An almost sold out crowd filled Madison Square Garden Monday, December 9, 2013 to see what turned out to be two English gentlemen perform. Award winning English Musician Steve Winwood and his band took the stage first and performed an hour of their hits, which unless you are a big fan, were pretty low key until they did the more recognizable âHigher Loveâ and âGimme Some Lovingâ. The crowd loved them and showed their appreciation with a standing ovation as they attempted to leave the stage. Winwood seemed pleased at the response and the crowd was ready for the main event.
After a 15 minute intermission, another Englishman, who should really be called âSir Rod Stewartâ, in addition to CBE, lighted the stage with his NYC segment of the âLive the Lifeâ tour. The opening song âThis Old Heart of Mineâ was a perfect song to open the show. It got just about everyone up on their feet and the songsâ tempo is equal to the excitement of seeing Rod Stewart grace the stage. I spoke to a woman before the show who although a longtime fan had never seen Rod perform in concert. She flew in from Florida for the sole purpose of seeing her first Rod concert so I was anxious to talk with her after the show to see what she thought. She rushed over to me with a signed soccer ball in hand and said it was âabsolutely fantasticâ! And that is the general description of a Rod Stewart concert these days.
Rod told the crowd this was his 36th appearance at MSG and I learned the hard way to never miss a Rod Stewart concert at MSG. Itâs one of those venues where you never know whatâs going to happen and the one time I didnât go-back in 2004–Ronnie Wood joined him on stage for âStay with Meâ.
I stopped counting how many shows weâve been to a while ago after we reached the 100 shows mark so Iâve seen Rod perform over several years. During âSweet Little Rock and Rollerâ, he looked like the Rod Iâd seen many years ago—prancing across the stage; holding that microphone standâone hand close to the microphone and the other midway down the stand. The profile was the sameâthe spike to the hairâalbeit not as blonde as it used to be. The only thing missing were those six foot speakers on either side of the stage and if they would have been there, Iâm sure he would have jumped right up there like he used to.
Rod sang only two songs from the new album âTimeâ and one was better than the other. He did a very soulful and somewhat emotional âBrighton Beachâ as he reached in his pocket for his handkerchief to wipe a tear. He laughed when he explained to the audience that he has a 50 year old daughter. Before he did âCanât Stop Me Nowâ he said how much his father supported him in his early days and that everyone could use that type of support. The crowd loved both songs. I hoped he would do âItâs overâ but he did âIâd Rather Go Blindâ instead with âfour sets of fingers to his one throatâ. He asked the technicians to lower the lights and all you could see was Rod in the spotlight.
As Rod introduced his daughter Ruby to sing the new song she wrote, he explained that she had been nervous all day at the prospect of performing here. When she came out she said that not only had she never performed at MSG but she had never even been there before. Ruby had a small camera with her and asked Rod to pose with her with the audience behind them. It was a precious moment between father and daughter. Ruby is a gemâno pun intended. She took command with great stage presence and belted out those notes in a soulful mannerâsomething she definitely inherited from her father. Then she joined Rod on âForever Youngâ and you could see how proud Rod was to sing with her.
He enjoyed a sip of his favorite beverage, thanked everyone for coming out on a very wet evening, wished everyone a very merry Christmas and then sat down and sang Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. I was a little surprised he didnât mention his Christmas CDâit would have been a perfect time to promote it again.
Snow fell onto the stage while he was singing and he laughed when a guy came out afterwards to sweep the snow off the stage.
When introducing âRhythm of my Heartâ he explained he was a war baby himself and is grateful to all those who have served and are serving right now on the front lines. He reminded us that we wouldnât be enjoying ourselves tonight if it werenât for them. My husband is a Vietnam Veteran and is touched every time Rod acknowledges those serving.
There was a point in the show when Rod was showing some video clips up on the big screen and showed one when he was singing with Long John Baldry and he pointed out Steve Winwood in the group on guitar which kind of brought everything full circle.
Rod was very interactive with the crowd acknowledging the Celtic shirts and flags and blew kisses and the thumbs up to many. It is very true when fans say you really donât see Rod unless he sees you! During âHot Legsâ he kicked what is usually 40 soccer balls out to the audience. I noticed at both the Newark and NYC shows that Rod Is kicking more balls further back and up into the audience and then he pauses to watch folks fight over them and to see the excitement once someone catches it.
Rod is not only the famous singer, songwriter and storyteller but he is also a famously smart businessman. He has pulled together a band of singers and musicians that make the show above and beyond all others. He highlights and acknowledges every one of them by giving each of them the opportunity to shine with their particular talent. I would be remiss not to mention how they add to the show. Iâm sure thatâs why he included almost all of them on his new album âTimeâ. Many artists select a different group of musicians for recording purposes but Rod recognizes what he has in his band.
Seeing Rod Stewart in concert is like spending an evening with an old friend because that is how he treats his fans–like old friends. And I’m honored to be one of his old friends. See you soon Rod.
Set List
This Old Heart of Mine
Having a Party
You Wear It Well
Stay With Me
Tonight’s the Night
Some Guys Have All the Luck
Rhythm of My Heart
Just One More Day
Forever Young
**Acoustic Section**
The First Cut Is the Deepest
Brighton Beach
Have I Told You Lately
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Can’t Stop Me Now
Sweet Little Rock & Roller
I’d Rather Go Blind
Proud Mary
You’re in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)
Hot Legs
Maggie May
– encore –
Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?
Review by Marcy Braunstein
Photo’s by Marcy Braunstein