Rod Stewart @ The Odyssey Arena – 15/05/2010

May 22, 2010 No Comments

On the BBC’s morning breakfast show this week, Jeff Beck, who has often supported Rod Stewart called the Scottish rocker two things: “A great performer” and a “cheeky rascal.” Tonight, it was easy to see why.

The show opening was announced to the audience as “The Stripper” blared out of the Odyssey Arena’s speaker cabinets, accompanying the rising curtain, to reveal Rod in all his charismatic and ever so slightly cheesy glory.

Obviously ready for a love-in with his fans, Rod rolled straight into “Love Train”, “Tonight’s the night” and backed it up with “Some guys have all the Luck” – perhaps conveying a hint of irony as he swaggered, smooched and danced to a heavy Sax accompaniment, bringing the Stewart faithful to their feet, who were obviously out for a good night on a wave of nostalgia.

Rod acknowledged his crowd and quipped that the next number was from ’72 before many of his younger fans were around: “You wear it well!”

The talented backing musicians almost outshone the Scottish national institution himself; featuring a violinist who could give Vanessa Mae a run for her money.

With the momentum building, Rod relaxed, loosening his shirt and tie, clearly self-aware of his image and ability to ramp up the fan-base further with a Sam Wood number, “Having a Party” next to a brilliant honkey-tonk piano playing along.

Sweat began rolling off the Scot’s brow as he went for the slow part of the set with “Have I told you Lately that I Love You” leading into his old ’69 hit (to some a Stereophonics cover), “Handbags and the Gladrags”, which sent the audience wild and showcased the best of the ageing rocker’s vocal range.

From that point on, the audience roared with approval at every song, from the upbeat “It’s a Heartache” to the punchy Chuck Berry send-off, “Sweet Little Rock & Roller”

After the mid-point break, clearly a little exhausted following an extremely energized first half, Rod toweled himself down, but kept the pace up.

He delivered “This Old Heart Of Mine” and “The Same Old Song “ with a flowing exuberance that left his audience baying for more.

The final third of the show was a fitting climax with the energetic “Twisting the Night Away”, engaging the audience with the use of fast graphics on the stage lightshow, behind a colour palette borrowed from Andy Warhol’s iconic images.

“Do You think I’m Sexy” had Rod working it to the max and being rewarded with flowers from the crowd.

Then, Rod launched into a well-received emotional angst section with “The First Cut is the Deepest”, “Talk about It” and “In My Heart In My Soul.

He was showered with scarves and footballs and the obligatory game began as he kicked the ball into the audience as if to say: “I may not be young but hey – still fit ladies!”

This was underlined with his classic “Hot Legs” and “Maggie May” tracks, which were the highlight for many.

The curtain call was however tinged with a little rawness.

Accompanied by a backdrop on the big screen of Rod Stewart receiving his CBE from the Queen, a caption read: “Only a plumbers son”, followed by the man himself acknowledging the “tough economic times” the audience may be going through – did they really want to be reminded!?

Regardless, Stewart left a warm and fuzzy atmosphere, “sailing“ out on a few thousand waves of approval.

By Jane Porter

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