The Rod Stewart Sessions 1971-1998 (Highlights)

Rod Stewart | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino Records
• ASIN: B002QUARXM
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #635,966 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

This album presents highlights from the 4-disc boxed set, providing extraordinary insight into the studio work of one of rock's legendary figures and paints a picture of what might have been. Many of these performances are more stripped-down and intimate than their released counterparts, so the set becomes an illustration and a showcase of Rod's creative process.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Rod Stewart, October 2, 2009

By 

Shaun Tatarka "rodstewartblogcom" (Montana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rod Stewart Sessions 1971-1998 (Audio CD)

I hesitate to give anything on Amazon five stars since it instantly appears as though the review was written by another blind fan just praising his or her idol, but this Sessions box set is fantastic and deserves nothing less than five stars. As you will see from my other reviews, I am not afraid to slam Rod Stewart "products" so trust me when I tell you this box set is simply amazing.

The set contains several different types of cuts--from finished, studio polished never-before-released tracks to first run-throughs of songs that either were completed or scrapped. There's also a plethora of alternative versions of classic Rod tracks that offer hard core fans a chance to fall in love again with songs they've known for decades. There's even three hilarious "hidden" tracks including a classic, sly swipe at Rod's record label Warner Bros. called "It's Coming out Your Royalties."

Some of the standout tracks include Elvis Costello's "Long Journey Home," Dylan's "Wheels on Fire," "May You Never," "When I'm Away from You" "Dylan's Day Off" the alternative "First Cut is the Deepenst" the alternative "Girl from the North Country" (much more haunting and moving that the original that appeared on Smiler) the early take of "Scarred and Scared," the accoustic "Windy Town," Oasis' "Rocking Chair" and about two dozen others. (really).

For $45, you won't be disappointed with this box set.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have For All Rock n Roll Fans, October 3, 2009

By 

David Dipietro - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Rod Stewart Sessions 1971-1998 (Audio CD)

From the opening alternative version of "Maggie May" to the last song, this set is full of Rod Stewart gems. Not only does this set highlight what a brilliant interpreter of other people's songs Stewart is, it also clearly brings to light his underrated song writing abilities.

On many of the slower tunes, the passion in Stewart's voice makes you feel the emotion in your gut, your heart and your soul. Alternative versions of "Girl from the North Country" and "First Cut Is The Deepest" are standouts. "Time Of My Life" and "Hard Lesson To Learn" make you feel the emotions and confusion surrounding a heart-wrenching break-up.

But this set does not just a collection of heartbreaking songs. There are some hard rocking "new" songs and alternative versions of Stewart classics. His remake of "In A Broken Dream" with help from Pink Floyd's David Gilmour on guitar, Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones on organ and Nick Lowe is an instant rock classic.

Music critics almost always take the easy route when reviewing Stewart's music and career by talking about what "might have been" and say the only great music he made was in the early 70's. While it's true, he has had some clunkers and made some missteps, Stewart obviously could not be getting by on smoke and mirrors for this many years.

"Sessions" gives Rod Stewart fans and non-fans a behind the scenes view of a rock legend. A must have.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An incredible collection of music - must have for any fan, October 9, 2009

By 

Brian Mcquillen (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Rod Stewart Sessions 1971-1998 (Audio CD)

Wow this collection is simply amazing!! - I don't write reviews but feel I must since this is not getting the attention it deserves. I have had a week to listen and what an incredible and deep set of unreleased recordings. Perhaps the best part is the completely new songs such as When I'm Away From You, May You Never, Hard Lesson To Learn and the foot stompin Thunderbird to name a few) but for me it's hearing alternate versions of classics and unvarnished versions of his 80s and 90s material that was far too often overproduced. Here, these songs shine with the raw power of Rod's vocal cords. This is a must-have and most significant release of Rod Stewart recordings since the 70s.