Rod Stewart Smiler CD

His fifth solo album, originally released in 1974. 12 tracks.

Personnel: Rod Stewart (vocals); Elton John (vocals, piano); Martin Quittenton (acoustic guitar); Ron Wood (guitar); Ray Jackson (mandolin); Dick Powell, Rick Gretch (violin); Pete Sears (piano); Ian McLagan (keyboards); Spike Heatley, Willie Weeks (bass); Mickey Waller (drums, trombone); Kenny Jones, Andy Newmark (drums); Ray Cooper (percussion); Doreen Chanter, Rube (background vocals); Chris Barber's Jazz Band, The Tropic Isle Steel Band, The Memphis Horns.
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
Rod Stewart's retained his classic formula for his fifth solo album, Smiler. Although predictable, the album includes "Sweet Little Rock 'n' Roller" and a reworking of "(You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Man," plus a freewheeling take on Elton John's "Let Me Be Your Car" and an inspired version of Dylan's "Girl from the North Country." ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Rod Stewart's classic formula ran out of gas on Smiler, his fifth solo album. The failure of Smiler wasn't a matter of weak songs, nor was it a matter of Stewart being in poor voice. Instead, the album failed because everything, from the choice of songs to the production, sounded too pat and predictable. The predictability held "Sweet Little Rock 'n' Roller" from truly rocking and it made the reworking of "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Man" unbearably smug. Apart from the freewheeling take on Elton John's "Let Me Be Your Car" and the inspired version of Dylan's "Girl From the North Country," Smiler is an utter waste of time. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
On SMILER, as per usual, Stewart's approach towards recording was to invite over a bunch of friends, get the spirits flowing and have a grand time laying down tracks. The gang included Elton John, who plays on his own "Let Me Be Your Car." Along with Reg's song, Stewart's other covers included a raucous "Sweet Little Rock 'N' Roller," a lovingly rendered Sam Cooke medley of "Bring It On Home To Me/You Send Me" and a reworking of Aretha Franklin's classic that reads as "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Man." Ron Wood returned on guitar and co-wrote the Mott-like "Sailor" and "Dixie Toot" with Stewart, who gave the latter selection a New Orleans twist by having Chris Barber's Jazz Band play on it. Rod's creative derring-do included an instrumental version of the Lerner & Loewe standard "I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face" and use of the Tropic Isle Steel Band on the Paul & Linda McCartney penned "Mine For Me."