Music review: Rod Stewart’s ‘Time’
“Spent some time feeling inferior/Standing in front of my mirror/Combed my hair in a thousand ways/But I came out looking just the same,” sings Rod Stewart on his 1971 classic “Every Picture Tells a Story.”Â
A true storyteller for more than 40 years, the 68-year-old singer (who still looks remarkably the same) releases a sentimental collection of beautifully crafted melodies containing personal snapshots of his life experiences. With “Time,” Stewart overcomes his lengthy writer’s block, penning 11 of the 12 age-appropriate tracks that were inspired by the release of his best-selling autobiography last October.
The lone cover is Tom Waits’ tenderly descriptive piano ballad “Picture in a Frame.” The two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee’s signature raspy and soulful voice is still in fine form as Stewart delivers, in my opinion, one of his best performances since 1998’s charmingly nostalgic “When We Were the New Boys.”
“She Makes Me Happy” opens the album by showing an older-but-wiser Stewart, accompanied by the familiar sounds of acoustic guitar, mandolin and accordion as Stewart sings, “When I get home there’s a hot bath waiting/Glass of wine on the side.”
Stewart’s certainly come a long way from the days detailing an older woman’s seduction on the timeless “Maggie May.”
“Can’t Stop Me Now” outlines Stewart’s early career setbacks, prevailing over record company obstacles with an unshakable determination and a father’s support. From the rocking “Finest Woman,” a fond nod and a wink to his third wife, to “Pure Love,” a tenderhearted ballad to his children, Stewart sounds sincere and content.
The only questionable number on the album is the awkward “Sexual Religion” as it uncomfortably evokes the memories of the disco-textured “Do You Think I’m Sexy?”
After raiding my older brother’s extensive record catalog in the early ’70s, I discovered the charisma of Stewart’s throaty vocals on 1972’s “Never A Dull Moment,” featuring “True Blue,” “Lost Paraguayos” and, of course, “You Wear It Well.”
Since that time, I’ve been a Stewart fan through all the singer’s phases and diverse career choices.
After releasing eight cover albums including the “Great American Songbook” series, it’s a treat to find Stewart returning to his rich blues and folk influence contained on his early solo albums.
While time waits for no one, it certainly has been kind to Stewart and rewarding to his fans.