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Feature Artist
ROD STEWART |
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When We Were
The New Boys |
Although I don't normally write many reviews
these days, when I decided this month's Feature would be Rod
Stewart, I had to share my own experiences - including seeing
the "When We Were The New Boys" tour. Now that I've
sat down to write about this legendary rocker/balladeer, I'm
having a hard time thinking of what to say - after all, what
CAN you say about a guy that's been putting out records for over
30 yrs., who EVERYBODY (unless they've lived under a rock for
a long time) recognizes, with the spiky hair, wiry frame, and
that rough voice that he plays like an instrument. Well, I've
come to the conclusion there isn't a whole lot of history to
repeat here, since you can find "statistics" on Stewart
just about anywhere.
For just a little background, in September of 1964, Rod recorded
his very first single, "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl,"
with John Paul Jones on bass. Previously he played guitar in
group at school, "The Kool Kats." Stewart was "discovered"
by John Baldry, singing to himself at Twickenham railway station,
in January of 1964. This all sounds so ancient, but you would
NEVER know this guy is 53, as he prances around the stage live,
putting on a 25 song set without stopping!
Stewart was with the "Jeff Beck Group" for 3 years
('67-'69) and two albums, then moved on to the "Faces"
for 6 years ('70-'76), while starting his solo career in the
same period. "The Rod Stewart Album" was released in
1969 on Mercury Records, "Gasoline Alley" in 1970,
"Every Picture Tells A Story" in 1971, "Never
A Dull Moment" in 1972, "Sing It Again, Rod" in
1973, "Smiler" in 1974 and "Atlantic Crossing"
in 1975. After "Snakes And Ladders: Best of The Faces"
was released in 1976, Rod was off and running on his own, right
up through his latest release, "When We Were The New Boys,"
in 1998, a whopping 27 solo releases from '69-'98. Stewart is
nothing if not prolific!
I have to admit that I wasn't aware of Rod Stewart until September
of 1971 when "Maggie May" from "Every Picture
Tells A Story" took over the radio airwaves. This was Rod's
first #1 single on his first #1 album in both the U.K. and U.S.
I still have a soft spot for this song, because I heard it a
whole lot around the time my son was born.
Since that time, I've heard hit after hit from this Rock & Roll
Hall of Famer they say "Wrote the book of love," but
never really considered myself a big fan - at least not until
I saw him in Concert on 9/6/98, and discovered I knew every single
song in his set except the three new ones from "WWWTNB."
I wasn't even all that particularly excited about going to this
concert. I set it up for my photographer (and husband), because
he's such a HUGE Rod Stewart fan, but I think I had almost more
fun than he did! And what a concert it was! (See Concert secion
in this month's issue.) First, a quick review of the new album. |
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Artist: |
Rod Stewart |
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Title: |
"When We Were The New Boys" |
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Label: |
Warner Bros. |
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Rating: |
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"When We Were The New Boys" gets
off to a good start with a semi-slow rocker, "Cigarettes
and Alcohol," a song by "Oasis." If you haven't
heard it by now, it's a typical 4/4 beat rock song, similar in
sound to the "Faces," and Rod loved it when it was
presented to him. The lyrics aren't anything special - mostly
repitition of "Cigarettes and alcohol" and "You
got to make it happen," but it's definitely a good "bar"
song.
"Ooh La La" harks back to the days of the "Faces"
as well - only this time it's a song written by Ronnie Lane,
who died during the recording of this album, along with Ron Wood.
Rod had never sung this song, and decided to use it as a tribute
to Ronnie. The chorus of this song has really stuck with me.
"I wish that I knew what I know now/ When I was Younger/
I wish that I knew what I know now/ When I was stronger."
The use of and accordian, organ and fiddle give this song even
more "oomph!" "Rocks" is another rocker,
this time from "Primal Scream," with it's irreverant,
tongue-in-cheek lyrics and chorus of "Get your rocks off
. . ." It's a movin' and groovin' number, and probably the
liveliest, most fun song on this album. (Read more about this
song in the concert review.) "Superstar" has a "large"
quality to it, this one penned by Indie band "Superstar."
This is the first ballad on the album, and although the song
itself isn't fantastic compared to several of his other love
songs, the emotion and emphasis on the longing lyrics are enough
to melt any female heart.
"Secret Heart," written by Ron Sexsmith, is another
slow, pretty, love song, with basically just an acoustic background
to the sensitive vocals. This number is definitely good one for
a very slow dance with your special someone. Picking things up
again is the bawdy "Hotel Chambermaid," with lyrics
by Graham Parker, and lively, almost southern rock type, music.
This one is a toe tapper for sure. Moving on to the other serious
ballad on the album is "Shelly My Love," written by
Nick Lowe. With an almost hearbreaking quality to the vocal,
Rod pulls on the old heart strings in this song. The baladeer
is at his best on this particular track.
The title track, "When We Were The New Boys," is the
only song that has the lyrics printed in the liner notes. The
lyrics are also strung out in the concert program, with no other
information provided (except on the band page). This song is
about the "good old days" with the "Faces,"
and how they wrote songs, checked out girls, practiced in garages
and thought none of it would ever end. This tribute to the beginning
of an illustrious career, that led all "the new boys"
in different directions, is sung to music that is unmistakably
Rod Stewart. When you listen to this one, you immediately recognize
the super star behind it.
"Weak" has a very different intro than any Rod Stewart
song I've ever heard. Interesting instrumentals lead into a quiet
verse that swells into a huge chorus. " . . . 'Cause I wanted
you/ I wanted you/ Weak as I am/ No tears for you/ Weak as I
am/ Too much for you/ Weak as I am/ I'm almost Through/ Weak
as I am/ With this tainted soul/ And this weak old heart/ Baby
I'm too much for you. This song was written by "Skunk Anansie,"
and Rod fell in love with it. This is another one of the better
tracks on the album - mainly because it's kind of a departure
from your "typical" Rod Stewart song, but he certainly
does it justice!
Closing out the the album is the slice of southern rock, harmonica
and all, "What Do You Want Me To Do?" written by Mike
Scott of the "Waterboys" for his own solo album, but
it was agreed the song was in the "Dylan" tradition
for a Rod Stewart album. The song is medium paced, but emotional,
with a lot of emphasis on the vocals and not a lot of backing
music. The closing lyric kinda gets to you, especially with the
harmonica accompaniment. "What do you want me to do Lord?/
I'm listenin'/ (fade) I'm listenin'/ (more fade) I'm listenin.'
" I've heard better Rod Stewart albums, but this one should
fit in right up there with some of his biggies. On a few songs
I thought there was more potential than what actually came through
on the album, which is why I only rated "When We Were The
New Boys" a 4. Still, it's a pretty good mix of styles and
pace, there's fun, there's hearbreak, there's beautiful love
songs and, of course, there's that un-mistakable Rod Stewart
voice and style! Even if you're not a huge Rod Stewart fan, I
think you'll find this album enjoyable - I'm the proof of that! |
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