Gasoline Alley is Rod Stewart‘s second solo album of his long and successful career. He has recorded 30 studio albums. “Rod the Mod” was one of my favourite artist when I was growing up. I have seen him in concert three times. It is strange that I have never heard this whole album nor his first album An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down until today. His first album is great too, especially since “Handbags and Gladrags“ is on it. Oddly, this album does not have any hit singles that I know.
The first song “Gasoline Alley” sounds like one of Stewart’s cover of another artist’s song, but it is an original song. He co-wrote it with Ronnie Wood, former member of Faces with Stewart, current member of The Rolling Stones.
Stewart was consistent in mixing covers with his original songs. I would say that he does better on his originals, but Rod Stewart is one of those artist who makes any song he sings his song. “Only a Hobo” is a Bob Dylan tune, but Stewart makes it sound like an original song. Not many artist can cover Dylan successful in my opinion. I think it is the feeling Dylan conveys in his lyrics and vocals. Stewart has something similar in his early style.
As big of a fan of Stewart’s music as I am I can admit that his albums, especially later 70s and on were never as good as this one. I like so many of his songs, but his albums were never the draw. I always knew he would have three or four good songs that would make it worth the purchase.
If I were to skip one song it would be “Cut Across Shorty“. It has something in the music that I find unappealing. It is not a terrible song, but it reminds me of the love theme from Titanic, “My Heart Will Go On“.
This is a solid album from Rod Stewart. I am more curious to listen to his albums before I became aware of him as an artist. He is The Storyteller and he tells some great stories on this album. 10/10.
an ocean roars 