Classic Rock Album of the Day- Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band- Night Moves (1976) *** 1/2
Bob Seger and his band of upper Midwest journeymen had already had a very decent second tier of level success from the late 1960's to 1976, But that success was limited geographically to that area. With that dynamic, the band was relegated to sub-headliner status of their first 8 albums. In fact none of these charted in the Top 50 for the duration. Then something around style change massively happened in 1976, where he and the band took their blue eyed Detroit soul and took on a more mainstream feel. I wouldn't insult it as AOR fodder, but it was certain that he had taken the liberty to broaden his appeal. He had made some serious lineup changes, and that blend of talent and chemistry, plus some songwriting prowess propelled him and his band to superstar status. The songwriting upped its game and focused on the more personal and societal aspects of the human condition. And the Rocket took off. Outside a very occasional cut like Rambling Gambling Man on Beaker Street, this band pretty much prior performed under the radar. Not a bad band, but one that sure wasn't one that was many's top 10 in the least.
I know of one individual who claims Seger killled Disco. I am not really sure I agree fully with that , but I will grant that he helped. IMO Disco as a genre died to due oversaturation, a tired fad, and shit like songs that included quacking ducks. The whole damned thing became a parody of itself by about 1978. The Song "Old Time Rock and Roll" from the next album "Stranger in Town" was a great anthem that rockers rang out, helping us sing with joy and give the finger to the demise of Disco. Of course the spectacle of Tom Cruise in his underware sullied the final legacy of that song.
To Seger's credit the consecutive trio of this album, Stranger, and Against the Wind (my favorite of his) were a juggernaunt of massive talent. This one reached No. 8, and was 6X platinum. His voice was incredibly unique, in that even with that level of gravelness, it came across as smooth and seemeless in the delivery. He had a great supporting cast too. The Muscle Shoals outfit, though, with the lack of a big name player, gave the band a fantastic foundation sound that as many of you know still dominates classic rock stations today.
Seger's best is Agaisnt the Wind, which I have previously discussed. No. 2, is basically a tie between Night Moves and Stranger in Town. Both are great on their own merits. It was almost a coin flip, and for this exercise didn't even have the option to use the one with video access. The VEVO/YT Gestapo have a tight wrap on these two, so I won't be able to share the entire album. I will add what I feel are the best few singularly though.
Fun Fact: There was an 8 year drought for Seger charting top 20 singles between 1968 (Ramblin' Gamblin' Man') and 1976 (Night Moves). That is some determination, and persistence, especially in the Music Industry.
Side 1-
-----------
Rock and Roll Never Forgets- Right out of the chute, you can tell that Seger has shed the Blue Eyed Soul Side, and the first endeavor shows a more histronic side of his music persona. Much more mainstream sounding, though no less rocking. 4
Night Moves- Very few songs of the era captured mind sight of life in 1970's better than this. Lyrically beautiful, and the absolute gold standard of power ballads. I am sure if you are older than 60 that this one hit a nerve. It did for me. 1
The Fire Down Below- Good song on a great album. More of like the soul infused stuff from prior times. 1970 redux. 9
Sunburst- More from the ballad-land part of his catalog at the start, but suddenly starts nicely rocking out. Love hearing that strat sounding echo like tap in the runs. 7
Side 2-
----------
Sunspot Baby- Blues with that nice rinky-tinky sound that morphs into a really nice "she done me wrong" standard rocker. 8
Mainstreet- Another excellent jab at Americana that Seger did so well on this album. He makes it feel like you are there with a nice wailing guitar that really isn't blues or rock. To me.... mid America Americana soundtrack 5
Come Too Poppa- Highly hooked, but absolutely what I feel is the sleeper on the LP. If this one doesn't get you moving, nothing will. 2
Ship of Fools- The band stretches their versatility legs and adds a C & W effort. And as good as almost anything else in that genre in that era. 6
Mary Lou- Sometimes it is forgotten that Seger was pretty elderly in Rock terms by the mid 1970's, and has some roots back to the late 1950's. No it isn't a rock-a-billy tune, but you sure can tell that Seger has some roots there and wanted to give props to that time. Good Stuff. 3
Bob Seger and his band of upper Midwest journeymen had already had a very decent second tier of level success from the late 1960's to 1976, But that success was limited geographically to that area. With that dynamic, the band was relegated to sub-headliner status of their first 8 albums. In fact none of these charted in the Top 50 for the duration. Then something around style change massively happened in 1976, where he and the band took their blue eyed Detroit soul and took on a more mainstream feel. I wouldn't insult it as AOR fodder, but it was certain that he had taken the liberty to broaden his appeal. He had made some serious lineup changes, and that blend of talent and chemistry, plus some songwriting prowess propelled him and his band to superstar status. The songwriting upped its game and focused on the more personal and societal aspects of the human condition. And the Rocket took off. Outside a very occasional cut like Rambling Gambling Man on Beaker Street, this band pretty much prior performed under the radar. Not a bad band, but one that sure wasn't one that was many's top 10 in the least.
I know of one individual who claims Seger killled Disco. I am not really sure I agree fully with that , but I will grant that he helped. IMO Disco as a genre died to due oversaturation, a tired fad, and shit like songs that included quacking ducks. The whole damned thing became a parody of itself by about 1978. The Song "Old Time Rock and Roll" from the next album "Stranger in Town" was a great anthem that rockers rang out, helping us sing with joy and give the finger to the demise of Disco. Of course the spectacle of Tom Cruise in his underware sullied the final legacy of that song.
To Seger's credit the consecutive trio of this album, Stranger, and Against the Wind (my favorite of his) were a juggernaunt of massive talent. This one reached No. 8, and was 6X platinum. His voice was incredibly unique, in that even with that level of gravelness, it came across as smooth and seemeless in the delivery. He had a great supporting cast too. The Muscle Shoals outfit, though, with the lack of a big name player, gave the band a fantastic foundation sound that as many of you know still dominates classic rock stations today.
Seger's best is Agaisnt the Wind, which I have previously discussed. No. 2, is basically a tie between Night Moves and Stranger in Town. Both are great on their own merits. It was almost a coin flip, and for this exercise didn't even have the option to use the one with video access. The VEVO/YT Gestapo have a tight wrap on these two, so I won't be able to share the entire album. I will add what I feel are the best few singularly though.
Fun Fact: There was an 8 year drought for Seger charting top 20 singles between 1968 (Ramblin' Gamblin' Man') and 1976 (Night Moves). That is some determination, and persistence, especially in the Music Industry.
Side 1-
-----------
Rock and Roll Never Forgets- Right out of the chute, you can tell that Seger has shed the Blue Eyed Soul Side, and the first endeavor shows a more histronic side of his music persona. Much more mainstream sounding, though no less rocking. 4
Night Moves- Very few songs of the era captured mind sight of life in 1970's better than this. Lyrically beautiful, and the absolute gold standard of power ballads. I am sure if you are older than 60 that this one hit a nerve. It did for me. 1
The Fire Down Below- Good song on a great album. More of like the soul infused stuff from prior times. 1970 redux. 9
Sunburst- More from the ballad-land part of his catalog at the start, but suddenly starts nicely rocking out. Love hearing that strat sounding echo like tap in the runs. 7
Side 2-
----------
Sunspot Baby- Blues with that nice rinky-tinky sound that morphs into a really nice "she done me wrong" standard rocker. 8
Mainstreet- Another excellent jab at Americana that Seger did so well on this album. He makes it feel like you are there with a nice wailing guitar that really isn't blues or rock. To me.... mid America Americana soundtrack 5
Come Too Poppa- Highly hooked, but absolutely what I feel is the sleeper on the LP. If this one doesn't get you moving, nothing will. 2
Ship of Fools- The band stretches their versatility legs and adds a C & W effort. And as good as almost anything else in that genre in that era. 6
Mary Lou- Sometimes it is forgotten that Seger was pretty elderly in Rock terms by the mid 1970's, and has some roots back to the late 1950's. No it isn't a rock-a-billy tune, but you sure can tell that Seger has some roots there and wanted to give props to that time. Good Stuff. 3
