Popdose: Reedeeming Rod: “Twistin’ the Night Away” (1987)
Johnny Bacardi
· 1 year ago
Nah, gimme the first cover every time. Not as slick.
He covered "himself" at some point close to t his, by redoing his cover of "This Old Heart of Mine" that originally appeared on Atlantic Crossing. It was slicker, too, and not nearly as good.
TheMod
· 1 year ago
I think some people need to get past the media's perspective of the majority of Rod's 80s/90s work , because there are a lot of vocal gems there. I mean I think a lot of music sucked after the 70s, believe it or not technology really killed it. I honestly don't think there is one artist who has 40 years of complete greats...They just managed to get away with their flubs better.
I mean most people only like 60/70s Stones, 60s Dylan, 70s Elton etc. Sure they might have not varied as far out as Rod did, but people still don't want to hear a lot of their 80s on catalog. Don't get me started on Mick's solo career aside from one album the rest is pretty bad, showing perhaps Mick needs people behind him too.
Did one stop to think aside from the obvious factors, maybe Rod's voice out of his peers truly allowed him to do whatever. I mean if he had a limited voice like Dylan, he wouldn't be so genre jumping. I think there is a positive here and that is Rod is a truly great singer no matter if it is an amazing song or a crap song., and his ability to do different genre's and have people buy into it and enjoy it , proves what an important vocalist he has always been.
Maybe his taking chances weren't always "good" but at least he took them. And gave his fans variety.
An interesting little colloquy about artists covering themselves followed my John Hughes piece yesterday, and this track offers another example of the pitfalls of doing so. Of course, I was so disgusted by Rod at this point that the video for this merited no more than an eye roll and a quick hit on the remote. At least this isn't as bad as his previous soundtrack atrocity, "Love Touch."
I look forward to the next post, because 1988 is where Rod really WAS redeemed, at least for a few years. By the way, have you looked into the Sut Jhally documentary "Dreamworlds" from 1990, which was most unkind to poor misogynist Rod?
Ravel
· 1 year ago
Let's remember that even if Stewart has chosen to modify his own standards of excellency to go to classic pop songs (something that he is very much criticized for), he is stil around to sing and entertain us. I don't believe that many of those new big great successes of today will still be there after more than 40 years to sing...
TheMod
· 1 year ago
Ravel, I agree. How many artist that came out in the 60s/70s are still singing, pulling in people on tours, and selling records today? Even if he isn't doing top notch stuff anymore, it isn't like he could be blamed for riding any waves to get him on the top of the charts, considering any oldie won't be seen on top 40 radio anymore. Obviously he has done something right, in a business that is fickled and done with most in a 5 year period.
billy budapest
· 1 year ago
Never was a greater talent so thoroughly squandered. The day this guy got rich was the last day he ever sung a note worth capturing.
The Mod
· 1 year ago
Yawn, I am so tired of people running their mouths off without real knowledge in which they are running their mouths for.
I understand the whole concept of "Trend Jumping Rod" and I know he loves money, women, and fame...But I've also heard all his recordings from 63 to 07, followed him for 16 years, and have seen many interviews and pieces on him. I think one can only have a true comment worth standing on if they have actually heard his work and understand him better than just going with the media's perception of him.
Right now all I'm seeing is erroneous facts and media programmed negative perception, without any first hand knowledge. I don't mind being objective or negative on Rod, but I can't stand it coming out of people who only know some of his work.
Rod's foundation in music was Folk and Soul. Rock N Roll was just a vehicle for him to become noticed and make money. And a lot of his 80s stuff leans towars pop/soul than rock n roll for a reason.
Probably the most amazing vocal to come out of Rod in the 80s, and that is this live number, that I'm sure you wouldn't know.
Fun 80s fact : Lost in you has a mandolin in it. Just like Maggie May. His "A Spanner in the works" album is a well round modern version of what he's always done folk, soul, rock, and pop. People should check this out mates.
All Comments
He covered "himself" at some point close to t his, by redoing his cover of "This Old Heart of Mine" that originally appeared on Atlantic Crossing. It was slicker, too, and not nearly as good.
I mean most people only like 60/70s Stones, 60s Dylan, 70s Elton etc. Sure they might have not varied as far out as Rod did, but people still don't want to hear a lot of their 80s on catalog.
Don't get me started on Mick's solo career aside from one album the rest is pretty bad, showing perhaps Mick needs people behind him too.
Did one stop to think aside from the obvious factors, maybe Rod's voice out of his peers truly allowed him to do whatever. I mean if he had a limited voice like Dylan, he wouldn't be so genre jumping. I think there is a positive here and that is Rod is a truly great singer no matter if it is an amazing song or a crap song., and his ability to do different genre's and have people buy into it and enjoy it , proves what an important vocalist he has always been.
Maybe his taking chances weren't always "good" but at least he took them. And gave his fans variety.
Rod's induction:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7usZTvGd49k
Rod Reflects
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AOaghzPEmA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=789wzDXBvps&feat...
I look forward to the next post, because 1988 is where Rod really WAS redeemed, at least for a few years. By the way, have you looked into the Sut Jhally documentary "Dreamworlds" from 1990, which was most unkind to poor misogynist Rod?
I don't believe that many of those new big great successes of today will still be there after more than 40 years to sing...
I agree.
How many artist that came out in the 60s/70s are still singing, pulling in people on tours, and selling records today? Even if he isn't doing top notch stuff anymore, it isn't like he could be blamed for riding any waves to get him on the top of the charts, considering any oldie won't be seen on top 40 radio anymore.
Obviously he has done something right, in a business that is fickled and done with most in a 5 year period.
I understand the whole concept of "Trend Jumping Rod" and I know he loves money, women, and fame...But I've also heard all his recordings from 63 to 07, followed him for 16 years, and have seen many interviews and pieces on him. I think one can only have a true comment worth standing on if they have actually heard his work and understand him better than just going with the media's perception of him.
Right now all I'm seeing is erroneous facts and media programmed negative perception, without any first hand knowledge. I don't mind being objective or negative on Rod, but I can't stand it coming out of people who only know some of his work.
Rod's foundation in music was Folk and Soul. Rock N Roll was just a vehicle for him to become noticed and make money. And a lot of his 80s stuff leans towars pop/soul than rock n roll for a reason.
Probably the most amazing vocal to come out of Rod in the 80s, and that is this live number, that I'm sure you wouldn't know.
Fun 80s fact : Lost in you has a mandolin in it. Just like Maggie May. His "A Spanner in the works" album is a well round modern version of what he's always done folk, soul, rock, and pop. People should check this out mates.
If loving you is wrong:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYf9qYk6QSc