On Track – Bob Seger / The Beatles1967 – 1970 / Saga

Author:John van der Kiste, Andrew Wild & Alberto Bravin, Mike Wilson

I have always had a soft spot for Bob Seger, there’s just something in the timbre of his voice that hits the spot with me. Never got to see him live alas, as he was an artist that never really showed much too interest in European shows, preferring to concentrate instead on the lucrative US market where his tours were guaranteed sell outs. Stranger In Town was the high water mark for me, but there are plenty of great songs scattered among his other albums, Turn The Page, Main Street, Like A Rock, Against The Wind, Night Moves to pluck out just a handful. This book follows the usual album by album format, with a bit of background as to what was happening in his career at the time of each release thrown in. Listening back, his songs cover a whole gamut of styles from rock to ballads to country, but all had the common denominator of seeming to capture the American way of life in its heartlands. Of course, he’s long since retired now after selling 75 million records, with his last studio album appearing almost ten years ago, and his much delayed farewell tour ending in 2019, but nonetheless this is a really enjoyable well put together read.

Just when you think everything has already been said about The Beatles, along comes yet another book. This is actually a sequel to the duo’s earlier book covering 1962-66, and looks at each individual year in the second half of the band’s career, then examining the album and single releases in each one. It also includes subsequent releases such as the Anthology sets and the SDE’s up to Revolver. It’s an interesting read, with the joint authors incorporating some pertinent detail on external factors affecting the music such as Eastern philosophy and avant garde art, and also how the strains of fame and business tensions impacted the personal relationships of the fab four. That’s not to say they neglect the all important music of course, of which there is an abundance of analysis and critical appraisal, so if you’re a Beatles obsessive then check this out.

Saga is a band I had heard of rather than heard. Formed in Canada in 1977, they are still recording and touring to this day, which says something about the longevity of them and their music. They have produced an astonishing 23 studio albums over the years, and dipping into the extensive back catalogue reveals a somewhat quirky mixture of rock and prog really, Kansas being the closest comparison that springs immediately to my mind. Although they never achieved what you’d call mainstream recognition, they still sold plenty of records and tickets so presumably have garnered a devoted fan base of hard core devotees that have followed them over the past 50 years. This book takes a deep dive into their quite anthemic and at times thought provoking catalogue, so if you want to discover more about this rather under the radar act then read on, for this is the book for you!

Length of Read:Short

Might appeal to people who enjoyed…

The work of these artists over the years.

One thing you’ve learned

Read and learn!

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