Track Three - Bruce Springteen: Mrs McGrath

Taken from the 2006 album, We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions", this is Stringsteen's version of an Irish anti-war folksong dating from the Pennisular War with Napoleon. The arrangement seems to follow one used by many american folk bands such as "Wake the Bard" but with a rock sensibility that gives the song real power. Who'd have ever thought of using an accordian and a Tin Whistle in a rock band? (Horslips and Moving Hearts and, believe it or not, Jethro Tull but we'll get to that some other time.)

The idea for the album arose in 1997 when Springsteen was asked to sing We Shall Overcome for a Pete Seeger (see picture) Tribute album. He didn't have much knowledge of folk music but, according to an interview in Rolling Stone, he started listening to Seeger after he recorded the song. The RS article says that it was the interest his ten year old daughter showed in the songs that led him to start playing them.

The album was recorded by a large, informal band in Springsteen's farm in New Jersey, with only his wife Patti Scafia and violinist Soozie Tyrell coming from the E Street Band. It was Tyrell who gathered most of the folk musicians together and the addition of 'The Miami Horns', The Sessions Band was formed.

Springsteen toured the album to mixed reviews. Many concert goers expecting the usual large scale rock show were disappointed, but to others, myself included, this was the best Springsteen album and show for years.

Check out the Alternative Playlist for versions of the song by Wake the Bard, Pete Seeger and an excellent live version from The Sessions Band Live in Dublin Album.