Smiler the 1974 Rod album celebrates it’s 40th Anniversary this month
The album released in October 1974 it was Rod’s fifth album, and final album for Mercury Records.It was recorded at The Morgan Studios, London and The Wick, Richmond between November 1973-May 1974.
Produced by Rod the album reached number 1 in the UK album chart, and number 13 in the US selling 1 million copies worldwide. It included covers of Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke and Bob Dylan songs, as well as a duet with Elton John of John’s song “Let Me Be Your Car”. and a cover of Carole King’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” where ‘Woman’ is switched to ‘Man’.
The release of the album itself was held up for five months due to legal problems between Mercury Records and Warner Bros. Records.
Track listing
“Sweet Little Rock ‘N’ Roller” (Chuck Berry) – 3:43
“Lochinvar” (Pete Sears) – 0:25
“Farewell” (Martin Quittenton, Rod Stewart) – 4:34
“Sailor” – (Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood) 3:35
“Bring It On Home To Me/You Send Me” (Sam Cooke) – 3:57
“Let Me Be Your Car” (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) – 4:56
“(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Man” (Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Jerry Wexler) – 3:54
“Dixie Toot” – (Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood) 3:27
“Hard Road” (Harry Vanda, George Young) – 4:27
“I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face” Instrumental (Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe) – 1:32
“Girl from the North Country” (Bob Dylan) – 3:52
“Mine For Me” (Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney) – 4:02
A 1991 cd compilation called ‘back 2 back – 2 for 1’ combined Smiler with Gasoline Alley. However tracks 2,9 and 10, were left out on this release.
Personnel
Rod Stewart – vocals
Elton John – vocals, piano (on “Let me be your car”)
Ronnie Wood – acoustic & electric guitar, bass
Pete Sears – Piano, Harpsichord, Celeste
Rick Grech – violin
Ray Jackson – mandolin
Ian McLagan – organ
The Memphis Horns
Irene Chanter – background vocals
Rube Turner – background vocals
Ray Cooper – percussion
Spike Heatley – bass
Andy Newmark – drums
Dick Powell – violin
Martin Quittenton – acoustic guitar
Tropic Isles Steel Band
Micky Waller – drums
Willie Weeks – bass
Kenney Jones – drums
Chris Barber’s Jazz Band
Artwork by Tommy Kevitt