To celebrate Rod starting a new decade at number One in the album chart here is a full review from Robert one of our polish members, It is reproduced exactly as written by Robert…
A few words about the new album ROD: “YOU ARE IN MY HEART” recorded with the orchestra. There are no musicians from the Rod band. The names of the producers are impressive, including TREVOR HORN, PATRICK LEONARD and ROD STEWART itself. I suggest turning off the lights, turn on the Christmas tree lights, if you do not have it – light a candle with essential oil and absolutely do not look at what title of the recording, try to guess what it will be!
Are you ready?
Here is CD 1:
MAGGIE MAY-generally I’m not passionate about symphony music plus rock, but in this case the recordings have gained some freshness and space and a different frame through the orchestra.For a few seconds, when the orchestra began, I was afraid that this might not be the luck – old luck MAGGIE still charms us with beauty. A very good idea, during guitar solos the current strings complement each other and do not spoil the effect. same with trumpets. It is characteristic of mandolin.
REASON TO BELIEVE – also kept the climate from years ago. Rod’s voice as a piano contrast at the beginning.
HANDBAGS AND GLADRAGS – again an introduction with organs that moves the soul. Wonderful piano sounds.
SAILING – another classic RS song! Beautiful, words are lacking to describe. The arrangement is like at concerts for years. Listen to the chorus – especially this one voice gently ‘bassing’. The trumpets sound nice. A distinctive guitar theme, piano plus soft strings in the
background. The angel’s voice in the chorus knocks you to your knees.Strongly symphonic end.
TONIGHT “S THE NIGHT (GONNA BE ALRIGHT) – symphonic introduction,in a moment it becomes a dynamic song with a keyboard in the background and strings. A beautiful saxophone, backing vocals and sensual lady in French and this guitar solo!
THE KILLING OF GEORGIE (PART I AND III) – more traditionally played.Bass transforms the recording. We have a beautiful chorus, fast tempo.Smooth transition between parts of the song that the harp begins.A sobbing guitar, RODA whistle. Nice bass line.
I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT – a symphonic beginning.
Gorgeous and moody, as always! Weeping guitars, a wall of strings.Very good production procedure, because at some point the ROD disappears and we stay with the violin and talking guitars …
THE FIRST CUT IS THE DEEPEST – a classic iron continuation. What sounds of harp and violin and viola! It’s getting more beautiful!Highlighted Bass Guitar solo.
YOU’RE IN MY HEART (THE FINAL ACCLAIM) – how can you not believe pal ROD in love for CELTIC? The recording has a slightly different rhythm.An interesting idea with a flute. Beautiful backing vocals, double bass.Violin …
I WAS ONLY JOKING-shivers pass. You feel tangibly better being these wonderful sounds.The song gains dynamics, the arrangement is also very interesting.Strings, bass, guitar, piano and backing vocals. Guitar solos resonate
with strings. ROD STEWART is like a fine wine. After the operation, he gained strength and joy again, which can be heard on the album.While listening to the first part I felt like I was sitting at a concert at the Philharmonic, it sounds perfect but true. Producer, arrangement and music perfection!The orchestra did not spoil the sound of the recordings.ROD positively surprised us again!
Time for a few words about the second CD deluxe with the Royal Symphony Orchestra. All right – there will be more than a few words!
The album begins with a duet with ROBBIE WILLIAMS: “IT TAKES TWO”.Dynamic arrangement – in slow motion this would not be it.Robbie is an ambitious boy but somehow he doesn’t convince me.Look, at one point his voice can barely stand the key. Nice symphonic rock and roll .. There is a guitar part known from the original, in the background strings, trumpets. The saxophone is in the background only.Character preserved.
STAY WITH ME (FACES) – guitar introduction known from the original version, fall in strings. Pulsating Bass successful harmonies of guitars, piano and strings. But sumarum got a little tired of me.Perhaps the dense wall of trumpets and strings? The first sounds and there it is
wonderful again! A distinctive theme and we know it’s
YOUNG TURKS! It is only after a long time that the strings enter. This arrangement did not spoil the dynamics of the song. Listen to guitar solos and violinists.Backing vocals … everything is beautiful.The perfect recording! And this end of the song!
WHAT I AM GONNA DO (I’M SO IN LOVE WITH YOU) -in your life after the first sounds you will not know that this song! For me, the biggest and a nice surprise on this album. I dreamed that ROD would sing this song at concerts, and here a surprise please! When I was a little boy, I was 11 years old when I heard this song for the first time and since then it’s my favorite.Forgive me, but I was touched, but that’s a normal ROD always launches an avalanche of memories.40 seconds of violin and viola, Rod enters and we have for a moment a’la Cuban rhythms. yes it is – the song changes the tempo again. The character of the previous original sound has been preserved.Rod ends only with strings, also arranging a pearl!These pace changes!
EVERY BEAT OF MY HEART -another killer! sir ROD – what are you doing? I can’t be moved because I will get heart disease! Scottish motifs and woven strings, trumpets and guitar. Angel backing vocals. Of course, the song begins with ‘seagulls’ and a jazzing bass, as in the original. .
Perfect strings.
A beautiful song, beautiful memories.The soul of the original has also been preserved.Will you get to know the first FOREVER YOUNG chords? Strings, voices, …A beautiful song, the tempo of the recording is interesting. With the first words, the ROD calmed the dynamics. I thought the song would speed up but they did a masterpiece. Listen to these flavors, this is the guitar,
this is the bass jazzing, here the violin, here the violas. CREAM !!The song ends in calm and this nuance is a good idea.
DOWNTOWN TRAIN-have you met? It starts, like in the Christmas mood -these bells or flute. Symphonic start,then ROD enters and we have a rocker in a solemn mood.For me, this song has a special aftertaste, because a few years ago at a concert in Polish Gdansk Rod going down the stairs to the fans turned back to me and shook my hand.
What more to write? BEAUTIFUL! The original character has been preserved. In a moment I will start describing the third part,if I didn’t bore you.
RHYTHM OF MY HEART – begins as we know Celtic accents. The character and dynamics of the original have been preserved.Plus strings. Interesting end-strings. Beautiful song.
HAVE AND TOLD YOU LATELY -you’ll know the sounds of the violin and royal harp for sure. They say that the violin will move even the toughest soul-oh, there is something to it! Also, the character of this beautiful song has not changed.Amazing background synthesizer. Solo guitars that will make you shiver. Trumpets.
TOM TRAUBERT’S BLUES (WALTZING MATILDA) -it starts very lifted, also somehow with stars on trumpets. And the chords of the familiar piano ballad and the voice of the ROD begin.Few changes from the original. Thickened string wall. I listened a little less to the rest of me,but this recording probably would not have been faster.Maybe it’s a little too long, here I get a little vio violin.
IF WE FALL IN LOVE TONIGHT-drum kit as we know it from the original. Soul spirit preserved. A beautiful beginning, strings put us in a blissful mood. I’m not a supporter of electronic drums, but this song defends itself.Piano, guitar, strings, soul chorus are wonderful.The interference in this song is delicate and character preserved.ROD whistle at the end.
And finally a surprise – a new composition of SIMON CLIMIE,which ROD interpreted, as usual, masterfully!
Jazz bass. During this listening they crossed my mind good memories, e.g. first love or the birth of a son.Strings add strength. Backing trumpets are the same.A great summary of the album!STOP LOVING HER TODAY.
CD 2 lasts 58:10 I am grateful to the fate that I am given to be a fan of the exceptional Artist – I was born at the end of 1971 ‘. And from the very beginning, as an infant, I listened to his songs and this condition continues to this day. Although of course it was not easy to get records in a communist and enslaved country, and we saw the concert for the first time many years later and already in free Poland.Let’s summarize:The selection of songs, wise lyrics, the proportions maintained with the Royal Orchestra did not prevail, did not sleep and did not dominate disc. As I wrote earlier, the production, arrangements but also compositions they are excellent, so are the musicians and the ROD! After all, I listened a little better to the whole first album.I don’t think I completely suppressed my emotions when describing the second CD.Sorry, but the fans have it. I will not write about measures or periods.
ROD thank you and congratulations – it’s a touching and beautiful album! Now it would be a good idea to do a concert with the orchestra.
And of course DVD!4
ROBERT J. JAGODZINSKI