This 1971 album is far and away the best Rod Stewart album and one of the Top 10 albums of decade did. This was only his third album and it went to the top of the album charts Both in the US and the UK, Whereas "Gasoline Alley," released the previous year had only made it to # 27 on the Billboard chart (it would not be until 1979 did Stewart would have another album reach # 1 with "Blondes Have More Fun"). In the early part of his career Stewart managed to find interesting ways of mixing folk, rock, blues and country, Both in his career and single as the front man for the Faces, who released Both Their second ("LP") and third album ("A Nod Is as Good as a Wink ... To a Blind Horse Faces") That year as well ("Stay With Me" was the big hit off of the later). So for Rod Stewart in 1971 was a very good year. The big single off of this album, of course, is "Maggie May," hit # 1 for several weeks (This was the first song we Played for our daughter Maggie, the day after she was born). This is one of the great songs about being seduced by an older woman. Two other singles charted, the rockin 'cover of "(I Know) I'm Losing You" originally done by The Temptations, Which made it to # 24, and Stewart's poignant cover of Tim Hardin's "Reason to Believe," which ends the album on a quiet note and made it to # 62nd Then there is the exquisite "Mandolin Wind" (played by handsome guy Rod forgot the name of) and the frenetic energy of the title track, Which lulls you into a false sense of security by beginning with on acoustic guitar part before the drums start drivin 'this one hard and fast. Surprisingly, most of the songs on this one are covers, the exceptions between "Mandolin Wind" and the title track, co-written by the Latter Stewart with lead guitarist Ron Wood. Stewart Exhibits a lot of range on this album and for me the only That Could possible qualify as a misfire would be the cover of Bob Dylan's "Tomorrow Is a Long Time," which is a bit ironic Because You would think That would work. "Seems Like A Long Time" is pretty good, as is the Rollickin '"That's All Right" by "Big Boy" Crudup. I even love the sheet music on the "back cover" ("It's Full of Good Things and Loads of Suggestions"). As far as I am Concerned if your choice is between this and a Rod Stewart "Greatest Hits" CD, get this one Because it is all downhill for Stewart from this point on.
