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When this morning, half-dazed by the flu and depressed by the grayness and rain, I got up and opened DeBaser, I unexpectedly smiled. Not that this site depresses me, mind you, it's magnificent and you all are magnificent. But a "no" day is a "no" day, and facing a review of a vintage Rod, moreover written so well, well, it hardly leaves you indifferent. Also because if the album in question, "Never a Dull Moment" superbly reviewed by Supersoul, I haven't listened to it yet, it at least reminded me of an lp that I listen to quite often (and not yet on DeBaser! And if I don't review it now, when?!), along with all the memories related to its purchase.
That autumn day three years ago there fortunately weren't any youngsters in the shop looking for Coldplay. Instead, there was a guy rummaging in the "bargain vinyl" corner, that is, all the reject economic editions of the '80s on offer. It so happens that the guy in question was yours truly, who while rummaging came across this very "Every Picture Tells a Story". Now, I didn't know much about Rod Stewart; actually, the little I knew were his more or less recent yells in the "singing in the shower" style that had indelibly marked the adolescences of my older cousins in the '80s. Which, as you might imagine, initially sparked repulsion toward the aforementioned album in my hands. But then I told myself: hey, calm down a bit. But didn't that record your brother bought, that "Beck Ola" from the Jeff Beck Group, have Rod Stewart as the singer? Yes, actually yes. I turned the cover over and took a look at the year. 1971. And come to think of it, I asked myself, where did I read that his very first records weren't bad at all? So, doing some math, given the negligible price, I decided to take a risk. And here comes the second problem. Because when you're used to spending at least one afternoon a week in THAT record store (a habit lost unfortunately, or fortunately for my wallet), to talking with a half-crazy shop owner who doesn't have too many problems (imagine especially when you have a bit of familiarity, as in my case) telling you to your face what they think of what you're buying, you get a bit scared. I approached the counter trembling, already imagining the string of imminent insults (and even hypothesizing fleeing without paying, maybe leaving the money outside the door at night with the shutters down, you know, just not to be infamous), and submitted it to his judicious yet unbalanced gaze. Well, his exact words were: "However... when this guy still knew how to work as God commands, unlike that ***** of Sailing". Now, I have nothing to say about "Sailing", if only because I've never heard it; I simply report the shop owner's opinion. So it was that I left the shop visibly satisfied to have escaped the wrath of his boss, and I was even more visibly satisfied when this vinyl edition that survived the digital advent, remained secluded for over two decades in its cover, kept away from any sharp object called a turntable needle, had the chance to melt, to free itself in my stereo speakers, while an entire building trembled...
Well yes, I'll tell you right away, this record makes the walls shake. Not that it's its fault, but this is a record that, as they used to say, is made to be played at full volume. Don't expect some masterpiece, but an LP of pure blood, sweat, tears, those of Rod and his fellow bacchanals, fights and plays by Ron Wood (at the time in Faces, not yet in the rolling gang), Ian McLagan (also a Faces companion) Mick Waller (old acquaintance, like Wood for that matter, dating from the Jeff Beck Group), as well as unsuspecting much calmer companies, like folk guitarist Martin Quittenton, violinist Dick Powell and Lindisfarne's mandolin player Ray Jackson. Music that may not be anything original, but rough and dirty like that of any great English rock record of 1971, be it the Rolling Stones, the Who or Led Zeppelin. The title track indeed starts with a vaguely Townshendian riff (even though played and co-composed by Ron Wood) and a shaking drum that can't help but remind you of Keith Moon, and ends with an incandescent duet with Maggie Bell (a great forgotten voice of '70s English r'n'b).
The first side then pleasantly passes through a ballad with soul and gospel tones ("Seems Like a Long Time") and a medley composed of the old rock'n'roll classic "That's All Right" and a rendition of the folk traditional "Amazing Grace", to end with a Bob Dylan cover. But the second side spares no one. After a round of acoustic guitar from friend Quittenton, it starts with "Maggie May", the song that on the "no" days lifts you irrepressibly, followed by another original, "Mandolin Wind", a folk rock ballad that feels a lot like Led Zeppelin III and IV, poignant as needed. But watch out, because if the Mandolin Song has sweetened you, you've irreparably let your guard down for the next "(I Know) I'm Losing You", a cover of an old Temptations piece of Motown memory, which between Waller's wilder and more possessed than ever drums, and Wood's lethal guitar riff (I like to think that a few years later Keith Richards remembered this song, before choosing Ronnie) finds its cornerstones. There's nothing to do, you've authentically torn your clothes dancing, you couldn't resist it and now you're back on the couch exhausted. To balance the accounts and quiet you, there's one last cover, this time by Tim Hardin (another famous '60s folksinger), "Reason to Believe", which brings back a bit of old and healthy melancholy.
The record ends, the turntable arm goes back to rest and you too, with your feet in slippers, certain that another day has passed, perhaps a difficult day, but that a good vintage Rod has straightened you up, as always.
Tracklist Lyrics and Samples
01 Every Picture Tells a Story (06:01)
Spent some time feelin' inferior
standing in front of my mirror
Combed my hair in a thousand ways
but I came out looking just the same
Daddy said, "Son, you better see the world
I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to leave
But remember one thing don't lose your head
to a woman that'll spend your bread"
So I got out
Paris was a place you could hide away
if you felt you didn't fit in
French police wouldn't give me no peace
They claimed I was a nasty person
Down along the Left Bank minding my own
Was knocked down by a human stampede
Got arrested for inciting a peacful riot
when all I wanted was a cup of tea
I was accused
I moved on
Down in Rome I wasn't getting enough
of the things that keeps a young man alive
My body stunk but I kept my funk
at a time when I was right out of luck
Getting desperate indeed I was
Looking like a tourist attraction
Oh my dear I better get out of here
'for the Vatican don't give no sanction
I wasn't ready for that, no no
I moved right out east yeah!
On the Peking ferry I was feeling merry
sailing on my way back here
I fell in love with a slit eyed lady
by the light of an eastern moon
Shangai Lil never used the pill
She claimed that it just ain't natural
She took me up on deck and bit my neck
Oh people I was glad I found her
Oh yeah I was glad I found her
I firmly believe that I didn't need anyone but me
I sincerely thought I was so complete
Look how wrong you can be
The women I've known I wouldn't let tie my shoe
They wouldn't give you the time of day
But the slit eyed lady knocked me off my feet
God I was glad I found her
And if they had the words I could tell to you
to help you on the way down the road
I couldn't quote you no Dickens, Shelley or Keats
'cause it's all been said before
Make the best out of the bad just laugh it off
You didn't have to come here anyway
So remember, every picture tells a story don't it
03 That's All Right (03:59)
That's all right my mama, that's all right for you
That's all right my mama any old way you do
But that's all right, well that's all right
Well that's all right my mama
any way that you wanna do
My mother she did tell me
Papa did tell me too
Son, that woman that you're foolin' with
she ain't no good for you
I'll be leaving here tomorrow
leaving here for sure
you ain't gotta be bothered with me
hangin' 'round your door
07 Maggie May (05:16)
Wake up Maggie I think I've got something to say to you.
It's late September and I really should be back at school.
I know I keep you amused but I feel I'm being used.
Oh Maggie I couldn't have tried any more.
You led me away from home just to save you from being alone.
You stole my heart and that's what really hurts.
The morning sun when it's in your face really shows your age
But that don't worry me none in my eyes you're everything.
I laughed at all of your jokes - my love you didn't need to coax.
Oh, Maggie I couldn't have tried any more.
You led me away from home, just to save you from being alone
You stole my soul and that's a pain I can do without.
All I needed was a friend to lend a guiding hand
But you turned into a lover
And mother what a lover, you wore me out.
All you did was wreck my bed
And in the morning kick me in the head.
Oh Maggie I couldn't have tried any more.
You led me away from home cause you didn't wanna be alone
You stole my heart I couldn't leave you if I tried.
(Really long Guitar Improv Bit)
I suppose I could collect my books and get on back to school.
Or steal my daddy's cue - make a living out of playing pool.
Or find myself a rock and roll band that needs a helpin' hand.
Oh Maggie I wished I'd never seen your face.
You made a first class fool out of me
But I'm as blind as a fool can be
You stole my heart, but I love you anyway.
(guitar bit again, this time with mandolins too!)
Maggie I wished I'd never seen your face
I'll get on back home one of these days
(a few whoo hoos...)
08 Mandolin Wind (05:33)
When the rain came I thought you'd leave
'cause I knew how much you loved the sun
But you chose to stay, stay and keep me warm
through the darkest nights I've ever known
If the mandolin wind couldn't change a thing
then I know I love ya
Oh the snow fell without a break
Buffalo died in the frozen fields you know
Through the coldest winter in almost fourteen years
I couldn't believe you kept a smile
Now I can rest assured knowing that we've seen the worst
And I know I love ya
Oh I never was good with romantic words
so the next few lines come really hard
Don't have much but what I've got is yours
except of course my steel guitar
Ha, 'cause I know you don't play
but I'll teach you one day
because I love ya
I recall the night we knelt and prayed
Noticing your face was thin and pale
I found it hard to hide my tears
I felt ashamed I felt I'd let you down
No mandolin wind couldn't change a thing
Couldn't change a thing no, no
The coldest winter in almost fourteen years
could never, never change your mind
And I love ya
Yes indeed and I love ya
And I love ya
Lordy I love ya
09 (I Know) I'm Losing You (05:23)
Your love is fadin' I feel it fade
Ah, your love is fadin' I feel it fade
Ah, your love is fadin' Woman I feel it fade
Ah, woman, woman your touch, your touch has gone cold
As if someone else controls your very soul
I've fooled myself long as I can
Can feel the presence of another man
It's there when you speak my name
It's just not the same
Ooh babe, I'm losing you
It's in the air
It's there everywhere
Baby, baby, babe, I'm Losing you
When I look into your eyes
A reflection of a face, I see
I'm hurt, down-hearted and worried, girl
'Cause that face doesn't belong to me
It's all over your face
Someone's takin my place
Ooo baby, I'm losing you
You try hard to hide
The emptiness you feel inside
Oo babe, I'm losing you
I can't bear the thought of losing you
Ah woman, can't you see what I'm goin' through
I'm losin' my mind (losin' my mind)
And it's all because of you
I can't bear the thought of losing you
I'm losin' my mind (losin' my mind)
And It's all because of you
I can't stand the thought of losing you
10 Reason to Believe (04:07)
If I listened long enough to you
I'd find a way to believe that it's all true
Knowing that you lied
Straight-faced while I cried
Still I look to find a reason to believe
Someone like you
Makes it hard to live without
Somebody else
Someone like you
Makes it easy to give
Never think about myself
If I gave you time to change my mind
I'd find a way just to leave the past behind
Knowing that you lied
Straight-faced while I cried
Still I look to find a reason to believe
If I listened long enough to you
I'd find a way to believe that it's all true
Knowing that you lied
Straight-faced while I cried
Still I look to find a reason to believe
Someone like you
Makes it hard to live without
Somebody else
Someone like you
Makes it easy to give
Never think about myself
Someone like you
Makes it hard to live without
Somebody else
Someone like you
Makes it easy to give
Never think about myself
Whoo
Someone like you
Makes it hard to live without
Somebody else
Someone like you
Makes it easy to give
Never think about myself
Someone like you
Makes it hard to live without
Somebody else
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