteen (guitar, harmonica, B3 organ and percussion), Sam Bardfeld (violin), Art Baron (tuba) Frank Bruno (guitar), Jeremy Chatzy (upright bass), Mark Clifford (banjo), Larry Eagle (drums and percussion), Charles Giordano (B3 organ, piano and accordion), Ed Manion (saxophone), Mark Pender (trumpet), Richie “La Bamba” Rosenberg (trombone) and Soozie Tyrell (violin). Lisa Lowell, Patti Scialfa, Springsteen, Pender, Tyrell, and Rosenberg contribute backing vocals.

‘We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions’ will be released in DualDisc format, with the full album on one side of the disc and DVD content on the other side. The 30 minute video side of the DualDisc contains extensive behind the scenes footage of the recording of the album. In addition, the DualDisc package will contain two bonus tracks and a special booklet including a note from Springsteen.

THE REVIEW:
It’s nearly impossible to criticize the Boss, not because we are afraid of being flamed, but because he rarely stinks up the joint. Not long after people complained about Nebraska did they realize it was actually a brilliant record. So what is wrong with Springsteen taking on traditional folk songs? Nothing, particularly if he brings them to the attention of the younger listeners. And based on the fact that no one could pull them off so well.

“Old Dan Tucker” is a song I remember from elementary school. It’s amazing how well we can remember songs so long after the fact. It’s odd to enjoy a song that that meant nothing to us as kids.

Springsteen rumbles tenderly through “Mrs. McGrath”—a song that sounds simple yet it’s wonderfully layered. “John Henry” finds Springsteen so full of life that you can’t help but wonder when he ever sounded so full of energy. Springsteen sounds rejuvenated.

Having lived most of my life near the Erie Canal there is a special place in my heart for the song “Erie Canal,” This is another song we sang in elementary school and the lyrics are so vivid and a song that is so inspiring. “My Oklahoma Home” well have you singing; “It blow’d away/ all the crops I planted blow’d away/ you can’t have any green if you ain’t have any rain/ everything ‘cept my mortgage blow’d away.”

“Shenandoah” steals the show. This song absorbs you and never lets you focus on anything except Springsteen as he sings is a wonderful melancholy voice. Springsteen ends on a high note with “Froggie Went A Courtin,’” what could be interpreted as a silly kids song.

FRANKLY: The fiddle, banjo, and guitars work wonders to put life into these songs. This is a brilliant piece of work by Springsteen. I dare any other artist to produce a record with traditional folk songs and fill them with so much life. This is an album I will listen to over and over again. Honestly, this was the last album anyone would look forward to and yet it’s impossible to imagine not loving every minute of it.

+ Charlie Craine


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