Bruce Springsteen - We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Bruce SpringsteenBrand: Sony
Edition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown)
Format: Dual Disc
CD Release Date: 2006-04-25
Music Label: Sony
Soundtracks:
- Old Dan Tucker
- Jesse James
- Mrs. McGrath
- O Mary Don't You Weep
- John Henry
- Erie Canal
- Jacob's Ladder
- My Oklahoma Home
- Eyes on the Prize
- Shenandoah
- Pay Me My Money Down
- We Shall Overcome
- Froggie Went a Courtin'
Free Music Notes for We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions
Free Music Review: Listening to Bruce Springsteen's "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions"
Hit: 5 Stars
Though I really don't make it a habit to comment on an artist or album so formally, listening to Bruce Springsteen's "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions" compelled me to write down my impressions within 24 hours of first hearing it. In fairness I should mention that I am a Springsteen fan and Jersey alumni, having spent years on the Monmouth and Ocean County boardwalks and back roads that influenced so much of his early writing and producing. I, along with others of my generation, truly believe that Springsteen is an icon of popular American culture, and to some extent my voice.
That said, I'm left a bit wanting by his last several studio offerings prior to "Sessions," namely "The Rising" and "Devils & Dust;" both of which in my opinion are good albums, but neither are great albums (sorry Mr. Loder). I have a very simple test to tell the difference between a good and a great album: Good = I buy it and after the first complete listening I focus on the 3-4 songs I like and play them individually or as part of a mix. Great = I buy it and listen to in its entirety over and over again never once thinking of listening to it except in its entirety. In this regard I believe the context of an album often dictates its greater worth moreover content alone. "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions" is a great album.
"Sessions" is a coincidental experience, or is it? Springsteen's basic concept, re-craft a token of the American songbook kept alive for decades by seminal folk hero and leftist activist Pete Seeger, is completely incidental to the current political climate. The fact that the opening track "Old Dan Tucker" was first performed by minstrels in blackface 150 years ago is hardly significant, as is the practical feminism displayed by "John Henry's" woman upon his demise at the hands of modern technology. Incidental my ass! The hue and cry of "Pay me my money down" rings with the absolute resonance of entitlement as it did when sung as a sea chantey in the 1800's. Springsteen's point, the same point he made with "Nebraska," reminds us exactly how similar the human experience is; hurt is hurt and glee is glee, and neither cast nor time hold exclusive rights to either experience. With the skill of a surgeon and the heart of re-born revolutionary Springsteen knowingly produced not only an exceptional listening experience, but an album of material that is so subtly thought provoking and obtusely informative you actually enjoy the reflection it inspires; hope not fear. The result is anything but subtle, art that reminds us of our history even as we are repeating it.
Though I feel as if "Sessions" fulfillment factor is similar to that of "Nebraska," the similarity ends there. The folk, Dixieland, bluegrass, and traditional gospel shades applied throughout the album evoke a sense of unbridled joy. Only Dick Cheney could listen to this album without smiling. Intentional or not, the afore mentioned Dixieland styling reminds me of New Orleans. Not all, but better than half of the songs on "Sessions" build to a jubilant crescendo of straightforward southern jazz, zydeco, and/or rhythm and delta blues. Not unlike the anti-dirge climax of a right-proper jazz funeral, replete with all the jubilation necessary to send one off to the promise land; another accident I suppose. My boys, 8 and 6, are just as smitten with "Froggie Went a Courtin'" as am I, with its Appalachian footprint. Once again, Springsteen quietly forces introspection by reminding us, at least when you're 8, the world really is black and white and a promise made is a promise kept.
Springsteen's vocal styling ranges little on "Sessions" from Waits to Dylan to an unnamed first generation Irish immigrant troubadour. For those who have followed his work over the years, it's straight up Bruce. Something has been made of Springsteen's "Sessions" musicians, some of whom backed up Seeger over the years. The open-aired feeling of the pseudo-live recordings showcases their talents along with those of the arranger. Can you guess who that is? One thing is certain, whether alone in his bedroom with a guitar and four-track recorder, or in his farmhouse living room with friends and whiskey, Springsteen does some of his best work when he stays home. "Sessions" is an album that spans generations and reminds us that old songs like old people are often plain spoken and antagonistic, but are also ultimately endearing. I sincerely hope that this record finds its way into as many hands, ears, and minds as possible in the coming months, a task that will be made difficult with no clear radio format with which to align (save satellite). Smart people buy smart music, perhaps there's hope after all. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions." But before you go home grab a bottle or two of Boones Farm and plan on dancing (by yourself if necessary) in the kitchen all night long. Yep, it's kitchen dancing music too! I can bestow no higher praise...
We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions Poster
VIDEOA 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 Don?t You Weep Jacob?s Ladder Froggie Went A Courtin? Shenandoah
Plus four bonus live tour videos:
How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live (Bruce Springsteen Version) Bring ?Em Home American Land Pay Me My Money Down
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
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