Why I recommend "Rod Stewart- The Very Best of [1998 Mercury] British Release" — 1 year ago
I like to think that only Rod’s bank manager is pleased he recorded “Do You Think I’m Sexy”.
My advice is avoid like Ebola anything with the aformentioned track on it. This is a best, very best, version of Rod’s recording history that mercifully forgets it exists.
Its the early Mercury years when Rod had a coterie of real rockers around who not only rocked but played.
Rod’s voice is Rod’s voice always distinctive. Like Cocker and Van and the forgottten Long John Baldry, he banged out a British variation of RnB and Soul, that went beyond mimicry, eg
“[I know] I’m Losing You”, and “Oh! No not My Baby”.
The standards are here; “Maggie May” “You Wear It Well” “It’s All Over Now” “Twistin the Night Away” and my favourite “Mandolin Wind”. How many of you remember Rod’s version of Hendrix’s “Angel” or the Stones “Street Fighting Man” I’d forgotten both and both well worth revisiting.
The complete suprise on this package of 17 songs was Rod’s version of “Man Of Constant Sorrow” which I swear I heard here for the first time. For this track and the obvious taste he must have once had I have forgiven Rod for the unmentionable song!
My CD is an Australian release picked up in a bargin bin Mercury 9848991 and bought in 2008.
