- Audio CD (24 April 2006)
- Number of Discs: 2
- Format: CD+DVD
- Label: SonyBMG
- ASIN: B000EZMQQW
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Vinyl | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 18,902 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product details |
Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Old Dan Tucker | |||
| 2. Jessie James | |||
| 3. Mrs. McGrath | |||
| 4. O, Mary, Don't You Weep | |||
| 5. John Henry | |||
| 6. Erie Canal | |||
| 7. Jacobs Ladder | |||
| 8. My Oklahoma Home | |||
| 9. Eyes On The Prize | |||
| 10. Shenandoah | |||
See all 13 tracks on this disc
| |||
| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. Exclusive 30 Minute Film About The Recording Of The Album (DVD) | |||
| 2. Artist Commentary (DVD) | |||
| 3. 2 Bonus Tracks (DVD) | |||
| 4. John Henry (DVD) | |||
| 5. Pay Me My Money Down (DVD) | |||
| 6. Buffalo Gals (DVD) | |||
| 7. Erie Canal (DVD) | |||
| 8. O Mary Don't You Weep (DVD) | |||
| 9. Shenandoah (DVD) | |||
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
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
From the Label
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. 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.
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."
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
You know something, I'm not even that big a Springsteen fan: I've heard Born to Run and Born in the USA and Tunnel of Love and I even own a few cassettes and vinyl LPs (including the 5 lp Live '75-'85) but the truth is I don't much listen to them. They're 'good' but I simply don't connect with them the way most other fans do.
... Not so We Shall Overcome.
Misleadingly, many people are referring to this album as being in the same vain as "Nebraska" (1982), "The Ghost of Tom Joad" (1995) and Devils & Dust" (2005).
It's not, not even close. Sure, it's a 'folk' album but 'folk', like most music genres (or book genres for that matter), covers a lot of ground. If you don't believe me go into Starbucks next time and simply ask for "A coffee, please" and see how far it gets you!
The above three mentioned albums are all very low key, subdued somber affairs. Like knocking back a stiff whiskey whilst brooding at home on your own.
WE SHALL OVERCOME, however, is an old-fashioned foot-stomping, thigh-slapping New Year's street party.
It's a raw and rumbustious, rough and ready sprint across the sprawling landscape of Americana.
And the best of it? All involved sing and play not only like they're selling their souls to the devil, but are having a damn fine time while doing it!
There's almost a revelatory feel to the whole recording, like you get the sense that Springsteen has finally arrived at where he's always been trying to get to; that this is what he's ALWAYS wanted to do, only he just didn't consciously know it: gone are the endless rehersals and rerecordings and fine-tunings of so many of his studio albums. This, instead, is music on the hop - music being MADE, right there, live! - and we're all of us the better for it.
Thanks, Bruce.
The Boss? Hell, on this recording he's a circus Ringmaster kicking up a ruckus!
... Not so We Shall Overcome.
Misleadingly, many people are referring to this album as being in the same vain as "Nebraska" (1982), "The Ghost of Tom Joad" (1995) and Devils & Dust" (2005).
It's not, not even close. Sure, it's a 'folk' album but 'folk', like most music genres (or book genres for that matter), covers a lot of ground. If you don't believe me go into Starbucks next time and simply ask for "A coffee, please" and see how far it gets you!
The above three mentioned albums are all very low key, subdued somber affairs. Like knocking back a stiff whiskey whilst brooding at home on your own.
WE SHALL OVERCOME, however, is an old-fashioned foot-stomping, thigh-slapping New Year's street party.
It's a raw and rumbustious, rough and ready sprint across the sprawling landscape of Americana.
And the best of it? All involved sing and play not only like they're selling their souls to the devil, but are having a damn fine time while doing it!
There's almost a revelatory feel to the whole recording, like you get the sense that Springsteen has finally arrived at where he's always been trying to get to; that this is what he's ALWAYS wanted to do, only he just didn't consciously know it: gone are the endless rehersals and rerecordings and fine-tunings of so many of his studio albums. This, instead, is music on the hop - music being MADE, right there, live! - and we're all of us the better for it.
Thanks, Bruce.
The Boss? Hell, on this recording he's a circus Ringmaster kicking up a ruckus!
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is such a good album. You cannot help but tap your feet along with each song and come off finishing the album with a big grin on your face It is good, simple, fun music. I love that you can hear the songs actually being performed and developing rather than a sterile studio album and it seems pretty obvious that a lot of fun was had making this music. The DVD is great to watch to soak up the atmosphere the music was played in and to see the group interaction. Bruce seems to be getting better and better and this is no exception.
Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I was lucky to hear a preview copy of this album a few days before its release. If you're looking for songs in the Born in the USA or Born to Run mode then don't buy this. What I'm saying is that although those songs are magnificent, this is Springsteen at his most versatile best. He rocks on this record, but in a folky way. This album is superb! The songs are diverse. The musicianship is second to none. The whole album overflows with energy and fun. From the rocking horn section in songs such as 'Oh Mary, don't you weep' through to the simple beauty of 'Shenandoah', this album is an absolute classic. It reflects the richness of American folk music and I can't recommend it enough.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Top class CD/DVD
This must rate as one of the best CD/DVD's I have ever purchased.Bruce at his very best.The Seeger Sessions backing group must rate as one of the most talented backing groups... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Turboprop
DVD picky about players
Very finiky DVD does not work on most players, Only works on 1 computer out of three tried and does not work in any of the 4 DVD players
Published 4 months ago by Ja Nicolson
Great
Have played this album almost weekly since we bought it several months ago. Great album for listening whilst working out. Sound quality is fantastic.
Published on 12 Feb 2010 by Tomric122
Very very good, though shipped from argentina...
I'd almost forgotten I'd ordered this when it arrived. It had been shipped from Argentina, and as a result, the DVD is NTSC. Read more
Published on 1 Aug 2009 by John Michael Cullen
Bad blend, too many silly songs, inauthentic sound
I love Spingsteen's driving and anthemic rock, his stirring ballads and his acoustic folk. Unfortunately We Shall Overcome simply leaves me cold and puzzled. Read more
Published on 1 May 2008 by Pieter
Still the Boss
If you're expecting Born in the USA then please move on. On the other hand, if you want to hear a fantastic rendition of some of the music that inspired Springsteen then play on. Read more
Published on 16 April 2007 by Baldrick
Great Stuff, almighty!
A good thing is something one treasures and this album is no exception. Although not a Springsteen fan this rendition of old favourites is imbued with a common spirit and it can be... Read more
Published on 3 Jan 2007 by Stratonautus
Seeger Sessions
Not a Bruce Springsteen fan but watched this on TV recently and it was great - so good I went and bought the CD and really looking forward to playing it. Read more
Published on 2 Dec 2006 by T. Marsh
Don't be shy
Ok so we all Know the classics. Born to run, Born in the USA etc. I own countless Boss albums. They are all differant and all need to be given time to wash over you before you make... Read more
Published on 16 Nov 2006 by Nathan Kavanagh
GIVE THIS ALBUM A CHANCE
Well, you don't have to be a fan of Springsteen or a fan of folk music. Just give this album a spin. You'll enjoy every minute of it. One of the top albums of the year.
Published on 20 Oct 2006 by Spiridon Dimas
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