At 79 years old, Rod Stewart is reinventing himself and branching out into new musical genres.
The rock legend recently teamed up with Jools Holland and the bandleader’s Rhythm & Blues Orchestra to create a new swing album titled ‘Swing Fever’, which shot up the Official UK Albums Chart. It is on track to take the number one spot.
Swing Fever is Stewart’s first No. 1 album in five years, following 2019’s You Are In My Heart, and Holland’s first No. 1 album. In an interview with The Associated Press, Stewart recalled sharing the vision he had for the album with Holland at the beginning of their collaboration.
“We’re not going to do slow songs,” Stewart said. “I want everything to be bright and happy [claps his hands]Just what we need in these dire times we live in. ”
Rod Stewart is branching out into new musical genres. (Roberto Licciuti/Redfern)
Swing Fever is a 13-track collection of covers of swing jazz classics from the big band era, including “Pennies From Heaven,” “Almost Like Being in Love,” “Lullaby of Broadway,” and “Aint’ Misbehavin.” It’s an album. ” and “Sentimental Journey.”
Paying homage to the Great American Songbook, the influential canon of American jazz standards, pop songs, and show tunes from the early to mid-20th century, was no unfamiliar territory for Stewart.
In 2003, Stewart released It Had to Be You: The Great American Songbook, the first in a five-part series covering American pop and jazz standards.
But Stewart wanted to tap into the energy of swing-era dancehall for his latest work.
“They make you tap your foot, they make you smile, we both [Holland] I grew up with this music. I created ‘The Great American Songbook,’ so this was a natural progression for me,” Stewart told The Associated Press.
Stewart and bandleader Jools Holland recently released a new swing album. (Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images))
Prior to collaborating with Holland, Stewart had begun recording a swing album in Los Angeles, but was not satisfied with the early results, noting that the music was “stale”.
“I had already started making a swing album, but it didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to. It was more Frank Sinatra than Louis Prima, I mean…” he told Radio Times magazine via GBN. told.
He continued: “There was nothing wrong with Frank. He’s the greatest. But the arrangements were very thorough.”
“I could see it while I was there. [in the studio] People reading sheet music. And that’s not what I wanted,” Stewart added.
“Reading sheet music is fine. But to be honest, it was corny, and it was white. So I said to myself: Well, who do I turn to?”
“And then along came Captain Jools Holland, the Right British Empire. And Jules takes it over from there…”
The rock legend also said he has a country album in the works. (Don Arnold/Wire Image)
An original member of British rock band Squeeze, Holland, 66, is also a pianist, composer and vocalist who has worked with Beatles legends Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Bono, Sting, Eric Clapton and many others. Collaborating with artists.
During an interview with The Associated Press, Stewart was enthusiastic about working with Holland for the first time.
“I love the whole process of doing a live show,” Stewart said. “I love recording. We had a lot of fun making this album together. It was a lot of fun.”
He continued: “We didn’t have any arguments or fights or anything like that. It was just pure fun and I think you can hear that when you listen to it. It was all recorded live in Jules’ studio, and it was so big. There were 18 people crammed in there, so all the solos were performed live. ”
The Grammy winner said it was also a perk that he didn’t have to write the song for “Swing Fever.”
“I always find songwriting a bit of a pain, really,” he admitted.
“It’s like going back to school. In fact, when I was in the Faces, they used to lock me in a hotel room with a bottle of wine and say, ‘Don’t come out until it’s over.'” Notoriety It was expensive so I wanted to go out and enjoy it by myself.
“I didn’t want to sit in a room and write lyrics, and it always felt like pulling teeth. The joy of this album, obviously, is that I didn’t write the songs. I had no ambition to sing them. So I chose the right person.”
Stewart and Holland’s album is on track to top the UK charts. (Noam Garay/Getty Images)
Ahead of last Friday’s release of Swing Fevers, Stewart and Holland embarked on a whirlwind tour in support of the album.
There were some headline-grabbing moments during the tour. Stewart took off his shirt to reveal a tattoo he got in honor of his favorite football club, Celtic FC.
During an appearance on Australian talk show The Project, Stewart mentioned the ‘Glasgow Celtic’ tattoo he got on his shoulder while in Melbourne.
“You can show it if you want, but you have to take your clothes off,” he told host Sarah Harris.
“Keep going, keep going! I say yes to that,” Harris replied.
Like what you’re reading? Click here for more entertainment news
Stewart then took off his long-sleeved shirt to reveal the tattoo on his shoulder. “Can you see me?” he asked with a smile.
“That’s great! That’s great,” Harris said with a laugh. “I had Rod Stewart take off his shirt.”
“Don’t tell anyone in the audience,” Stewart quipped.
If ‘Swing Fever’ reaches number one in the UK charts, it will be another milestone for Stewart. The singer becomes the 10th on the list of artists with the most career number one albums in the UK, and her fifth solo artist.
In addition to trying his hand at swing, Stewart confirmed that he’s also working on a country album.
“I’m going to do it. I’ve actually started doing it. I’ve started making country albums, and I’ve started making solo albums again, and yeah, that’s in the works,” he told The Associated Press. Ta.
“The record company wants me to do that,” he added. “They won’t force me to do it. The time will come.”
The British native also shared his thoughts on what drew him to the country music genre.
“I’ll say it again: That’s what I grew up with,” he said. “It’s more folk music than country music. Woody Guthrie, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Bob Dylan.”
He continued, “Of course I loved all of those things, that’s all. So I wanted to sing, so I learned how to play the guitar.”
Click here to sign up for our entertainment newsletter
According to the Wall Street Journal, Stewart earlier this month sold music mogul Irving Azoff’s Iconic Artists Group for 100 million yen, including publishing rights, recorded music, and certain name and likeness rights. It is reported that he sold it for close to $1,000, and that Stewart has shifted his focus to music activities.
“This year marks my 60th anniversary in the music industry, so the time has come,” said Stewart. I feel lucky,” Stewart said. Sold via press release.
“We are thrilled to welcome Rod Stewart, one of the most celebrated singer-songwriters of our time, to the Iconic family,” said Iconic Azoff Chairman and CEO.
He added: “Our new partnership with HPS gives us the resources and flexibility to create blockbuster deals like this and continue the success of legendary artists and their legacies. ” he continued.
Stewart denied any future retirement plans. (Samir Hussain/Getty Images)
Two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Stewart has ruled out any plans to retire anytime soon as he approaches his 80th birthday.
“Not really,” he told The Associated Press about possible retirement plans. “I don’t think it’s for me to judge, but I imagine that maybe it’s a sign that people stop buying concert tickets or people stop buying records. I see. not.”
“The word retirement is not in my vocabulary because I’m having fun right now,” Stewart added.
During an interview with CBS, Stewart was even more emphatic when asked if he was slowing down.
“No, I don’t relax!” he replied.
Asked if he thought he was actually “speeding up,” Stewart said: “No, we’re not speeding up. That means over 60 concerts this year. It’s not pipe-and-slipper club time yet, darling.” You know? “
The interviewer said, “Everyone seems to have reached a point where they’ve had enough, they’ve had enough fun.”
“No, not at all,” Stewart replied. “It’s a drug. It’s addictive in a way to get up and sing in front of 5, 10, 20,000 people every night and send them all home happy and smiling. It’s amazing. What a job! I won’t do that.” I don’t want to give up! ”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
