bob seger night moves mobile fidelity review

Taking a pulse on episodes such Watergate and the Vietnam War, the singer meditates on experiences universal to everyone in America – never more saliently than on “American Tune,” an anthem musically based on a hymnal and whose lyrics continue to hold true today. Simon’s instinct for strong narrative conveyed with heartfelt emotion completes a trifecta of instrumentation, arrangement, and delivery. The proof of the consummate chemistry, of course, resides in the final results, which run the gamut from Jamaican-leaning rhythms and orchestral flourishes to steady blues currents and New Orleans-soaked brass accents.

A partial lineup: Southern virtuoso Pete Carr (Joan Baez, Bob Seger, Rod Stewart), Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section member Jimmy Johnson, and R&B master Cornell Dupree on guitar Muscle Shoals Sound Studio founder David Hood, Blue Note veteran Bob Cranshaw, and Astral Weeks contributor Vernie Robbins on bass Fourplay founder Bob James on Fender Rhodes and keyboards soul-jazz expert Grady Tate and Aretha Franklin collaborator Rich Marotta on drums. The same goes for the playing of the cadre of session pros heard on the record. The pairing is nothing short of magical.ĭitto Allen Toussaint’s horn arrangements on “Tenderness” and Quincy Jones’ string charts for “Something So Right.” The title of the latter tune could serve as the catch-all statement for There Goes Rhymin’ Simon – nothing seems out of place, overlooked, overcooked, or underdone. Such versatility alone remains staggering, but he also receives support on two tracks by the legendary Dixie Hummingbirds. At certain times, he lets loose during others, he becomes a gentle balladeer on par with a prized jazz chanteur. Assured, natural, and supple, his baritone resonates with a realism and extension that immerse you in the song. Simon’s singing hits peaks on There Goes Rhymin’ Simon that equal or best those on any of his other works, Simon and Garfunkel included. The newly revealed transparency, presence, balance, immediacy, and dark-black backgrounds provided by Mobile Fidelity’s UD1S set showcase the scope and craft of Simon’s alluring melodies – not to mention the vocal performances that, arguably, remain the album’s standout element. It is made for discerning listeners that prize sound quality and production, and who desire to fully immerse themselves in the art – and everything involved with the album, from the images to the finishes. Aurally and visually, this UD1S reissue exists as a curatorial artifact meant to be preserved, touched, and examined. Housed in a deluxe box, it features special foil-stamped jackets and faithful-to-the-original graphics that illuminate the splendor of the recording. Visually, the lavish packaging and gorgeous presentation of the UD1S There Goes Rhymin’ Simon pressing befit its select status. The expanse and depth of the soundstage, fullness of detail, varied textures of the percussion, and natural rise and decay of individual notes reach demonstration-grade levels.

Surpassing the sonics of any prior version, it strips away any remaining barriers to provide a clear, super-dynamic view of a record nominated for two Grammy Awards and that climbed to the #2 position on the Billboard charts. Limited to 10,000 numbered copies, pressed on MoFi SuperVinyl at RTI, and mastered from the original master tapes, Mobile Fidelity’s ultra-hi-fi UltraDisc One-Step 180g 45RPM 2LP collector’s edition enhances the 1973 effort for generations to come.

Bob seger night moves mobile fidelity review