It is never a good sign when a live album begins with a snippet of David Rose's "The Stripper," and that's surely the case with Rod Stewart's 1982 album, Absolutely Live. This captures Rod at a particularly awkward stage, as his recordings were gradually becoming the commercial-minded dreck that many critics had claimed they were for years. Despite the negative press of his late-'70s albums, they often had their moments, but Stewart lost his way in the early '80s, becoming glossier.
That's evident on this live album, where he sounds like he's going through the motions, even as he digs out such chestnuts as "Rock My Plimsoul." This isn't unlistenable, but it's stilted and slick, losing much of the joie de verve that marked Rod at his best. It's the first bland, worthless record Stewart released, the first that felt like sheer product.
This isn't unlistenable, but it's stilted and slick, losing much of the joie de verve that marked Rod at his best. This record comes pretty close to capturing all the excitement and frenzy of a Stewart concert, plus it showcases most of Rods hits such as the great "Maggie May" all the way down to the equally great "Da Ya think I'm sexy?" And on all the tunes Stewart was in fine voice and the people that worked on this record also did a fine job by just letting it happen and be recorded that way. Even letting the part stay in where 2 female fans showed their appreciation according to the album notes "in topless fashion." All in all this is a great album and a must have for anyone who hasn't seen him live and wants to and for any person who just wants to hear a helluva album.
Track listing
Side one
1. "The Stripper" - 0:10
2. "Tonight I'm Yours" - 4:10
3. "Sweet Little Rock and Roller" - 4:25
4. "Hot Legs" - 4:52
5. "Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)" - 4:23
6. "The Great Pretender" - 3:52
Side two
1. "Passion" - 5:04
2. "She Won't Dance with Me / Little Queenie" - 4:34
3. "You're in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)" - 4:34
4. "Rock My Plimsoul" - 4:24
Side three
1. "Young Turks" - 5:28
2. "Guess I'll Always Love You" - 4:58
3. "Gasoline Alley" - 2:15
4. "Maggie May" - 5:08
5. "Tear It Up" - 3:26
Side four
1. "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" - 6:04
2. "Sailing" - 4:45
3. "I Don't Want to Talk About It" - 4:34
4. "Stay with Me" - 5:34
Credits
Rod Stewart - vocals, producer, mixing, producer
Jim Cregan - guitars, backing vocals, mixing
Robin LeMesurier - guitars, backing vocals
Wally Stocker - guitars
Kevin Savigar - piano, keyboards, backing vocals
Jimmy Zavala - harmonicas, saxophones, keyboards, bells
Jay Davis - bass, backing vocals
Tony Brock - drums, backing vocals
Kim Carnes, Tina Turner - vocals on "Stay with Me"
Notes
Release date: November 6, 1982
Recorded at: The Forum Los Angeles, Long Beach Arena San Diego, Sports Arena California, Wembley Stadium London, The NEC Birmingham, England
Genre: Rock, Pop
Length: 84:26
Label - Warner Bros.
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