When I think of Bob Seger, I think cruisin’ in the car, windows down, with a hot summer breeze. I think “sing out loud” lyrics, good times, and no worries. His songs are heard everywhere and it’s near impossible not to know the words. Just today, while sitting at a red light, another car pulled up next to mine with its windows down. The passenger’s arm moved slowly out the window to ash his cigarette and within a few seconds, he turned up the volume and his head began to bob to “Old Time Rock &Roll." This tune, along with "Like a Rock" captures the feel of America’s love affair with rock and roll music and the struggle to secure the American Dream; not to mention setting the mood for one of Tom Cruise’s most notable scenes in the film Risky Business. With a career spanning almost 40 years and with nearly 50 million records sold, Seger is known for his distinctive voice and depth of songs, as he captures the heart of rock n’ roll.
With the many requests of Seger’s online fan community, Capitol Records recently released a newly remastered version of his 1972 release, Smokin’ O.P.’s. Any fan of Seger’s rough yet calming voice and heartfelt songs, would certainly want to check out this album. It doesn’t sound like typical Seger, until you realize he’s revitalized old songs, taken them from different genres and made them his own. We’ve heard the Grateful Dead and Van Morrison’s versions of “Turn on Your Lovelight,” both of which are fantastic, but, again, Seger makes it new again. His version of Stephen Stills’ “Love the One You’re With,” turns into a more bluesy, soulful, upbeat, get-up-and-dance, duet with Crystal Jenkins. In his cultivation of “If I were a Carpenter,” you can’t help but think it’s self disclosure, and his version of Leon Russell’s “Hummin’ Bird” is complete with background singers and the piano, which sounds reminiscent of a mixture of Joe Cocker and Jimi Hendrix, if that’s possible.
Mixed and recorded in Pampa Studios in Detroit, Michigan, it captures the soul of the Midwest, the South, and the entire span of America’s 70’s soul. He gives his best in every last bit of this album, which is certainly exciting for old fans, and new ones as well.
