We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions
by Bruce Springsteen

Sorry, I can't take Springsteen seriously when he's singing childish songs like Froggy Went a Courtin' and Old Dan Tucker. The best part of the album is the energy of the backing ensemble. I appreciate Springsteen's attempt at a solid folk album of traditional songs, but Nanci Griffith did it better with her Other Voices tribute albums to fellow folk singer-songwriters. Springsteen's charm is his original songs, and without them he just does not delight. Not recommended.

We shall overcome, is Bruce springsteen's tribute to the great folk legend Pete seeger, although only a few of the tracks have anything to do with him directly. Really, it's Bruce's tribute to folk music, the kind of which has always had a huge influence on his own songwriting. It's a fantastically enjoyable album, Springsteen is having a great time here. There's some wonderful tracks here, from the cowboy anthem, Jesse James, to the irishness of, Mrs. McGrath, and to the singalong of, Jacob's ladder. The title track, we shall overcome, Is exceptionally moving, and, Shenandoah, atmospheric. Other highlights are, eerie canal, and, eye on the prize. The extended version includes springsteen's pogues like, American land, and the brilliant, how can a poor man stand such times and live. It's a fun album, and a nice diversion from his own stuff.

From jhuik 12/22/2012 03:21 | #58519

This is always a lot of fun.

This project really made Springsteen glow again. The tour was 10 times better than the album though but it says more about the tour than of the album, because its a great one even if he wrote none of the songs himself.