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  | ROD STEWART ~ THE TEARS OF HERCULES
WARNER BROS. 603497842520 (Barcode: 603497842520) ~ UK ~ Pop & Rock
Recorded: 2021 Released: 2021
This is the thirty-second studio album by the iconic British vocalist / songwriter Rod StewartFind albums by this artist, recorded with a small team of his usual cohorts, which includes keyboardist Kevin SavigarFind albums by this artist, guitarist Emerson SwinfordFind albums by this artist, violinist J`anna JacobyFind albums by this artist, percussionist Julia ThorntonFind albums by this artist and several backing vocalists. The album presents twelve songs, nine of which were co-written by Stewart and Savigar (one also by Swinford) and three are arrangements of songs by other songwriters. The songs are connected into a continuous stream of sound without the usual pauses between them.
I first fell under the spell of Stewart’s idiosyncratic voice when I heard him fronting the Jeff BeckFind albums by this artist group in 1967 and this “love affair” is still very much on. His long and convoluted career produced many albums of various quality, but his vocals always were, and still are, completely amazing and lost nothing of their uniqueness and power, which is pretty astounding. Personally I most enjoy his early albums and The Great American Songbook series, but honestly Stewart never sung a wrong note in his life. He is a superb interpreter of songs written by other great songwriters, and in my book he stands proudly next to another British Rock icon, Joe CockerFind albums by this artist, both born only a few months apart.
This new album, created amidst the pandemic, is one of the best efforts of his late career. The songs are all solid and well written, especially the ballads, and are a true joy to listen to. On a few songs the contemporary arrangements are a tad artificial, and Stewart still sounds the best just accompanied by a piano, like on the title song. His heartbreaking balladry is still completely unappalled.
Overall, for an artist with six decades of musical legacy, Stewart still sounds as sweet and sour as he ever did and combined with the fine songs he sings here, this album is pure unadulterated musical delight. Hats off!
| | Updated: 18/12/2021Posted: 18/12/2021 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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