Often considered the album that finally got Bob Seger and his band long-overdue acclaim beyond Detroit and the state of Michigan, Live Bullet has been released in a remastered version by Capitol and is available through iTunes. The reissue marks the kickoff of the 66-year-old singer and the Silver Bullet Band's second leg of their current North American tour. Originally recorded in Detroit's Cobo Hall in September 1975 and released the next year, the band rocked out on a mix of originals, some of which went on to become rock classics. Other selections included covers of icons like Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley, all fed by the electric energy of an enthusiastic audience. What they ended up with was a multi-platinum album that, together with the '76 studio LP Night Moves, made Seger and the Silver Bullet Band a household name.
The concert included a quintet of live versions of songs from 1975's Beautiful Losers, including the popular title track, a high-powered and rollicking "Katmandu," and a driving, dramatic "Travelin' Man." The first two were destined for greatest hits compilations, and the other should have been. Also from that album came the lesser known "Jody Girl" and a cover of Tina Turner's "Nutbush City Limits." From his Back in '72 album comes another Seger standard, the classic "band on the road" epic, "Turn the Page," along with a funky version of Van Morrison's "I've Been Working." From '72's Smokin' O.P.'s, the band expanded Berry's "Let It Rock" into an audience-pleasing, eight- minute-plus medley which closed the concert in an explosive climax. They also play a Bo Diddley medley and Seger's own "Heavy Music" from that album. The Bo Diddley/Chuck Berry vibe is up front in Seger's "Get Out of Denver" from his Seven album, and there's also a subdued, bluesy change of pace in "U. M. C." Then there's "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man" from Seger's debut album.
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