Review 9 of 18

heyk8 writes:

5of 5 Stars

I am not a Springsteen fan, though I appreciate the man and his music. I don't own a single album. Till now. I heard a review of The Seeger Sessions of NPR's Fresh Air and after the few short sound clips, I was hooked. I went straight to the music store and bought the album. And we've been listening to it non-stop ever since. Even my three-year old son requested that I play the CD when I pick him up from preschool. Springsteen has a fresh take on these old traditionals that gets your toes tapping right from the get-go. So different from Seeger and his solo guitar, Springsteen brings in a raucous horn section, fiddles and accordions, with a zydeco twist. And his scratchy gruff voice is a perfect match. The fact that they recorded it all live in three one day sessions makes it even more inspiring ... wish we coulda been there to watch!

May 8, 2006 19:16:01

Review 10 of 18

CatherineAtlanta writes:

5of 5 Stars

Several months ago (before we learned that Springsteen was working on this disc) my sweetie and I became enamored of Seeger, Ochs, Leadbelly and the other singer/songwriters who created the American soundtrack up to the rock and roll era (Ochs later, but in the same genre).

We listened keenly to these songs of struggle, hope, protest, inspiration and the power of community.

We then heard of Springsteen's plans and were thrilled! I ordered the disc as soon as I could so that we would be sure to have it promptly upon release. It has not disappointed. The first day we had it I popped it in the CD changer in the car and listened to "Mary don't you weap" at least 5 times, over and over. This is a timeless disc for all to enjoy. I can't wait to play it for my 83 year old mother and her 90 year old husband - they'll love it.

Springsteen has a way with me. The songs he's written previously and the ones he selected for this disc bring me to tears. My sweetie often asks me "Are you OK to listen to Human Touch. or should I wait"? because he knows that that disc especially hits me.

As for the previous comment about Pete Seeger being the the most in need of royalites and such: I cannot deny that Mr Seeger has contributed a great deal to our national soundtrack but there are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of musicians who have made similar contributions to American music who live and die in poverty. Most of the African American musicians who brought jazz and blues to national attention lived horrific lives of poverty and illness and died penniless. So, yeah, Seeger deserves much, but many others do too.

May 6, 2006 16:53:00

Review 11 of 18

Newcomer writes:

Not Rated

To Karloff I say, what are you talking about? First, virtually every great artist pays tribute by covering the music of those who came before. Moreover, did you like the album? Your review ignores the central question.
To MDL I say, research before you write. Pete Seeger didn't write the songs on this album.
And to all others I say, this is a fabulous, foot-stomping album. Maybe his best & most joyful sounding work in 20 years. With all respect to the lyrics of the other folk-like albums he's made, this ain't no Tom Joad, this ain't no Devils and Dust.
But interestingly, the joyous sounds are laid over lyrics that are often anything but. Though every song was written long ago (one is over 400 years old), its impossible not to hear many of them in context to current world events. It all seems to deliver on one of Bruce's core visions...the ability of music to help us deal with lifes challenges and heartache.
The whole package is made all the more fun by Bruce's liner notes, discussing these sessions and offering insight to each song's history.

Apr 29, 2006 21:48:23

Review 12 of 18

Lancer writes:

5of 5 Stars

Just picked up the CD this weekend. Absolutely wonderful.
The first thing that struck me was the cover; very reminiscent
of The Basement Tapes, sans circus theme. The Dylan
comparisons continue with the music. I think Bruce was
trying to capture the free-flowing, immediate feel that Bob
had created for Rainy Day Women, which is also prominent in
the music that his band from the Blonde On Blond sessions
made subsequently. ( If you ever have a chance to hear the
recording Moldy Oldies: Colonel Jubilation B. Johnson and his
Mystic Knights Band...you will certainly hear the similarity.)
Also, I don't think it's a coincidence that Bruce ends the disc
with Froggie Went a Courtin', just as Dylan did on Good As I
Been To You. These may be songs that Pete Seeger sung, but
it's a distinct Dylan influence that comes through.

Oh yeah, Bob covered Shenandoah, too, didn't he? (Down In
the Groove)

Apr 29, 2006 15:56:10

Review 13 of 18

ringo2 writes:

5of 5 Stars

Watch the DVD side first and you can see music being "created" rather than played. As a musician, I am ready to learn 12 more songs like this and hit the coffe house circut this weekend! Truly inspiring stuff. You will never get these songs out of your head. I've loved every Springsteen record with the exception of Devils and Dust(which I just plain don't like), so I was relieved that he is back to form! I even forgive him for his whole John Kerry mistep (here come the flamings!)Looks like the tour is not coming to Atlanta - a real shame. Bruce was my first concert in 1984 at age 12. buy this CD with the DVD...it's worth every penny!

Apr 28, 2006 13:19:13

Review 14 of 18

GangiPLG writes:

5of 5 Stars

This is the freshest Springsteen album in years. A combination of bluegrass, folk and gospel the music makes you want to jump up and sing along. Thanks Bruce for taking some chances and doing something different.

Apr 28, 2006 11:27:21

Review 15 of 18

jinman writes:

5of 5 Stars

1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . . 4 . . .

And then all familiarity leaves. The banjo kicks in and we
leave the world as we knew it. All of the promises are broken.

There is not a chord of rock and roll on this album. The toe
taps, the head bobs and the heart starts to feel a little bit
lighter. “Old Dan Tucker” and “Jesse James” whet the appetite
but the meat of the CD starts with “O Mary Don’t You Weep,”
“Pharaoh’s Army got drownded/O Mary don’t you weep.” I
got up, head bowed, eyes closed and hands waving in the air
shuffling around the kitchen in a fit of spiritual glory. And I’m
an atheist.

The Seeger Sessions is hope, happiness and sheer joy. It’s
Creole, jazz, and gospel. It’s folk, swing and bluegrass with a
little Irish jig. Even Ted McGrath, with wooden pegs where his
legs use to be, would get up and dance to this. The album
takes a breather with “Eyes on the Prize” and a deeply
beautiful rendition of “Shenandoah,” then brings it home on
“Pay Me My Money Down” which gets you dancing again.

One of the best aspects of The Seeger Sessions is that is also
a family album. The younger kids join in, especially on
“Froggie Went A Courtin’.” I love that.

I have heard comments that some fans just aren’t interested if
this isn’t rock and roll. Well, it isn’t and we are better for it.
Thank God Bruce does not just stand back and let it all be.

Apr 25, 2006 19:30:43

Review 16 of 18

MDL writes:

4of 5 Stars

Money? That's a great way to rate music, a review obviously
written by someone who knowns neither about both. First,
Pete Seeger gets royalties for every song he wrote on this
album. I hope he makes a bundle. Few American sonwriters
contibuted more and got paid less than Pete Seeger when it
comes to American music. Second, Pete should probably
make more money than Bruce Springsteen, considering the
state of artist's royalties and the fact that Springsteen isn't a
financial whore and doesn't need this money. And last but not
least, Springsteen introduces thousands and hopefully
millions of people to one of the truly great American song
writers of his, or any other generation. This is a great CD of
songs written by one legend and performed by another. It's
American history you can dance to, romance to, or just plain
take a stance to. A must for social illiterates,political
inveterates, and simple folk history buffs.

Apr 25, 2006 01:23:02