Track Listing

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
11. Pay Me My Money Down
12. We Shall Overcome
13. Froggie Went A-Courtin'

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)

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29980 in Music
• Released on: 2006-04-24
• Number of discs: 2
• Formats: CD+DVD, Enhanced

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.

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."

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.

CD Description
After finding a selection of tracks originally recorded in 1997 for a Pete Seeger tribute album, Springsteen decided tobring together thirteen session players to complete his first ever covers album. Known as a perfectionist when it comesto recording, 'We Shall Overcome' saw Springsteen record the album in a matter of days giving a live and loose feel to some of Seeger's most popular folk renditions.

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Customer Reviews

Such a good album!
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.

Wonderful expression of rich tradition!
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.

What does Pete think of this, I wonder...?
Does anybody know what Pete Seeger thinks of this CD?

Personally I love it to bits.

I'm an old folkie from way back, who grew up listening to recordings by Pete Seeger. I've also seen him perform in person, read his books and his articles in Sing Out magazine. I learned the words to all of the songs on this CD a long time ago. I am delighted to hear Bruce Springsteen give them such new life and a new musical dimension.

Pete tended to emphasize the meaning of folk songs he chose to sing, the stories behind them, and something of their origins and political relevance. Bruce Springsteen takes the same songs and bumps the musical presentation up a gear or two (or ten), while still retaining Pete's sense of relevance, respect and humour. Couldn't ask for more. really. This CD effectively introduces these songs to another generation, which I trust has made Pete Seeger a happy man indeed.

Me--I've been dancing around the house for days!