Smiler (album)

Smiler
Studio album by Rod Stewart
Released	October 1974
Recorded	Morgan Studios, London
Genre	Rock and roll, folk rock, white soul
Length	42:24
Label	Mercury
Producer	Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart chronology
Sing It Again Rod (1973) Smiler (1974) Atlantic Crossing (1975)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Robert Christgau	B−[2]
Rolling Stone	(mixed)[3]
Džuboks	(mixed)[4]

Smiler is Rod Stewart's fifth album, and final album for Mercury Records, released in 1974 (see 1974 in music). It became the first album by Rod Stewart as a solo artist to become critically panned. Although it reached number 1 in the UK album chart, it stalled at number 13 in the US. The album was largely considered to be an unadventurous retread of what he had done before, including covers of Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke and Bob Dylan songs, as well as a duet with Elton John of John's song "Let Me Be Your Car". Stewart's one attempt at adventurousness was a cover of Carole King's "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" where 'Woman' is switched to 'Man'. This track was selected for special derision by critics. The release of the album itself was held up for five months due to legal problems between Mercury Records and Warner Bros. Records. This album sold 1 million copies worldwide.^{[citation needed]}

Musicians appearing on the album included members of Stewart's band Faces, as well as frequent collaborators Martin Quittenton (guitars), Pete Sears (bass & keyboards), and Mickey Waller (drums), who had become something of a second band for Stewart.

Track listing

1. "Sweet Little Rock 'N' Roller" (Chuck Berry) – 3:43
2. "Lochinvar" (Pete Sears) – 0:25
3. "Farewell" (Martin Quittenton, Rod Stewart) – 4:34
4. "Sailor" – (Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood) 3:35
5. "Bring It On Home To Me/You Send Me" (Sam Cooke) – 3:57
6. "Let Me Be Your Car" (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) – 4:56
7. "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Man" (Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Jerry Wexler) – 3:54
8. "Dixie Toot" – (Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood) 3:27
9. "Hard Road" (Harry Vanda, George Young) – 4:27
10. "I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face" Instrumental (Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe) – 1:32
11. "Girl from the North Country" (Bob Dylan) – 3:52
12. "Mine For Me" (Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney) – 4:02

A 1991 cd compilation called 'back 2 back - 2 for 1' combined Smiler with Gasoline Alley. However tracks 2,9 and 10, were left out on this release.

Personnel

• Rod Stewart - vocals
• Elton John - vocals, piano (on "Let me be your car")
• Ronnie Wood - acoustic & electric guitar, bass
• Pete Sears - Piano, Harpsichord, Celeste
• Rick Grech - violin
• Ray Jackson - mandolin
• Ian McLagan - organ
• The Memphis Horns
• Irene Chanter - background vocals
• Ray Cooper - percussion
• Spike Heatley - bass
• Andy Newmark - drums
• Dick Powell - violin
• Martin Quittenton - acoustic guitar
• Tropic Isles Steel Band
• Micky Waller - drums
• Willie Weeks - bass
• Kenney Jones - drums
• Chris Barber's Jazz Band

References