Rod Stewart has really tested the patience of his loyal fans in recent years.  There’s been no original material released since the dreadful Human eight years ago.  He released no less than four albums on which he covered standards for his The Great American Songbook series, and he returned to his rock roots with another patchy covers album this time, taking on his favorite classic rock songs.  As if this wasn’t enough, he also unleashed five compilations, mostly with very similar track listings, of his very well-known songs.  All the talk of a Faces reunion and Stewart writing songs again throughout this decade seems to have been just that, talk.

So with a tremendous amount of product out there, it seems that team Stewart are starting to dig deeper into the vaults in an effort to release something other than the endless hits packages that they’ve been turning out of late.  I’m pleased to say with this release, it’s a very good thing because Unplugged…And Seated is one of Rod Stewart’s finest moments ever.  Originally airing on MTV in 1993 as part of their hugely popular MTV Unplugged series, this concert was only released as a CD, which spawned a world-wide hit in Stewart’s beautiful cover of Van Morrison’s “Have I Told You Lately.”

His sizeable band is joined by a string section and best mate Ron Wood on guitar and vocals for some the old gems the two of them originally recorded in the ‘60s.  The intimate setting is refreshing and helps to keep the focus on the music and its players.  Simply put, Stewart is one of the best rock singers of all time and given the right setting and sticking (wisely) to his classics, he gives a commanding but truly soulful performance here that removes any doubt anyone may have about him.

The film kicks off with a barnstorming rendition of “Hot Legs” that finds the band flexing their considerable muscle from the get-go.  This is followed by a stirring performance of “Tonight’s The Night;” easily Rod’s best ballad, it still shines brighter than almost anything it’s accompanied by.  Ron Wood then joins the group to tackle “Cut Across Shorty” from Stewart’s classic second album, Gasoline Alley, before slowing the pace again with a touching reworking of “Reason To Believe.” 

Two more classic songs follow immediately, the epic “Every Picture Tells A Story” and of course, probably Rod’s most famous ditty, “Maggie May.”  The fact that he can still sing these songs after so long and do it so convincingly is a testament to his talents and the clearly evident joy that he still feels from performing.  He exudes rock star cool and a surprising humility, and although he was pushing fifty here, he still packed enough spunk to keep the ladies in raptures (albeit being a little more subdued than earlier days, no doubt).

Stewart has spoken many times of finding influence in the American soul performers who dominated the airwaves of Britain in the early ‘60s.  Most of his shows contain a few covers of his favorite songs from that period, and this gig was no exception.  The Impressions’ “People Get Ready” is covered here with real heart and tenderness that few would think him capable of displaying.  His own version of the glorious “Handbags And Gladrags” (from 1969’s An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down) is a standout and sits very comfortably with the rest of the classic material on display here.

Next up is the aforementioned “Have I Told You Lately” that Stewart dedicates to his new (at the time) wife Rachel Hunter.  It’s a straightforward cover with no unnecessary tinkering needed because the song is so damn beautiful, and he sings it wonderfully.  A curious cover of Tom Waits’ “Tom Traubert’s Blues (Waltzing Matilda)” works a treat, and by this stage you get the feeling that on this particular night, Rod and his posse could have played anything and made it their own.

Closing out the show in style, the gang delivers a stellar version of “Mandolin Wind” before a rollicking romp through The Faces’ classic “Stay With Me.”  Last but not least, Rod honors another of his idols, Sam Cooke, with an understated delivery of “Having A Party,” which couldn’t have been more appropriate. 

This is truly a must-have if you’re even just the casual Rod Stewart fan.  He was clearly having a blast, no doubt partly due to reuniting onstage with Ron Wood again for all to see. The band are tight and well-drilled but have no trouble shaking loose when the material allows it, and their leader is simply at the top of his game and loving every minute of it.

Rating: A

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