Rod Stewart - Every Picture Tells a Story

Once upon a time, Rod Stewart was not vamping indiscriminately about "Hot Legs" and asking "D'ya Think I'm Sexy?" He was a singer with a gravel-voice approximation of Sam Cooke and excellent taste in cover material. Here, he's toned down with folksy covers of Tim Hardin ("Reason to Believe"), Bob Dylan ("Tomorrow is Such a Long Time"), and Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup (via Elvis, "That's All Right Mama"). He tops his interpretive abilities with two originals that have since become standards ("Maggie May, " "Every Picture Tells A Story"). Quite a different Rod from the one the world has come to know. --Rob O'Connor Amazon.com essential recording

Is it just me, or is the guitar out of tune?

You never know, Alicia Keys is intentionally flat on her new album, so maybe it was intentional, but the opening guitar was painfully out of key, and always seems like it's not quite in sync with the rest of the sound. If it wasn't for that, I might be able to evaluate this track based on the vocals and the rest of the sound. But the guitar is SO bad, I just can't focus on the rest! August 14, 2008

Rod Stewart at his Best.

Rod Stewart was at his best between the years 1969 to 1975, when he was cultivating his solo career while still a member of The Faces, and before the tawdry posturing of his "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" disco years. When he was at his best, Stewart released The Rod Stewart Album in 1969, (featuring "Handbags and Gladrags"); Gasoline Alley in 1970 (featuring the Rod Stewart-Ronnie Wood song "Gasoline Alley"); Every Picture Tells a Story in 1971 (featuring the classic singles "Maggie May," "(I Know) I'm Losing You," and the Tim Hardin song "Reason To Believe"); and Never a Dull Moment in 1972 (featuring Sam Cooke's "Twisting the Night Away," "You Wear It Well," and "Lost Paraguayos"). All of these classic Rod songs define the true artistic genius of Rod Stewart before he sold his soul to disco, prompting Rolling Stone magazine to observe: "Rarely has a singer had as full and unique a talent as Rod Stewart; rarely has anyone betrayed his talent so completely."

With all five members of The Faces appearing on the album, Every Picture Tells a Story is the definitive Rod Stewart album. Stewart wrote several hit singles for the album: the coming-of-age classic that launched his solo career, "Maggie May;" "Every Picture Tells a Story" (co-written with Ronnie Wood); and the mandolin-driven "Mandolin Wind." The other songs on the album stand up well against Stewart's songs, including the hard-edged rocker, "(I Know) I'm Losing You," and a Dylan cover, "Tomorrow is a Long Time." Complete album tracks include:

1. Every Picture Tells A Story 5:59
2. Seems Like A Long Time 4:02
3. That's All Right 6:00
4. Tomorrow Is A Long Time 3:48
5. Maggie May 5:50
6. Mandolin Wind 5:36
7. (I Know) I'm Losing You 5:23
8. (Find A) Reason To Believe 4:10

G. Merritt
June 4, 2008

a favorite among many

Considered Rod Stewart's masterpiece today, Every Picture Tells a Story truly shines from beginning to end. While it's completely UNTRUE this is the best album he ever made, we can't deny how good the quality of the material is.

Everyone knows the title song with its fast rocking pace and rough-around-the-edges vocals. "Maggie May" is an overplayed classic, but still, a classic. Everyone likes to memorize the lyrics because the song is considered one of the greatest songs of all-time. "Mandolin Wind" may be tagged as a forgotten beautiful favorite. The delicate and meaningful vocals in "Reason to Believe" is enough to make grown men cry. "(I Know) I'm Losing You" is similar to the title song with the vocals and heaviness and dirtiness in the guitar work, and "Seems Like a Long Time" reminds me of Carole King with the piano playing. "That's All Right" takes us back to the Faces with the bluesy delivery in the vocals and guitar work.

Overall, great album, but Never a Dull Moment is slightly better. March 6, 2008

Every Picture Tells A Story

I purchased this product for a friend. She said it was well worth the money. The CD was great. Thanks February 8, 2008

Original Sound of Rod Stewart

Anyone looking for Rod Stewart's original sounds should purchase this CD. Also, it's great to have for your collection. January 2, 2008

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