Agreed. I love those albums. I have listened to them a lot. And whenever I come back to them they still feel really exciting. They must have been a great band to see back then.
Hopefully you won’t be disappointed. Live Bullet and Nine Tonight are indeed among the best live albums ever.
They might even be better than any of his studio albums although any of his albums in and around these live albums are also amongst his best, particularly Night Moves and Stranger In Town.
I think he is sorely underrated as a songwriter. Picking out his best songs, there are some great ballads there, he had a knack for turning out short stories in song and wistful songs about growing up in the fifties. Very American Graffiti. Hot rods, rock’n’roll, diners, drive-ins and teenage sex.
Much as I think he’s great and would listen to Seger over Springsteen any day, what might what held him back is that he didn’t have a Born To Run or a Badlands nor anything as out of step as Nebraska. And so there’s a lot of no-nonsense seventies rock in Seger’s back catalogue, which may be why his live albums are his most appreciated. Her Strut, Betty Lou’s Gettin’ Out Tonight and Rock and Roll Never Forgets work better on Nine Tonight than on studio recordings.
Also unfortunate that the overriding memory of Bob Seger is of Tom Cruise in his pants.
I used to listen to ‘Night Moves’ & ‘Stranger In Town’ quite a lot in the 70’s, I still have the LPs and I agree @Viva-Avalanche that they evoke 50’s American culture in a way that can only be done if you’ve lived it.
He’s one of those artists whose records sit in your collection unplayed and unloved that when you do play them its WTF why haven’t I played* this more often?
Goes rummaging through LP shelves for ‘Night Moves’, he is a class act.
He’s most deserving of the SDE treatment but I don’t think he’s arsed.
His album “Seven” made in 1974 is an absolute ripper and I prefer it to any of his live stuff. It kicks off with “Get Out Of Denver” and it just gets better and better. It has a live, raw sound and Bob’s voice is just phenomenal. “Seen A Lot Of Floors” and “School Teacher” are songs he never bettered. The later AOR stuff sold much better but I prefer him with a bit less polish.
Love his voice, under appreciated in the UK but not that surprising given he rarely showed any interest in playing here or in Europe for that matter. I seem to recall Kate Mossman was a big fan.
I was round my mates house about 10 days ago playing snooker. He is about 10 years younger than me so our musical tastes don’t merge that much. Anyway I suggested he listened to Bob Segers Main Street I hadn’t played it for a few years and boy did it sound good to hear again.
I think of his song Still The Same as employed in Ozark. A brilliant use of music, up there with Mama Cass’s Make Your Own Kind Of Music in Lost. A sweet and sour juxtaposition that enhances both parties and gives a boost to the aged hit, a leap up the Spotify charts.
I think We Have Tonight is one of the great 70s power ballads. “I know it’s late, I know you’re weary. I know your plans don’t include me.” Devastating, and sums up a situation I’m sure lots of us have been in.
Worth mentioning that he was a Detroit garage rocker who would share bills with the Stooges, Amboy Dukes and MC5. Unfortunately, Bob doesn’t rate the music he made during that stage in his career, and for a long time wouldn’t sanction the CD release of his early albums Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man, Noah, Smokin’ OPs or Brand New Morning. I’ll let you be the judge of whether this is misguided; I guess some will prefer the medallion man years …
I “knew” Bob Seger before I knew Bob Seger.
Thin Lizzy’s Rosalie and Eddie And The Hot Rods Get Out Of Denver
Live Bullet is one of those live albums that are pretty much essential
Live Bullet and Nine Tonight are amongst the best live albums ever.
Agreed. I love those albums. I have listened to them a lot. And whenever I come back to them they still feel really exciting. They must have been a great band to see back then.
Off your recommendation @Uncle-Wheaty I’ve just bought both those live albums on Discogs.
Hopefully you won’t be disappointed. Live Bullet and Nine Tonight are indeed among the best live albums ever.
They might even be better than any of his studio albums although any of his albums in and around these live albums are also amongst his best, particularly Night Moves and Stranger In Town.
I think he is sorely underrated as a songwriter. Picking out his best songs, there are some great ballads there, he had a knack for turning out short stories in song and wistful songs about growing up in the fifties. Very American Graffiti. Hot rods, rock’n’roll, diners, drive-ins and teenage sex.
Much as I think he’s great and would listen to Seger over Springsteen any day, what might what held him back is that he didn’t have a Born To Run or a Badlands nor anything as out of step as Nebraska. And so there’s a lot of no-nonsense seventies rock in Seger’s back catalogue, which may be why his live albums are his most appreciated. Her Strut, Betty Lou’s Gettin’ Out Tonight and Rock and Roll Never Forgets work better on Nine Tonight than on studio recordings.
Also unfortunate that the overriding memory of Bob Seger is of Tom Cruise in his pants.
I used to listen to ‘Night Moves’ & ‘Stranger In Town’ quite a lot in the 70’s, I still have the LPs and I agree @Viva-Avalanche that they evoke 50’s American culture in a way that can only be done if you’ve lived it.
Nine Tonight is my favourite of the two.
Classic live rock and roll in its purest form.
Screeching backing singers, short sax and guitar solos and great tunes.
He’s one of those artists whose records sit in your collection unplayed and unloved that when you do play them its WTF why haven’t I played* this more often?
Goes rummaging through LP shelves for ‘Night Moves’, he is a class act.
He’s most deserving of the SDE treatment but I don’t think he’s arsed.
One of those artists who never seemed to be that bothered
about the UK so I never really listened to past Night Moves
His album “Seven” made in 1974 is an absolute ripper and I prefer it to any of his live stuff. It kicks off with “Get Out Of Denver” and it just gets better and better. It has a live, raw sound and Bob’s voice is just phenomenal. “Seen A Lot Of Floors” and “School Teacher” are songs he never bettered. The later AOR stuff sold much better but I prefer him with a bit less polish.
Love his voice, under appreciated in the UK but not that surprising given he rarely showed any interest in playing here or in Europe for that matter. I seem to recall Kate Mossman was a big fan.
I was round my mates house about 10 days ago playing snooker. He is about 10 years younger than me so our musical tastes don’t merge that much. Anyway I suggested he listened to Bob Segers Main Street I hadn’t played it for a few years and boy did it sound good to hear again.
When is he coming around yours to play on that indoor 10 pin bowling 🎳 alley? You can play that Wet Leg record 😎🥸🍺🤣🥸😎
I think of his song Still The Same as employed in Ozark. A brilliant use of music, up there with Mama Cass’s Make Your Own Kind Of Music in Lost. A sweet and sour juxtaposition that enhances both parties and gives a boost to the aged hit, a leap up the Spotify charts.
If a terrific song is one whose playing instantly transports you back to a very specific time and place, then STS is a terrific song
I think We Have Tonight is one of the great 70s power ballads. “I know it’s late, I know you’re weary. I know your plans don’t include me.” Devastating, and sums up a situation I’m sure lots of us have been in.
Against The Wind. Very Jackson Browne. “Wish I didn’t know now what I didn’t know then.” Class.
He definitely has that aching teenage, and latterly middle-aged, angst nailed.
Worth mentioning that he was a Detroit garage rocker who would share bills with the Stooges, Amboy Dukes and MC5. Unfortunately, Bob doesn’t rate the music he made during that stage in his career, and for a long time wouldn’t sanction the CD release of his early albums Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man, Noah, Smokin’ OPs or Brand New Morning. I’ll let you be the judge of whether this is misguided; I guess some will prefer the medallion man years …