Smiler (album)
Smiler | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 4 October 1974 | |||
Recorded | Morgan Studios, London and The Wick, Richmond November 1973-May 1974 | |||
Genre | Rock and roll, folk rock, blue-eyed soul | |||
Length | 42:24 | |||
Label | Mercury | |||
Producer | Rod Stewart | |||
Rod Stewart chronology | ||||
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Singles from Smiler | ||||
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Smiler is the fifth studio album by English rock singer-songwriter Rod Stewart. It was released on 4 October 1974 by Mercury Records. It was his first album to be critically panned.[citation needed] It reached number 1 in the UK album chart, and number 13 in the US. The album was largely considered to be an unadventurous retread of what he had done before,[citation needed] including covers of Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke and Bob Dylan songs, as well as a duet with Elton John of John's song "". Stewart's one attempt at adventurousness[according to whom?] was a cover of Carole King's "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" where 'Woman' is switched to 'Man'. This track was selected for special derision by critics. [1] The release of the album itself was held up for five months due to legal problems between Mercury Records and Warner Bros. Records.[2]
Musicians appearing on the album included members of Stewart's band Faces, as well as frequent collaborators Martin Quittenton (guitars), Pete Sears (bass & keyboards), and Mickey Waller (drums).
Reception[]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Christgau's Record Guide | B–[2] |
Rolling Stone | (mixed)[3] |
Džuboks | (mixed)[4] |
Track listing[]
- "Sweet Little Rock 'n' Roller" (Chuck Berry) – 3:43
- "Lochinvar" (Pete Sears) – 0:25
- "Farewell" (Rod Stewart, Martin Quittenton) – 4:34
- "Sailor" – (Stewart, Ronnie Wood) 3:35
- "Bring It On Home to Me/You Send Me" (Sam Cooke) – 3:57
- "" (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) – 4:56
- "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Man" (Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Jerry Wexler) – 3:54
- "Dixie Toot" – (Stewart, Ronnie Wood) 3:27
- "Hard Road" (Harry Vanda, George Young) – 4:27
- "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" Instrumental (Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe) – 1:32
- "Girl from the North Country" (Bob Dylan) – 3:52
- "Mine for Me" (Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney) – 4:02
A 1991 CD compilation called 'back 2 back – 2 for 1' combined Smiler with Gasoline Alley. However, tracks 2, 9 and 10, were left out on this release.
Personnel[]
- Rod Stewart – vocals[5]
- Ronnie Wood – acoustic & electric guitar, bass guitar
- Martin Quittenton – acoustic guitar
- Spike Heatley, Willie Weeks – bass guitar
- Elton John – piano and vocals on "Let Me Be Your Car"
- Pete Sears – piano, harpsichord, celeste
- Ian McLagan – Hammond organ
- Ray Jackson – mandolin
- Ric Grech, Dick Powell – violin
- The Memphis Horns - horns
- Paul McCartney – backing vocals on "Mine for Me"
- Irene Chanter – backing vocals
- Ray Cooper – percussion
- Tropic Isles Steel Band – drums
- Micky Waller, Andy Newmark, Kenney Jones – drums
- Chris Barber's Jazz Band
- Mike Bobak – engineering
- Bob Ludwig – mastering
References[]
- ^ AllMusic review
- ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: S". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved 13 March 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
- ^ Rolling Stone review
- ^ Konjović, S. "Rod Stewart – Smiler". Džuboks (in Serbian). Gornji Milanovac: Dečje novine (6 (second series)): 24.
- ^ https://www.allmusic.com/album/smiler-mw0000195904/credits
- 1974 albums
- Rod Stewart albums
- Mercury Records albums
- Albums recorded at Morgan Sound Studios