There are many dimensions to the springsteen effort.

What does he pay tribute to?

Yes! the songs that really do need more contempoary exposure. And that Seeger first brought them out.

Does Springsteen pay tribute to the manner and style which Seeger used to record sing and perform- no! The style is Springsteen. A bit loud.

Is there anything wrong with that? No! Springsteen can be as Springsteen as he wants that is fine.

Is it being a purist to have hoped that Springsteen might have come a bit closer to the style of performance of Seeger- I dont think so.
Its the tribute sort of expectation....


I just value the Seeger style- lots of energy but yet comforting and more home style. Given two versions I would choose the Seeger one for that fact- not because one has to set performance style in stone.

I saw Seeger perform at the Takoma Park Folk Festivals outside of DC several times. The man was never far from his politics. These songs might not be too political but Seeger was and is intensly political-just a part of his character- nothing wrong with that. But not helpful as the popular opinions change.

Conrad