Never a Dull Moment

iTunes Review

Rod Stewart was at the peak of his powers when he cut Never a Dull Moment. The ensemble playing behind him was still as thick and crunchy as his voice, with the drums full of fat, driving beats, the guitars cranking out sleazy, bluesy licks in a brilliant mix of acoustic and electric convergence, and organs that trickle fairy dust at opportune moments. “You Wear It Well” was the touching, reflective tune. The cover of Bob Dylan’s “Mama You Been On My Mind” nods towards Stewart’s folk roots, but takes a free reign with the arrangement adding daring country accents. Jimi Hendrix’s “Angel” is the sweet surprise, as it grounds Hendrix’s spectral ballad in Stewart’s rootsy soulfulness, while the blues classic “I’d Rather Go Blind” and the Sam Cooke R&B standard “Twistin’ the Night Away” sound as if they’d been written with Stewart in mind, so perfect is his execution. There simply isn’t a misstep here. Stewart’s originals kick even harder, as “True Blue” wastes no time getting down to business. “Los Paraguayos” shambles out with inspired guitar licks coaxing Stewart along and “Italian Girls” hints at the playboy days ahead.