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All rights reserved.If We Fall in Love Tonight - Stewart, Rod (CD 1996)
Dreamin' of Slow Dancing with Rod StewartReview created: 09/21/03
by: nedipooh -- a member of Epinions
Pros:
Romantic, Sensual
Romantic, Sensual
Cons:
Not the original "Forever Young"
Not the original "Forever Young"
If I were to say the name "Rod Stewart" you would more than likely get a visual in your mind of a wiry, slim, super-hyped-up fellow with spiked up blonde hair, jumping around a stage in skin-tight breeches (ok, I'm from the South....we call any article of clothing that has 2 legs and is worn from the waist down "breeches"....so shoot me..). Maybe it was just me, but when I used to think of Rod Stewart, I would see him there, dancing around wildly, with all of this energy and exuberance. That was before I purchased his 1996 CD, If We Fall in Love Tonight. It is neither energetic or exuberant. But if you've got your Sweetie with you, it's great for some slow dancing.
In an effort to write a informative review I went to my favorite source, IMDB, to find out a little more about Rod Stewart. I thought it would be best to tell you something factual, rather than relying on my sometimes faulty memory. So here's just a little bit about the man himself. He was the 5th child of Robert & Elsie Stewart, and now has 5 children of his own (Kimberly, Sean, Ruby, Renee, and Liam McAlister), ranging in age from 24 down to 9 years old. He played professional soccer player before he became a musician. One of the things I found interesting is that he donates the royalties from his song "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" to charity. According to IMDB , that's because he doesn't like the song and how it's interpreted. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. If you would like to read an in-depth, full biography, a great source can be found at www.muchmusic.net.
Rod Stewart captured my heart many years ago, the first time I heard "Maggie May", which just so happened to be the flip-side to "Reason To Believe". That was in the early 70's, when I was just a sweet young innocent and my hormones were at their height. Ah, the good ol' days! There was just something in his voice that drew me in. And let's be honest here...it's a unique voice. I've heard it referred to as both "gravelly" and "raspy". Certain voices will grab my attention faster than any other feature. Oh, Honey, I could just close my eyes and listen to Steven Segal talk and it would make me melt. Who cares if he can act or not, the man just plain sounds sexy. But that's another story....so, where was I? Oh, yes...
My personal favorite recordings of Rod Stewart over the years have been his slower, more traditional type ballads. When I bought If We Fall in Love Tonight, I found exactly what I was looking for. Now, I suppose there could be someone out there that has never heard of Rod Stewart...Egads!! For that one person, I must tell you that this collection of songs is only going to show you the softer side of the man. It's really not a good indicator of his career....just a small part of it.
There are 15 songs on this CD, and all of them are what would probably be considered soft rock. Starting if off is If We Fall in Love Tonight, the title track and the longest at 5 minutes and 42 seconds. I love the way this song starts. It's like someone is just barely touching and tickling the keys of a piano before Rods' voice begins and then the background vocals kick in. It ends with this very soft little whistling of the tune. Next up is For the First Time, an emotional, heart-felt song. Rod does a great job hitting some high notes and ending it with a whisper. Very pretty song.
The third track, When I Need You, is a cover of Leo Sayer's hit from back in '77. I loved the original and Rod does good with his rendition, but it gets a bit too "chorusy", if that's such a word. It almost feels like you're sitting in a church, listening to a choir belting it out by the end of the song. Next up is another cover, one by the wonderful Carole King, So Far Away. Now this one, I gotta tell ya, is one of my favorites on this CD. And that's really saying something, because I rarely like any song performed by anything other than the original artist.
With the words and the music of Van Morrison, Have I Told You Lately is just one of those wonderfully romantic tunes that makes you want to look into your lovers' eyes and just simply cuddle up. Very pretty instrumental near the end of it. My Heart Can't Tell You No is up next and I have to confess one of my deep dark secrets. Don't tell, ok? Until I got this CD, I thought the title of this song was "When the One You Love". Well, duh... hey, when you think about it, it makes sense.... When the one you love's in love with someone else, Don't you know it's torture, I mean it's a living hell. Yea, you've heard those lyrics before, haven't you? Classic Rod Stewart.
And another one of his most well-known tunes is next, You're in My Heart. It's such a simple song, but it sticks with you. I've caught myself singing it many times over the years. I do try to refrain from that, though, when I have to walk through the holding cells at the back of the Courthouse. I don't need to elaborate, do I?
After that is First Cut is The Deepest written by the talented Cat Stevens himself. This song sounds rather haunting to me. Rod puts a lot of emotion into this one. And then there's I Don't Want to Talk About It, and it is the one song on this CD that I could listen to over and over. The lyrics will make you think... If I stand all alone, will the shadow hide the color of my heart, blue for the tears, black for the night's fears. .
Next up is another Rod Stewart classic, and the shortest song on this CD at about 3 and 1/2 minutes, Tonight's the Night. It isn't a fast song, but there's something about the drum beat that makes you want to keep up with the rhythm. Great for a sensual slow dance.
Sometimes When We Touch, by Dan Hill has a rather unique affect on me. The original version and this version, by Rod Stewart are both really good. But the one version that I enjoyed the most was sung, believe it or not, on a soap opera. Oh, wait....make that a "Prime Time Drama", Knots Landing. It was sung by Lisa Hartman Black (yep, she married that cute little C&W singer, Clint Black). Both together and apart, this couple has made some beautiful music, literally and figuratively. Either way(s), I really like this song.
And then there's another Rod Stewart trademark, Downtown Train. For me, this is the epitome of a great Rod Stewart song. The lyrics, the instruments all just blend together perfectly. Broken Arrow to me sounds just like that, broken. It's like it never really connects. It's probably the only song on this CD that I can say I just don't like. I'm usually hitting the skip button when this one comes up.
Well, we're getting close to the end here, with only 2 more songs. One of the biggest disappointments to me was the fact that Forever Young on this CD is not the original version. The version here is alright, but it just isn't what I expected. And it was, however, this song that prompted me to buy this CD, so you can see why I felt a bit cheated. This version doesn't have the background vocals, and that is one of the things that made this song so great in it's original form. Maybe if I had done a little research first, it wouldn't have been such a surprise.
And finishing out If We Fall In Love Tonight is from the soundtrack of the 1993 film, "The Three Musketeers", All For Love. This was a combined effort of Rod Stewart, Bryan Adams and Sting. It's very theatrical and not what I personally would have included on a group of Ballads. Ok, let's put it this way....I really can't see myself slow dancing to this one, or cuddling up to the sounds of it. It's from a soundtrack, ok? It will bring up visuals from the film, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it is a great listen. Out of the 15 songs on this CD, this one would be in the bottom 2 for me personally. To be honest, before this one even has a chance to begin, I'm putting another CD into the ol player.
So there you have it. And now the question is whether or not I recommend If We Fall In Love Tonight. Despite the last 3 songs, I think it's obvious at this point that I'd have to say a definite "Yes". Even with the inclusion of those last 3 songs....which aren't that bad, just not up to par with the rest of the collection, it's worth picking up. That is, if you want some great romantic sounds to woo your Honey with. Now, if you're wanting to bounce your head around, go a little nutso and dance to a frenzy, then you're just barkin' up the wrong tree. But if "Love is in the Air", then go and pick up a little Chianti, get out those candles and throw on If We Fall In Love Tonight. And wipe that big smile off your face before you go in to work tomorrow!
The track listing:
If We Fall in Love Tonight
For the First Time
When I Need You
So Far Away
Have I Told You Lately
My Heart Can't Tell You No
You're in My Heart
First Cut Is the Deepest
I Don't Want to Talk About It
Tonight's the Night
Sometimes When We Touch
Downtown Train
Broken Arrow
Forever Young
All for Love
In an effort to write a informative review I went to my favorite source, IMDB, to find out a little more about Rod Stewart. I thought it would be best to tell you something factual, rather than relying on my sometimes faulty memory. So here's just a little bit about the man himself. He was the 5th child of Robert & Elsie Stewart, and now has 5 children of his own (Kimberly, Sean, Ruby, Renee, and Liam McAlister), ranging in age from 24 down to 9 years old. He played professional soccer player before he became a musician. One of the things I found interesting is that he donates the royalties from his song "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" to charity. According to IMDB , that's because he doesn't like the song and how it's interpreted. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. If you would like to read an in-depth, full biography, a great source can be found at www.muchmusic.net.
Rod Stewart captured my heart many years ago, the first time I heard "Maggie May", which just so happened to be the flip-side to "Reason To Believe". That was in the early 70's, when I was just a sweet young innocent and my hormones were at their height. Ah, the good ol' days! There was just something in his voice that drew me in. And let's be honest here...it's a unique voice. I've heard it referred to as both "gravelly" and "raspy". Certain voices will grab my attention faster than any other feature. Oh, Honey, I could just close my eyes and listen to Steven Segal talk and it would make me melt. Who cares if he can act or not, the man just plain sounds sexy. But that's another story....so, where was I? Oh, yes...
My personal favorite recordings of Rod Stewart over the years have been his slower, more traditional type ballads. When I bought If We Fall in Love Tonight, I found exactly what I was looking for. Now, I suppose there could be someone out there that has never heard of Rod Stewart...Egads!! For that one person, I must tell you that this collection of songs is only going to show you the softer side of the man. It's really not a good indicator of his career....just a small part of it.
There are 15 songs on this CD, and all of them are what would probably be considered soft rock. Starting if off is If We Fall in Love Tonight, the title track and the longest at 5 minutes and 42 seconds. I love the way this song starts. It's like someone is just barely touching and tickling the keys of a piano before Rods' voice begins and then the background vocals kick in. It ends with this very soft little whistling of the tune. Next up is For the First Time, an emotional, heart-felt song. Rod does a great job hitting some high notes and ending it with a whisper. Very pretty song.
The third track, When I Need You, is a cover of Leo Sayer's hit from back in '77. I loved the original and Rod does good with his rendition, but it gets a bit too "chorusy", if that's such a word. It almost feels like you're sitting in a church, listening to a choir belting it out by the end of the song. Next up is another cover, one by the wonderful Carole King, So Far Away. Now this one, I gotta tell ya, is one of my favorites on this CD. And that's really saying something, because I rarely like any song performed by anything other than the original artist.
With the words and the music of Van Morrison, Have I Told You Lately is just one of those wonderfully romantic tunes that makes you want to look into your lovers' eyes and just simply cuddle up. Very pretty instrumental near the end of it. My Heart Can't Tell You No is up next and I have to confess one of my deep dark secrets. Don't tell, ok? Until I got this CD, I thought the title of this song was "When the One You Love". Well, duh... hey, when you think about it, it makes sense.... When the one you love's in love with someone else, Don't you know it's torture, I mean it's a living hell. Yea, you've heard those lyrics before, haven't you? Classic Rod Stewart.
And another one of his most well-known tunes is next, You're in My Heart. It's such a simple song, but it sticks with you. I've caught myself singing it many times over the years. I do try to refrain from that, though, when I have to walk through the holding cells at the back of the Courthouse. I don't need to elaborate, do I?
After that is First Cut is The Deepest written by the talented Cat Stevens himself. This song sounds rather haunting to me. Rod puts a lot of emotion into this one. And then there's I Don't Want to Talk About It, and it is the one song on this CD that I could listen to over and over. The lyrics will make you think... If I stand all alone, will the shadow hide the color of my heart, blue for the tears, black for the night's fears. .
Next up is another Rod Stewart classic, and the shortest song on this CD at about 3 and 1/2 minutes, Tonight's the Night. It isn't a fast song, but there's something about the drum beat that makes you want to keep up with the rhythm. Great for a sensual slow dance.
Sometimes When We Touch, by Dan Hill has a rather unique affect on me. The original version and this version, by Rod Stewart are both really good. But the one version that I enjoyed the most was sung, believe it or not, on a soap opera. Oh, wait....make that a "Prime Time Drama", Knots Landing. It was sung by Lisa Hartman Black (yep, she married that cute little C&W singer, Clint Black). Both together and apart, this couple has made some beautiful music, literally and figuratively. Either way(s), I really like this song.
And then there's another Rod Stewart trademark, Downtown Train. For me, this is the epitome of a great Rod Stewart song. The lyrics, the instruments all just blend together perfectly. Broken Arrow to me sounds just like that, broken. It's like it never really connects. It's probably the only song on this CD that I can say I just don't like. I'm usually hitting the skip button when this one comes up.
Well, we're getting close to the end here, with only 2 more songs. One of the biggest disappointments to me was the fact that Forever Young on this CD is not the original version. The version here is alright, but it just isn't what I expected. And it was, however, this song that prompted me to buy this CD, so you can see why I felt a bit cheated. This version doesn't have the background vocals, and that is one of the things that made this song so great in it's original form. Maybe if I had done a little research first, it wouldn't have been such a surprise.
And finishing out If We Fall In Love Tonight is from the soundtrack of the 1993 film, "The Three Musketeers", All For Love. This was a combined effort of Rod Stewart, Bryan Adams and Sting. It's very theatrical and not what I personally would have included on a group of Ballads. Ok, let's put it this way....I really can't see myself slow dancing to this one, or cuddling up to the sounds of it. It's from a soundtrack, ok? It will bring up visuals from the film, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it is a great listen. Out of the 15 songs on this CD, this one would be in the bottom 2 for me personally. To be honest, before this one even has a chance to begin, I'm putting another CD into the ol player.
So there you have it. And now the question is whether or not I recommend If We Fall In Love Tonight. Despite the last 3 songs, I think it's obvious at this point that I'd have to say a definite "Yes". Even with the inclusion of those last 3 songs....which aren't that bad, just not up to par with the rest of the collection, it's worth picking up. That is, if you want some great romantic sounds to woo your Honey with. Now, if you're wanting to bounce your head around, go a little nutso and dance to a frenzy, then you're just barkin' up the wrong tree. But if "Love is in the Air", then go and pick up a little Chianti, get out those candles and throw on If We Fall In Love Tonight. And wipe that big smile off your face before you go in to work tomorrow!
The track listing:
If We Fall in Love Tonight
For the First Time
When I Need You
So Far Away
Have I Told You Lately
My Heart Can't Tell You No
You're in My Heart
First Cut Is the Deepest
I Don't Want to Talk About It
Tonight's the Night
Sometimes When We Touch
Downtown Train
Broken Arrow
Forever Young
All for Love
Review ID: 10000000000250280
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