How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Average
Value for Money
Good
Advantages:
Ron Wood
Disadvantages:
Hot Legs
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
It's hard for non-babyboomers to believe that Rod Stewart was a cutting-edge R&B troubadour in his time. He was though, and it wasn't until the early eighties that he really became a conversational embarrassment. What happened to the poor sod? LA basically, and too long a separation from Ronnie Wood. Jagger has Keith to keep him on the 'Bent & Wide', Rod has Ron. Both have Ron actually but that's another story.
So it was, that after a particularly liquid lunch in Oporto, I found myself in a multi-media store. I saw this CD. I thought 5 euros (3 quid) can't be bad, added to which I saw Ron Wood on the cover. I did, of course, wonder why in the hell I'd bought it on the Sunday morning, but it turned out to be not such a bad buy. I've done much worse after a liquid lunch!
This is a discount pressing of one of those unplugged MTV sessions that were inflicted upon us in the nineties. Quasi-plugged would be more accurate, judging by the wires clearly visible on the cover photo. This is quite an interesting CD in that Wood is on guitar strumming along to the aforementioned R&B Faces classics, although it also includes a few of the later solo Rod efforts, which I'm surprised Wood was willing to play. You can only assume that drugs were involved. Stewart is notorious for performing tracks such as 'Hot Legs' in front of audiences he knows hate him for it, and regard it as his sell-out period. I kind of admire him for that, in an irritated way. The CD includes a bit of banter between Ron and Rod, but not enough. A lot is deleted by track separation. This is a pity because they do a good North London banter.
Track 1: Hot Legs Oh dear!! If you really like this song, stick with the original single and I hope you're better soon!
Track 2: Tonight's The Night Ditto!
Track 3: Handbags and Gladrags Excellent rendition of the old classic used as the theme song for 'The Office" Lends itself well to the unplugged format.
Track 4: Cut Across Shorty Good North London pub R&B from the old days.
Track 5: Every Picture Tells A Story Similar style R&B track the chord changes in which have always sent shivers. Title track of one of the best Faces' albums.
Track 6: Maggie May Do I really need to say anything. I personally prefer the original but this is a good version.
Track 7: Reason To Believe Classic Faces romantic sing-along anthem. Done well here.
Track 8: People Get Ready Stab at a gospel standard. It's ok…..but lets be honest, white people can't sing gospel.
Track 9: Have I Told You Lately That I Love You Back to the rubbish. See tracks 1 and 2.
Track 10: Tom Traubert's Blues Good pub style R&B.
Track 11: The First Cut Is The Deepest If you don't know this song, I want to know what you're doing on my planet. I'm not sure of my favourite version but this is good enough to bring a tear.
Track 12: Mandolin Wind Seminal 70's beanbags on the floor track. Meant to be done in this format.
Track 13: Highgate Shuffle Another pub rocker. Well worth a listen.
Track 14: Stay With Me Mid period Rod Stewart. Anthemic and requires one to be moderately pissed. Ok, but should be fully plugged for best effect.
Track 15: Having A Party Rod tries to end with an old soul classic. Not a good idea!
What I like about this CD is that it shows how good Rod and the Faces were and how middle of the road rod became. It also shows how skilled these guys are at performing when so close to their audience. They did, after all, start their careers playing in pubs, which gave them a natural rapport in this type of setting. If you're interested in Rod's past glories this CD is worth a fiver, but no more. The best tracks above can be found in their original form on the albums; 'Every Picture Tells A Story' and 'Gasoline Alley'.
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How does it rate alongside the competition
Average
Cover / Inlay Design and Content
Satisfactory
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