Smiler

1974 studio album by Rod Stewart

Smiler is the fifth solo album by English rock singer-songwriter Rod Stewart. It was released September 27, 1974[2] by Mercury Records. It reached number 1 in the UK album chart, and number 13 in the US. The album included 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 also covered Carole King`s "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" where `Woman` is switched to `Man`. The release of the album was held up for five months due to legal problems between Mercury Records and Warner Bros. Records.[1]

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).

Reception

Track listing

1. "Sweet Little Rock `n` Roller" (Chuck Berry) – 3:43
2. "Lochinvar" (Pete Sears) – 0:25
3. "Farewell" (Rod Stewart, Martin Quittenton) – 4:34
4. "Sailor" – (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" – (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[7]
• Ronnie Wood – acoustic & electric guitar, bass guitar
• Martin Quittenton – acoustic guitar
• Spike Heatley, Willie Weeks – bass guitar
• Elton John – piano and vocals on "Let Me Be Your Car"
• Pete Sears – piano, harpsichord, celeste
• Ian McLagan – Hammond organ
• Ray Jackson – mandolin
• Ric Grech, Dick Powell – violin
• The Memphis Horns – horns
• Paul McCartney – backing vocals on "Mine for Me"
• Irene Chanter – backing vocals
• Doreen Chanter – backing vocals
• Ray Cooper – percussion
• Tropic Isles Steel Band – drums
• Micky Waller, Andy Newmark, Kenney Jones – drums
• Chris Barber`s Jazz Band
• Mike Bobak – engineering
• Bob Ludwig – mastering