Search - Bob Seger :: Mongrel

A Hidden Gem!

William C. Stuart | Livonia, MI. USA | 02/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Unless you grew up in Detroit You've probably never heard of this album. This was Seger's band (The Bob Seger System) in 1970



Why this recording is not a staple of the classic rock airwaves is a mystery. Every song on this album (or CD if you can find one) is top notch Bob Seger hard rock. This particular group smoked!



The Best cuts are Teachin Blues,Lucifer,River Deep Mountian High, and Highway Child.



Teachin Blues flat out honks! I defy anyone to listen to this song once without an instant recue. Segers voice on this album was at it's ballsy best. this cut will flatten almost anything!

a two minute wonder!



Lucifer is another stomper. Great lyrics tremendous beat and rhythem. Also an instant repeat tune.



River Deep Mountain High is the cats meow. Recorded live (though one writer claims that the crowd noise was added in - I doubt it) this band live just hands down kicked some serious ass!



This is protoype classic early hard rock. Fantastic vocals,scorching leads,and thundrous drums. This jam demands top volume and throbing eardrums after. A totally overlooked classic.



Again why this album wasn't a smash back then remains a mystery. I would chalk it up to Seger only being a regional act at the time and the competition-How many other great albums came out in 1970? Hundreds?



Beg,buy,or steal a copy of Mongrel you won't regret it



CRANK IT UP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then buy some new speakers!



WCS

Michigan

"

On the growl

running_man | Chesterfield Twp., MI | 05/26/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Just as the Buffalo Bills were unable to secure a Super Bowl despite four appearances in the early 1990's, 'Mongrel' is the third in the Bob Seger System's series of failures to stick an album in the upper echelons of Billboard's charts during the psychedelic era. The album was hardly visible at number 171 in August of 1970, but that is more of a testimony to the savage competition that existed at the time, as well as an indictment of a serious omission by the public to recognize Seger's talent. While it's easy to knock the album, what explanation is there for a song like 'Lucifer', one of Bob's most tasty compositions, being unable to break into the Top 40?



This third release by Seger under the moniker of the Bob Seger System is one of the artists most politicized, hard-rock statements. It catches Seger indulging plentifully in his trademark raspy growl, even preaching to the choir in the title track, "spread my freedom and scream for my rights". Seger's reluctance to re-issue 'Mongrel' may in part be due to his strong anti-drug stance, which wasn't always reflected early in his career with lyrics such as "I'm a junk runner honey, hotter than the noonday sun" from the hard-rock opener 'Song To Rufus'. The songs also include frequent signs of the times, with lyrics such as "if you've got love, you're gonna get through" from 'Big River' and the anti-draft statement that is 'Leanin' On My Dream'. The highly politicized blues track 'Highway Child' reflects the eco-consciousness of the era, and serves up the highly plaintive "I'm so apathetic, I can't believe I'm free" lyric.



Aside from 'Lucifer' which is probably Seger's funkiest rock number, featuring lyrics that take us back to Ramblin' Gamblin' Man and Lucy Blue, the best track is the System's cover of Ike and Tina Turner's 'River Deep - Mountain High'. The song was penned by Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry ('Hanky Panky') together with Phil Spector in 1966. Renditions have been added by The Animals and Deep Purple, and Seger manages to match their raw energy and then some. His version starts out hot, and barrels into a firry coda with a great lead guitar flourish.



While the rest of the songs are all good, few demand frequent listening. 'Evil Edna' and 'Mongrel' are undistinguished rockers, while 'Big River', a tight ballad of the type Seger would become best known by in the mid-1970's, and 'Mongrel Too' offer the acoustic slow-tempo diversions. 'Mongrel Too' features the same lyrics as 'Mongrel', but really isn't worthy of the revisit. 'Leanin' On My Dream', though less confrontational than Seger's classic anti-war track '2+2=?', features a taut basic rhythm guitar riff and a nice lead guitar meandering all around it.



'Mongrel' is sandwiched between two even less distinguished Seger discs, 'Noah' and 'Brand New Morning', and more than anything else represents the anguish Bob endured honing his sound. It definitely has its moments, but the best of Bob was soon to come in efforts such as 'Smokin' O.P.'s' and 'Back In '72'. 'Mongrel' is necessary for Seger completists, and worth a listen for casual fans interested in Bob's formative works, though 'Ramblin' Gamblin' Man' stands as his best early effort."

His best...

Phil K | Ohio | 09/29/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I kinda lost interest in Seger about the time of "Night Moves"..but back when he wasn't shy about being from Detroit and rockin' like he meant it..Seger was one of the best the Motor City had to offer. Song To Rufus is probably the hardest hitting thing Bob ever did..absolutely smokes!! I remember my 1st band learning "Highway Child"...and hearing 'Lucifer" on the mighty CKLW...don't know what happened..this should have been huge. Instead..the radio friendly ballads catapulted him to stardom???? Anyone even vaguely interested in Segers "rockin" side owes themselves a listen to this. His best."