Gasoline Alley is the Second Solo Album by the English Folk-Blues Singer Rod Stewart. Rod Stewart never had a troubled life. His family had money enough to provide him with a good childhood in the Suburbs of London. Rod was a great Football player and not such a good learner and at the age of 16 he quit school and started working. Rod had many different works, from gravedigger to playing in a 3rd division Football team, it was when he was playing that he decided that he should be either be a Football player or a Musician. He chose the last, because he could get drunk whenever he wished too. He jumped from one Band to another, either as a part time Vocalist or as an Harmonica Player. He reached notoriety for the first time when he played for the Jeff Beck Group as a Singer-Songwriter, even though he eventually left and followed his friend Ronnie Wood (who would later play for The Rolling Stones) to a re-incarnation of the British Band The Small Faces, now simply called Faces. It was during this time that he released his Solo Debut, An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down, in 1969, and in the beginning of the year 1970, The Faces released their own Debut, to contrast with the Album which Rod Stewart released with the Jeff Beck Group, the Faces Debut sold better in the U.K. than in the U.S.A. Rod, around the time, was producing a lot of Albums and in the same year released his Second Solo Album, Gasoline Alley, which is a great mix of Folk, Blues and some great Guitar licks.
Best Tracks - “Gasoline Alley”, “Only A Hobo”, “Country Comforts”, “Lady Day”, “Jo's Lament” and “You're my Girl”. A great Album, and for all of you who enjoy Rod's sandpaper voice, but not the Music he later became known for, this is surely a must. It does not resemble anything connecting those two different personas, Rod Stewart superstar and Rod Stewart Underground Musician.
Rod Stewart (Gasoline Alley Personnel):
- Rod Stewart – Vocals, Guitar.
- Martin Quittenton – Acoustic Guitar, Guitar.
- Ronnie Wood – Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Bass.
- Sam Mitchell - Slide Guitar.
- Ronnie Lane – Bass, Vocals.
- Ian McLagan – Piano, Organ.
- William Gaff – Human Whistle.
- Dennis O'Flynn – Violin Bass.
- Dick Powell – Violin.
- Stanley Matthews – Mandolin.
- Mick Waller – Drums.
- Kenney Jones – Drums.
- Pete Sears – Piano, Bass.
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Hey man,
ReplyDeleteJust a quick note to let you know that The Small Faces (and by extension, The Faces) were indeed a British band, not American. They formed in London and were a Mod band who were peers of The Who.
Cheers
Moreover, The Small Faces are THE MOD BAND. Anyway, after Steve Marriott (their leader and singer) quit the band, the other three proved to be simply musicians, "hired" by Stewart (also known as "Rod the Mod") to form the Faces (the "faces" are one of the most relevant mod tribes in the 60's). The leaders in the new band were Stewart and Ron Wood. And these Faces sounded just like the Stones -an "american" band to me-, so ironically you have a part of reason. Is something like Hendrix, who may be regarded as "british", as his records were recorded in Britain with british musicians, with a british manager (the ex-Animals Chas Chandler) and got the fame there prior than in the States.
ReplyDelete@ Rick... I suggest you seriously review Small Faces, Faces, and Ronnie Lane recordings. To say that 'the other three proved to be simply musicians "hired by RS"' is utterly false and an insult to the other members of the band. Seriously, go check the credits, bios, and listen to Ronnie Lane's Slim Chance, any collaborations with other musicians (especially Pete Townshend), and his solo output. Same (granted to a lesser extent) with Ian McLagan. Please don't insult RL's memory by comparing his songwriting talent with that of Ronnie Wood, and especially not Rod Stewart...
ReplyDeleteAnother thing too, in 1969 the Small Faces were stars in England while Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood were little known outside of London's club circuit -sure, there was the Jeff Beck Group stint, but they were still non-entities as far as the public was concerned. To suggest that Rod Stewart hired the 'other three' as a backing band is quite ridiculous...
ReplyDeleteRod Stewart - Gasoline Alley 1970.zip
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