Rod Stewart will undoubtedly start writing “slave” on his cheek and checking into “this whole Internet thing” now that J Records won’t let him record an album of country standards. What did you expect, Rod? Did you think you’d be able to luck into some “one for you, one for me” trade-off in this economy? Or even a “four for you, one for me” deal? It’s been 15 years since Unplugged…and Seated upended your pop career, and over five since you sold what was left of your career for a Great American Songbook. While I’d love to see you do something more daring (I’m not a big Black Keys fan, but I’d be curious to hear the musical outcome of your bromance), you’ll probably have to shut up and make that Christmas album.
“Everybody there (at J Records) is against [a country album], which makes me want to do it even more. Apparently, the idea didn’t test well, whatever that means.”
But the rocker, who is set to release the final LP in his Great American Songbook series later in the year, insists he will try and release a country record - so he can say he has tried everything in his music career.
He explains: “I want to do records for my own peace of mind. So when I do kick the bucket (die), I can say, ‘I did that.’”
However, legendary music mogul Clive Davis - who is the CEO of J Records - intends on a more festive direction for the British musician.
He says: “Clive Davis wanted a Christmas album but I’m not into that so much.”
Clive may not be the CEO of J anymore, Rod, but I’d suggest you forget about George Jones and settle for “Blue Christmas (feat. Tim McGraw).”
I hate those stupid standards albums, but shouldn’t 40+ years of making money for labels entitle you to make whatever kind of record you want?
Er, you mean The Black Keys. Now a Black Lips collab would be REALLY interesting!
@Gnosis: lol, fixed.
The inexplicable success of those standards albums should suggest that Rod’s fan base will truly buy *anything* he put out.
Black Dice, Rod Stewart, and James Murphy — TOGETHER AT LAST
The big problem is Rod’s voice is about one serious rock tour away from being shot. The standards and country make perfect sense as he just doesn’t have the pipes anymore.
@Captain Wrong: Yeah, ’cause everybody knows you don’t need a decent voice to sing those things. Sheesh.
J’s strength is not country music. It’s not a surprise they don’t want to touch this idea. If Rod released it through a Nashville-based label it could do well, but putting it out through a New York-based label like J would probably be a disaster.
I can’t really hear Rod doing country - he can’t belt’em anymore and that would really limit his choice of songs: “Ain’t It Funny How Time Slips Away”, maybe a couple of other things from the Willie Nelson or Roger Miller catalogs…Hank, Waylon, Eddy Arnold, Charlie Rick are all out of his current range, and he would sound ridiculous covering Johnny Cash or Buck Owens.
Now, an album of Tim Hardin covers, perharps joined by Ron Wood - THAT I would like to hear.