A Spanner in the Works

Rod Stewart's seventeenth studio album, A Spanner in the Works, came out in 1995, four years after the previous album, the hugely successful Vagabond Heart. A Spanner in the Works sort of sneaked by, I believe. It didn't quite generate the attention of some of Stewart's other albums, and that's a shame. To me, this is one of his best, and certainly one of my favorites.

Songs like Leave Virginia Alone, written by Tom Petty, Windy Town, and the upbeat Lady Luck are classic Stewart numbers. Then there's the beautiful Bob Dylan tune Sweetheart Like You, done up with classic Rod Stewart charm as well.

There are more great songs here too. All of them should be considered Stewart classics.

Check out this verse from Windy Town and imagine Rod's whiskey-soaked voice getting hold of the:

And on the bus there's a friend of mine.
We go way back to the scene of the crime.

Sit up front and share a cigarette,
And try to remember what we tried to forget.

And then there's this lyric from Lady Luck:

Lady Luck, ain't you the fickle kind.
Why are some folks lucky while the rest are tryin'?
You keep on playin', it's still a mystery.
You're laced with a touch of inconsistancy.

Then there's the sexy, infectious Delicious, featuring the guitar work of Andy Taylor (Duran Duran) and Rod's sleazier side. Here's a verse:

I've had new caviar, the boardwalk, and pink champagne.
I've seen the Mona Lisa, drank the wine of France and Spain.
I've smelled the rose of Finland, the tulips of Amsterdam.
I've heard the cool of Coltrane, the bells of Notre Dame.
But you know what honey?
You fill me up with desire.
You set my soul on fire, baby.
Let's take it down to the wire.
You're delicious.
I love your snake-white hips and your cherry-red lips.
Yes, yes, you're delicious.

And it's no secret listening to Rod Stewart when I was younger was a huge part of my musical upbringing. He was always a musical inspiration to me. On A Spanner in the Works, Rod pays tribute to some of his inspirations in the autobiographical song Muddy, Sam, and Otis (Muddy Waters, Sam Cooke, and Otis Redding, of course). Love these lyrics:

Stayed up all night
Playin' every 45
Tryin' to sound like you.
Strummed my guitar in bed
Till my fingers bled
Tryin' to play like you.

Thank you, Sam, thank you, Otis,
Thank you Muddy
For the sounds you made.
Thank you, Sam, thank you, Otis,
Thank you, Muddy
For the times we shared.
And they carry on . . .

Thank you, Rod. Not only for A Spanner in the Works, but for all the great albums before and after.

Carry On.

Time Is on Rod Stewart's Side

Rod Stewart is 68 years old. He just released his newest album, entitled Time, proving that time is on Rod Stewart's side for sure. At 68, Rod the Mod sounds as good as he did when he was 20. Seriously, this dude's voice doesn't change. Neither do his moves. If you have never liked Rod Stewart, you won't like the new album, but if you are, like me, a huge Rod Stewart fan, you're going to love this shit.

Time consists of 12 tracks (15 if you grab the deluxe version). It starts off with two uptempo tunes, She Makes Me Happy and Can't Stop Me Now, both with the classic Stewart bop reminiscent of his work in the 80s. If you're in the mood for the classic Rod Stewart sound from the 70s, Live the Life is closer to what you're looking for. If you're looking for Rod Stewart ballads, you'll find them in Pure Love and Love Has No Pride.

Some of the killer cuts for me are Finest Woman, Beautiful Morning, Can't Stop Me Now, She Makes Me Happy, and one of the bonus tracks, Legless.

I discovered Rod Stewart when there was still a.m. radio that played pop and rock. Songs like Maggie May, Mandolin Wind, and You Wear It Well were constantly rolling off my tongue. The album Foot Loose and Fancy Free, with Hot Legs and You're in My Heart (the Final Acclaim) was a staple for me, not to mention that wonderful ode to sexual delight, Tonight's the Night.

I followed Rod through his Do Ya Think I'm Sexy? days right into the 80s and 90s (where he recorded A Spanner in the Works, one of his most underrated and best albums ever, in my opinion). I'm still following Rod Stewart today. The guy is an entertainer of the highest caliber. Whatever song Rod sings, whether he wrote it, co-wrote it, had it written for him, or is just covering somebody's song, that song becomes a Rod Stewart song.

There's something about listening to Rod Stewart that always puts a smile on my face. The same when I see the guy perform. He's always been that good, and with the release of Time, he proves he still is.