DUSTIN' OFF THE SONGBOOK
a review of We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions
the latest album from Bruce Springsteen
There are few artists that I never question their motives no matter what they release, Bruce Springsteen is one of them. But I will admit I was a little wary when I got my first glimpse at the track list for We Shall Overcome:The Seeger Sessions. My first thought was hmmmm...does somebody need to pay their back taxes or maybe Asbury Park needs a new pavement job? Songs like John Henry and Shenendoah I understood but Froggy Went a Courtin? But I am a robotic fan so I bought it, of course. The day it came out buster!
But after the first listen through I understood it. With the opening chords of Dan Tucker through to the get down goodness of Pay Me My Money DownI was toe tappin my way through a non-stop jam session of the finest Americana. Reading the linear notes reaffirmed my vibe. Recorded over several live sessions at Springsteen's home, The Seeger Sessions brings back that impromptu rompous fire that so much of the overproduced material lacks these days.
And that's exactly what these songs are..traditionals- meant to be played raw. Most of them pushing 150 to 200 years old were well traveled and shared with others in that honest vein that you don't see anymore.
A history lesson? You could take it that way, but you'd be missing out on all the fun. Preachy Exploitation of Black Protest songs? It wouldn't be a Springsteen record if he didn't get you thinking just a little bit over things. Most sing song songs we've come to grow up with are definetely rooted in something dark. But just as the Boss takes you to churn he is buying you a drink at the watering hole and burning the barn walls down.
It does have its flaws. Springsteen's voice just isn't what it used to be , and while it is appropriate for most of these songs, his gravelly manor almost seems to cornball at times. On Eerie Canal he almost reaches a zen-like Tom Waits manner that was much appreciated by yours truly. And the title track has been overdone so many times that this low-key soft version seems more in place rolling through the back of a PSA.
What he does overall with this album is dig down deep into some roots we might have forgotten and churned out some real rockers.
check out:
Mary, Don't you weep
Jacob's Ladder
Eerie Canal
Pay Me My Money Down
a review of We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions
the latest album from Bruce Springsteen
There are few artists that I never question their motives no matter what they release, Bruce Springsteen is one of them. But I will admit I was a little wary when I got my first glimpse at the track list for We Shall Overcome:The Seeger Sessions. My first thought was hmmmm...does somebody need to pay their back taxes or maybe Asbury Park needs a new pavement job? Songs like John Henry and Shenendoah I understood but Froggy Went a Courtin? But I am a robotic fan so I bought it, of course. The day it came out buster!
But after the first listen through I understood it. With the opening chords of Dan Tucker through to the get down goodness of Pay Me My Money DownI was toe tappin my way through a non-stop jam session of the finest Americana. Reading the linear notes reaffirmed my vibe. Recorded over several live sessions at Springsteen's home, The Seeger Sessions brings back that impromptu rompous fire that so much of the overproduced material lacks these days.
And that's exactly what these songs are..traditionals- meant to be played raw. Most of them pushing 150 to 200 years old were well traveled and shared with others in that honest vein that you don't see anymore.
A history lesson? You could take it that way, but you'd be missing out on all the fun. Preachy Exploitation of Black Protest songs? It wouldn't be a Springsteen record if he didn't get you thinking just a little bit over things. Most sing song songs we've come to grow up with are definetely rooted in something dark. But just as the Boss takes you to churn he is buying you a drink at the watering hole and burning the barn walls down.
It does have its flaws. Springsteen's voice just isn't what it used to be , and while it is appropriate for most of these songs, his gravelly manor almost seems to cornball at times. On Eerie Canal he almost reaches a zen-like Tom Waits manner that was much appreciated by yours truly. And the title track has been overdone so many times that this low-key soft version seems more in place rolling through the back of a PSA.
What he does overall with this album is dig down deep into some roots we might have forgotten and churned out some real rockers.
check out:
Mary, Don't you weep
Jacob's Ladder
Eerie Canal
Pay Me My Money Down
posted by Unknown at 2:25 AM
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