Unplugged...and Seated
Encyclopedia
Unplugged...and Seated is a live album
released by Rod Stewart
on May 24, 1993 (see 1993 in music
). It is Stewart’s second live album and his first (and only) appearance on MTV Unplugged
. The album was released by Warner Bros. Records
(WEA 9362-45289-1/2). The unplugged
versions of “Have I Told You Lately
” by Van Morrison
, “Reason to Believe”, “Having a Party”, and “People Get Ready” were released as singles. "Have I Told You Lately" and "Having a Party" reached success as singles. A special collector's edition was released in March 2009 on Rhino Records. This two-disc package included the DVD of the MTV performance with 13 songs while the CD contained 17 tracks including two songs (Gasoline Alley and Forever Young) not on the original 1993 release.
, Los Angeles, CA as part of MTV’s unplugged series. The event aired on television May 5 of the same year. Unplugged finds Rod reunited, for the first time in nearly twenty years, with Ron Wood
, a fellow Faces
band member. Rod performs some of the classics from his repertoire such as, "Tonight's the Night
" and "Maggie May
", but also adds some new material such as "Having a Party" and "Highgate Shuffle". The album title comes from a small joke Rod made during the taping. Six songs that were taped were not included on the subsequent album release.
in the UK. On November 13, 1995 it was certified triple platinum in the US.
Live album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
released by Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart
Roderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE is a British singer-songwriter and musician, born and raised in North London, England and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry....
on May 24, 1993 (see 1993 in music
1993 in music
This is a summary of significant events in music in 1993.-January–February:*January 8 – The U.S. Postal Service issues an Elvis Presley stamp. The design was voted on in February 1992....
). It is Stewart’s second live album and his first (and only) appearance on MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged is a TV series showcasing many popular musical artists usually playing acoustic instruments. The show has received the George Foster Peabody Award and 3 Primetime Emmy nominations among many accolades.-Unplugged:...
. The album was released by Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
(WEA 9362-45289-1/2). The unplugged
Unplugged
In music, unplugged usually refers to acoustic music. It may also refer to:*MTV Unplugged, a TV series showcasing popular musical artists playing acoustic instruments*Unplugged , a 2002 demo album by the Ukrainian band 5'nizza...
versions of “Have I Told You Lately
Have I Told You Lately
"Have I Told You Lately" is a hit song written by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison and recorded for his 1989 album Avalon Sunset. It is a romantic ballad often played at weddings although it was originally written also as a prayer....
” by Van Morrison
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
, “Reason to Believe”, “Having a Party”, and “People Get Ready” were released as singles. "Have I Told You Lately" and "Having a Party" reached success as singles. A special collector's edition was released in March 2009 on Rhino Records. This two-disc package included the DVD of the MTV performance with 13 songs while the CD contained 17 tracks including two songs (Gasoline Alley and Forever Young) not on the original 1993 release.
Album information
The album was recorded on February 5, 1993 at Universal StudiosUniversal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
, Los Angeles, CA as part of MTV’s unplugged series. The event aired on television May 5 of the same year. Unplugged finds Rod reunited, for the first time in nearly twenty years, with Ron Wood
Ron Wood
Ronald David "Ronnie" Wood is an English rock guitarist and bassist best known as a former member of The Jeff Beck Group, Faces, and current member of The Rolling Stones. He also plays lap and pedal steel guitar....
, a fellow Faces
Faces (band)
Faces are an English rock band formed in 1969 by members of the Small Faces after Steve Marriott left that group to form Humble Pie...
band member. Rod performs some of the classics from his repertoire such as, "Tonight's the Night
Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)
"Tonight's the Night " is a song by Rod Stewart, recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama for his 1976 album A Night on the Town. The song became his second US chart topper, peaked at #5 in UK, #3 in Australia and charted well in other parts of the world as well...
" and "Maggie May
Maggie May
"Maggie May" is a song written by singer Rod Stewart and Martin Quittenton and recorded by Stewart in 1971 for his album Every Picture Tells a Story....
", but also adds some new material such as "Having a Party" and "Highgate Shuffle". The album title comes from a small joke Rod made during the taping. Six songs that were taped were not included on the subsequent album release.
Charts
The album did very well in both the US and UK. It reached #2 in both markets and by 1994 was platinumMusic recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
in the UK. On November 13, 1995 it was certified triple platinum in the US.
| Year | Song | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | “Reason to Believe Reason to Believe "Reason to Believe" is a song written and first recorded by American folk singer Tim Hardin in 1965, which has since been recorded by a number of other artists, the most known of which is by Rod Stewart in 1971 and 1993... ” |
51(UK) 19(US) 79(GER) |
| 1993 | “People Get Ready People Get Ready (song) "People Get Ready" was a 1965 single by The Impressions, and the title track from the album of the same name. The single is today the group's best-known hit, reaching number-three on the Billboard R&B Chart and number 14 on the Billboard Pop Chart... ” |
45 (UK) |
| 1993 | “Having a Party” | 23 (US) |
| 1993 | “Have I Told You Lately Have I Told You Lately "Have I Told You Lately" is a hit song written by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison and recorded for his 1989 album Avalon Sunset. It is a romantic ballad often played at weddings although it was originally written also as a prayer.... ” |
5(UK) 5(US) 59(GER) |
CD release
- “Hot LegsHot Legs"Hot Legs" is a single by Rod Stewart. It was written by Gary Grainger and Rod Stewart. Stewart included the song on his 1977 album Foot Loose & Fancy Free. The 1978 single performed moderately well on the US Hot 100 , and very well on the UK pop chart . In the UK, "Hot Legs" and "I Was Only...
” (Rod Stewart, Gary Grainger) – 4:25- (studio version previously released on Foot Loose & Fancy FreeFoot Loose & Fancy FreeFoot Loose & Fancy Free is Rod Stewart's eighth album, released in November 1977 on Riva Records in the UK and Warner Bros in the US.The album has sold more 7 million in worldwide-Track listing:# "Hot Legs" – 5:14...
)
- (studio version previously released on Foot Loose & Fancy Free
- “Tonight's the NightTonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)"Tonight's the Night " is a song by Rod Stewart, recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama for his 1976 album A Night on the Town. The song became his second US chart topper, peaked at #5 in UK, #3 in Australia and charted well in other parts of the world as well...
” (Stewart) – 4:04- (studio version previously released on A Night on the Town)
- “Handbags and GladragsHandbags and Gladrags"Handbags and Gladrags" is the name of a song written in 1967 by Mike d'Abo, who was then the lead singer of Manfred Mann. D'Abo describes the song as "saying to a teenage girl that the way to happiness is not through being trendy. There are deeper values."The original demo tape of the original...
” (Mike d'AboMike d'AboMichael David "Mike" d'Abo is an English singer and songwriter, best known as the former lead vocalist of Manfred Mann.-Biography:...
) – 4:25- (studio version previously released on An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You DownAn Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You DownAn Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down was the debut album by Rod Stewart, released on February 1970 on Vertigo Records...
)
- (studio version previously released on An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down
- “Cut across ShortyCut Across Shorty"Cut Across Shorty" is a song written by Marijohn Wilkin and Wayne P. Walker, made popular by Eddie Cochran. It was the B-side of his number 1 UK hit Three Steps To Heaven.-Personnel:* Eddie Cochran: vocal and rhythm guitar* Sonny Curtis: guitar...
” (Wayne Walker, Marijohn WilkinMarijohn WilkinMarijohn Wilkin , née Melson, was an American songwriter, famous in the country music genre for writing a number of hits. Wilkin won numerous awards over the years and was referred to as "The Den Mother of Music Row," as chronicled in her 1978 biography from Word Books--Lord, Let Me Leave a Song...
) – 4:58- (studio version previously released on Gasoline AlleyGasoline Alley (album)Gasoline Alley was the second solo album by Rod Stewart. It was released in 1970. It is included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die...
)
- (studio version previously released on Gasoline Alley
- “Every Picture Tells A StoryEvery Picture Tells a Story (song)"Every Picture Tells a Story" is a song written by Rod Stewart and Ron Wood and initially released as the title track of Stewart's 1971 album Every Picture Tells a Story. It has since been released on numerous Stewart compilation and live albums, including The Best of Rod Stewart, Storyteller –...
” (Stewart, Ron Wood) – 4:45- (studio version previously released on Every Picture Tells a StoryEvery Picture Tells a StoryEvery Picture Tells a Story is the third album by Rod Stewart, released in the middle of 1971. It went to number one on both the UK and U.S. charts and finished third in the Pazz & Jop critics' poll for best album of 1971...
)
- (studio version previously released on Every Picture Tells a Story
- “Maggie MayMaggie May"Maggie May" is a song written by singer Rod Stewart and Martin Quittenton and recorded by Stewart in 1971 for his album Every Picture Tells a Story....
” (Stewart, Martin Quittenton) – 5:45- (studio version previously released on Every Picture Tells a Story)
- “Reason to BelieveReason to Believe"Reason to Believe" is a song written and first recorded by American folk singer Tim Hardin in 1965, which has since been recorded by a number of other artists, the most known of which is by Rod Stewart in 1971 and 1993...
” (Tim HardinTim HardinJames Timothy "Tim" Hardin was an American folk musician and composer. He wrote the Top 40 hits "If I Were a Carpenter", covered by, among others, Joan Baez, Bobby Darin, Johnny Cash, Ramblin' Jack Elliot, and Robert Plant, and "Reason to Believe", covered by many, including Rod Stewart, as well...
) – 4:07- (studio version previously released on Every Picture Tells a Story)
- “People Get Ready” (Curtis MayfieldCurtis MayfieldCurtis Lee Mayfield was an American soul, R&B, and funk singer, songwriter, and record producer.He is best known for his anthemic music with The Impressions during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's and for composing the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Super Fly, Mayfield is highly...
) – 4:59- (studio version previously released as a single with Jeff BeckJeff BeckGeoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
)
- (studio version previously released as a single with Jeff Beck
- “Have I Told You LatelyHave I Told You Lately"Have I Told You Lately" is a hit song written by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison and recorded for his 1989 album Avalon Sunset. It is a romantic ballad often played at weddings although it was originally written also as a prayer....
” (Van MorrisonVan MorrisonVan Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
) – 4:08- (studio version previously released on Vagabond HeartVagabond HeartVagabond Heart is the 16th studio album by the singer-songwriter Rod Stewart, released in 1991. The album reached #10 in the US, and reached #2 in the UK...
)
- (studio version previously released on Vagabond Heart
- “Tom Traubert's Blues (Waltzing Matilda)” (Tom WaitsTom WaitsThomas Alan "Tom" Waits is an American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. Waits has a distinctive voice, described by critic Daniel Durchholz as sounding "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car."...
) – 4:40- (studio version previously released on Lead VocalistLead Vocalist (album)Lead Vocalist is a compilation album released by Rod Stewart on February 22, 1993 . It was released by Warner Bros. Records in the UK and Germany , but was never released in the US...
)
- (studio version previously released on Lead Vocalist
- “The First Cut Is the DeepestThe First Cut Is the Deepest"The First Cut Is the Deepest" is a 1967 song written by Cat Stevens, originally released by P. P. Arnold in the spring of 1967. Stevens' own version of the song is technically a cover, and originally appeared on his album New Masters in December 1967....
” (Cat StevensCat StevensYusuf Islam , commonly known by his former stage name Cat Stevens, is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, educator, philanthropist, and prominent convert to Islam....
) – 4:12- (studio version previously released on A Night on the Town)
- “Mandolin WindMandolin Wind"Mandolin Wind" is a song written by Rod Stewart. It was first released on Stewart's 1971 album Every Picture Tells a Story and later as the b-side of a single from that album, his cover of " I'm Losing You." In 1972, it was covered by The Everly Brothers on their album Stories We Could Tell, and...
” (Stewart) – 5:23- (studio version previously released on Every Picture Tells a Story)
- “Highgate Shuffle” (arrangement by Stewart) – 3:54
- (previously unreleased)
- “Stay with MeStay with Me (Faces song)"Stay with Me", written by Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood, was first recorded by their band Faces for the 1971 album A Nod Is as Good as a Wink...To a Blind Horse. The song has also appeared on various Faces compilations and on albums by both songwriters. The lyrics describe a woman named Rita with...
” (Stewart, Wood) – 5:27- (studio version previously released on A Nod Is as Good as a Wink...To a Blind HorseA Nod Is as Good as a Wink...To a Blind HorseA Nod Is as Good as a Wink... to a Blind Horse was the third album by British rock group Faces, and their second album of 1971. It was their most successful album, peaking at #6 in the US, and reaching #2 in the UK...
by Faces)
- (studio version previously released on A Nod Is as Good as a Wink...To a Blind Horse
- “Having A Party” (Sam CookeSam CookeSamuel Cook, , better known under the stage name Sam Cooke, was an American gospel, R&B, soul, and pop singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is considered to be one of the pioneers and founders of soul music. He is commonly known as the King of Soul for his distinctive vocal abilities and...
) – 4:44- (previously unreleased)
- “Gasoline Alley” (Stewart, Wood)
- (bonus track on the ”Unplugged…and Seated Collector’s Edition”)
- (studio version previously released on Gasoline Alley)
- “Forever YoungForever Young (Rod Stewart song)"Forever Young" is the second single released by Rod Stewart from his Out of Order album in 1988. The song was a Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #12.The song is a re-write of a Bob Dylan song of the same title...
” (Stewart, Jim CreganJim CreganJim Cregan, born James Cregan, 9 March 1946, Yeovil, Somerset, England is an English rock guitarist and bassist who best known for his associations with Family, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel and Rod Stewart. Cregan is a former husband of the singer Linda Lewis and worked with her as a record producer...
, Kevin Savigar)- (bonus track on the ”Unplugged…and Seated Collector’s Edition”)
- (studio version previously released on Out of OrderOut of Order (Rod Stewart album)Out of Order is the 15th album by Rod Stewart, released in 1988. It features the hit singles "Lost In You", "Forever Young", "My Heart Can't Tell You No" and "Crazy About Her"...
)
Live Performance
- “Hot Legs”
- “Tonight's the Night”
- “It's All Over NowIt's All Over Now"It's All Over Now" was written by Bobby Womack and Shirley Womack. It was first released by The Valentinos featuring Bobby Womack. The Valentinos version entered the Billboard Hot 100 on June 27, 1964, where it stayed on the chart for two weeks, peaking at No. 94...
” (Bobby WomackBobby WomackRobert Dwayne "Bobby" Womack is an American singer-songwriter and musician. An active recording artist since the early 1960s where he started his career as the lead singer of his family musical group The Valentinos and as Sam Cooke's backing guitarist, Womack's career has spanned more than 40...
, Shirley Womack)- (studio version previously released on Gasoline Alley)
- “Reason to Believe”
- “Cut Across Shorty”
- “Highgate Shuffle”
- “Every Picture Tells a Story”
- “Maggie May”
- “People Get Ready”
- “Handbags And Gladrags”
- “The Killing of GeorgieThe Killing of Georgie (Part I and II)"The Killing of Georgie " is the name of a song written and recorded by Rod Stewart. It was released as a track on his album, A Night on the Town, in 1976. The song tells the story of a man who was killed in New York City. Part II is an homage to Stewart's idol, Belfast-born football player George...
” (Stewart)- (studio version previously released on A Night on the Town)
- “Have I Told You LatelyHave I Told You Lately"Have I Told You Lately" is a hit song written by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison and recorded for his 1989 album Avalon Sunset. It is a romantic ballad often played at weddings although it was originally written also as a prayer....
” (Van MorrisonVan MorrisonVan Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
) - “Tom Traubert's Blues (Waltzing Matilda)”
- “Forever Young” (Stewart, Jim CreganJim CreganJim Cregan, born James Cregan, 9 March 1946, Yeovil, Somerset, England is an English rock guitarist and bassist who best known for his associations with Family, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel and Rod Stewart. Cregan is a former husband of the singer Linda Lewis and worked with her as a record producer...
, Kevin Savigar)- (studio version previously released on Out of OrderOut of Order (Rod Stewart album)Out of Order is the 15th album by Rod Stewart, released in 1988. It features the hit singles "Lost In You", "Forever Young", "My Heart Can't Tell You No" and "Crazy About Her"...
)
- (studio version previously released on Out of Order
- “Gasoline Alley” (Stewart, Wood)
- (studio version previously released on Gasoline Alley)
- “First Cut Is the Deepest”
- “I Was Only JokingI Was Only Joking"I Was Only Joking" is the name of a song written by Gary Grainger and Rod Stewart. Stewart released it as a track on his 1977 album, Foot Loose & Fancy Free. When released as a single, the song performed well, becoming a top forty hit in various countries, including #5 in the UK and #22 in the US...
” (Stewart, Grainger)- (studio version previously released on Foot Loose & Fancy Free)
- “Mandolin Wind”
- “Stay with Me”
- “Sweet Little Rock 'n' Roller” (Chuck BerryChuck BerryCharles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene" , "Roll Over Beethoven" , "Rock and Roll Music" and "Johnny B...
)- (studio version previously released on SmilerSmiler (album)Smiler is Rod Stewart's fifth album, and final album for Mercury Records, released in 1974 . It became the first album by Rod Stewart as a solo artist to become critically panned. Although it reached number 1 in the UK album chart, it stalled at number 13 in the US...
)
- (studio version previously released on Smiler
- “Having a Party”
Personnel
- Rod Stewart – lead vocals, banjoBanjoIn the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
- Ron WoodRon WoodRonald David "Ronnie" Wood is an English rock guitarist and bassist best known as a former member of The Jeff Beck Group, Faces, and current member of The Rolling Stones. He also plays lap and pedal steel guitar....
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Jeff GolubJeff GolubJeff Golub is an American jazz guitarist.- Biography :Jeff Golub is a contemporary jazz guitarist with 11 solo albums and 3 CD's as the leader of the instrumental band "Avenue Blue"...
– guitar - Jim CreganJim CreganJim Cregan, born James Cregan, 9 March 1946, Yeovil, Somerset, England is an English rock guitarist and bassist who best known for his associations with Family, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel and Rod Stewart. Cregan is a former husband of the singer Linda Lewis and worked with her as a record producer...
– guitar - Don Teschner – guitar, mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
, violinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello.... - Carmine Rojas – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Charles Kentiss III – pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, organOrgan (music)The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with... - Kevin Savigar – piano, organ, accordionAccordionThe accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
- Phil Parlapiano – accordion, mandolin
- Dorian Holley, Darryl Phinnessee, Fred White – backing vocals
- Strings arranged and conducted by Jeremy Lubbock
- Additional members of the band: Marilyn Baker, Haim Shtrum, Mari Tsumura, Jay Rosen, Kwihee Shamban, Miran Kojian, Brian Leonard, Jean Hugo, Joel Derouin, Bruce Dukov, Joseph Meyer, Ronald Clark, Joan Elardo, David Shostac, Norman Ludwin, Drew Dembowski, David Shamban, Suzie Katayama, James Ross, Larry Corbett.
Production
- Michael Ostin – executive producer
- Joel Stillerman – executive producer
- Patrick LeonardPatrick LeonardPatrick Raymond Leonard is an American songwriter, keyboardist and music producer, known for his longtime collaboration with Madonna on many different recordings....
– producer - Alex ColettiAlex ColettiAlex Coletti was an executive producer and director for MTV Networks and is now an independent producer. A Brooklyn native and graduate of Brooklyn College, he produced MTV's Unplugged series, five-time producer of the VMAs and served as segment producer for the Super Bowl XXXV halftime show...
– producer - Audrey Johns – producer
- Milt Lage – director
- Jerry Jordan – engineer
- Charlie Bouis – assistant engineer
- David Gallo – assistant engineer
- Marc Moreau – assistant engineer
- Doug Sax – mastering
- Neal Preston – photography
- Greg Ross – design
External links
- http://www.rodstewartfanclub.com/about_rod/disco/album_detail.php?album_id=19