Julia Beffon
CD OFTHEWEEK
When Rod Stewart made Atlantic Crossing in the mid-Seventies he left Britain and the Small Faces behind and the music critics, too. Hollywood turned Rod the Mod into more than a tax exile. He became a musical outcast, wasting his gravelly, soulful voice on disco drivel that reached its nadir with Hot Legs. A succession of albums and stadium tours followed, giving him a huge worldwide following, but in the past 20 years or so he’s been more memorable for his series of blonde wives and girlfriends than his music. The self-confessed “old blond tart” is trying to turn that around with Human (Atlantic). Not only has he roped in some guitar heavyweights (Mark Knopfler on If I Had You and Slash on the title track), but the album represents a return to his musical roots. It is much closer in mood to Every Picture Tells a Story than Blondes Have More Fun. Don’t Come Around Here, featuring Helicopter Girl, is a strong reaffirmation that at 55 Stewart has one of rock’s great voices. That’s not to say Human is a classic. To Be With You is mutton dressed up as glam and there are other weak moments. But there’s life in the old dog yet and he didn’t have to turn to the Pet Shop Boys to revive his career.