Bob Seger

If you know his music at all, you probably know Bob Seger from his signature song “Old Time Rock & Roll.” Perhaps you are also familiar with mid-to-late-‘70s songs like “Betty Lou’s Getting’ Out Tonight,” “Night Moves,” “Nine Tonight,” “Turn the Page,” or his rendition of “Nutbush City Limits.” Let’s begin with the basics: Bob Seger is a hard rocking roots rocker hailing from Detroit who started his career in the Sixties. His debut album, Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man (1968), combines rock ‘n’ roll, r&b, and hard rock with hints of experimental psychedelia (witness “White Hall”). I particularly like the stomping blues rock of “Black Eyed Girl.” The album also includes one of the earliest protest songs against the Vietnam War, the marvelous “2+2=?” (released as a single in Feb. ’68). There are also some dull acoustic ballads and country rock duds that I don’t much care for, though.

Most of Seger’s earliest albums are not available on CD, apparently because he is displeased with the result. So, it’s ironic that it’s exactly those albums I prefer... His sophomore effort, Noah (1969), still reveals some remnants of psychedelia, showcases a great title track, some supercharged stomps (“Innervenus Eyes”) and blues rockers (“Lonely Man”). There are a few nice tracks on Mongrel (1970), in the vein of Credence Clearwater Revival (like “Highway Child,” “Lucifer,” and “Teachin’ Blues”). The all-acoustic Brand New Morning (1971) leaves me cold. But then we come to the excellent Smokin’ O.P.’s, an album consisting mostly of covers (hence the pun, “smoking other people’s” cigarettes/tunes). Bo Diddley, Stephen Stills, Tim Harding, Leon Russel, Chuck Berry. Everyone who likes roots rock & roll should listen to this album!

Later, starting with Back in ’72 (1973), Seger recorded with the Alabama Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. Who? The all-white session musicians who’ve worked with Aretha Franklin, Percy Sledge, Wilson Picket, Johnnie Taylor, the Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Leon Russell, J.J. Cale, and the list goes on. J.J. Cale can also be heard on Back in ’72 (another album that has never been reissued on CD) that includes covers of “Midnight Rider” (Allman Brothers), and “I’ve been Workin’” (Van Morrison), plus the well-known originals “Rosalie” (itself covered by Thin Lizzy) and “Turn the Page.” Perhaps the most pleasant surprise in my recent acquaintance with Bob Seger’s early music was a bootleg recording I found of a radio broadcast of his live concert at Ebbet's Field in Denver, Colorado, on July 8, 1974. His next studio album, Seven (1974), still has a few good moments, but when he begins recording with the Silver Bullet Band my interest wanes. It gets too radio-friendly mainstream for me... Well, that’s what the Music Cricket thinks anyway.