Bruce Springsteen’s Seeger Sessions
I’ve been a fan of Bruce Springsteen for a long time but his earlier acoustic efforts have seemed unrelentingly dark to me. Not so this time out. Rollicking would be the best single word description of “We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions”. This is a huge band and by turns it sounds like on oversize jam session, a jug band and a gospel choir as they romp their way through the 13 folk standards on the album. According to the liner notes it was recorded live and it sounds like they had a blast doing it.
The arrangements are hardly traditional. Many have a distinct New Orleans flavor ala Dr John, others a rockabilly/texmex sort of sound. Even the slower numbers have strong bass and drum lines. At the same time they are immensely respectful of the material and I never get the feeling that the arrangement overpowers the song.
My buddy Phil is fond of pointing out that there are tons of great songs that have fallen out of favor because they were so good people sang them until they couldn’t stand them anymore. Most of these songs fall into that category. Not only has Pete done them, but so has just about everybody else. But they are great songs and it’s good to see them dressed up in new clothes and out and about. Maybe I should say new dancing shoes. Where Pete tries to get his audience singing, Bruce wants them on their feet and I suspect he’ll succeed. I dare you to try and sit still through “Pay Me My Money Down”. (The video for Pay Me is loose on the net and can be seen and heard here )
The album has it’s sober moments as well. The two Civil Rights/Anti War standards on the album, “We Shall Overcome” and “Eyes on the Prize” are powerfully rendered and these are songs that need to get out to a new audience these days.
There are so many good cuts on the album that it’s hard to pick favorites, but at the moment the surprisingly bluesy “Erie Canal”, “Eyes on the Prize” and aforementioned “Pay Me” seem to stand out.
When I sat down to listen I thought “Sessions” was likely to only be a curiosity that would gather dust after a couple of plays. As you can probably tell I like it quite a bit and it’s not likely to be gathering dust any time soon at my house.
“We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions” on Amazon. (Affiliate Link)
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Larry Hoyt April 26th, 2006 at 12:54 am #
Ken - I agree with your review. The “Seeger Sessions” is a wonderful release - a joyful blend of old sounds and acoustic instruments:
banjo, fiddle, accordion, horns - including tuba!, mandolin, guitar, acoustic bass, tasteful drumming, lively chorus/back-up vocals, harmonica, tambourine, piano, & organ.