Rod Stewart: Vagabond Heart - 1991

 

The eighties had been a pretty barren period for Rod Stewart, with some pretty poor synthesiser-dominated eighties pop albums doing nothing to restore his diminishing reputation. 

Some synthesised backing still swirls around this album, unfortunately, giving it a slightly tinny sound in places, but it is still undoubtedly such better album than some of its predecessors, notably 1983's Body Wishes, 1984's Camouflage or 1986's Every Beat Of My Heart. 1988's comparatively impressive Out Of Order got him back on track, however. This was actually a great way to start the nineties. The old Rod Stewart seemed to be back. 

The opener, the hit single was excellent - the singalong, Caledonian-inspired Rhythm Of My Heart. All very atmospheric and inspiring. The upbeat, vibrant feel continues with the solid rock of Rebel Heart which harks back to the mid-late seventies albums. Stewart is on great vocal form on this album - strong and enthusiastic. The Band's Robbie Robertson's Broken Arrow is convincingly covered so much that it seems made for Stewart. 

The old Motown classic It Takes Two is a rousing, ebullient riffy duet with the seemingly ageless Tina Turner. When A Man's In Love is a chugger of a rocker, with some cheesy lyrics and a Springsteen-esque guitar feel to it in places and the cover of Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye's You Are Everything is soulful enough, but no real competition to the original. It's ok, however. 

The next track is a killer, though. The Motown Song is a lively, infectious tribute to Motown featuring The Temptations on backing vocals. It has a great hook and just a joie de vivre about it that is irresistible. Go Out Dancing is a bassy, rocking good-time piece of barroom fun. No Holding Back is a bit of a synth-pop ballad that drags along a bit too long, to be honest. It does have an anthemic, singalong chorus, however. 

Have I Told You Lately is an excellent cover of the Van Morrison romantic classic, warm and comforting, but Moment Of Glory is a slightly embarrassing, grating tale of an unfaithful computer executive who commits adultery on a night away. It has a searing Hot Legs guitar riff but some defining backing vocals that tend to overwhelm the song. 

Downtown Train is actually a superb, evocative cover of Tom Waits's song, with Stewart on great vocal form. If Only is a mournful, but beautifully-delivered lament from a brokenhearted lover to end what was a timely decent album from Stewart. Some would say about time too.

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