TVD Class of ’72 | “Smokin’ O.P.’s” by Bob Seger

(Ed's note: As we mentioned earlier in the week, our pal Jeff from AM, then FM will be joining us several times a month with a dip in the box of LP's from the 70's. Today is his first installment, and given our covers themed week, it's quite timely indeed.)

If you know Bob Seger only from “Night Moves” and the Silver Bullet Band in the late ‘70s, you really ought to get to know the other Bob Seger.

He’s a pretty cool guy. Those of us who grew up in the Midwest have known that guy since the early ‘70s, maybe even the late ‘60s. That’s when we started digging his stuff, which was – and is -- passionate, gritty, hard-rocking and energetic.

“Smokin’ O.P.’s,” released in August 1972, is an album made up mostly of covers. It’s sort of a bridge between the earliest tunes by Bob Seger and the Last Heard and then the Bob Seger System -- tunes that were big mostly only around Detroit -- and some early ’70s solo albums that were big mostly only in the Midwest.

On this one, Seger is standing smack at the intersection of Rock, Soul and Blues. You’ll also dig his formidable backing band. In particular, Mike Bruce on guitar, Skip Knope on Hammond organ and Pam Todd and Crystal Jenkins on lead and backup vocals.

Bob Seger - Bo Diddley/Who Do You Love (Bo Diddley cover) (Mp3)
Bob Seger - Love The One You’re With (Stephen Stills cover) (Mp3)
Bob Seger - Turn On Your Love Light (Bobby "Blue" Bland cover) (Mp3)

All from “Smokin’ O.P.’s,” Bob Seger, 1972.