Mancitydoogle
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The Album Review Club - *** Christmas Break Playlist (next album 7/1/26) ***
- Thread starter RobMCFC
- Start date
Funny I would rate it a 3 out of ten and for me that's a poor score perhaps the equivalent perhaps of a 1wo 2 from you (LOL).I cannot stand Maggie May. I like the title track a lot though.
Maggie Bell drags the title track to listenable for me but you have to wait a while , its ok but not one I would lose any sleep over if I never heard it again.
Saddleworth2
Well-Known Member
Funny I would rate it a 3 out of ten and for me that's a poor score perhaps the equivalent perhaps of a 1wo 2 from you (LOL).
Maggie Bell drags the title track to listenable for me but you have to wait a while , its ok but not one I would lose any sleep over if I never heard it again.
I don't think there is a duff track on the album. His voice has never been bettered in his career and the band are at their loose, freewheeling best.
Mandolin Wind and Reason to Believe are stand outs. Maggie May overplayed/heard. Side 2 edges Side 1.
Side one
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Every Picture Tells a Story" | Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood | 6:01 |
| 2. | "Seems Like a Long Time" | Theodore Anderson | 4:02 |
| 3. | "That's All Right / Amazing Grace" | Arthur Crudup / traditional; arranged by Stewart | 6:02 |
| 4. | "Tomorrow Is a Long Time" | Bob Dylan | 3:43 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Henry" | Martin Quittenton | 0:32 |
| 2. | "Maggie May" | Stewart, Quittenton | 5:15 |
| 3. | "Mandolin Wind" | Stewart | 5:33 |
| 4. | "(I Know) I'm Losing You" | Norman Whitfield, Eddie Holland, Cornelius Grant | 5:23 |
| 5. | "(Find a) Reason to Believe" | Tim Hardin | 4:05 |
BlueHammer85
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Hard to add what’s already been said by so many wonderful reviews
It’s a great pick and I think this genre of country/rock is probably the most likely to get a positive reaction - lovely melodies, hooks, clear voice and you can just instantly ‘get it’ with only a week to listen
Really loved this Album , every song hooks you in especially ‘Right In Time’ - surprised this one’s not been highlighted more, it’s such a lovely song, when she sings ‘oh my baby’ in the build up to the chorus just stirs the soul! Outstanding track
‘Can’t let go’, ‘Metal Firecracker’ and ‘I Lost It’ the other standouts but all songs are strong helped by a very good backing band
8/10
It’s a great pick and I think this genre of country/rock is probably the most likely to get a positive reaction - lovely melodies, hooks, clear voice and you can just instantly ‘get it’ with only a week to listen
Really loved this Album , every song hooks you in especially ‘Right In Time’ - surprised this one’s not been highlighted more, it’s such a lovely song, when she sings ‘oh my baby’ in the build up to the chorus just stirs the soul! Outstanding track
‘Can’t let go’, ‘Metal Firecracker’ and ‘I Lost It’ the other standouts but all songs are strong helped by a very good backing band
8/10
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
I think that breakdown sums up why I'm not too interested in Rod Stewart - he has a decent voice and I like the odd song, but he only wrote three songs on the album and two of those were co-writes!I don't think there is a duff track on the album. His voice has never been bettered in his career and the band are at their loose, freewheeling best.
Mandolin Wind and Reason to Believe are stand outs. Maggie May overplayed/heard. Side 2 edges Side 1.
Side one
Side two
No. Title Writer(s) Length 1. "Every Picture Tells a Story" Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood 6:01 2. "Seems Like a Long Time" Theodore Anderson 4:02 3. "That's All Right / Amazing Grace" Arthur Crudup / traditional; arranged by Stewart 6:02 4. "Tomorrow Is a Long Time" Bob Dylan 3:43
No. Title Writer(s) Length 1. "Henry" Martin Quittenton 0:32 2. "Maggie May" Stewart, Quittenton 5:15 3. "Mandolin Wind" Stewart 5:33 4. "(I Know) I'm Losing You" Norman Whitfield, Eddie Holland, Cornelius Grant 5:23 5. "(Find a) Reason to Believe" Tim Hardin 4:05
Saddleworth2
Well-Known Member
So we are eliminating any album that has cover versions on it now ;-)I think that breakdown sums up why I'm not too interested in Rod Stewart - he has a decent voice and I like the odd song, but he only wrote three songs on the album and two of those were co-writes!
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
If it appeared on this thread, Copperhead Road would be a 10 from me.Hmm mighty fine album , not sure it’s a 10 though
there’s a couple that might IMHO
It's not perfect, but for me, a 10 means that it's above a certain threshold and that album ticks so many boxes.
The title tracks is in my top 5 songs of all time - a genuine jaw-dropper that has everything and I can still remember the first time I heard the late Roger Scott play it. The first half of the album is perfect, not a note wasted, brilliant songs, superb production - shotgun drums, guitar that really bites and the story songs/lyrics are the best I've heard in the genre.
The second half can't live up to the first but is more than good enough.
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
Obviously, it's each to their own, but I just don't see the point this type of album. If you're not going to write your own material, I'm, not interested. I know that rules out a lot of albums, but there's more than enough songwriters who write stuff I like.So we are eliminating any album that has cover versions on it now ;-)
I do have a few cover albums - Springsteen and Mellencamp - but in these cases it's more about the arrangements and playing than the songs. I know Bruce has a soul covers album out next month, and whilst he has more than earned the right to do it, I probably wont even listen to it, never mind buy it!
Rod Stewart on the other hand seems to do nothing but bland cover albums these days. I'm sure he was OK when he started out, but he's found a much better way of making money now and good luck to him.
Saddleworth2
Well-Known Member
He was a lot better when he started and I'm surprised you dismiss this album without (seemingly) knowing it. You seem to like arrangements, instruments such as mandolins and 'gritty' music. This has it in spades. Anyway, whatever. I'm hardly qualified to preach about musical prejudices.Obviously, it's each to their own, but I just don't see the point this type of album. If you're not going to write your own material, I'm, not interested. I know that rules out a lot of albums, but there's more than enough songwriters who write stuff I like.
I do have a few cover albums - Springsteen and Mellencamp - but in these cases it's more about the arrangements and playing than the songs. I know Bruce has a soul covers album out next month, and whilst he has more than earned the right to do it, I probably wont even listen to it, never mind buy it!
Rod Stewart on the other hand seems to do nothing but bland cover albums these days. I'm sure he was OK when he started out, but he's found a much better way of making money now and good luck to him.
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
Because I know it is Rod Stewart and he hasn't written much on it, I wouldn't normally listen.He was a lot better when he started and I'm surprised you dismiss this album without (seemingly) knowing it. You seem to like arrangements, instruments such as mandolins and 'gritty' music. This has it in spades. Anyway, whatever. I'm hardly qualified to preach about musical prejudices.
If it came up on here I would listen and judge accordingly, but he'd definitely lose points for not writing most of the songs.
You may have noticed in my review of Lucinda Williams' album I made a point of calling out the cover version - fortunately it was an excellent performance and one cover on an otherwise superb album is fair enough. However, if there would have been two or three covers, or the one cover that wasn't that great, this would definitely have lost her one or two points.
I like to think I'm harsh but fair (and maybe a bit weird when it comes to my general dislike of covers!)
BlueHammer85
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For what it is worth.Rod Stewart was great in the Faces and as a Solo performer up until Atlantic Crossing.
From Sailing onwards it was all downhill bar a few single songs.
Puts on a good show in Vegas also
journolud
Well-Known Member
Ah, so this is country music. Or is it Country and Western? Is there a difference? Either way I obviously misinterpreted the genre, thinking it was all Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. My eyes and ears have been opened a bit and I see now I've always liked a bit of country because I think I'd be right in saying that Harvest is a country album? Maybe not but doesn't really matter.
I liked this album, mainly anyway. I thought it opened really well, the first four tracks especially. And has been mentioned by Rob and Fog, a sense of place on some of the songs. I'm a bit of a sucker for songs about places I've never heard of or will never go to. Places are usually a disappointment once you actually see them and separate them from the romance of the song.Still, I'd like to go to Albuquerque, even though or even because it's such a mournful song that evokes it.
First four tracks good, Concrete and Barbed Wire didn't maintain the standard and Joy is an ugly mess of a song. There were a couple of occasions I thought she did lapse into an affected country drawl, as per Bill's criticism but this wasn't evident throughout and her voice is interesting and earthy.
I can't writer with the same authority and depth as others about the different sounds on the album. It would probably be an insult to say the effect is simple, unfussy and uncluttered because a lot has obviously gone into it but apart from the couple of tracks I mentioned there is nothing difficult about it.
I was vacillating between a 6 and a 7 but the more I've listened the more appealing it was, and the more disappointing the clunkers stood out. I think though it is a 7.
I liked this album, mainly anyway. I thought it opened really well, the first four tracks especially. And has been mentioned by Rob and Fog, a sense of place on some of the songs. I'm a bit of a sucker for songs about places I've never heard of or will never go to. Places are usually a disappointment once you actually see them and separate them from the romance of the song.Still, I'd like to go to Albuquerque, even though or even because it's such a mournful song that evokes it.
First four tracks good, Concrete and Barbed Wire didn't maintain the standard and Joy is an ugly mess of a song. There were a couple of occasions I thought she did lapse into an affected country drawl, as per Bill's criticism but this wasn't evident throughout and her voice is interesting and earthy.
I can't writer with the same authority and depth as others about the different sounds on the album. It would probably be an insult to say the effect is simple, unfussy and uncluttered because a lot has obviously gone into it but apart from the couple of tracks I mentioned there is nothing difficult about it.
I was vacillating between a 6 and a 7 but the more I've listened the more appealing it was, and the more disappointing the clunkers stood out. I think though it is a 7.
Saddleworth2
Well-Known Member
Not weird but it is a prejudice. There are many many covers that are far better than the original and your prejudice would invalidate many fine artists entire careers :-)Because I know it is Rod Stewart and he hasn't written much on it, I wouldn't normally listen.
If it came up on here I would listen and judge accordingly, but he'd definitely lose points for not writing most of the songs.
You may have noticed in my review of Lucinda Williams' album I made a point of calling out the cover version - fortunately it was an excellent performance and one cover on an otherwise superb album is fair enough. However, if there would have been two or three covers, or the one cover that wasn't that great, this would definitely have lost her one or two points.
I like to think I'm harsh but fair (and maybe a bit weird when it comes to my general dislike of covers!)
No doubt cover songs diminish the overall quality of the album even if the original version of the song is not well known and you basically know the song from the cover version. In my case I feel a sense of disappointment if I hear a cover version of a song of the album even if its sung well and does the original justice. It can still be a great listen but I would never rate the album as highly as if its full or originals that resonate.Because I know it is Rod Stewart and he hasn't written much on it, I wouldn't normally listen.
If it came up on here I would listen and judge accordingly, but he'd definitely lose points for not writing most of the songs.
You may have noticed in my review of Lucinda Williams' album I made a point of calling out the cover version - fortunately it was an excellent performance and one cover on an otherwise superb album is fair enough. However, if there would have been two or three covers, or the one cover that wasn't that great, this would definitely have lost her one or two points.
I like to think I'm harsh but fair (and maybe a bit weird when it comes to my general dislike of covers!)
Saddleworth2
Well-Known Member
That would mean that albums by Dionne Warwick, Aretha, Diana Ross, Sinatra, Elvis are diminished somehow? Is Elton John diminished because someone else writes his lyrics? How about someone like Dianna Krall?No doubt cover songs diminish the overall quality of the album even if the original version of the song is not well known and you basically know the song from the cover version. In my case I feel a sense of disappointment if I hear a cover version of a song of the album even if its sung well and does the original justice. It can still be a great listen but I would never rate the album as highly as if its full or originals that resonate.
BlueHammer85
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That would mean that albums by Dionne Warwick, Aretha, Diana Ross, Sinatra, Elvis are diminished somehow? Is Elton John diminished because someone else writes his lyrics? How about someone like Dianna Krall?
Chuck in early Beatles
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
Yes, it does diminish their achievement for me.That would mean that albums by Dionne Warwick, Aretha, Diana Ross, Sinatra, Elvis are diminished somehow? Is Elton John diminished because someone else writes his lyrics? How about someone like Dianna Krall?
But that's a personal thing and I'm not saying that they haven't earned their place in music history. Elton John writes catchy melodies, Aretha Franklyn had an amazing voice, ditto Elvis along with incredible swagger. All incredible artists .............. but I'd rather listen to an artist like Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle or John Hiatt who are writing their own songs.
Having a good voice, being known by millions or being a brilliant piano or guitar player does not trump being able to write and perform articulate songs.
OB1
Well-Known Member
I cannot stand Maggie May. I like the title track a lot though.
Heathen.
FogBlueInSanFran
Well-Known Member
What can I say? Agree with @mancity1 -- respect the guy as an artist, but never really liked his music that much. Recall he got popular over here during disco.Heathen.