Rod Stewart
MEN Arena
May 26, 2010
The voice is the familiar rasp but huskier than ever. At 65, Rod Stewart looks slinky fit and still has the moves.
The Anglo-Scot superstar celebrates some of his favourite classic tracks on this tour of his new album, Soulbook.
Stewart, a former Brentford FC apprentice, kicks off the first of two Manchester shows with the O’Jays classic Love Train.
His love of Sam, Otis, Smokey and Wilson is so deep he can take custody of his favourite soul classics and make them his own yet retain their vitality.
He comes on to the tune of The Stripper, sporting a tangerine silk jacket.
These days he struts the stage like a goodtime uncle at Christmas rather than the strapping sex god of the Seventies.
He hits his stride with ease with the ode to one of his many blondes, Britt Eckland – Tonight’s The Night followed by Some Guys Have All The Luck and the self-penned classic You Wear It Well.
His show is no slow burner. Five songs in he declares and then sings We’re Having A Party.
Old age makes a fleeting appearance when Rod asks his band: ‘What’s number seven on the menu?’ – before he stirs the Celtic-supporting hordes with Rhythm Of My Heart.
Two love songs show he’s still capable of expressing real emotion. On Have I Told You Lately That I Love You the vocals sound a little frayed but he bounces back with a stomping Handbags And The Gladrags belted out against a sepia background of terrace houses and docks.
Rod mines deep for his musical influences and Chuck Berry soon erupts with Stewart claiming Never Get Any Older – Sweet Rock And Roller.
In Rod’s case it is not quite true but with a super-tight backing band his exuberance and talent remain intact.
If, as announced this week, Simply Red frontman Mick Hucknall is to take up the impossible mantle of lead singer for the re-formed Faces, he should have attended this masterclass back home in Manchester.
Stewart, the original jack the lad rake who fronted the legendary seventies band, jokes ‘Where’s the oxygen?’ before slamming into the Faces’ epic Stay With Me – showing Hucknall the bar he has to reach.
With typical grace Stewart mentions the Faces reunion and says of Hucknall: “I have the upmost respect for him. I do wish him well and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.”
Do Ya Think I’m Sexy? minus those infamous leopard print pants is a brass-heavy romp. Stewart then induces an almost evangelical-like response from the packed crowd who sing every word of the sad lament I Don’t Want To Talk About It and I Was Only Joking for which he gets the first of many standing ovations.
Footballs are sprayed all over the crowd by his ‘still useful’ right foot to the tune of Hot Legs.
Any cracks in his armour are well shielded by three terrific backing singers and the dazzling talents of a drop-dead gorgeous female brass section.
One of the women in red also plays the mandolin bit for a terrific rendition of Maggie May.
He winds up his set with two of his most famous songs, Sailing and Baby Jane.
The spiky rooster haircut remains although time has tamed his wardrobe. His soul-deep voice and ability to deliver a great show remain too.
Reproduced With Thanks to-
Neal Keeling, CityLife (Manchester Evening News), May 2010
CityLife – Manchester Evening News
Photo-Mike Walton
