Bob Seger -- Early Seger Vol. 1
Hideout Records
www.bobseger.com

Rating: B

Seger fans rejoice! This sure looks, smells and sounds like the first in a series of releases of Bob Seger's early daze -- er days.  The funkified rockin' outburst that is the early 70's output of one of Detroit's finest proves that this young white boy had some soul in him. 

Just check out his remakes of the classic tunes "Midnight Rider" and "If I Were A Carpenter" and you will see Seger used to know how to boogie down with some Motown soul.  "Get Out of Denver" and "U.M.C." are two classic  tracks penned by the young rocker that showed greatness was just around the corner.

There are a few ditties that were never before released as well.  The 80's (not really the early days but what the hell) saw "Star Tonight," "Days When The Rain Would Come" and "Wildfire" considered for the Like A Rock album while "Heartbeat" was recorded for Don Johnson's Heartbeat album in 1986. The gem of the show is a song called "Gets Ya Pumpin'."  This one rocks and goes back to 1973. 

Some of the tunes were remastered from original tapes while others saw Seger adding horns or other musical ideas to the old tracks.  Seger handpicked the tunes that made it onto the final product. 

No one is really sure if there will be a Volume II or not but if Vol I is any indication then the fans will demand to hear more.

by Jeb Wright