Rod Stewart Still “Wears It Well”

Rod Stewart
August 17, 2009
MTS Centre
Winnipeg, MB Canada

Rod Stewart has always been a showman’s showman. Knowing how to give the crowd a good time has always been his stock and trade, dating way back to his early days with the Faces and Jeff Beck.

So it was, that anticipation ran high in the MTS Centre as the stage lights dimmed and a video clip of Stewart as “The Rodinator,” going back in time to save the world through rock and roll, played out on the Jumbotron.

The stage was tastefully decorated in pure white from floor to curtain, beautifully setting off the stage lighting. Rod’s backup band took the stage and kicked off with the opening bars of Some Guys Have All the Luck. The 9000+ crowd roared as Rod strutted out from behind the curtain in his trademark rooster haircut, decked out in a baby blue lamé suit and gold shoes, accompanied by his 3 backup singers in matching attire.

Given that many Winnipegers were still stinging from the cancellation of the recent Aerosmith/ZZ Top concert due to Steve Tyler broken shoulder, Rod Stewart probably got marks from the Winnipeg crowd just for showing up. Thankfully, Stewart did far more than simply show up and coast.

He immediately gave notice that he wasn’t there to croon the American Songbook, he was there to rock n’ roll.

Age has not withered Rod Stewart, nor made him any more of a shrinking violet. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer quickly displayed all the hip swivelling, mike swinging, gyrating moves that has made him a top live act for over 4 decades. Though Stewart could easily slide by on his charisma, sex appeal, and showmanship, the superstar has always had the pipes and the songwriting talent to accompany the hoopla and the bombast.

The 64-year-old singer has long had one of the most enviable back catalogues (many of his hits self-penned) in the business.

Recent reviewers who failed to do their homework, have commented that Rod’s voice is not as powerful as it once was. What they didn’t mention, is that in 1999, Stewart was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and had to undergo surgery. The operation nearly cost him his voice. Rod literally had to re-learn how to sing.

He paces himself differently than 40 years ago, but given what recently happened to Steve Tyler, I’d say that was a smart thing – a plus not a minus.

Given his age and surgery, Stewart’s voice sounds phenomenal. The Grammy Award winner’s natural bluesy rasp and improvisational style just keep getting better with age.

Rod’s 2nd number was the 1978 Bonnie Tyler hit It’s a Heartache. The majority of young people on the Internet (who never heard of Bonnie Tyler) have erroneously credited the song to Rod Stewart for years anyway. This song was made to order for Stewart’s voice and he made it his own.

The Do Ya Think I’m Sexy hitmaker then dipped into his back catalogue and pulled out his 1989 Isley Brother penned hit This Old Heart of Mine. The song gave his tight 8 piece backing band, which features a couple of sexy females on sax and mandolin/violin, a chance to strut their stuff.

Stewart hammed it up for the crowd, winking, nodding and chatting to fans lucky enough to be sitting stage side while the band performed their solos.

Rod followed this with a rousing sing along version of his 1977 Cat Stevens penned hit The First Cut Is the Deepest.

The superstar then got the crowd rocking, going back to his Faces days with the Chuck Berry penned Sweet Little Rock and Roller and the Sam Cooke classic Having a Party.

He kept the hits rolling with his self-penned 1971’s You Wear It Well and the 1991 fan favourite Rhythm Of My Heart. The latter featured some nice scat gospel singing in the final bars, showcasing all 3 of his female backup singers.

The crowd then got treated to an extended version of his 1989 Tom Wait penned hit, Downtown Train, which featured a lengthy drum solo while the Grammy Award winner went for a costume change.

Rod returned, modishly attired in a white suit. Slowing the pace down, he performed 2 of his most famous ballads, 1975’s Tonight’s the Night and 1977’s ode to Stewart’s beloved Celtic F.C soccer team, You're in My Heart, that had the crowd singing misty eyed at the top of their lungs.

The rooster coifed rocker then cranked up the heat with a track from his 1971 album Never A Dull Moment, the Sam Cooke classic - Twistin' the Night Away.

Given a back catalogue as extensive as Rod Stewart’s, I’m sure it’s difficult to decide which songs to use on tour. It’s a tribute to him, that he can get away with omitting such gems as Reason to Believe, Mandolin Wind, Sailin’, Ain’t Love a Bitch, and I Was Only Joking and still deliver a strong setlist.



But certain songs are a must! At this point, Stewart pulled out all the stops and launched into back-to-back crowd favourites, starting with his smash 1978 self-penned disco era hit Do Ya Think I’m Sexy. Sheer pandemonium ensued!

I guess you liked that one, quipped Stewart – who admitted in the introduction that he was impartial to doing the song.

He finished the segment with yet another crowd pleaser, his majestic ode to youth – 1988’s Forever Young.

Stewart then split for yet another costume change while the band pumped through Tina Turner’s version of John Forgerty’s classic Proud Mary.

Rod reappeared, this time in a western flavoured outfit, and crooned the beautiful Van Morrison penned ballad Have I Told You Lately from his 1992 album Unplugged and Seated album.

In yet another ode to his favourite soul singers, Stewart performed a version of the O’Jays’ 1973 hit Love Train. Rod’s always had a flair for choosing material that suited him and this song was no exception. Fans formed a massive human train that worked its away around the arena during the song.

Winding the show home, Rod hoofed soccer balls to the waiting crowd during his performance of 1978’s bawdy rocker Hot Legs and proved he’s still a got a good leg on him, planting a few of the balls in the upper tiers

He followed up with his 1981 self-penned hit Young Turks and then donned a cowboy hat to finish the set with his 2006 Still the Same... Great Rock Classics of our Time cover of John Fogerty’s 1970 classic Have You Ever Seen the Rain? - a rather bold choice given Stewart’s catalogue of sure-fire hits

Did choosing to close the set with a cover rather than a tried and true hit dampen the crowd’s reaction to the show or hurt Rod’s chances of receiving an encore? Not in the slightest!

The crowd howled for more and Rod obliged, finishing the night with the number that launched his solo career - his signature song, the 1970 classic - Maggie May.

This was Rod Stewart’s 3rd visit to the MTS Centre arena since 2005. Judging by tonight’s concert, he hasn’t worn out his welcome with Winnipeg fans.

The night was opened by Australian duo The Kin. The band, fronted by brothers Isaac and Thorry Koren, delivered a 45-minute set which featured strong harmony vocals and some funky diggery doo playing.

Rob Rheubottom



Setlist

Some Guys Have All the Luck
It's a Heartache
This Old Heart of Mine
First Cut Is the Deepest (Cat Stevens cover)
Sweet Little Rock and Roller
Having a Party
You Wear It Well
Rhythm Of My Heart
Downtown Train
Tonight’s the Night
You're in My Heart
Twistin' the Night Away
Do Ya Think I’m Sexy
Forever Young
Proud Mary
Have I Told You Lately
Love Train
Hot Legs
Young Turks
Have You Ever Seen the Rain?
Encore:
Maggie May