He's just a storyteller, John – a humble storyteller.

... Those last two songs aren't his.

And on Downtown Train he's not a crooner. Aside from that, top marks.

And that’s not his either.

Good Celtic man, which, in many ways, is more important.

To have lasted since he broke through in 1971 takes some doing. From Jeff Beck Group through the Faces and solo he’s produced some great songs, mediocre songs and stinkers. His cover versions are high standard - Dylan and Waits Particularly. His concerts are always good.

Oh no question re his covers - anyone who can take on Tom Waits and come out level (if not on top) is worthy of respect. But I balk at 'all-time classic songbook' as though he's Lennon and McCartney!

Bit of an unfair comparison as not many have their songbook. Rod would say his bank balance suggests otherwise 😂

For the first half of the seventies, he was incredibly good and a surprisingly strong lyricist if you can filter out the casual sexism.

I can never filter out casual sexism, Richard. 🧐

Yes, John Self.

You sang your song For much too long The songs they're wrong The bread has gone

If ever there was a career that could have been improved by inclusion in the 27 club… 👀

That's harsh! I understand the appeal as a sort of elder statesman of pop, and he's got a distinctive voice and performing style, but classic songs? I don't think so.

Possibly a wee bit on the harsh side. But, in my view, his denial of his rock roots after The Faces condemned him to sail on a sea of infinite shite.

No

At the very least, his run from Long Player by Faces through Never a Dull Moment by himself is *excellent*. I remember laughing in the face of a mate who was a massive fan and he said to come back to him and say he was wrong after listening to those albums. He was not wrong.

I read 'crooner' as 'coroner' for a second there.

He does not.

Finest white soul voice since Tiny Tim.

His version of Downtown Train is OK, but not a patch on the Waits original. I wonder if the author even knows it's a cover?

I think he probably does, since he’s grouped the two covers together. (Also it’s by Mark Savage, who knows music.)

My love for Do Ya Think I'm Sexy is the pop hill I'd die on.

Same here. Cheesy as hell but probably the best disco bandwagon jump of any established artist.

I love it, but I think Miss You has it.

I can't get on with Stones Disco. Feels too "how do you do, fellow kids".

Haha. You should hear Lou Reed's disco phase. Or maybe you shouldn't.

I think a visible sense of humour is a minimum requirement to get on the disco bus.

Ha! Lou definitely had a visible sense of humour.

OK, I stand corrected!

I love that about it. Diana Ross did it well, too.

Disco made Jagger even more Jagger. youtu.be/hic-dnps6MU

Yes! And these days this is pretty much my favourite Queen song. youtu.be/p2EDkv_dyeI?...

New to me.

Me too. And I'm a pushover for You're In My Heart, and his version of Reason to Believe.

Today I learned that the melody is taken from another song:

So, so hideous. The song equivalent of that thing about newspaper headlines that ask questions.

This is the best version, and it does answer the question. youtu.be/PnXff846HEM?...

Oh hang on, back up the hill we go. It's the keyboard riff that is the highpoint for me.

Oh I didn't know that. *takes a few strides down the hill of death*

FINE THEN

Enjoying this Rod Stewart Essentials playlist. I'd go so far as to say that he has one of the part-time classic songbooks.

“Essentials”, plural? As far as I’m concerned, it’s “Maggie May” and that’s it.

If you add in the faces he definitely makes it I think

I am famous for never adding in the faces

Ha! Job share classic songbook.

this is a masterpiece www.youtube.com/watch?v=95zx...