Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band
Sprint Center
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Everything seems to go silent as Bob Seger, at this point behind the piano, utters that last line of the last verse of "Turn the Page"-- You smoke the day's last cigarette / Rememberin' what she said. It's a heartbreaker, and it's one of the night's many reminders of one reason that Bob Seger has long had a very singular connection with a widespread and diverse heartland fanbase. Without an ounce of pretense, his songs strike deep, unforgettable chords.
Several other things are notable about this performance, 18 songs into Thursday night's 25-song set. First, as the Detroit rocker points out before launching into it, this song is 40 years old, written in 1971 in Oklahoma (presumably on the road), and Seger gives longtime saxophonist Alto Reed credit upfront for the searching horn part that makes it work. It's also a song by a 26-year-old rocker already sounding road-weary, which no doubt accounts for Seger's long absences from touring after his huge successes of the '70s and '80s.
So perhaps it is only appropriate that when the bespectacled, silver-headed and casually dressed Seger first addresses the mic for the opening double shot of "Roll Me Away" and Otis Clay's "Trying to Live My Life Without You," he looks more like an aging writer than a rock-and-roll star. Seger's lyrics matter, whether contemplating "autumn closing in" or the wonderful urgency of "the fire down below." And it makes sense that he tips his hat to another great songwriter, Tom Waits, with his new cover of "Downtown Train."
While all of Seger's hugely popular songs -- and let there be no doubt, the night delivers a widely accessible greatest-hits set -- have a light touch that makes them great party records, what's also evident is just how the maturity of these songs serves them well 30 and 40 years down the line. Sure, "Down on Main Street" and "Night Moves" obviously only grow more haunting and resonant with age, but the same can be said for virtually everything here -- the "yep, got fooled again" chuckles of "Sunspot Baby," the tender celebration of "Beautiful Loser," and the arms-wide-open "Rock and Roll Never Forgets." These are songs that capture lived experience with just the right detail, and the sing-along crowd chimes in like they mean it (because they do).
Of course, the words wouldn't matter without the music, and Seger makes sure that the show rocks hard from beginning to end. At 66 (in fact, the show falls on the eve of his and longtime backup singer Shaun Murphy's birthdays), he sounds incredibly good. That big old sledgehammer of a voice - -that he finds ways to yield with scalpel-like precision and, always, the restraint and delicacy of soul -- has never sounded better. And, as the show goes on, he only seems younger and stronger, working his way from playing guitar on a stool to the piano to, most often, simply dancing at the mic. By the quick break 14 songs deep, when he returns to the stage dressed in a fresh, black sleeveless shirt, it's hard to imagine the young Seger having much edge on this man's energy. That transformation as the show goes on adds a poignancy that wouldn't have been possible in that young man's set anyhow.
Every bit as impressive is the band that surrounds him, a core few who date back to the Seger Sound System of the late '60s. Guitarist Mark Chatfield is always ready to stoke the coals with a fiery solo, and sax player (multi-instrumentalist) Reed somehow manages to look and move like he's been carefully preserved in some kind of cryogenic chamber since the '70s. Backup singers Murphy, Barbara Payton and Laura Creamer bring all kinds of dimensions to the set as well, ranging from the gospel shadings of "Good for Me" to Creamer's sassy tom-tom drumming on "Her Strut." The four-piece Motor City horns, a relatively young group of Detroit crack musicians, also offer not only all the punch necessary but also playful showmanship, including some Spinner's-like digging choreography to go along with yet another strut, that taunting rhythmic progression that hallmarks Seger's "Come to Poppa" (his famous cover of Ann Peeble's "Come to Momma," like so much of what Seger does, paying homage to an integrated rock-and-soul tradition that sometimes seems forgotten today).
The show rocked hard to the end of the main set. Seger shouts "Hang onto your credit cards, boys," before launching into "Sunspot Baby" (about a fling with a girl who robs the character blind), "Horizontal Bop" (about what rock and roll is always about), and "Katmandu" (a song of supreme deliverance with Mark Chatfield tearing through Chuck Berry-style licks to find the power in the history). That would have been a fine closer, but unfinished business led to two encores, two songs each: "Against the Wind" and "Night Moves" answered by "Hollywood Nights" and "Rock and Roll Never Forgets," respectively, summing up the frustration and loss that only increase with age, and answering those feelings with the gifts of rock-and-roll abandon and compassion. It doesn't get much better than this.
Critic's Bias: I grew up in a place and time when Bob Seger's music was, quite literally, the soundtrack of our lives.
Critic's Notebook: Opener Frankie Ballard may actually illustrate the gap between the hard-won weight of '70s rock and the country that tries to emulate it today. At the same time, he sure knows how to sell "Fortunate Son," with a dedication to our troops that allows for every bit of anger that John Fogerty intended.
Overheard in the Crowd: "I'm lovin' this show more than ... well, than a lot of 'em. I know all the songs!"
Set List:
Roll Me Away
Trying to Live My Life Without You
Fire Down Below
Down on Main Street
Old Time Rock and Roll
Downtown Train
Ramblin' Man
Real Mean Bottle
Good for Me
Shining Brightly
Travelin' Man
Beautiful Loser
(five-minute break, literally)
Nutbush City Limits
Come to Poppa
Her Strut
Long Twin Silver Line
We've Got Tonight
Turn the Page
Sunspot Baby
Horizontal Bop
Katmandu
First Encore:
Against the Wind
Hollywood Nights
Second Encore:
Night Moves
Rock and Roll Never Forgets
Showing 1-50 of 62
bob seger still looks GOOD :) i have listened to ur music since became famous, and u still HOT :) back then and today. glad to see that u went back on tour, hopefully it wont be ur last. a fan of urs 4ever tina- toledo
i just love bob segar every time i hear his music it takes me back in time {the good ole days}good times i know that
I spend a lot of time in the UK - He would be fabulous at the Sheffield Arena. I would love for my husband to see him.
I'm flying over from the UK on Friday, seeing the man on Saturday and flying home on Sunday. I'm so excited !!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE COME TO THE UK WE LOVE YOU OVER HERE :o))
Phénoménal BOB SEGER , cet artiste est immense.... Exceptionnel artiste.... Dommage qu'il n'y est aucun DVD sur le marché internationnal.....En France c'est introuvable dans les bacs .
USA.... Vous avez une chance extraordinaire d'avoir une rock star d'une telle envergure !!!!!!
Je suis et resterai un admirateur inconditionnel !!! Longue vie à toi BOB SEGER !!!!!!
I've been a fan of Man through all his bands..Had the unique honor of seeing him play at a Southfield High School dance I believe that would have been 1967. Heavy Music!!! Love the voice and true spirit he gives his songs. Rock till the dawn comes calling Mr Seger and thanks for walking me through life with your music.
I can't believe he left out the West coast...So Sad.........We love you out here too you know!
Saw the show here in K.C. and it rocked.I am 50 and I have seen Bob 3 times I was 17 the first time,he is just as good now as he was back in the day!!!
You cannot hate on folks for getting older.. he is by far my favorite artist of all time!!! my step-dad bought me tickets for christmas and it was the greatest christmas present I had ever recieved!!!! The show was amazing and I was soooo blessed to see "in person" the man that shaped my life through his words!!! I cried through half of the show because every song meant something so personal to me....bet there are alot of people like that!
Just saw Bob in Toronto a few wks ago and this article captures the essence of the show in total - Bob keeps rockin like he did when I first saw him in the late 70's. Perhaps the thing that struck me most (of course besides the incredible music) was the fact that Bob seemed so happy up there and really loving how into it the audience was. I am looking forward to seeing him again in a couple of wks here in London, Ontario - 2nd row this time - oh yeah!
Just saw the show in Indy he forgot the third verse to Turn the Page..... but we all saved him as the whole place was singing... He said "I have never forgot the words, soory thats what happens when you get old"
Saw his performance in Nashville! Been going to Seger concerts since I was in high school and will be in the audience when and if he comes back!! Loved it!!!
thanks bob seger for every song, every note to have created, for every single one has a meaning in our lives and our childrens. for we have listened and lived your music every day of our lives .
Saw Seger and The Silver Bullet Band in Nashville Tenn and this was one of many of there concerts I have been to over the numerous years..All I can say is WOW!!! Bob still rocks the house and sounds as good if not better than before...Took my 18 year old son that has been to every kind of concert under the sun and he came out with a huge smile and said it was the best all around show he has seen...Now for me that says it all..Thanks Bob and The Silver Bullet Band
Landon
Please please please come to Charlottesville Virginia. We have a super cool arena for you to play in called the John Paul Jones Arena.
I saw you in concert in the early 80's and I absolutely love you.
My sons, all three of them love you as well and it sure would be a nice family event to be able to see you in concert again.
You are...... without one single bit of doubt my favorite singer.
Please please please come to Charlottesville Virginia !!!!!!!!! SOON
The Nashville show was awesome came from Kingsport just to see it,hopes he comes to knoxvegas this fall
I saw him in New Orleans also and did not want the show to end. I had a great time and I hope he comes back again or maybe even to Biloxi MS
Absolutely. I didn't do it on purpose, and he was great. There were 15 people on that stage, and I would have loved to write about several of them in more detail.
I'm a old Bob Seger fan I have seen him three times live and they were all good and have a ton of pictures of him when he was much younger. I still play his music loud and proud today though I listen to country but every now and then I go back to my rock and roll rutes. My favorite cd is live bullet. I was so pleased when BoB came out of retirement.
Bob Seger, is the best of Rock n roll.Love him,Hope he comes to Kentucky real soon,because I am waiting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My one and only time to see 'Bob!' in concert was Nov 2006. My sis got us tickets for early Cmas. It was amazing. The whole audience sang every song, every line, every "uhhh". We couldn't afford this tour. Both sooo disappointed. This article was perfectly worded! The writing was 'right on'. The consumate description of a show that leaves one speechless. If they would only film a performance and sell it - I'd buy it. Nothing like LIVE! But times are hard...
Great review. Saw him in Boston. Best show I've been to in years and I've seen a lot of BIG shows. Danny Alexander left off one very important band member. The AMAZING Don Brewer, of Grand Funk Railroad on skins. One of the greatest drummers ever and one of the nicest guys around. Duhhh.....Danny.
He filmed the last tour but nothing was ever released becauseBob's such a perfectionist - he wasn't happy with problems with the lighting. Since there's so much amatuer video on youtube, he really needs to lighten up a bit and put out the pro stuff - doubtful anyone else would notice the "problems".
I strongly urge you to do everything in your power to find a ticket! I hate to admit but I got tickets thru a "broker " (aka dirty scalper) and I'll be flying into Detroit next week for a show at the Palace - NOT TO BE MISSED!!!!!
My mom introduced me to the world of Bob Seger and I have been in love ever since. Mom has been gone for 20 years now and I am grateful that she shared her love of great music with me. I can't wait until he comes to California! Thank you for this tour!!!
I am 43 years old and I have NEVR attended a concert in my life ( sad I know...LOL) ... But I ALWAYS said if I EVER get the chance to see Bob Seger that is the ONLY one I care to see.... I got my wish I seen him a few weeks back in Atlanta Georgia... OMG !!! He was AWESOME !!!!
Left Flordia to go to New Orleans to see Bob once again and he put on one of his best shows.He's ageless!
Yes. You're right. I knew that, but for some reason wrote the wrong order--I think because of the way I wrote about them in the body (where I got it right). Thanks for the correction. I'll see if we can't get that changed.
Saw him in Toledo and I will see him again at Auburn Hills!! He is the ultimate rocker!! Can't get enough of his music. Have been a fan since the mid 70's and have seen him to many times to count and looking forward to adding more shows as this tour continues.
This man is nothing BUT PURE TALENT as a song writer and I could listen to that smoky voice forever. Please come to Virginia!
The encores were:
1st Encore: Against The Wind and Hollywood Nights
2nd Encore: Night Moves and Rock & Roll Never Forgets
Not only was I there and dying thinking he wasn't going to do Night Moves, BUT I got a set list off the stage after the show!
Great review - thoughtful, well written and it really captured the essence of what it's like to be at a Bob Seger concert! I took my sister to the concert in Toronto in April for her 49th (and holding) birthday and we were both blown away by the musicianship, the lyrics and of course Seger's eternally awesome voice!
sorry- didn't read your post before posting myself! Nashville was an awesome show!
I seen him in Nashville....AWESOME. I wish he would put out a concert DVD. I would love to see him rock out in Detroit!!!
Guess there just isn't time for everything ... I saw him in Nashville on April 21st and Kid Rock made a surprise visit to the stage (which we could've lived without) and we didn't get to hear Katmandu, which I was really looking forward to. But Bob Seger is AMAZING! I was a teenager of the 70s and have been a huge fan for 40 years and that night was one of the best ever ... Thanks Bob!
Saw him in Nashville a few weeks back. It was my first time, and, like Danny, Seger was the soundtrack of my life as well. We had one special guest in Nashville, though- we got Kid Rock to join him on stage for "Real Mean Bottle" duet! I was disappointed about the opening act, though. Not that good, and 20K people were itching to see Bob.
I saw Bob Seger in St. Louis back in I think 1983 and he was fantastic. I would give my left arm to see him again. At that concert he did do Fire Lake and it was exceptional! I've been to a lot of concerts but he was right up there with Jethro Tull!!! If I could see him 1 more time before I die, I would be a happy woman.
It was the best concert ever. Bob can still rock hard and his voice is still so good, Great job Bob, I love you
I saw this show in Atlantic city in April, and gotta say, after growing up in Michigan in the 70's, where Seger was the musical fabric of my life, this show freakin ROCKED! He had more soul and energy than any (much younger) band I have seen in the past 30 years. His show as as good, if not better, as his shows I saw in the 70's and 80's. I felt truly blessed to watch this man still doing what he does best...entertain!
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