Passing the Torch

Folk music, by in large is about carrying a torch and making sure you pass it on in some way, shape or form. The American music experience, as we all know, is about not only carrying that torch but adding your own fuel to the fire – so it burns in an entirely different way yet still off the original fuel.

Who would have believed Pete Seeger and Bruce Springsteen would be sharing the same torch? And there lies the beauty of folk music. I spoke with my colleague, Jim Musselman, who is the founder and president of Appleseed Records http://www.appleseedrec.com– the record label where you can find Pete Seeger CDs safe and sound and asked him to tell us about how that torch passing came to be. Pretty dang amazing! Now, Appleseed Records is not your average record label. To give you an idea – here’s their motto: sowing the seeds of social justice through music. Well alright – these guys are about something entirely different and OF COURSE they would support Pete Seeger’s music! In his own words, ladies and gentleman, Jim Musselman, founder and president of Appleseed Records;

“In 1997 I started to do the CD "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" the Songs of Pete Seeger. I contacted Bruce Springsteen and his manager Jon Landau and they turned the project down twice as they were too busy to do a song at the time. I went back a third time being persistent and they said agreed. Since it was so late in the project I sent Bruce a tape of 14 songs many of them folk songs as most of Pete's songs had been taken and we did not want to bump an artist who did a song already. Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Judy Collins, Tim Robbins, Ani Difranco and others had already recorded songs for the CD. I sent Bruce the song "We Shall Overcome" and a bunch of other songs some of which ended up on Bruce's "Seeger Sessions" record years later. I sent to Bruce a note saying that he should just put his own stamp on any song and maybe take a shot at a folk song or two. In November of 1997, Bruce recorded seven songs for the Seeger tribute but we were only allowed to use one which was "We Shall Overcome". Bruce loved doing this music and had fun playing the folk songs. Bruce said it was like each song was a ride at a playground and he could go to the next ride and have fun. Bruce went out and bought a bunch of Pete's records and immersed himself in the songs.

Bruce kept going back to the 7 songs from 1997 and enjoyed hearing them. After talking with Jon Landau he decided to record more songs in 2005 and that is when he did 8 more songs. In 2006 he did a third session of 8 more songs including "Bring them Home". This was a song that Pete had written about the Vietnam War and when the invasion of Iraq occurred I asked Pete to get into the studio and if I could rewrite the chorus and verses. We released the song in 2004 on Pete's CD "Seeds" and I sent it to Bruce and his manager. For the "Seeger Sessions"- American Land Edition Bruce added verses to my verses and Pete's. Bruce did all the songs in a fun way and very spontaneous.

We like to plant seeds here at Appleseed and this was one that took years to sprout. To see thousands of young people singing these folk songs in concert was a dream-come-true. Folk Music has a wonderful history and I feel it is important to keep the songs alive and carry them on to the next generation. I deeply respect Bruce for taking this chance and for bringing the songs to another generation.”

Now go ahead, pass that torch.

Mary Sue Twohy
XM15 The Village