Bob Seger - Early Seger Vol 1

When Bob Seger's "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man" came poundin' out of the radio in 1969, damn near every rock'n'roller became a fan of this Detroit purveyor of "Heavy Music". Of course, he had a quieter side, as well, and his later ballads are what he is now known for, but early on, this man was part of the same scene that brought us everyone from Grand Funk Railroad to the Amboy Dukes to the MC5 and the Stooges. Seger has apparently been somewhat ashamed of his early music and was at one time blocking any reissues, but hopefully with the advent of this CD, he is seeing the light and understanding that there is a big fan base for this time period.

This package begins with a fast, tough take on the Allman Brothers' "Midnight Rider", quiets down a bit for his dynamic version of "If I Were a Carpenter" that builds nicely in intensity, he "borrows" from Chuck Berry for the ravin' road trip of "Get Out of Denver", goes full-on ballady for "Someday" and a bit of slightly mellow, wah-wah'd r'n'r for his sarcastic ode to selling out in "U.M.C. (Upper Middle Class)".

He's more straight-forward in his chooglin' rock for "Long Song Comin'" (nice horns and female backing vocals here), gives another moody ballad with "Star Tonight" (not particularly a winner), but "Gets Ya Pumpin'" is a hip piece of heavy, guitar-driven funkiness with a slight hint of Zep's rendition of  "When the Levee Breaks" in the groove, "Wildfire" is quick-paced but sorta wimpy road/groupie number, and unfortunately, instead of going out with a bang, another ballad, "Days When the Rain Would Come", was chosen to ends things on a quieter, "Night Moves"-styled, note.

I don't know who picked the songs or what criteria they used, but I would certainly have made some different selections for this comp. It's not bad, but could easily have been a lot stronger. I would pick up Lucy Blue (aka Ramblin' Gamblin' Man, as the record company made them change due to the hit) or Smokin' OP's for great introductions to his early work. (I dig the pix of young Seger and his band in the booklet - dig the crazy drum kit - you'll know what I mean when you see it!)