Bruce Springsteen: We Shall Overcome: The Pete Seeger Sessions

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Bruce Springsteen admits in the liner notes that he wasn't a devotee of Pete Seeger or ancient American folk music until he recorded We Shall Overcome - the protest song Seeger revived in the 60s - for a tribute album in 1997.

But that was enough for him to explore the work of the folk legend, who has just turned 87 and who made a memorable appearance in last year's Scorsese Dylan doco No Direction Home, as the folk fundamentalist threatening to cut the power when Bob went electric at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.

Thirteen of the traditional songs he revived and recorded are on this spirited ramshackle album played by Springsteen and a cast of little-known players of banjos, fiddles and accordions.

They sound as if they like very much being in the temporary employment of their new Boss, who leads by exuberant example.

Billy Bragg and Wilco did something similar with two albums of Woody Guthrie songs, delivered in enjoyably scrappy style.

With Springsteen, that great American rock'n'roll keeper of the flame, there was always a risk this might have been an exercise in worthy reverence. Actually, it is just that on that title track, the recording of which predates the rest of these sessions all done at chez Springsteen.

It's the one earnest dull spot and sounds more a dirge than reconstituted placard-waver. Should they ever consider a sequel to A Mighty Wind, here's its theme tune. Otherwise, this album is one where a history lesson gives way to hoedown. And it doesn't require having an affection for Seeger, Springsteen, or his new mates Old Dan Tucker, Mrs McGrath or John Henry.

There are some connections to Springsteen's own work - he's visited the Depression-era Dust Bowl of My Oklahoma Home before on his own The Ghost of Tom Joad. And, although written early in the 19th century, lyrically, Shenandoah could be a Springsteen song with its urge for the narrator to grab his gal and head into the great American unknown. Just substitute convertible for covered wagon.

Some contemporary references and allusions crop up - Mrs McGrath is an anti-war song where a son in the Navy loses his legs to a cannonball ("All foreign wars I do proclaim/Live on blood and a mother's pain"). And sea shanty Pay Me My Money Down gets its own lyrical upgrade ("Well I wish I was Mr Gates/They'd haul my money in, in crates").

Sometimes, with its instrumentation, its Celtic roots and Springsteen's gravelly tones, its reminiscent of The Pogues - especially on the full holler of the Jesse James opener Old Dan Tucker, or Tom Waits on Erie Canal.

And just when its twang-powered numbers might risk bringing you out in a banjo-allergic rash, it chucks some rousing brassy New Orleans gospel stomps, like O Mary Don't You Weep and Jacob's Ladder.

Label: Columbia