Bruce Springstein – The Seeger Sessions
Columbia 82876834391
Author – Paul
Venerable rock legend Bruce Springsteen performs an intimate concert of songs selected from his new album, We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions, a collection of folk standards and spirituals popularized by folk legend Pete Seeger but taken from a collection of traditional American Spirituals and folk/blues. This was Springsteens own conception as a tribute to Pete Steegers original interpretations but with Springsteen, given a rock twist. He invited a dozen or so musicians to his New Jersey Farmhouse and a 3 day session ensued with Springsteen producing the album himself.
In typical Springsteen form, there’s huge energy throughout the album and the large ensemble of classical folk instrumentation and guest singers makes this a real joy for any American Folk fans. All songs and ballads are from traditional scores but an upbeat almost rock quality prevails. Sprinsteens dissatisfaction with American politics comes out strongly, particularly in the song “We shall overcome”.
Springsteen said of this album: “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.”
Great Stuff!
Available on 180g Vinyl and CD
Performance: 10
Music Interest: 8
Sound Quality: 8
Overall: 9
Recommended.
