Don’t get me wrong. I like all of Rod’s albums up to (and including) the unloved Blondes Have More Fun. But I maintain Atlantic Crossing is his last 5 star album. It’s just about all great.
Sailing started life as a modest Sutherland Brothers album track in 1972, but after Rod’s version was used as the theme to that Ark Royal TV doco it became a victim of its own popularity.
Mr Digit is right as far as he goes. I’m afraid to mention this, because it brings Mrs Breakfast flapping in on her leathery wings to tear out my throat, but “Time” (especially in its all-the-extras version) is a very fine album indeed. The bruises from the Afterword kicking I received for reviewing the album favourably are only just fading. I didn’t have the nerve to add it to the “music the Afterword shits on” thread because I am emotionally and physically scarred. But I raise my weedy voice anyway, because somebody has to extol this album’s virtues in the face of smug prejudice. “Time” has some great songs (Rod’s last, very probably), a faultless synth-free band, and the best versions of Corrina Corrina and Here Comes The Night you’ll ever hear. So add that to the reasons to believe; a return to form that was just that, although nobody here cared that much, preferring to snigger (again) at his leather-trewed Vegas synth years.
“Atlantic Crossing” – in my opinion at least – was his first shit album. (Come to think of it, weren’t all Atlantic albums in the mid-70s shit?)
Rod’s last great album was 1998’s “When We Were The New Boys”: great singing, good band and good covers. It could have been REALLY great if he’d had followed Elvis Costello’s advice in the song selection, though. And those American Songbook albums – he’s a guest singer on his own album. (They’re all compiled, arranged, recorded and produced by his management team, who only invite Rod to the studio to sing his part…)
Like all those books, the early years are great, then when success beckons it descends into a pattern of private jets, famous friends, infidelity and a succession of beautiful wives.
Clapton’s book was the same with added rehab. Ditto Ronnie Wood.
In fact, much of it was about how little wealth he had. Very like John Cleese I think. Both are undoubtedly amazingly talented but go through life whinging about how ripped off they were.
Rod should have been knighted for services to the rock autobiography alone. Magnificently funny, honest and self-deprecating. Every other rock autobiography I’ve read has had the effect of making me think less of the author, which I don’t believe was their intention. I thought Townsend was the worst by a long way. Constantly moaning, feebly attempting to justify his ‘research’ into child abuse, chuntering on about his repeated failures to create some ‘meaningful’ work after the early ’70s.
Back to Rod – it’s very well deserved as he’s been a worldwide star for decades now and, from a music point of view, when he was great, he was very great indeed. He was stupendous on record and as a live act from around ’69 to around ’75 with Jeff Beck, The Faces and as a solo artist.
Gongs for rock bios? Good idea. Make Tracey Thorn a Dame right now.
As far as Rod is concerned, I’m told it was a peerage he was originally being put up for until Phil heard his new stuff and had it put down a peg
“Margaret Calvert, who helped design the signage system for the UK road network in the late 1950s, is appointed OBE. She was responsible for several pictograms, including the “children crossing” sign.”
I used to think that the Queen Mother was only about twenty but had several birthdays a year. Every time I watched the news she seemed to have another.
Anyway, the fly past of the Red Arrows and assorted military aircraft went over the Essex high street I was on just before one o’clock this afternoon, on their way to London. Strangely, we never saw the come back.
Should have been given posthumously. In about 1975. For being one of our greatest song interpreters and vocalists. Not a croaking Joe Brown wig on Dot Cotton that he now is
“For being one of our greatest song interpreters and vocalists”
That’s exactly why he’s been knighted, DFB. These things take time. Back in ’75, the Queen’s Honours list wasn’t the Rock Hall of Fame it is today.
Love that clip. Rod’s a proper geezer and a right laugh. I wish he’d have that thing taken off his face though. It’s reached Lemmy proportions in recent years.
Note at 7:10 Rod says “…and that’s what spurned the song Maggie May” when he presumably means “spawned”.
And who was that bloke who suddenly appeared in the back seat talking shite over the Python Lee Jackson song? That was an unnecessary sop to the young folk.
The American audiences are always predicably tiresome too. Whooping like demented gibbons at the drop of a hat and shrieking with uncontrollable laughter at the slightest smile-inducing quip,
H.P. Saucecraft says
A knighthood for his services to railway modelling is long overdue. Leave Sir Stewart alone!
Johnny Concheroo says
His services to shagging leggy blondes is unrivalled in recent history.
But, yes, all those granny-pleasing American Songbook albums notwithstanding, his last really great record was probably 1975’s Atlantic Crossing.
But Rod deserves it if only for those two Jeff Beck Group albums.
Rigid Digit says
“Atlantic Crossing was his last great record” is a common misconception.
A Night On The Town is a damn fine record (if a little fluffy).
Foot Loose and Fancy Free is the tipping point where it went wrong in the ears of many listeners
Johnny Concheroo says
Don’t get me wrong. I like all of Rod’s albums up to (and including) the unloved Blondes Have More Fun. But I maintain Atlantic Crossing is his last 5 star album. It’s just about all great.
minibreakfast says
The “just about all” meaning “except for bloody Sailing”.
Rob C says
A vomit ridden Ferry of mawkishness, man.
H.P. Saucecraft says
It’s his Mull Of Kintyre. Be more forgiving.
Johnny Concheroo says
Sailing started life as a modest Sutherland Brothers album track in 1972, but after Rod’s version was used as the theme to that Ark Royal TV doco it became a victim of its own popularity.
Rob C says
…. but Brunettes have wilder sex on moonlit moors as owls hoot the flit and wolves trombone the firmament.
H.P. Saucecraft says
Mr Digit is right as far as he goes. I’m afraid to mention this, because it brings Mrs Breakfast flapping in on her leathery wings to tear out my throat, but “Time” (especially in its all-the-extras version) is a very fine album indeed. The bruises from the Afterword kicking I received for reviewing the album favourably are only just fading. I didn’t have the nerve to add it to the “music the Afterword shits on” thread because I am emotionally and physically scarred. But I raise my weedy voice anyway, because somebody has to extol this album’s virtues in the face of smug prejudice. “Time” has some great songs (Rod’s last, very probably), a faultless synth-free band, and the best versions of Corrina Corrina and Here Comes The Night you’ll ever hear. So add that to the reasons to believe; a return to form that was just that, although nobody here cared that much, preferring to snigger (again) at his leather-trewed Vegas synth years.
minibreakfast says
Shut it fuck face xxx
Lodestone of Wrongness says
You have no idea how much I love you, Mini
Moose the Mooche says
Don’t get carried away – there were actually two imperatives there.
No wonder she’s been quiet since.
minibreakfast says
Ew.
Moose the Mooche says
That wasn’t even the most disgusting thing I’ve said today.
fatima Xberg says
“Atlantic Crossing” – in my opinion at least – was his first shit album. (Come to think of it, weren’t all Atlantic albums in the mid-70s shit?)
Rod’s last great album was 1998’s “When We Were The New Boys”: great singing, good band and good covers. It could have been REALLY great if he’d had followed Elvis Costello’s advice in the song selection, though. And those American Songbook albums – he’s a guest singer on his own album. (They’re all compiled, arranged, recorded and produced by his management team, who only invite Rod to the studio to sing his part…)
Johnny Concheroo says
Atlantic Crossing was his last album an Warner Bros. The follow-up A Night On The Town was the first on his manager Billy Gaff’s Riva Records label
ruff-diamond says
I used to think Rod was a complete arse until I read his autobiography, which makes me think very kindly of the old boy…
Johnny Concheroo says
Like all those books, the early years are great, then when success beckons it descends into a pattern of private jets, famous friends, infidelity and a succession of beautiful wives.
Clapton’s book was the same with added rehab. Ditto Ronnie Wood.
ruff-diamond says
Ronnie’s book of course had added water gypsies…
Johnny Concheroo says
Pete Townshend’s book was different. Unlike Rod and Eric, Pete’s a worrier and a deep thinker, so we didn’t get so much flaunting of his wealth.
Black Celebration says
In fact, much of it was about how little wealth he had. Very like John Cleese I think. Both are undoubtedly amazingly talented but go through life whinging about how ripped off they were.
Johnny Concheroo says
Try John Fogerty’s book for that. It’s wall to wall whinging about how he was shafted. And to be fair, he was done over comprehensively
ianess says
Rod should have been knighted for services to the rock autobiography alone. Magnificently funny, honest and self-deprecating. Every other rock autobiography I’ve read has had the effect of making me think less of the author, which I don’t believe was their intention. I thought Townsend was the worst by a long way. Constantly moaning, feebly attempting to justify his ‘research’ into child abuse, chuntering on about his repeated failures to create some ‘meaningful’ work after the early ’70s.
Back to Rod – it’s very well deserved as he’s been a worldwide star for decades now and, from a music point of view, when he was great, he was very great indeed. He was stupendous on record and as a live act from around ’69 to around ’75 with Jeff Beck, The Faces and as a solo artist.
retropath2 says
Gongs for rock bios? Good idea. Make Tracey Thorn a Dame right now.
As far as Rod is concerned, I’m told it was a peerage he was originally being put up for until Phil heard his new stuff and had it put down a peg
Moose the Mooche says
Also in the Lords they already have Black Rod, so the confusion would have been intolerable.
“Are you Black Rod or Blonde Rod?”
“Whaddayoo fink, you muppet?”
dai says
Haven’t read Rod’s but agree completely about Townshend’s. Terrible book
Kaisfatdad says
Equally surprising for me on this list was:
“Forces sweetheart” Dame Vera Lynn joins the elite Companions of Honour in recognition of her services to entertainment and charity.
Just a little late in the day?
Did anyone even know that she was still alive (99 years old)?
bungliemutt says
She’s hanging on for the next decent war.
bungliemutt says
“There’ll be nuclear weapons over the white cliffs of Dover” etc.
Johnny Concheroo says
And if we don’t vote Brexit there’ll soon be a series of squalid migrant camps atop the white cliffs of Dover.
Mick50s says
I hope to Rod that’s irony
ernietothecentreoftheearth says
Actually, the camps will appear in Dover when we do vote Brexit as the French enthusiastically wave people through at the border.
Black Celebration says
Our Vera is our oldest living pop star.
Vera Lynn 99
Ed “Salad Cream!” O’Malley 97
Cliff 96
poolhallrichard says
OOAA
H.P. Saucecraft says
(Old, Overweight, And Arthritic)
Lodestone of Wrongness says
Perfect!!
H.P. Saucecraft says
SIFF!
deramdaze says
Alistair Cook won’t be thanking the Queen for that CBE next time he’s facing the Aussies.
duco01 says
Yes, that’s all the thanks he gets for all those countless, immaculately crafted editions of “Letter from America”…
bobness says
Ant and Dec? Stuart Broad??
Yes they’re all very good at what they do but…
Bizarre.
Rigid Digit says
Do Ant & Dec get one each, or do they have to share it?
Moose the Mooche says
Shy bairns get nowt. He’s been moaning about Elton’s knighthood for years. He’s now the Donald Sinden of rock.
I dare him to turn up at the Palace in “that” raincoat.
Sniffity says
Hope for Wheldrake…
“Margaret Calvert, who helped design the signage system for the UK road network in the late 1950s, is appointed OBE. She was responsible for several pictograms, including the “children crossing” sign.”
Moose the Mooche says
Arise Lord @gcu-grey-area !
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t449/GCU_Grey_Area/tull_zpsf7c28b89.jpg
GCU Grey Area says
His flute must fill up with liquid very quickly, with his blowing technique.
Huzzah for Margaret Calvert. She and her colleague Jock Kinneir two of my design heroes.
Sewer Robot says
Hey Mods! Get yer bag of asterisks. That first sentence cannot be SFW..
Moose the Mooche says
It’s all in the tonguing.
Kaisfatdad says
I do hope the event will not be on national TV. There may be sensitive younger viewers watching.
It’s Ok to spoil the Rod, but please spare the children!
nigelthebald says
😀
Bravo!
H.P. Saucecraft says
Yes, very good.
Moose the Mooche says
And another thing…
How many bloody birthdays does the Queen have? It seems to have been her 90th for about three months now.
Tiggerlion says
Two. Her biological one, 21st April, and her official one, usually 10th June, depending on the day of the week.
Rob C says
Happy Birthday to The Queen. Gawd bless her ! _/\_ XXX
Moose the Mooche says
Ohhhh FFS I know about the Queen having two birthdays, and have done since I was about bleeding six! I was referring to the endless coverage.
Anyway all married women with children have four birthdays (real birthday, Valentine’s, anniversary, Mother’s day) so she’s really got five.
bungliemutt says
She’s actually 180.
Gatz says
I used to think that the Queen Mother was only about twenty but had several birthdays a year. Every time I watched the news she seemed to have another.
Anyway, the fly past of the Red Arrows and assorted military aircraft went over the Essex high street I was on just before one o’clock this afternoon, on their way to London. Strangely, we never saw the come back.
Moose the Mooche says
“I counted them all in, I didn’t count them back…. oo ‘eck”
Thus spake Brian Hanrahanrahanrahan
niscum says
‘Mon the Celts!!
Wait, it’s Celtic fans who like the Queen, right?
Rob C says
That’s Boudicca, dude.
Moose the Mooche says
Or Stacia out of Hawkwind.
Mmmmmmmm
Sniffity says
S’pose Rod is still bigger than the Rutles…
Rob C says
Rod blah blah blah… Rod. ROD. Fuck him. OM.
Who needs Rod when you can have… RONNIE LANE ! RONNIIIEEEEEE LAAAAAAAAANNNNNE !
RONNIE LANE !!!!!!! R*O*N*N*I*E LANE !!!!!!!!!!!
Ronnie. Ronnie Lane.
Moose the Mooche says
No, it’s the knighthood he got, not the Order of Merit.
Mavis Diles says
Presumably for services to cocksmanship. Well done, “Rod”.
DogFacedBoy says
Should have been given posthumously. In about 1975. For being one of our greatest song interpreters and vocalists. Not a croaking Joe Brown wig on Dot Cotton that he now is
H.P. Saucecraft says
“For being one of our greatest song interpreters and vocalists”
That’s exactly why he’s been knighted, DFB. These things take time. Back in ’75, the Queen’s Honours list wasn’t the Rock Hall of Fame it is today.
(And I think he looks great these days, too)
DogFacedBoy says
i.e for moments like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLBFyS2hlhw
duco01 says
Ooh! that’s my favourite video of Sir Rod the Mod. Short but sensational.
H.P. Saucecraft says
This has been shown here before, but – look at the guy! He is so very different from in the Gasoline Alley clip?
Johnny Concheroo says
Love that clip. Rod’s a proper geezer and a right laugh. I wish he’d have that thing taken off his face though. It’s reached Lemmy proportions in recent years.
Note at 7:10 Rod says “…and that’s what spurned the song Maggie May” when he presumably means “spawned”.
And who was that bloke who suddenly appeared in the back seat talking shite over the Python Lee Jackson song? That was an unnecessary sop to the young folk.
The American audiences are always predicably tiresome too. Whooping like demented gibbons at the drop of a hat and shrieking with uncontrollable laughter at the slightest smile-inducing quip,
bricameron says
God bless you Rod Stewart was heartwarming though.
H.P. Saucecraft says
“I wish he’d have that thing taken off his face though.” Rod’s schnozz is is trademark. Leave the schnozzle alone.
bricameron says
Rod’s version of ‘You just keep me hanging on’ is the best I’ve ever heard.