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Music review: Rod Stewart – ‘Blood Red Roses’

By Clint Rhodes for The 2 min read
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Music review: Rod Stewart - ‘Blood Red Roses’
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Rhodes

My oldest brother was a big Rod Stewart fan back in the day. He had every Stewart album released from 1969 through 1981, including all the recordings by the Stewart-era Faces. Since I always respected my brotherĢƵ musical taste, it was natural that I too would become a fan of the charismatic singer.

I grew up on classic Stewart releases like 1970ĢƵ “Gasoline Alley,” 1971ĢƵ “Every Picture Tells a Story” and 1972ĢƵ “Never a Dull Moment.” One could certainly say that those were some very good years indeed.

After several years of offerings from the “Great American Songbook” series, the 73-year-old music icon is back with “Blood Red Roses.” The new release follows the same successful musical blueprint heard on 2013ĢƵ “Time” and 2015ĢƵ “Another Country.”

On his 30th solo studio album, the two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee adds his raspy, well-seasoned voice to a 13-track set filled with intimate and sincere songwriting from an older and wiser perspective.

The new material finds Stewart delivering a variety of musical styles like EDM on the opening number “Look in Her Eyes” to the pop sounds punctuated with a stirring horn section on “Hole in My Heart” to the tender confessions of love witnessed on the ballad “Grace.”

“Farewell” serves as a touching tribute to the memory of an old and trusted friend and the numerous adventures experienced during a satisfying lifetime.

Stewart addresses the hurt and frustration felt by caring parents trying to warn their daughter about the dark path she is starting to walk down on “Didn’t I.” The track features additional vocals by New York City native and Stewart backup singer Bridget Cady.

Stewart shows he isn’t afraid to display his rock star flair on the guitar-driven burners “Rollin’ & Tumblin'” and “Vegas Shuffle.”

Stewart makes a brief return to his days of “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” with the pulsating disco stylings on “Give Me Love,” proving once again that maybe blondes do have more fun.

After over 50 years of performing, Stewart still wears (and sings) it well.

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