Search - Rod Stewart :: Unplugged and Seated (Shm)

Stripped Rod Down

Michael Kerner | Brooklyn, New York U.S.A. | 01/22/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It really has surprised me when MTV really exceeded their expectations with the feel of their classic series MTV Unplugged. Yet, it is just a absolute shame that they haven't really been able to revamp that well recieved series that came out during the 80's and 90's. There are so many well accepted acts that have absolutely made great stripped doen performances including Nirvana, Elton John, L.L. Cool J, and the legendary Rod Stewart. During the early 90's Rod was on a double revived trail with his album Vagabond Heart, and his lovelife with his then wife Rachel Hunter. His appearance on MTV Unplugged really was the talk of the town.



Rod Stewart's 1993 album Unplugged... and Seated is a very intimate live performance that really lets Rod's voice really excel and the songs as well. Most of the album reflects on Rod performing classic when he performed in the 70's. The songs here are very intimate here, and the feeling of the record also speaks very well, as one of Rod's best live performances. The highlights that are featured on this record include classic performances of standards like Maggie May, Reason To Believe, which became a hit nearly 20 years after Rod launched it to #1, a very wonderfully tearjerking version of Have I Told You Lately, Having A Party & one of Rod's boldest songs not featured on any of his studio albums, People Get Ready.



Out of all of the live records that Rod Stewart has recorded, none of has been able to capture what Unplugged... and Seated has. For anybody who hasn't heard this record, it is well worth the listen. It is also a shame Rod hasn't released a live record since. This is a must have for any Rod Stewart fan.



Album Cover: B



Songs: B+



Mastering: B



Price: A-



Overall: B+"

Rod Stewart's best album in 20 years

Docendo Discimus | Vita scholae | 12/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This excellent album has all the grit and feeling of Rod Stewart's delightful early-70s LPs.

Accompanied by a great combo which includes former bandmate Ronnie Wood, he returns to the acoustic rock n' roll and folk that marked his greatest recordings, and even if "Unplugged" can't quite match "Gasoline Alley" or the sublime "Every Picture Tells A Story", it's really amazing how close it comes at times.



Rod Stewart sounds fine, if a little bit ragged at first, and the set opens with a wonderfully tough acoustic rendition of the sleazy rocker "Hot Legs", and the unplugged versions of the Faces' only hit, "Stay With Me", and Sam Cooke's "Having A Party" are equally superb.

"The First Cut Is The Deepest" is a bit too saccharine for my taste, and a clumsy rendition of "People Get Ready" never gets off the ground. But everything else is good, and most of it is great, like the swinging blues "Highgate Shuffle", the country-rock of "Cut Across Shorty", the melancholy "Handbands And Gladrags", and the 70s classic "Maggie May".



Great sound, great songs, great arrangements and a whole lot of feeling and character.

4 1/2 stars - highly recommended."

Excellent from the one and only "Rod"

Rizzo | Denver, CO | 06/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Superstar Rod Stewart made this Unplugged for MTV back in Feb. of 1993 in Los Angeles. He reunites with old partner Ron Wood from the Stones; they played together with the Faces way back in the 60's. The reunion magic and sincerity show. Rod doesn't mind poking fun at his age and how long he has been performing.



The MTV unplugged and seated was a splendid performance with an array of very talented musicians. The best thing that happened was the release as a CD, because the video was a classic, it was one of Rod's best performances.



Here, are a great mixture of older classics including the best song on the CD, this version of "Maggie May." Also done wonderful are "First Cut is the Deepest" and Sam Cooke's "Having A Party", an uptempo energetic, fun timepiece.



There is lively conversation in between the songs. Slow and fast songs fill this CD. However, there aren't any lyrics or booklet.



Stewart's raspy voice remains true, never slipping and sharply unique; he looked very primed at this historic event. If you haven't educated yourself to this master of show, do so now! ...........Rizzo"