Best Ever Albums

Re: Every Picture Tells A Story - Rod Stewart

Johnnyo — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 03:32:23 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 06/25/2026 07:32

pedro1976 wrote:

just stumbled upon this thread Johnny - very much enjoyed catching up on the comments - think I will be digging the record out for a spin soon.., to my ears this is his best 'solo' LP and very close runner up to A Nod Is A Wink as my #1 Faces/Rod record.. that 71-73 period was one of the all time great runs

never seem to find these forums until it's too late but will try and keep an eye out for future ones (not Steely Dan tho - definitely not my taste)

Hi Pedro. Glad you made it to the forum. It's something that Every Picture..... & A Nods..... both came out in 1971 and, like you, I'd class both as Faces albums and both are great

It was interesting to rediscover Every Picture.... I really hadn't appreciated what a great album it is until undertaking this exercise. I'm experiencing the same with Pet Sounds right now.

Shame about your aversion to Steely Dan. I love 'em

Re: Every Picture Tells A Story - Rod Stewart

pedro1976 — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:12:53 GMT

Author: pedro1976

Posted: 06/24/2026 19:12

just stumbled upon this thread Johnny - very much enjoyed catching up on the comments - think I will be digging the record out for a spin soon.., to my ears this is his best 'solo' LP and very close runner up to A Nod Is A Wink as my #1 Faces/Rod record.. that 71-73 period was one of the all time great runs

never seem to find these forums until it's too late but will try and keep an eye out for future ones (not Steely Dan tho - definitely not my taste)

Re: Every Picture Tells A Story - Rod Stewart

Johnnyo — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 06:07:12 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 06/16/2026 10:07

The group has gone for two great albums for July

Aja (1977) by Steely Dan

&

Countdown To Ecstasy (1973) by Steely Dan

I'll start a couple of forums for these albums

Re: Every Picture Tells A Story - Rod Stewart

Johnnyo — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 04:45:29 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 06/16/2026 08:45

Nor surprisingly, the general consensus at the listening group was that this is a cracker of an album

Change of format for the July group as we have extended the sessions from 60 to 120 minutes so we will be listening to two albums by the same artist. Will let you know what they are when they come through later today and will be posting two separate forum threads for each one

Twice the listening experience, twice the fun

Re: Every Picture Tells A Story - Rod Stewart

Johnnyo — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:17:53 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 06/11/2026 14:17

Final entry before my listening group meets next Monday

The album is pretty much the Faces with significant contributions from Ronnie Wood and Ian McLagan incorporating hard rock, folk, and blues into the fabric of the album. It went to number one on both the UK and US charts and generally consensus is that it’s a great album, which is an assessment that I would endorse.

So, I wouldn’t disagree with any of the above however, I find it interesting that an album of, mostly covers is so highly regarded. I guess it’s because Rod’s renditions of the tracks are so well done and, in some cases, iconic. Rod really did make many of these songs “his own” and produced, overall, a great album

It’s certainly not a perfect album, few albums are but there’s so much here that is quite brilliant. It’s a great listen overall

I read somewhere that “Rod the Singer can make words flesh, and though Rod the Bandleader's music is literally electric it's the mandolin and pedal steel that come through sharpest." I think that’s an interesting take on the album

Unfortunately there wasn't a lot of engagement with this album which is a pity as I think that it is rather splendid but that's been the pattern over the last few that I have posted. As I write this there have been fewer than 1.000 visits to the thread. Comparing that with say Revolver which had over 130,000, I think that maybe the idea might have run it's course or maybe I need to change something to make it more appealing. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated. If the consensus were that they are not that worth doing, I'm fine with that. Afterall, The whole idea initially was to drive more engagement on the forums. Maybe there are better ways of doing this

Re: Every Picture Tells A Story - Rod Stewart

Johnnyo — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:20:17 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 06/11/2026 09:20

(Finding A) Reason To Believe

Classic Stewart and probably one of his most famous, and best, covers and what a great double header with Maggie May on the flip side of the single.

A great way to end a great album

Link

Re: Every Picture Tells A Story - Rod Stewart

Johnnyo — Tue, 9 Jun 2026 09:12:25 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 06/09/2026 13:12

(I Know) I’m Losing You

Cover of a great Temptations track. I have to say that Norman Whitfield is one of my favourite producer / songwriters ever.

This is a great cover of a great song. Rather different to the original, as you might expect but equally good. The extension of the track to almost twice in length gave Rod the space to develop the song more. Love this rendition.

Link

Link

Re: Every Picture Tells A Story - Rod Stewart

Johnnyo — Fri, 5 Jun 2026 13:06:04 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 06/05/2026 17:06

Liedzeit wrote:

Although this is off-topic, I think the crown belongs to Del Shannon who was the only artist who could improve on Roy Orbison.

More than happy to go anywhere the narrative takes us. I really don’t know enough about del Shannon to comment but going to check him out. Thanks for the recommendation

Re: Every Picture Tells A Story - Rod Stewart

Liedzeit — Fri, 5 Jun 2026 12:23:13 GMT

Author: Liedzeit

Posted: 06/05/2026 16:23

Johnnyo wrote:

I think that rods pretty good at covering other peoples songs. Not the best, as that crown, for me goes to the wonderful Johnny Cash who is the supreme reinterpretor of others peoples song.

Although this is off-topic, I think the crown belongs to Del Shannon who was the only artist who could improve on Roy Orbison.

Re: Every Picture Tells A Story - Rod Stewart

Johnnyo — Fri, 5 Jun 2026 04:44:31 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 06/05/2026 08:44

Mandolin Wind

To be honest, for years I really didn’t rate this track that highly but eventually it clicked. I now consider it, almost, as good as Maggie May although of course, a different type of song. In terms of composition, might this be Rod Stewarts best song?

A great ballad and a nice counterpoint to Maggie May and if really Rod going folk wit the extensive use of acoustic instruments on the track

Link

Re: Every Picture Tells A Story - Rod Stewart

Johnnyo — Thu, 4 Jun 2026 14:51:04 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 06/04/2026 18:51

I think that rods pretty good at covering other peoples songs. Not the best, as that crown, for me goes to the wonderful Johnny Cash who is the supreme reinterpretor of others peoples song.

Great conversation going on though and thanks to all contributors so far. I’ll be posting the next track in a day or two

Re: Every Picture Tells A Story - Rod Stewart

Liedzeit — Thu, 4 Jun 2026 11:08:42 GMT

Author: Liedzeit

Posted: 06/04/2026 15:08

This is a very good album. But I would not agree that it is Rod’s best. (That, I would suggest, is A Night On The Town thanks mainly to The Killing of Georgie.)

Maggie May, of course, is supreme. A true classic. I cannot hear it though, without thinking of Chris Hill and the Bionic Santa: Mr. Callaghan is saying to Mrs. Thatcher: Oh Maggie, I wish I‘d never seen your face.

Link

Mandolin Wind is also very beautiful. But there are a couple of songs I do not care for much like the title track. And his version of That’s All Right is horrible. Amazing Grace not much better, although one could at least understand why he thought it would be nice to give this song his own touch.

I always think you must have a very good reason to make a cover of a well known song. And in very rare cases you might succeed in surpassing the original. (And Rod did so, I think, with Pretty Flamingo, also on Night On The Town.)

@ Romanelli: I understand what you are saying about Rod Stewart becoming uncool. But I disagree all the same. I think it was pretty brave of him to change his style. And at least he added some humour to it. Da ya think, I’m sexy? is hilarious. And in addition an excellent dancing song. I can think of many others who really became uncool. Like Stevie Wonder with his Happy Birthday and more or less everything he did after Key of Life.

Re: Every Picture Tells A Story - Rod Stewart

Johnnyo — Wed, 3 Jun 2026 03:37:14 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 06/03/2026 07:37

Maggie May

I would guess, the most recognisable track on the album and my personal favourite on Every Picture….

I’ve seen it described as Rod Stewart's signature song and I’d probably agree with that.
Simply an iconic track and Ray Jackson’s mandolin playing is sublime.

Link

Re: Every Picture Tells A Story - Rod Stewart

Johnnyo — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 01:38:58 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 06/02/2026 05:38

Romanelli wrote:

Johnnyo wrote:

Henry

Genuinely, not that much to say about this 30 second’s track. Pleasant enough, old English type folk instrumental. In the context of the album as a whole, I feel that you can pretty much forget about this track

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/shorts/aOfG-OzWWBs[/youtube]

It's simply the intro to "Maggie May". On most later versions of the album, it's not even listed...but it's there as part of "Maggie May".

Yeh, sure, I get that but I think that it's a pointless addition to the album / to Maggie May that really adds nothing. I don't hate it, I'm actually quite ambivalent about the track.

Anyway, onto Maggie May next

Re: Every Picture Tells A Story - Rod Stewart

Romanelli — Mon, 1 Jun 2026 11:12:12 GMT

Author: Romanelli

Posted: 06/01/2026 15:12

Johnnyo wrote:

It's simply the intro to "Maggie May". On most later versions of the album, it's not even listed...but it's there as part of "Maggie May".

Re: Every Picture Tells A Story - Rod Stewart

Johnnyo — Mon, 1 Jun 2026 09:29:05 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 06/01/2026 13:29

Henry

Genuinely, not that much to say about this 30 second’s track. Pleasant enough, old English type folk instrumental. In the context of the album as a whole, I feel that you can pretty much forget about this track

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/shorts/aOfG-OzWWBs[/youtube]

Re: Every Picture Tells A Story - Rod Stewart

Johnnyo — Sat, 30 May 2026 05:43:11 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 05/30/2026 09:43

Tomorrow is a long time

With the exception of the Beatles, I’d posture that Bob Dylan is the most covered artist of all time, and why not, he’s a b****y genius.

The arrangement and Rod’s delivery on this track are spot on. It’s a pared back, beautifully delivered acoustic piece. Very simple, no drums just a guitar and violin.

This is probably the best cover of the song

Link

Link

Re: Every Picture Tells A Story - Rod Stewart

Johnnyo — Tue, 26 May 2026 12:13:45 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 05/26/2026 16:13

Romanelli wrote:

Johnnyo wrote:

That's All Right / Amazing Grace

I’m not entirely sure why this is referred to as a medley. With the gap between the two songs, I’d say that they are just that. Anyway, that aside, both the classic Rock N Roll / blues number and the gospel / Christian hymn standard are performed wonderfully well.

Rod’s vocals on both tracks, or the two side of the same track, whichever way you want to call it are great

Link

It's not a medley at all. It's more of a hidden track. "Amazing Grace" isn't listed on most versions of the album. Back when Rod made good song choices. Those were the days.

"Seems Like A Long Time" is really the weakest track on the album.

You know what, I had never noticed that before but you're right, amazing grace is not listen on my original vinyl copy of the album. It is listed on a CD version that I have which also has bonus tracks. I guess I just assumed at these years so hidden track is more accurate although I have often seen it described as a medley

Don’t agree about seems like a long time. I really like that track.

Loving revisiting the album

Re: Every Picture Tells A Story - Rod Stewart

Romanelli — Tue, 26 May 2026 10:53:53 GMT

Author: Romanelli

Posted: 05/26/2026 14:53

Johnnyo wrote:

Re: Every Picture Tells A Story - Rod Stewart

Johnnyo — Tue, 26 May 2026 05:58:07 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 05/26/2026 09:58

That's All Right / Amazing Grace

I’m not entirely sure why this is referred to as a medley. With the gap between the two songs, I’d say that they are just that. Anyway, that aside, both the classic Rock N Roll / blues number and the gospel / Christian hymn standard are performed wonderfully well.

Rod’s vocals on both tracks, or the two side of the same track, whichever way you want to call it are great

Link