*Every Picture Tells A Story, Don’t It- The Early Music Of Rod Stewart

Click On Title To Link To YouTube's Film Clip Of Rod Stewart Doing "Maggie May"

CD REVIEW

Every Picture Tells A Story, Rod Stewart, Mercury Records, 1971

I have spent some time in this space going over the litany of rock & roll groups and individuals who collectively formed the musical consciousness of my generation, the “Generation of ‘68”. The Rolling Stones, The Doors and the Beatles immediately come to mind. The performer under review, Rod Stewart, now known more for his fine (mostly) crooner covers of old time pre-rock songs fits into the second layer of those who entertained us and made us scream for more rock & roll. And, someone can add to this to refresh my memory, Rod Stewart was one of the early proponents of the rock concert as entertainment extravaganza in the old English music hall tradition. I can remember going to a Rod Stewart concert in the old days where he had circus acts, complete with fireworks and colored smoke in between his performances (and maybe as part of the performance as well). Such visual effects are practically de rigueur these days but then it was unusual.

Be that as it may the main thing about a Rod Stewart song in the old days as reflected in this CD is that energy he put into each song his own as here with “Maggie May” and “Every Picture Tells A Story”, or covers. In the end though, for me at least for male singers it is that gravelly voice that he brought to the performance highlighted here by “Mandolin Wind”.


The Best Of Rod Stewart, Rod Stewart, Mercury Records, 1976

Again the first paragraph above tells the Rod Stewart story. As noted there the main thing about a Rod Stewart song in the old days as reflected here is that energy he put into each song his own as here with “Maggie May” and “Every Picture Tells A Story” and “Gasoline Alley”, or covers like The Stones “Street Fighting Man”. In the end though, for me at least for male singers it is that gravelly voice that he brought to the performance highlighted here by “Mandolin Wind” and “Cut Across Shorty”.


Rod Stewart - Gasoline Alley

I think I'm goin' mad and it's makin' me sad,
it's a yearnin' for my old back door.
I realize maybe I was born to lead,
better swallow all my silly country pride.
Goin' home, runnin' home,
down the gasoline Alley where I started from.
Goin' home, and I'm runnin' home,
down the Gasoline Alley where I was born.
When the weather's better and the rails unfreeze,
and the wind won't whistle `round my knees,
I'll put on my weather suit and catch you in the train.
I'll be home before the milk's upon the door.
Goin' home, runnin' home,
down the gasoline Alley where I started from.
Goin' home, and I'm runnin' home,
down the Gasoline Alley where I was born.
(instrumental)
But if anything should happen and my plans go wrong
should I stray to the house on the hill,
let it be known that my intentions were good,
I'd be singing in my alley if I could.
And if I'm goin' away and it's my turn to go,
should the blood run cold in my veins,
just one favor I'd be askin' of you,
don't bury me here, it's too cold.
Take me back, carry me back,
down to Gasoline Alley where I started from.
Take me back, won't cha carry me home,
down to Gasoline Alley where I started from?

Mandolin Wind lyrics
(Rod Stewart)

When the rain came I thought you'd leave
'cause I knew how much you loved the sun
But you chose to stay, stay and keep me warm
through the darkest nights I've ever known
If the mandolin wind couldn't change a thing
then I know I love ya
Oh the snow fell without a break
Buffalo died in the frozen fields you know
Through the coldest winter in almost fourteen years
I couldn't believe you kept a smile
Now I can rest assured knowing that we've seen the worst
And I know I love ya
Oh I never was good with romantic words
so the next few lines come really hard
Don't have much but what I've got is yours
except of course my steel guitar
Ha, 'cause I know you don't play
but I'll teach you one day
because I love ya
I recall the night we knelt and prayed
Noticing your face was thin and pale
I found it hard to hide my tears
I felt ashamed I felt I'd let you down
No mandolin wind couldn't change a thing
Couldn't change a thing no, no
The coldest winter in almost fourteen years
could never, never change your mind
And I love ya
Yes indeed and I love ya
And I love ya
Lordy I love ya

Every Picture Tells A Story lyrics

Spent some time feelin' inferior
standing in front of my mirror
Combed my hair in a thousand ways
but I came out looking just the same

Daddy said, "Son, you better see the world
I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to leave
But remember one thing don't lose your head
to a woman that'll spend your bread"
So I got out

Paris was a place you could hide away
if you felt you didn't fit in
French police wouldn't give me no peace
They claimed I was a nasty person
Down along the Left Bank minding my own
Was knocked down by a human stampede
Got arrested for inciting a peacful riot
when all I wanted was a cup of tea
I was accused
I moved on

Down in Rome I wasn't getting enough
of the things that keeps a young man alive
My body stunk but I kept my funk
at a time when I was right out of luck
Getting desperate indeed I was
Looking like a tourist attraction
Oh my dear I better get out of here
'for the Vatican don't give no sanction
I wasn't ready for that, no no

I moved right out east yeah!
On the Peking ferry I was feeling merry
sailing on my way back here
I fell in love with a slit eyed lady
by the light of an eastern moon
Shangai Lil never used the pill
She claimed that it just ain't natural
She took me up on deck and bit my neck
Oh people I was glad I found her
Oh yeah I was glad I found her

I firmly believe that I didn't need anyone but me
I sincerely thought I was so complete
Look how wrong you can be

The women I've known I wouldn't let tie my shoe
They wouldn't give you the time of day
But the slit eyed lady knocked me off my feet
God I was glad I found her
And if they had the words I could tell to you
to help you on the way down the road
I couldn't quote you no Dickens, Shelley or Keats
'cause it's all been said before
Make the best out of the bad just laugh it off
You didn't have to come here anyway
So remember, every picture tells a story don't it

Maggie May lyrics
Wake up Maggie

I think I got something to say to you;
it's late September and I really should be back at school.
I know I keep you amused
but I feel I'm being used

oh
Maggie
I couldn't have tried anymore.
You lured me away from home
just to save you from being alone.
You stole my heart and that's what really hurts.
The morning sun
when it's in your face
really shows your age

but that don't worry me none
in my eyes you're ev'rything.
I laughed at all of your jokes
my love you didn't need to coax

oh
Maggie
I couldn't have tried anymore.
You lured me away from home
just to save you from being alone.
You stole my soul
that's a pain I can do without.
All I needed was a friend to lend a guiding hand

but you turned into a lover
and
Mother
what a lover !
You wore me out.
All you did was wreck my bed
and in the morning kick me in the head

oh
Maggie
I couldn't have tried anymore.
You lured me away from home
'cause you didn't want to be alone.
You stole my heart
I couldn't leave you if I tried.
I suppose I could collect my books and get back to school.
Or steal my daddy's cue and make a living out of playing pool.
Or find myselfe a rock and roll band that needs a helpin' hand.
Oh
Maggie
I wish I'd never seen your face.
You lured me away from home
just to save you from being alone.
You stole my heart and that's what really hurts.
The morning sun
when it's in your face
really shows your age

but that don't worry me none
in my eyes you're ev'rything.
I laughed at all of your jokes
my love you didn't need to coax

oh
Maggie
I couldn't have tried any face

you made a first-class fool out of me

but I'm as blind as a fool can be

you stole my heart but I love you anyway.
Maggie
I wish I'd never seen your face.
I'll get on back home one of these days.

*On The Question Of Cats- Really

Click on the headline to link to a "YouTube" film clip of a performance of "Memory" from the musical, "Cats".
Click on link below for a discussion of T.S. Eliot on the NPR show On Point  

http://onpoint.wbur.org/2015/12/15/ts-eliot-modern-poetry-waste-land

CD Review

Selections From “Cats”, “Cats” cast, The Really Useful Group Records, 1989

Okay, put a life long love of cats (real), with a literary love of cats (poetic, via T.S. Eliot), with a “Cat”-full of cats (on stage) and you throw in some now classic songs about our feline friends and that tells everything you need to know about this CD. Oh, except that for the life long cat-lovers out there you will know by each kind of cat mentioned in this compilation that it is probably not far removed from some cat that you nursed back to health, tripped over, got mad at, fed (in the middle of the night), groomed (at best you could) and got misty-eyed over the memory of when you heard that “Memory” song that kind of puts the whole production together. That says it all.

Rum Tum Tugger is one of the many feline characters in the poetry book Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot and in the musical Cats. Cats was based on Eliot's book, published in 1939.

T.S Eliot draws attention to the similarities between feline and human personality traits in his book Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. The Rum Tum Tugger is portrayed as the rebel cat who can't help but be difficult. He is never satisfied with what you give him;

The Rum Tum Tugger is a Curious Cat:

If you offer him pheasant he would rather have grouse.
If you put him in a house he would much prefer a flat,
If you put him in a flat then he'd rather have a house.
If you set him on a mouse then he only wants a rat,
If you set him on a rat then he'd rather chase a mouse.
He is notoriously hard to please and he sets himself apart from others by wanting to be different. He always does the opposite of what is expected of him and by the end of poem you are left with the idea that the Rum Tum Tugger is deviously self-centered and relishes in being so. The three words that are used to describe his character given to each performer who plays the role are, 'Perverse, Preening, and Independant'

In the musical The Rum Tum Tugger is a black tom cat with leopard spots on his chest, and a wild mane. In some Japanese productions, he is white. He is considered the ladies cat, and the rebel of the group. He loves the limelight, while at the same time he enjoys being seen as an individual by separating himself a little from the pack. He may be self-obsessed, but he has great respect for those who deserve it, such as Mr. Mistoffelees. The younger female kittens (Victoria, Etcetera, Electra and Jemima), and even some of the male kittens are in awe of him as well as some of the older queens, especially Bombalurina. He flirts openly with almost every female cat in the filmed version. Demeter seems to dislike him very deeply. This is shown in the filmed version. During The Awefull Battle Of The Pekes And The Pollicles, he plays the bagpipes.

Paul Nicholas played the role on the West End and Terrence Mann originated the role in the Broadway version. Rum Tum Tugger is played by John Partridge in the filmed version. In the 25th Anniversary tour of CATS, the role of Rum Tum Tugger was performed by Gary Watson. Right now in the Worldwide tour he is played by Adam Steiner. In most productions he sings 'The Rum Tum Tugger', 'Magical Mr Mistoffelees', and, along with Munkustrap he sings 'Old Deuteronomy'. In "Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats, he sings "Can you say of your bite, that it's worse than your bark?" Also, in this scene, he doesn't have his mane, he has a different wig and doesn't have his belt on yet- they don't want him to stand out too much just yet. His first appearance with his mane and proper Rum Tum Tugger wig and accessories is in his own song (which he enjoys greatly - he gets to destroy the Gumbie Cat's fun.)

Andrew Lloyd Webber has stated that the part of the Tugger is intended to be an homage to Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones. This homage is apparent in the way he moves on stage in the original Gillian Lynne choreography and the costume styling. His type of cat was said to be Maine Coon, because of his wild mane and being portrayed as being much bigger than the other cats. According to his song, he apparently would do pretty much anything to annoy his owners. He does not appear in many of the scenes, but when he does he usually has a solo. He and Munkustrap sing the solos to "Old Deuteronomy"

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rum_Tum_Tugger"