Bob Seger - Beautiful Loser

Beautiful Loser winds up sounding more like Back in '72 than its immediate predecessor, Seven, largely because Bob Seger threaded reflective ballads and mid-tempo laments back into his hard-driving rock. He doesn't shy away from it, either, opening with the lovely title track. And why shouldn't he? These ballads were as much a part of his success as his storming rockers, since his sentimental streak seemed all the more genuine when contrasted with the rockers. If anything, Beautiful Loser might err a little bit in favor of reflection, with much of the album devoted to introspective, confessional mid-tempo cuts. There are a couple of exceptions to the rule, of course -- "Katmandu" roars with humor, and his cover of "Nutbush City Limits" shames Tina Turner's original -- but they are the only full-throttle rockers here, with "Black Night" coming in as a funky, swaggering cousin. It's the exact opposite of Seven, in other words, and in its own way, it's just as satisfying. Occasionally, it might be a little too sentimental for some tastes, but it's all heartfelt and he's written some terrific songs here, most notably the album's heart of "Jody Girl" and "Travelin' Man." Seger had started turning inward, searching his soul in a way he hadn't since the since-disowned Brand New Morning, and in doing so, he was setting the stage for his first genuine blockbuster. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Barry Beckett Piano, Piano (Electric), Piano (Grand), Synthesizer, Keyboards, Producer, Organ Bob Seger Piano, Producer, Guitar (Acoustic), Mixing, Harmonica, Vocals, Slide Guitar, Guitar Charles Rose Trombone, Sax (Baritone) Charlie Allen Martin Drums, ? Charlie Martin Drums Chris Campbell Guitar (Bass), Bass David Hood Guitar (Bass), Bass, Producer Drew Abbott Guitar Greg Smith Engineer Harrison Calloway Trumpet Harry Thompson Sax (Tenor) Harvey Thompson Sax (Tenor) Jerry Masters Engineer Jim Bruzzese Engineer Jimmy Johnson Guitar (Rhythm), Producer Ken Bell Guitar Kenny Bell Guitar Muscle Shoals Horns Horn Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section Producer Paul Kingery Guitar Pete Carr Producer, Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic) Punch Andrews Mixing, Producer Robin Robbins Keyboards, Mellotron, Organ, Mellophonium Roger Hawkins Drums, Percussion, Producer Ronnie Eades Sax (Baritone), Saxophone Roy Kohara Art Direction Silver Bullet Band ?, Guitar Spooner Oldham Producer, Piano (Electric), Organ Steve Melton Engineer Stoney Vocals (Background), Vocals Stoney & Rocky Vocals (Background) Tom Bert Photography Tom Cartmell Saxophone Wally Traugott Mastering