He explains in one of his other videos that the Seeger Sessions were intended to be sung "raw." The way that most of us amateurs would have sung it at the time. Bruce, similar to Bob Dylan, is known for being a bit garbled in his vocals. Whatever anyone's opinion about, Bruce's performance here, the choral accompaniment is excellent...
@yt91331 if u're trollin' good troll -- but if not, yt nine, u need to get back to ur mutated musak subliminated robot vomit. and leave the real thing to the outcasts.
@yt91331 its not intended to be a vocal masterpiece, its intended to feel incredibly personal like hes right there infront of u performing, hes not attempting to tart up a masterpiece instead it feels quite vulnerable n chilling! i love it!
They don't call him "The Boss" for nothing. He is undisputedly one of the greatest musicians of all time. Such a moving song, and another fantastic work by Bruce "The Boss" Springsteen. :)
What is missing is Bruces signature with the harmonica. This is a song of reverence but Bruce could bring more life and add more soul and movement with his harmonica. His group is outstanding and produces with unparalleled genius when they orchestrate with conviction. Give it more lifeI would love to hear it!
shennandoah........since i was 5 yrs old this song has moved me ..i dont why i have heard lots different takes some good some soos o this is good as it is in the raw spirit of the song .what is the matter with you people ? you should just be moved like i was and alwauys will be by this song . great take bruce on a really special song one day you yanks will see that>
shennandoah........since i was 5 yrs old this song has moved me ..i dont why i have heard lots different takes some good some soos o this is good as it is in the raw spirit of the song .what is the matter with you people ? you should just be moved like i was and alwauys will be by this song . great take bruce on a really special song one day you yanks will see that>
tamarajean27: Bullsh**t, Springsteen's albums are filled with melodies that are as subtle as this one, not to mention his introducing a new generation to the magic of traditional American folk tunes.
Sissel's version is excruciatingly clinical; a classically trained soprano is far less effective with this tune than a gravel-voiced balladeer.
This song is just NOT suitable for Springsteens style. Its melody is way to subtle for his talents, even given that different musical structures can build their own unique power. As an example of what I mean, go to the youtube performance of Shenadoah by the Norwegian sensation Sissel. She peforms this song with extraordinarely poweful clarity and clear bell tone modularities.
It is a song from a era in Americas History, and the way Bruce looks so happy and content, the sheer pleasure of it all, well I am far from being a musician but I do, as you do, know what I love... I will listen to the Norwegian version, as I have much respect for your country.
Your very welcome, as I have great respect for you.
I listened to Sissel- so pure and clear her voice! I am used to listening to if a little gruff, like It is being sung here, but I certainly understand why you feel as strongly as you do)
This doesn't seem like a unique version to me. It sounds like Mr Springsteen is swiping the Arlo Guthrie arrangement from about 30 years ago except Guthrie's was actually a pleasure to hear.
Either Bruce was trying to add a new track to the "Jonathan and Darleen Edwards" recordings or he is just plain bad. If you want to here someone do it with a smooth voice and with perfect intonation and with feeling try listening to Jo Stafford's recording arranged by her husband Paul Weston. Oh course Jonathan and Darleen were permanent house guest of Jo and Paul. :)
Love Bruce. Actually met the guy. he came to Lancaster, PA after visit to Clair Bro. Studios and he visited the Village Night Club. Because I was pals with the Sharks, and Bruce and E Street wanted to play when they were scheduled, I got to hang with the Boss. He was VERY cool.
Anywho, this is a crappy version of this song. Someone already said... Van Morrison's version is best. I've researched about 35 versions... I want to be buried to VM Shenandoah... Peace.
@Heister1102 I can't find that vs though I have looked and looked , cough ,cough- hint hint and yes you are a lucky man! Bruce has a lot of heart, I have found that the hard way. Shenandoah is my favorite song south of that Mason/Dixon line.
Hope fully it will be many years before you are put to rest there,Stay well ~H
If I remember correctly, I found Van Morrison's version of Oh Shenandoah on Limewire. But he recorded it on his Best of, Vol 3 album. Google it and you'll find other sources. Good Luck! Peace, 2010
I'd say it's an interesting version. Obviously, Bruce wants to do it differently from all the other versions around. So, I guess it's not that "he's not even trying to sing in tune" as someone below says - he's trying to sing slightly out of tune. It doesn't work perfectly, for sure, but it sheds a new light on this beautiful old song, and that is quite an achievement.
Even setting aside my personal objection to the suitability of this style of singing for this kind of song, he's not even in bloody tune. Good lord, it's absolutely horrific. It's as if he's not even trying to sing in tune ...
Wellllll -- I like a lot of Springsteen, but this doesn't work for me. "Shenandoah" requires a better singer than Bruce. The respective versions of Paul Robeson, Tennessee Ernie Ford and Thomas Hampson blow Springsteen away. He cannot sing effectively in genres besides rock. That's NOT to denigrate Bruce. I don't want to hear a classical tenor like Ben Heppner sing "Tunnel of Love" or "Badlands" either. Different genres for different singers is all I'm saying --
this is awful. if this is the savior of rock and roll, the genre should have died. i feel sick to my stomach when i listen to this guy defecate on an amazing folk song.
Shenandoah was the name of a brave who was shunned by his tribe for drinking too much firewater. His tribe sent him and his teepee packin' on down to the river and into the river he did dive. Then he went and got a white woman named Mary pregnant and man that was all she wrote. So Shenandoah and Mary went down to the mighty river and washed the sins from their hands. When it was time for Mary to give birth she went down to the river and it was cold so she named her son Lil' Shakey.
The best version of "Senandoah" is Van Morrison's... by far!!! It's a pitty the version is not in Youtube, but you can find it in the CD: "The Very best of Van Morrison" Vol. 3
"Channeling Dylan". Oh,I love that! Bruce and Dylan are great artists--well, Dylan is, and his version is worse--but perhaps not for this song. To my mind, (and of course its all subjective so let's keep our tempers,) the version on Youtube by Sissel is the tops. I understand what High77 means by too-perfect singing. Sissel has a perfect pitch but captures, I think, the song's heartbreak and yearning. The melody is complex and delicate, easy to mess up or shout down. Would love to hear Van do it
Actually, the Hayley Westenra versions, of which there are several, when she's at different ages, are not dissimilar to the Sissel version. They have often been compared and their careers have been similar (so far) too. I love the "channeling Dylan" comment too. Bruce is doing his own interpretation of it. I don't think it's bad, just different. It is a bit of a change from the almost over-precise versions that are around.
Yeah. Ya can't find Van Morrison's version on youtube but it is the best... I've listened to 50+ (only after becoming obsessed with it after seeing some 1955 movie...) Shenandoah, by the way, was the daughter of an Indian (Native American) chief. The song is song to the chief by an explorer while he travels the vast wildlands of "western" American.
Yes, or Tennessee Ernie Ford singing the same, also here on YouTube. Actually, this guy does have a voice, but he's covering it up with nasalized affectations. The playing is fine.
Holy christ, just tried to listen to the Ernie Ford and Paul Robeson versions - but unfortunately, they are awful.
You people are serious? There is no passion in those other versions. It's just two guys trying to sing perfectly. It might as well be Mariah Carey (that's not a compliment).
Jo Safford awful? What style do you like? You probably won't like the Kiwi Singers I have been promoting. This is probably one you'll add to your list of worst-ever recordings, but that may not be a bad thing. ;-)
IMO it's one of the best versions of this song I have ever heard......not sure what the fuss is about here. It's lovely. Great American tune!
binarystar21 1 week ago
He explains in one of his other videos that the Seeger Sessions were intended to be sung "raw." The way that most of us amateurs would have sung it at the time. Bruce, similar to Bob Dylan, is known for being a bit garbled in his vocals. Whatever anyone's opinion about, Bruce's performance here, the choral accompaniment is excellent...
jassuz15 3 weeks ago
epic. Bruce u've outdone urself. it's right up there with 53 Channels¬hin' on and I Ain't Got No Home...
paulhallart 4 months ago
I like Bruce. But how he managed to let such a good ballad bring out the worst in him (vocal wise) is beyond me.
yt91331 1 year ago
@yt91331 if u're trollin' good troll -- but if not, yt nine, u need to get back to ur mutated musak subliminated robot vomit. and leave the real thing to the outcasts.
paulhallart 4 months ago
@yt91331 its not intended to be a vocal masterpiece, its intended to feel incredibly personal like hes right there infront of u performing, hes not attempting to tart up a masterpiece instead it feels quite vulnerable n chilling! i love it!
omaghphil 1 month ago
@omaghphil You've nailed his intent and his result, just like Broooooce nailed it. An American classic, song and singer.
iamintheburg 2 weeks ago
They don't call him "The Boss" for nothing. He is undisputedly one of the greatest musicians of all time. Such a moving song, and another fantastic work by Bruce "The Boss" Springsteen. :)
irishchick523 1 year ago
A wonderful song. Is very beautiful. When I listen this I remember my my best friend, who died a few days ago. Goodbye, Andrea.
TheGallo94 1 year ago
What is missing is Bruces signature with the harmonica. This is a song of reverence but Bruce could bring more life and add more soul and movement with his harmonica. His group is outstanding and produces with unparalleled genius when they orchestrate with conviction. Give it more lifeI would love to hear it!
utube484848 1 year ago
shennandoah........since i was 5 yrs old this song has moved me ..i dont why i have heard lots different takes some good some soos o this is good as it is in the raw spirit of the song .what is the matter with you people ? you should just be moved like i was and alwauys will be by this song . great take bruce on a really special song one day you yanks will see that>
knoxy46 1 year ago
shennandoah........since i was 5 yrs old this song has moved me ..i dont why i have heard lots different takes some good some soos o this is good as it is in the raw spirit of the song .what is the matter with you people ? you should just be moved like i was and alwauys will be by this song . great take bruce on a really special song one day you yanks will see that>
knoxy46 1 year ago
I don't understand the words of this song, because I'm italian. But this song is fantastic, I started to cry because it is great.
TheGallo94 1 year ago
This is the most pathetic version I've ever heard !
Bruce should have stepped off the bucket from shame !
Sagittariustoo 2 years ago
this sucks shit Tennessee Ernie Ford version is the best
antigrubb 2 years ago 2
tamarajean27: Bullsh**t, Springsteen's albums are filled with melodies that are as subtle as this one, not to mention his introducing a new generation to the magic of traditional American folk tunes.
Sissel's version is excruciatingly clinical; a classically trained soprano is far less effective with this tune than a gravel-voiced balladeer.
chriskassel1 2 years ago 2
This song is just NOT suitable for Springsteens style. Its melody is way to subtle for his talents, even given that different musical structures can build their own unique power. As an example of what I mean, go to the youtube performance of Shenadoah by the Norwegian sensation Sissel. She peforms this song with extraordinarely poweful clarity and clear bell tone modularities.
tamarajean27 2 years ago
It is a song from a era in Americas History, and the way Bruce looks so happy and content, the sheer pleasure of it all, well I am far from being a musician but I do, as you do, know what I love... I will listen to the Norwegian version, as I have much respect for your country.
SuzzyStohelit 2 years ago
Thankyou very much for your polite and kind reply.
tamarajean27 2 years ago 2
Your very welcome, as I have great respect for you.
I listened to Sissel- so pure and clear her voice! I am used to listening to if a little gruff, like It is being sung here, but I certainly understand why you feel as strongly as you do)
SuzzyStohelit 2 years ago
This doesn't seem like a unique version to me. It sounds like Mr Springsteen is swiping the Arlo Guthrie arrangement from about 30 years ago except Guthrie's was actually a pleasure to hear.
mkc5301 2 years ago
Either Bruce was trying to add a new track to the "Jonathan and Darleen Edwards" recordings or he is just plain bad. If you want to here someone do it with a smooth voice and with perfect intonation and with feeling try listening to Jo Stafford's recording arranged by her husband Paul Weston. Oh course Jonathan and Darleen were permanent house guest of Jo and Paul. :)
stevetardy 2 years ago
BRUCE can sing ANY genre of music...shows he is an absolutely awesome musician.
janieusa 2 years ago
glad i wasn't one of the backing singers,i'd be laughing my ass off,bruce got his butcher apron out again ,carving up a good song
jabbyjabjo 2 years ago
Here is the most beautiful sound I have ever heard..
~peace
SuzzyStohelit 2 years ago
Damn Man get a Job
wjg1946 2 years ago
Sort of earthy, that's ok.
rayunseitig 2 years ago
Love Bruce. Actually met the guy. he came to Lancaster, PA after visit to Clair Bro. Studios and he visited the Village Night Club. Because I was pals with the Sharks, and Bruce and E Street wanted to play when they were scheduled, I got to hang with the Boss. He was VERY cool.
Anywho, this is a crappy version of this song. Someone already said... Van Morrison's version is best. I've researched about 35 versions... I want to be buried to VM Shenandoah... Peace.
Heister1102 2 years ago
@Heister1102 I can't find that vs though I have looked and looked , cough ,cough- hint hint and yes you are a lucky man! Bruce has a lot of heart, I have found that the hard way. Shenandoah is my favorite song south of that Mason/Dixon line.
Hope fully it will be many years before you are put to rest there,Stay well ~H
SuzzyStohelit 2 years ago
Suzzy,
If I remember correctly, I found Van Morrison's version of Oh Shenandoah on Limewire. But he recorded it on his Best of, Vol 3 album. Google it and you'll find other sources. Good Luck! Peace, 2010
Heister1102 2 years ago
I'd say it's an interesting version. Obviously, Bruce wants to do it differently from all the other versions around. So, I guess it's not that "he's not even trying to sing in tune" as someone below says - he's trying to sing slightly out of tune. It doesn't work perfectly, for sure, but it sheds a new light on this beautiful old song, and that is quite an achievement.
reggenboggen 2 years ago
i guess i'm in the minority; i like this.
grofys 2 years ago 2
you aren't...I like this one too...really
fouluskipper 2 years ago
Even setting aside my personal objection to the suitability of this style of singing for this kind of song, he's not even in bloody tune. Good lord, it's absolutely horrific. It's as if he's not even trying to sing in tune ...
firefoot77 2 years ago
This is REALLY BAD.
scottiscool 2 years ago 2
The guy has no voice...his stuff is all smoke and mirrors.
spokes64 2 years ago
Wellllll -- I like a lot of Springsteen, but this doesn't work for me. "Shenandoah" requires a better singer than Bruce. The respective versions of Paul Robeson, Tennessee Ernie Ford and Thomas Hampson blow Springsteen away. He cannot sing effectively in genres besides rock. That's NOT to denigrate Bruce. I don't want to hear a classical tenor like Ben Heppner sing "Tunnel of Love" or "Badlands" either. Different genres for different singers is all I'm saying --
stevevandien 2 years ago 2
this is awful. if this is the savior of rock and roll, the genre should have died. i feel sick to my stomach when i listen to this guy defecate on an amazing folk song.
bigtenor11 2 years ago
Shenandoah was the name of a brave who was shunned by his tribe for drinking too much firewater. His tribe sent him and his teepee packin' on down to the river and into the river he did dive. Then he went and got a white woman named Mary pregnant and man that was all she wrote. So Shenandoah and Mary went down to the mighty river and washed the sins from their hands. When it was time for Mary to give birth she went down to the river and it was cold so she named her son Lil' Shakey.
jgyll8mt 2 years ago
Comment removed
jgyll8mt 2 years ago
he shoulda been sued for this misversion!! KMA Booze; KMFA!!
meleagrid 2 years ago
This is p-i-t-t-i-f-u-l-l y poor rendition of a great American Folksong.
Pillboxesghost 2 years ago
This guy can't sing. He'll never make in the music business.
AmishGangster007 2 years ago
too bad. he already has.
irishchick523 2 years ago
Comment removed
SuzzyStohelit 1 year ago
too bad for you. he's already a legend in the business.
KatyN42 2 years ago 3
Comment removed
SuzzyStohelit 1 year ago
hahahahahha, you made me laugh. He is known as "the boss" and was called the saviour of rock and roll
AndreasVss 2 years ago
Comment removed
SuzzyStohelit 1 year ago
still prefer Tennesee Ernie Ford's version..
garmcl 2 years ago 2
The best version of "Senandoah" is Van Morrison's... by far!!! It's a pitty the version is not in Youtube, but you can find it in the CD: "The Very best of Van Morrison" Vol. 3
nicoterradas 2 years ago
The fiddle and deep base sounds like he took it from Sissel.
I like the Randy Grainger version. Sissel vocals are superb but his choice of lyrics better, and more emotion in the motion.
egbun 2 years ago
What happened to the recording at around 4 minute 40 seconds, it just went silent. Did Bruce forget to carry on with the song ?
GazzaTop38 3 years ago
I would like to hear McNulty and Lester Freeman singing this...Or do they?
MichaelFrances 3 years ago
"Channeling Dylan". Oh,I love that! Bruce and Dylan are great artists--well, Dylan is, and his version is worse--but perhaps not for this song. To my mind, (and of course its all subjective so let's keep our tempers,) the version on Youtube by Sissel is the tops. I understand what High77 means by too-perfect singing. Sissel has a perfect pitch but captures, I think, the song's heartbreak and yearning. The melody is complex and delicate, easy to mess up or shout down. Would love to hear Van do it
tirnanog20 3 years ago
Actually, the Hayley Westenra versions, of which there are several, when she's at different ages, are not dissimilar to the Sissel version. They have often been compared and their careers have been similar (so far) too. I love the "channeling Dylan" comment too. Bruce is doing his own interpretation of it. I don't think it's bad, just different. It is a bit of a change from the almost over-precise versions that are around.
Sqid101 3 years ago
Is Bruce drunk? I've never heard him sing so badly. There's a beautiful melody in that song, and he can't find it.
coolrunnings101 3 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This Jersey "has been" singing this song is sacriligious...
cabritorsss 3 years ago
I love this song. this is absolutely my favorite version. I especially love it when the trumpets come in towards the end. wonderful!
irishchick523 3 years ago
Sounds like he's channeling Dylan. The musical accompaniment is wonderful, though.
lena2328 3 years ago
Yeah. Ya can't find Van Morrison's version on youtube but it is the best... I've listened to 50+ (only after becoming obsessed with it after seeing some 1955 movie...) Shenandoah, by the way, was the daughter of an Indian (Native American) chief. The song is song to the chief by an explorer while he travels the vast wildlands of "western" American.
Heister1102 3 years ago
Who is Shenandoah anyway?
VictoriaAaX0X0 3 years ago
i think shenadoah is a river
Ringlord3434 3 years ago 3
shenandoah was an indian chief
yevon1029 3 years ago
it's not that bad guys it's raw like you'd hear it at a campfire or something like that. Easy on the Boss.
mcguiganrx01 3 years ago 8
@mcguiganrx01 YES!
SuzzyStohelit 1 year ago
Sorry... the 'Boss' can't handle this one too well ... there are far more touching versions than this to listen to...
Titan752 3 years ago
Is this bloke supposed to have a voice? Listen to Paul Robeson singing Shenandoah here on YouTube. That's a real voice.
trollfiddler 3 years ago
Yes, or Tennessee Ernie Ford singing the same, also here on YouTube. Actually, this guy does have a voice, but he's covering it up with nasalized affectations. The playing is fine.
jessyquedens 3 years ago 2
Holy christ, just tried to listen to the Ernie Ford and Paul Robeson versions - but unfortunately, they are awful.
You people are serious? There is no passion in those other versions. It's just two guys trying to sing perfectly. It might as well be Mariah Carey (that's not a compliment).
High177 3 years ago
Speaking for myself, yes, I'm dead serious.
jessyquedens 3 years ago
The Jo Stafford version is the classic one. It makes all the others seem second rate. (Including this one).
toberhouse 3 years ago
Actually, the Jo Stafford version (which I just listened to) is awful.
Thankfully, through this informative thread, I have learned that it's a toss-up between Jo, Ernie, and Paul for worst-ever recording of Shenandoah.
High177 3 years ago
Jo Safford awful? What style do you like? You probably won't like the Kiwi Singers I have been promoting. This is probably one you'll add to your list of worst-ever recordings, but that may not be a bad thing. ;-)
watch?v=kaMIly5G6xc
Sqid101 3 years ago
Gänsehaut, total klasse!!!
blondesgift2008 3 years ago
geweldig nummer ontzettend mooi !!!
g1ds 4 years ago
fett bra!!!
germankrigare 4 years ago