Almost a week after the Bob Seger show at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, I’m caught myself thinking about the show, and how soulful and energized the Detroit rock icon was.
He played 2 hours, 20 minutes, and mixed the setlist up just enough to make it interesting with some deep cuts. Seger played to the back of the hall as much as the front row. And he did both. We weren’t standing close, though dead-ahead center with the stage, 20 yards behind the soundboard.
When I saw him in 2006, I found a happy place in the top row of the upper deck, with a straight on view of the stage. I had moved four songs into that show that November night, after having heard enough of the muddy sound the venue is so famous – that’s what a cheap upper deck, side stage ticket from a scalper 10 minutes before the show will sometimes get you. But once I relocated, it was magical. Because Seger is about the voice, the songs and the band. Not the flash, the light show or the wardrobe changes.
Last Saturday night, Seger reinvested in the heartland rock and roll that he does better than anyone else, and has formed the template for hundreds (thousands) of bands. And, defying a bit of age and both the good and band of having spent so much of his life on a stage, he did that magical rock and roll thing again, aided mightily by a crowd that knew that songs, and songs that are still rock and roll relevant.
Is it cool to like Bob Seger? It is to me.
Three good things about the show:
1. No video screens. Makes the crowd follow the music and musicians in a more organic way. I can’t overstate the difference it makes in a show when eyes and ears are your own, not owned by the video director.
Rob Nichols
Madison's Ohio River Folk Festival lineup announced: Paul Thorn, The Greencards, Carrie Newcomer, David Bromberg
One of Indiana’s best music festivals, the Ohio River Valley Folk Festival, has announced their full lineup for the May 20-22 event in Madison. Among the artists on the schedule include Paul Thorn, The Greencards, David Bromberg Quartet, Carrie Newcomer and Uncle Earl, a Rounder Records five-piece all-female American string band.
Built on the banks of the Ohio River, Madison’s a great historic town, and one that likes a good party. It was my first post-college town, and I lived there for almost three years, and still go back about once a year. Even on a regular weekend, there’s always live music at two or three downtown clubs, like Joey G’s or the Electric Lady.
A big arts community and annual events like the Madison Regatta, and the Ribberfest Blues and BBQ festival make it good place to grab a beer and catch some music. At the risk of sounding all chamber of commerce-y, drive down I-65 and hang for a day or two at this one…
Ohio River Valley Folk Festival – Lineup
Friday, May 20
6 pm Mickey Clark and Blue Norther
8 pm Adrienne Young
10 pm The Greencards
Saturday, May 21
1 pm The Tillers
3 pm The Wiyos
5 pm Paul Thorn
7 pm David Bromberg Quartet
9 pm Uncle Earl
Sunday, May 22
1 pm BlueGrazz Junction
2:30 pm Greg Ziesemer and Kris Luckett
4 pm Hogeye Navvy
6 pm Carrie Newcomer
First Listen: The Cars new album
The new album from reunited 80’s rockers The Cars can be heard here ahead of it’s release later this month. Very close to their classic sound; a guiilty pleasure.
Not an album of the year candidate, but makes for a nostalgic listen for those who remember the band’s first three albums. “Too Late” is a poppy keeper, “Keep on Knocking” could have made it onto Heartbeat City and “Sad Song” is the old sound, ripped off as only they can be allowed to do.
Indiana Music: the tales of Otis Gibbs; new pics of Henry Lee Summer
Americana singer/songwriter Otis Gibbs wrapped up his European tour this weekend, and was headed home on lasty\ Sunday night from Norway. He tweeted that he “shared a taxi to the airport with Loudon Wainwright”. No word on if they performed a duet of “Dead Skunk” on the way.
Gibbs – from Indiana, now living in Nashville, Tennessee – then shared the stage Wednesday night in Louisville with fellow East Nashville resident Todd Snider at the Kentucky Derby Festival Great Steamboat Race After Party
Henry Lee Summer has released pics from his recent photo shoot with Heather Miles. You can check out the images here.
Two to Hear: The Trews and Gasoline Heart
How about checking out a couple bands that embrace the roots/heartland rock sound? Both have been playing shows for a few years in their respective regions, one being all of Canada, the other in Florida.
The Trews – A Canadian rock band, with all four members from Nova Scotia. They’ve been together for over a decade, led by two brothers: lead singer Colin MacDonald brother/guitarist John-Angus. Anthemic rock, a bit U2-ish and even Pearl Jam, minus some of the angst. New album called Hope and Ruin sounds more Midwest than Great White North.
You will like them if you like: The BoDeans, Canadian bands like the Tragically Hip, Will Hoge.
How did I hear about them?: An email newsletter from a NYC PR woman who works with independent musicians.
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Gasoline Heart – Orlando rock band led by a guy named Louis DeFabrizio. He’s gone through a dozen guitar players, some drummers and bass players, and keeps pushing forward. Released a live album called No Applause Necessary in March. Petty harmonies and spit-on-the-ground attitude. It’s three-chord rock and roll, with guitars loud enough to make your head nod and hooks big enough to make your shoulders move. They are on a southern jaunt until May 4, when they end up at Nashville, TN. Would be a good fit at Radio Radio.
You will like them if you like: Tom Petty, Replacements, Gaslight Anthem, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Foo Fighters
How did I hear about them?: I think it was a Facebook post from Eric Ambel (former member of The Del-Lords and producer of The Bottle Rockets)
Free Live Single of “Armadillo”- Download here
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Seger Hits Indy Saturday – this could be the last time?
On Saturday night (May 7) Bob Seger’s show hits at Conseco Fieldhouse. Watch (at the end of the post) a video of a “Live Bullet” pairing, taken from Seger’s opening night show in Toledo. Seger says this is probably the last big tour he’ll do, and while the grey hair is prominent and it’s been almost than 50 years (on the road for most of the first 30 of those) since his first Ann Arbor and Detroit hits, the Bob is still rocking. Check out the reverberating performance from Grand Funk Railroad drummer Don Brewer in the video.
Is it cynical to call Seger a grandpa-looking dude onstage? Yes, it is. The songs? C’mon. Is there a classic rock radio artist who has more songs on the radio every day, all over the country? I would place a bet that he gets more airplay these days than either the Beatles or the Stones.
Bob Seger music, argue if you must, has represented that heartland rock/Indiana music sound far longer (and at least as well) than even our own Mellencamp, and the Michigan rocker is still embracing his inner arena rock and roll, road songs soul. Love the Seger.
Now, if only his manager would get the damn music on iTunes, so someone under 30 years-old might find him.
VIDEO: “Travelin’ Man/Beautiful Loser”
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