Music review: Bob Seger – 鈥業 Knew You When鈥�
With 2017 coming to a quiet close, now is the perfect time for feeling nostalgic and looking back at the people and events that helped to shape who we are today.
On Bob Seger鈥檚 latest effort, the Detroit rock legend finds himself in a reflective mood as he sings on the title track, 鈥淵ou helped me through my darkest hours/You always were my friend/You gave me hope to carry on/Because I knew you when.鈥�
鈥淚 Knew You When鈥� is Seger鈥檚 18th studio release and is dedicated to the memory of longtime friend Glenn Frey, who passed away in 2016.
The stirring 鈥淚鈥檒l Remember You鈥� serves as another Seger-penned track about friendship, loyalty and lessons learned.
As a member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Seger has always had a knack for crafting a memorable tune.
The 72-year-old Seger shows no signs of slowing down and proves that 2014鈥檚 鈥淩ide Out鈥� wasn鈥檛 his swan song as witnessed on new straightforward rock tracks 鈥淩unaway Train鈥� and 鈥淭he Highway.鈥�
鈥淕racile鈥� opens the set with the same gritty assurance and swagger displayed on 1976鈥檚 鈥淪unspot Baby鈥� and 1980鈥檚 鈥淗er Strut.鈥�
The album also includes strong covers of Lou Reed鈥檚 鈥淏usload of Faith鈥� and Leonard Cohen鈥檚 鈥淒emocracy.鈥� Both tracks deliver a powerful and timely message about staying vigilant during turbulent times.
Rock flavorings of Led Zeppelin鈥檚 鈥淜ashmir鈥� can be prominently heard on 鈥淭he Sea Inside.鈥� This pounding number soars with a dramatic sense of purpose by illustrating the calming solace discovered when moving away from earthly things and focusing on what鈥檚 truly in our heart.
The deluxe edition includes 鈥淕lenn Song.鈥� The touching tribute to Frey features Seger closing the album by tenderly singing, 鈥淭here was no one quite like you.鈥� The friendship between the two artists had its early beginnings with Seger鈥檚 鈥淩amblin鈥� Gamblin鈥� Man.鈥� The 1968 hit featured Frey on acoustic guitar and singing backing vocals. Years later, Seger would lend his writing skills to the Eagles鈥� 鈥淗eartache Tonight.鈥�
Once again rock and roll never forgets. And fortunately for fans, neither does Seger.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.