Rod Stewart Album (1st LP) CD

The golden throated rocker's debut solo album on Mercury Records includes the hit single "Handbags & Gladrags" as well as his cover of The Rolling Stones' "Street Fighting Man". The musicians included old pal Ron Wood, Ian MacLagan, Mike D'Abo on guitar and The Nice's Keith Emerson on organ.

Personnel: Rod Stewart (vocals, guitar); Martin Quittenton (acoustic guitar); Ron Wood (electric & slide guitar, bass); Martin Pugh (guitar); Ian McLagan (piano, organ); Mike D'Abo (piano); Keith Emerson (organ); Micky Waller (drums).
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
Personnel: Rod Stewart (vocals, guitar); Martin Pugh, Ron Wood (guitar); Martin Quittenton (acoustic guitar); Mac (piano, organ); Michael d'Abo (piano); K.E., Keith Emerson (organ); Michael Waller, Mickey Waller (drums).
Recording information: Landsdown; Olympic Studios, London, England.
Arrangers: Michael d'Abo; Rod Stewart.
On his debut album (titled An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down in Britain, and The Rod Stewart Album in America, presumably because its original title was "too English" or cryptic for U.S. audiences), Rod Stewart essays a startlingly original blend of folk, blues, and rock & roll. The opening cover of the Stones' "Street Fighting Man" encapsulates his approach. Turning the driving acoustic guitars of the original inside out, the song works a laid-back, acoustic groove, bringing a whole new meaning to the song before escalating into a full-on rock & roll attack -- without any distorted guitars, just bashing acoustics and thundering drums. Through this approach, Stewart establishes that rock can sound as rich and timeless as folk, and that folk can be as vigorous as rock. And he does this not only as an interpreter, breathing new life into Ewan MacColl's "Dirty Old Town" and defining Mike d'Abo's "Handbags & Gladrags," but also as a songwriter, writing songs as remarkable as "Blind Prayer," "An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down," and "Cindy's Lament." The music and the songs are so vivid and rich with detail that they reflect a whole way of life, and while Stewart would later flesh out this blueprint, it remains a stunningly original vision. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
In between their departure from the Jeff Beck Group and their joining the Small Faces, Rod Stewart and buddy Ron Wood went into the studio to record THE ROD STEWART ALBUM (aka AN OLD RAINCOAT WON'T EVER LET YOU DOWN). Within the span of eight songs, Stewart used his soulful rasp to dismiss any ideas that he was merely Beck's singer. With Wood riding shotgun and playing potent bottleneck guitar, Stewart's talents were demonstrated on mostly self-penned material.
The only exceptions were a rollicking "Street Fighting Man," a baroque reading of Mike D'Abo's "Handbags And Gladrags" (featuring D'Abo on piano) and folkie Ewan MacColl's "Dirty Old Town." Stewart's own material showed off a love of sweeping storytelling ("Blind Prayer"), and even a bit of proggy experimentation ("I Wouldn't Ever Change A Thing" with Keith Emerson on organ).