Ken's Album Of The Day - May 4

[Ken]

Hi gang!

Today's album is


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Artist - Rod Stewart
Title - Every Picture Tells A Story
Produced by - Rod Stewart
Label - Mercury / Polygram
Year released - 1971
Chart positon - #1
Singles released - Maggie May - #1 - 1971
- (I Know) I'm Losing You - #24 - 1971
- Reason To Believe - #62 - 1971


This was the first album of Rod's I remember hearing around the house , my middle brother had the LP I was around 4 or 5 at the time. I've lost track how many times I've listened to it and after all this time It's continued to be one of my very favorite albums of his and I added the CD to my collection sometime in the late 80's.



Every Picture Tells A Story - This song is so terrific, opening with some wonderful 12 string acoustic picking as well as Mickey Waller's straight ahead solid drumming (where is he now ?) the guy kicks ass. Madeline Bell provides some cool back up vocals as well.


Seems Like A Long Time - The song starts out softly with just piano, bass , drums and vocals. It slowly builds with Madeline Bell once again adding backing vocals. Pete Sears piano playing really adds to the tune.


That's All Right - Yes this is Rod's cover of the Arthur Crudup classic that Elvis made famous. I thought Rod did a great job on this it has a great feel to it. The slide guitar is awesome and Mickey's drum fills are killer.This was the version I heard first


Amazing Grace - This version was arranged by Rod Stewart and Sam Mitchell who plays slide guitar on the song . Its done quite well.


Tomorrow Is Such A Long Time - This was written by Bob Dylan. This is another big fave of mine from the album .I really like the country feel and the arrangment is super . The mixture of pedal steel (played by Ronnie Wood) , acoustic guitar and violin - played by Dick Powell. I still have never heard Bob's version.


Maggie May - This version includes a short acoustic guitar interlude before the song that you hardly ever hear on the radio . Sure this has been played billions of times on classic rock radio - I just heard it on Saturday in fact - but I still love it . Great combination of mandolin and acoustic guitars , wonderful organ playing by Ian McLagan and very melodic bass playing as well. I'm not sure who's playing bass on this because there are three different musicians including Ron Wood who play bass on the album.

Mandolin Wind - A great little tune that Rod sings so well. More tasty slide guitar and mandolin is heard.

(I Know) I'm Losing You - I really love Rare Earth's version but this is very easily my second favorite version - why you ask? because the band locks into the groove of the song and rocks out for 5 minutes straight. Great boogie woogie piano and Mickey Waller's drumming is just smokin! one of the best drum solo's ever! on record and the guitar work is awesome.

Reason To Believe - Nice combo of stand up bass , organ and piano . And a very nice way to close the album. Rod's vocals are once again perfect.


Hope you enjoyed reading my review

[lora]

Very nice review. Sounds like a rocking album. The only song I know here is Maggie May, and it's one I've always liked. It has a nice acoustic sound to it.

[djdave]

Love this album--has an easy spot in my top 700 albums.
Of course, Maggie May can't be topped by that much, but I also love the title track, Mandolin Wind, I'm Losing You, and of course the "plugged" Reason to Believe--love it.

Bravo!

[beatles4ever]

Wonderful review!It makes me want to dust off the old album and turntable.

[KittyKat - RIP Luciano]

Awesome review Ken!
I go back and forth between this album and Atlantic Crossing as being my favorite Rod Stewart album.

I could listen to "Every Picture..." on a continuous loop without growing tired of it.

My tracks that really hold up for me still after all this time are:
Every Picture Tells A Story
Seems Like A Long Time
Tomorrow Is Such A Long Time
Mandolin Wind
Reason To Believe

[55dodger]

Great album Ken. Maggie Mae is still a rock classic. Other great cuts are Every Picture Tells a Story, Madolin Wind, Reason To Believe, I'm Losing You, & Seems Like a Long Time.

[H2IZCOOL]

Hey Ken! Great review!

An album I actually have. I haven't played it in so long that I'd forgotten some of the tracks. Anyway... I love the two that became a doulble sided hit 45 for Rod (Maggie May and Reason To Believe). That accoustic guitar start to Maggie May is a necessary part of the song, and shouldn't have been kept off the 45s. Reason To Believe is one of my all time fave songs.

I know I'm losing you is a fave as well, although I do prefer Rare Earth. - And I really like the title song as well.

[SAT-I need more room!!]

Hey Ken, finally answering this! LOL!

I STILL don't own this! Even though it contains a few Rod faves for me.

Love how the title cut starts out slow with the guitar, and the cymbals, drums and Rod's voice all kick in. I burnt myself out on this one, but I still like it tons! Maggie Bell does sound great, one of the reasons she was considered Britain's Janis Joplin.

I thought it was cool future Starship man Pete Sears was on here.

Obviously Rod (and Jeff Beck) loved Elvis!

Didn't even realize Amazing Grace was on here!

Speaking of Elvis, he also covered Tomorrow is a Long Time, and Dylan says he "treasures" that version. I still have not heard his either, or Rod's.

Maggie Mae is one of those songs that classic rock radio has drilled into the ground, but is still cool to hear in some settings-like a Click party!

Mandolin Wind-one that the station may pull out once in a great while. Not often enough though, since I can't remember it's tune! LOL!

I too love both versions! They are neck and neck, but Rare Earth's gets the nod. But you are right, Rod and the Faces rock out!

For a long time, I didn't understand why Reason to Believe was such a classic rock staple. But it really has become a legend.



Wow, I commented on every song! LOL!