Still the Same...Great Rock Classics Of Our Time

Rod Stewart | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 10, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: J-Records
• ASIN: B000HEVYR2
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (191 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,333 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Unquestionably one of rock’s greatest vocalists, Rod Stewart should have titled this album Great Rock Classics of My Time. Most of these Top 40 tunes and others like Dylan's "If Not for You" were popularized in the early to mid-'70s, when Stewart was entering his rock prime. He's perfect to croon Elvin Bishop's "Fooled Around and Fell in Love," soulfully pained on Bonnie Tyler's "It's a Heartache," and right in the pocket on the Pretenders' "I'll Stand by You." And his unmistakable raspiness puts another layer of wisdom on the old Cat Steven's classic "Father & Son." But you also have to wonder about some of the safe song choices, such Badfinger's "Day After Day" and Nazareth's "Love Hurts." Why he continues to record mossy cover songs is a legitimate question. What's stopping him from getting back in trenches with some contemporary rock songwriters and really reinventing himself? The karaoke lounge is no place for a guy this great to hang. --Martin Keller

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Product Description

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Rod Stewart has been lauded as having one of the greatest and most distinctive rock voices in history. STILL THE SAME ... GREAT ROCK CLASSICS OF OUR TIME is an incredibly strong and passionate return to form. Stewart takes ownership of these thoughtfully selected tracks crafted by some of the best songwriters of our time, including Bob Dylan ("If Not For You"), Van Morrison ("Crazy Love"), Bob Seger ("Still the Same") and John Fogerty ("Have You Ever Seen the Rain" which will be the first radio single from the album). Several of Stewart's other selections sound like they were written for his signature, inimitable rasp in the first place, like Bonnie Tyler's "It's a Heartache" and "Fooled Around and Fell in Love," a 1976 hit for Elvin Bishop.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 31 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Well-chosen covers for a master interpreter October 13, 2006

By Dr. Emil "Tom" Shuffhausen

Format:Audio CD

It may well be that Rod Stewart is becoming the Frank Sinatra of his generation, and who could've guessed it way back when he was a skinny young punk with the Faces? The fact is, Rod has always been a superb interpreter of lyrics, melodies, and moods, and with this collection, he takes on some of rock's greatest classics and...well, if he doesn't make them his own, he certainly at least does them proud.

Truthfully, I can remember thinking back in the day when some of these songs were released, "Hey, Rod Stewart could do a great job with this tune." I mean, when I first heard Bonnie Tyler singing, "It's A Heartache," I thought it WAS Rod. Well, he finally gets his chance here to cover these classics, and--as Michael McDonald did with his Motown CDs--he brings a lot of love and energy to the material.

I won't say that Rod's versions exceed the originals, but it's a joy to hear him put his soulful stamp on "I'll Stand By You," "Have You Ever Seen the Rain," and "Everything I Own." The title track is a superb choice for Rod. I love Bob Seger's original, but I was surprised how appropriate it is for Rod to sing as well--it's almost autobiographical at times, and the song packs a lot of emotion and pathos.

"Father & Son" is a very moving song, and as a George Harrison fan, I appreciated the Stewart-ized "If Not for You." Rod's stirring cover of "Everything I Own" is not an obvious choice, but the more I listen to it, the more I think it just may...MAY...mind you...top the original.

In my opinion, there are really no weak moments here. Some reviewers have criticized the arranging, the instrumentation, or the production, but it seems the producer, maestro Clive Davis, was really deliberately (and wisely) aiming to put Rod's voice up front and center, where it belongs. And, it must be said, that the musicianship throughout is topnotch and well done by a very stellar supporting cast.

Overall, it's a great collection of tunes, rendered by a rock legend and master interpreter. While these versions may not, in general, always top the originals, they do make for excellent listening, and also serve to preserve some classic tunes for a whole new generation. (And, believe me, this is not just "music for old people." A lot of teens are getting turned onto vintage rock and soul because they are sick of the tuneless sameness of today's hip hop or prefab girly schlock or thrash metal.)

Good job, Rod, and happy listening everyone!

34 of 43 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars New versions of great songs that didn't need to be covered October 16, 2006

By Sir George Martini

Format:Audio CD

A Brief History:
In the 60s, I liked Rod the Mod's single Good Morning Little Schoolgirl. He was great when he fronted The Jeff Beck Group and also with Python Lee Jackson as a session singer. Shucks, Maggie May is still one of my favorite songs. In the 70s, he entered the next phase of his career with those pseudo disco sex anthems like Do You Think I'm Sexy and Hotlegs which still make me want to hurl chunks of undigested bile. In the 80's, he teamed up with Jeff Beck again for People Get Ready and I was hoping they would record an entire album together, but things didn't work out. Amazingly, he's had unbelievable success with two CDs of standards. "Still The Same" uses the same formula, except these rock classics sound like lounge music to me. What's even worse is that on the CD cover he looks like Tammy Faye Bakker (RIP) on a bad hair day.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars TAKE MY WORD FOR IT October 13, 2006

By WENDY LOHN

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

THIS IS A GREAT SELECTION OF SONGS THAT ROD SINGS TO PERFECTION. THIS COLLECTION DOES NOT HAVE A LOUD MUSIC SCORE THAT DROWNS OUT ROD'S WONDERFUL SINGING. HE IS SUCH A VERSATILE SINGER AND I AM THRILLED THAT HE IS GOING IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION BY SINGING HIS SAME SOULFUL, SEXY STYLE ONLY WITH A GENTLER SOUND.