The Man of Matt: Revisiting Bob Seger
Matt Smith doesn't just get back stage with Motley Crue, Sammy Hagar, Vince Neil, Supernova and the like. He found himself hanging out with the Silver Bullet Band recently when Bob Seger came to town:
Still playing catch up on the blog now. We got back in from Ohio in time to see Bob Seger at Alltel arena. The crowd was huge for a classic rock show, you could tell by the hunger in the crowd that Bob had been missed.
It has been many years since Seger was out on tour, and longer still since he’s made a visit to the natural state. I heard that the show was only 54
tickets from a complete sell out. This was the typical old school rock
concert with the Silver Bullet Band playing the big hits from through out Seger’s long and storied career.There were a few songs mixed in from the new album and they got a positive response. The entire band did an excellent job, but you could tell that this was an oldies rock show. I enjoyed the concert, and I’m glad I got to see Bob. I had never seen him in concert before. Seger is in the same age group as the Rolling Stones and Sammy Hagar, but unlike them – he shows his age. The Rolling Stones totally and completely dominate an arena and put on a massive non-stop performance. Sammy Hagar does not stop moving, singing, or drinking during a gig. Seger did his bit, but not like them. The stage presence of the group reminded me of the last time the original members of Black Sabbath went out on the road. They played the old songs – but didn’t get to active on stage. The one big exception to this was the lead guitar player – he ripped through out the entire concert. I am anxious to see how THE WHO will perform at Altell on March 22.
The after party backstage at Bob Seger was extremely low key. You can tell theses guys are AARP members. Nothing loud, nothing crazy, mostly the consumption of bottled water and some polite photos with fans. The back stage guests actually drank the beer!
This was a laid back show for me – but, I’m grateful I was able to attend.
Bob Seger may never go back on tour – this round is probably the last chance to catch him on stage.Hit his spot for a video and some songs – www.myspace.com/bobseger
Next up – the Goo Goo Dolls and Augustana -- Matt Smith
Comments
I have many friends who are Bob Segar fans. Granted, his songs are reminiscient of many rocking memories. But, I personally find that his music is much like his late life, laid back life style...hedging upon lethargy.
Let's face it, this man parked the creative juices back around 1976 when he 'woke up in a cloud of thunder." Yes, that was some good sstuff, but then (like the Barry Manilow of rock) everything he recorded followed the exact same formula -- like a tired Chevy commercial.
I'll gladly take "2+2=?" and the rest of you can rock out to "Old Tome Rock & Roll." I'll keep Rock and Roll Never Forgets (the song that birthed the formula to many of his later rock & roll anthems) and you other Seger fans can keep all the offspring from Rock and Roll Never Forgets -- like "Against the Wind," "Old Time Rock & Roll," and "Like a Rock." There is a reason why Seger's record sales dripped dramatically in 1982...it was then that it all began to sound exactly alike. The listening public caught on to the constant connection of the three chords. So, Tom Petty, John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen and the American rock sound prospered during the decade of the 80's and Seger was on his way to embracing a shmaltzy pop sound with Shakedown.
Seger had become -- for all intensive purposes, an industry man, a sell out, a pimp of popular sounds, simply to push albums. I don't fault him. Make that money Bob, but make sure you make more than the blood sucking lable!
Still, go back to 1968 or 1975 and listen to Ramblin' Gamblin' Man, "Get Out of Denver," or "Katmandu," or even "Turn the Page" and tell me you don't hear more soul in those songs. You do...this is before Bob Seger sold his soul to the industry -- turn the page.
Posted by: Mark the Hooper![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/rockcandy/nav-commenters.gif)
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March 1, 2007 03:26 PM
I have many friends who are Bob Segar fans. Granted, his songs are reminiscient of many rocking memories. But, I personally find that his music is much like his late life, laid back life style...hedging upon lethargy.
Let's face it, this man parked the creative juices back around 1976 when he 'woke up in a cloud of thunder." Yes, that was some good sstuff, but then (like the Barry Manilow of rock) everything he recorded followed the exact same formula -- like a tired Chevy commercial.
I'll gladly take "2+2=?" and the rest of you can rock out to "Old Tome Rock & Roll." I'll keep Rock and Roll Never Forgets (the song that birthed the formula to many of his later rock & roll anthems) and you other Seger fans can keep all the offspring from Rock and Roll Never Forgets -- like "Against the Wind," "Old Time Rock & Roll," and "Like a Rock." There is a reason why Seger's record sales dripped dramatically in 1982...it was then that it all began to sound exactly alike. The listening public caught on to the constant connection of the three chords. So, Tom Petty, John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen and the American rock sound prospered during the decade of the 80's and Seger was on his way to embracing a shmaltzy pop sound with Shakedown.
Seger had become -- for all intensive purposes, an industry man, a sell out, a pimp of popular sounds, simply to push albums. I don't fault him. Make that money Bob, but make sure you make more than the blood sucking lable!
Still, go back to 1968 or 1975 and listen to Ramblin' Gamblin' Man, "Get Out of Denver," or "Katmandu," or even "Turn the Page" and tell me you don't hear more soul in those songs. You do...this is before Bob Seger sold his soul to the industry -- turn the page.
Posted by: Mark the Hooper![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/rockcandy/nav-commenters.gif)
|
March 1, 2007 03:26 PM