Last week, I wrote about Rod Stewart, and how sickened I was to see his name attached to a Sam Cooke LP. This week… well, it gets worse, folks, it gets worse.
Plastered all over Boston are ads for Rod Stewart’s most recent album (released on Tuesday), entitled Soulbook. You can tell it’s a terrible album just by looking at the CD cover (see left). It is vomit-inducing. What, Rod, you think you have soul just because you close your eyes and snap your fingers? Please, you’re probably snapping on one and three (music nerds holla!). Love the hair, by the way.
Soulbook is a collection of classic soul tracks covered by Rod Stewart, who claims them as his inspiration: “This is the album I’ve waited my whole lifetime to record…These are the songs that I’ve danced to, made love to...” Woah, stop right there, Rod. No one wants to think about you making love when one of these tracks comes on the radio! Seriously, that’s just in poor taste…you’re 64 years old!
Apparently, Rod does have good taste in music, as it’s quite a collection of songs he’s chosen to butcher on Soulbook. Among them: “My Cherie Amour” by Stevie Wonder; “Wonderful World” by Sam Cooke; “Tracks of My Tears” by Smokey Robinson; “Just My Imagination” by the Temptations; “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted” by Jimmy Ruffin. The list goes on (at least he didn't touch Otis Redding). And, for some strange reason, Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder even join Rod on the album. What were they thinking? (Sub-question: Is it in fact unfair to criticize a formerly great artist for his latter day sins, is it better to burn out or fade away?)
Look, the original versions of these songs are all classic recordings, performed by young men many years ago. Part of what makes these recordings so stellar is the youthful exuberance, the spirit, that is present throughout. How can 64-year old Rod Stewart do that spirit justice? It's impossible, and would be even if his voice hadn't sucked to begin with. Rod, loving these songs is not reason enough to record them!
I could provide you with a few tracks off of Soulbook. And maybe I should—they are hilariously awful. But, I’d rather leave you with some good music; so instead, here are a few of these songs in their original form. May they forever drown out Rod Stewart’s sleazy rasp!
Jimmy Ruffin – What Becomes of the Broken Hearted (YSI) (filesavr)
Smokey Robinson – Tracks of My Tears (YSI) (filesavr)
Stevie Wonder – My Cherie Amour (YSI) (filesavr)
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