by Ken Johnstone

Created on: June 17, 2009   Last Updated: June 19, 2009

Many youngsters these days probably have an image in their heads of Rod Stewart as a fast aging former rock star with a penchant and taste for younger women (usually blonds!). In fairness, Stewart himself doesn't do much to dispel this image, so perchance it's an accurate one. But back in the day (late 60's and early 70's) Rod Stewart was the ultimate rock star, and right up there with the all-time greats. (Like the Rolling Stones) During this early period he had an ability to turn out albums that to this day remain classics; mixtures of folk and rock and some haunting ballads that were/are almost unique in their style and presentation, and which have stood the test of time. (Unlike some of the music from his glam/rock period of the 1980's)

In 1970 he released an album called "Gasoline Alley" which included a number of his own compositions and a few cover versions from other famous artists, all with Stewart's own unique gravely voice and a strange blend of instruments and acoustics. The tracks are mostly folk and country in style, but in this album Rod blends them into a rock format by using a mixture of guitars, piano, and mandolins. Most of the musicians who were later to go on to form the band called "The Faces" with Rod were present on this album, including the talented Ron Wood, who was later to join the Rolling Stones. The album built on the success he'd already achieved with his earlier album "Every Picture Tells A Story", and many critics would maintain that this period (1969 - 1972) was when Stewart produced his finest work.

There are a total of nine tracks on the album.

1. Gasoline Alley
2. It's All Over Now
3. Only a Hobo
4. My Way of Giving
5. Country Comforts
6. Cut Across Shorty
7. Lady Day
8. Jo's Lament
9. You're My Girl (I Don't Want to Discuss It)

I'd be hard put to pick a favourite, but certainly the title track, "Gasoline Alley", would come close. This is one of Stewart's own songs, and a simple lament for times, people and places from the past.

"Going home, running home
Down to Gasoline Alley where I started from
Going home, and I'm running home
Down to Gasoline Alley where I was born"

The mandolin is very much to the fore on this track, and combined with Rod's husky, throaty, emotion packed voice it produces a song well worthy of its place as the title track on the album.

Next up is a cover of the rock song made famous by the Rolling Stones, "It's All Over Now". This was a major chart success for the Stones, but I actually think Stewart's

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