I just picked up last year's reissues of Jeff Beck's Truth and Beck-Ola. I haven't listened to these records in quite some time, but the first thing that immediately struck me this afternoon was just how amazing a run Rod Stewart was on at the time. Here is a list of stellar albums within a six year period that he was a big part of-- I don't think anyone else even comes close to this level of consistency:

1968 - Jeff Beck, Truth
1969 - Jeff Beck, Beck-Ola
1969 - Rod Stewart, The Rod Stewart Album
1970 - The Faces, First Step
1970 - Rod Stewart, Gasoline Alley
1971 - The Faces, A Nod Is As Good As Wink . . . To A Blind Horse
1971 - Rod Stewart, Every Picture Tells a Story
1971 - The Faces, Long Player
1972 - Rod Stewart, Never A Dull Moment
1973 - The Faces, Ooh La La

And while Smiler which came out in 1974 was a bit of a misstep, he rebounded quite nicely in 1975 with Atlantic Crossing.

Now I realize that Stewart has done much to undermine his legacy, but he is one guy I do not think receives enough credit. Personally, I think the Rod Stewart of this era could eat Robert Plant for breakfast-- just check out the Jeff Beck Group's version of "You Shook Me" if you don't believe me. Discuss.

I haven't heard Beck era Stewart in a long time. But I did listen to Every Picture Tells A Story recently, as it is one of my top, top favorite albums.

Maybe it's me but Atlantic Crossing seems like a forgotten classic. It's totally gorgeous. I saw Stewart in that album's tour, backed by party-rock era J.Geils Band. A really fun show.

Like the Stones and Elton John, Stewart is unfairly overlooked for releasing a lot of sub-par work later in his career, but during the era you speak of, he was undoubtedly one of the best singers in rock.

It's been awhile since I've heard those Jeff Beck Group albums, but like crazed, Every Picture Tells a Story is mighty high on my list of all time great albums. I know it's hard to believe if you're not familiar with Stewart's early work, but that album gives the Stones' best a run for it's money.

I would just like to add that EPTAS is also my favorite Rod Stewart album, but really it's hard to go wrong with Stewy from 1968-1973.

heck of a fine musical legacy there

What a bizarre coincidence that EPTAS is featured as the AVClub's Permanent Record this week.

Maybe we should jumpstart their next permanent record by starting that Elton John 1970-1975 thread

no, i don't think so, re: the robert plant comparison.. name one way Rod Stewart was more badass than Plant.


hi btw i'm new

I would agree with EricG75, in that some of the later weaker attempts by Stewart have allowed us to forget what a powerful force he was in those years. He is one of the few artists that I can listen without boredom to his earlier work over and again.

[QUOTE :no, i don't think so, re: the robert plant comparison.. name one way Rod Stewart was more badass than Plant. Originally posted by metalisrael]

I think this is always going to be the case when we get caught in the trap of comparing great artists against one another. They should not be compared. Also, the types of music both sang were quite different. I could never hear Stewart doing "Whole Lotta Love" or Plant doing "Reason to Believe." Let each of them stand alone as the great artist they are.

that is 6 years of history