Smiler (album)

Smiler
Studio album by Rod Stewart
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
Sing It Again Rod (1973) Smiler (1974) Atlantic Crossing (1975)
Singles from Smiler
"Farewell" / "Bring It On Home to Me"/"You Send Me" Released: 1974 "Mine for Me" Released: 1974

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[]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Christgau's Record Guide	B–[2]
Rolling Stone	(mixed)[3]
Džuboks	(mixed)[4]

Track listing[]

1. "Sweet Little Rock 'n' Roller" (Chuck Berry) – 3:43
2. "Lochinvar" (Pete Sears) – 0:25
3. "Farewell" (Rod Stewart, Martin Quittenton) – 4:34
4. "Sailor" – (Stewart, Ronnie Wood) 3:35
5. "Bring It On Home to Me/You Send Me" (Sam Cooke) – 3:57
6. "" (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) – 4:56
7. "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Man" (Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Jerry Wexler) – 3:54
8. "Dixie Toot" – (Stewart, Ronnie Wood) 3:27
9. "Hard Road" (Harry Vanda, George Young) – 4:27
10. "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" Instrumental (Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe) – 1:32
11. "Girl from the North Country" (Bob Dylan) – 3:52
12. "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[]