Every Picture Tells A Story - ROD STEWART*****

Every Picture Tells A Story/Seems Like A Long Time/That's All Right/Tomorrow Is A Long Time/Maggie May/ Mandolin Wind/(I Know) I'm Losing You/Reason To Believe

The critically acclaimed Every Picture Tells A Story was the breakthrough album for The Faces front man Rod Stewart, which launched him on the path to super stardom that in time would be maintained at the expense of artistic credibility. Includes the US & UK chart-topper Maggie May. (US:1 UK:1)

“A tremendous album. Although much of it is covers, Rod at this time did covers better than anyone and picked his material very smartly. Most of it is very heartfelt folk ballad type stuff which Rod carries off wonderfully, accented beautifully by both acoustic and steel guitar.”

“Stewart concocted a potent brew of folk, country, blues, soul, gospel and of course rock, with every track sounding quite distinct and yet somehow intrinsically bound to its companions. Credit that to the band behind the music and indeed the production, each song sounding as if it was recorded live with no overdubs.”

“Believe it or not, there was a time when Rod Stewart was actually good. Better than just good: before he would destroy his reputation in the eighties he made some brilliant records and I would say Every Picture Tells A Story is the pinnacle.”

“This is the Rod Stewart we ought to remember and celebrate, offering Faces-style rockers on Every Picture Tells A Story, folk-rock narratives on Maggie May, and uplifting torch songs on tracks like Reason To Believe. The covers are ably picked, The Faces are on form providing the musical backing, and the original songs are better than ever.”

“Yes, there was a time in the early 1970s when Rod Stewart could do no wrong. High quality all the way, Every Picture Tells A Story is ragged, rocking, tuneful and pretty. With covers and originals everything works, especially the title track and Maggie May, overplayed but undeniably great. Stewart wouldn't be relevant for much longer, but this is his high point.”

“Rod Stewart's early career appears to have been a miracle. His later work was a huge disappointment, not because his music was so terrible, but because his fans couldn't believe that an artist who developed such a seamless blend of folk, rock, soul and country that both sounded highly traditional and completely innovative, would turn his back on his muse. But the muse is in full control on this album.”