Rod Stewart - before his cultural implosion

I  started to take an interest in music in the late 70′s – about the same time that Rod Stewart was taking bad taste to previously un-dreamed of extremes. Rod’s satin, leopard print, peroxide and “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” excesses had ruled him out of any serious consideration from me. Strange then to appreciate so much later just how monstrously talented he used to be…

And afterwards....

Its  baffling to ponder that after Rod abandoned all the qualities that characterised his earlier music – wit, taste, warmth and sincerity – he became more popular (his dreadful 1975 single “Sailing” remains his best selling UK Top 10 hit*). No doubt that things went on the slide post 1974 and didn’t get much better – one’s thoughts turn to “Baby Jane”. Certainly to my mind Rod Stewart became associated with criminal bad taste and stodgey “mutton-dressed-up-as-lamb” middle age.

BUT, the through the medium of a $10 compilation CD bought from Coles supermarket, I have now “channeled my inner-Rod” (so to speak). Mainly focusing on his time with “The Faces”, this cheapass CD gives a really good taster of what he used to be about.

Undeniably, he was (and still is) an excellent vocalist.  On these songs his voice is a bit less gravelly and a bit more plaintive than it became later but what really stands out for me is the effortlessness of his singing, so much so that he can even cover Sam Cooke numbers without showing himself up. The songwriting is good too. Lyrical story telling with a sort of knowing and playful quality to it.And what a fantastic band The Faces were! They could do it all – hard rock, sweet soul, folk and hard edged grooves – nothing seemed beyond them. I like the adventuousness in their music too and the way they incorporated instruments like mandolin and violin and making it seem natural – like they do on this on this 1972 classic below

So there you have it – Rod Stewart “he was good after all”.

* Only excusable to own a copy if you actually ARE in the Royal Navy.

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