Live 1976-1998: Tonight's The Night

Rod Stewart

Warner Brothers, 2014

http://www.rodstewart.com

REVIEW BY: Mark Millan

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 04/07/2014

One of the staggering things about Rod Stewart’s catalogue is just how many titles have been released in his name since the late ‘60s. It’s hard to think of another of his peers who could top his output, particularly over the last few decades, which I suppose proves one thing above all: Rod Stewart is clearly one of the hardest working men in rock history. The guy has recorded so much material crossing over into every genre imaginable and then some, but as a performer, Stewart has always been a rocker at heart. While he was heavily influenced by folk, soul, blues and even a touch of country, whenever he hit the stage (with the exception of his more recent incarnation as a classical balladeer/crooner), it was always about the rock and the roll. And there was plenty of that, judging by his latest release. 

Live 1976-1998 is a sprawling 58 track, four-disc set that covers everything from his brilliant career peak from the mid-‘70s right through to the not-so-great ‘90s, which is really when the once great storyteller lost his way and almost never came back. Despite returning to writing songs again for 2013’s Time, there is nothing included here following 1998. I think the main reason for that would be the state of Stewart’s once great voice, which is now just a croaky whisper that is barely audible over his band of full-throttle rockers and stellar backing vocalists.  The late ‘90s were the last good years of Stewart’s voice, which was at that stage being propped up by regular steroid injections, an admission Rod included in his autobiography, which according to the man made him bloated and grumpy. my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

Whilst it’s true that the first two discs, which cover the years 1976-1981, are far superior to the third and fourth (1984-1998) it is surprising at how hard a lot of Stewart’s mediocre ‘80s material actually rocked when he took it out of the studio and onto the road. Tracks like “Infatuation,” “Tonight I’m Yours (Don’t Hurt Me)” and “Some Guys Have All The Luck” rock with confidence and hold their own alongside classics like “Sailing” and “Stay With Me.” There are a couple of great soul medleys that show what a great singer Stewart once was, not to mentio a killer duet with Tina Turner on the very appropriate “Hot Legs” from a ’79 gig. That show also provides great moments with ‘Gi’ Me Wings,” “Passion” and “She Won’t Dance With Me.” 

Late into the set, we get some of the acoustic material that Stewart had recorded for his 1993 MTV Unplugged And Seated album, but the packaging goes to great lengths to assure us that these are all previously unissued tracks and not just lifted from that set. The two tracks that close out disc four, “Cigarettes And Alcohol” and “Rocks” (from Stewart’s great 1998 album, When We Were The New Boys) both sound fine, but it’s a shame that there are only two selections from that year as he recorded some great material for that album that would have worked a treat on stage for him. It is, however, the first disc, devoted entirely to the year 1976, which makes this collection essential for Rod Stewart fans. It presents a 13 track gig during a year that many a scribe believe to have been his peak. 

Stellar cuts like “You Wear It Well,” “Big Bayou” and “The Wild Side Of Life” sound effortlessly great, as do the big hits “Maggie May” and “Tonight’s The Night (Gonna Be Alright).” A superb cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Angel” and an equally impressive jaunt through The Fab Four’s “Get Back” prove Stewart’s skill as an interpretive singer was once truly great. 

But later cuts, like a completely flat reading of The Boss’ “Hungry Heart,” show what can happen when his heart isn’t in it. The most disappointing inclusion here, though, is a dreadful performance of Tom Waits’ “Downtown Train,” which is mainly due to the fact that on the night of 5/5/1991, Rod’s voice had completely deserted him. There must have been stronger nights on that particular tour, but maybe the tapes weren’t rolling, which is a shame because when there is so much great material here, it really shows up the bad stuff. 

Anyway, Live 1976-1998 is a really great set of live material from one of rock’s most beloved and enduring entertainers. Considering that nearly all of Stewart’s previously released live albums are dreadful, it is a must have for any fan.

Rating: A-

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