STREAM: Rod Stewart - "Too Much Noise" (Early Version of 'Stone Cold Sober')

Rod Stewart's sixth solo disc, Atlantic Crossing, was originally released in 1975. This was his first post-Faces release and his first release not to include any of The Faces.

While Atlantic Crossing is similar in concept to A Night on the Town, as it is divided into a 'slow side' and 'fast side', the songs on Atlantic Crossing are a bit slower, more soulful and producer Tom Dowd adds a high-gloss sheen to the disc.

Like A Night on the Town (reviewed previously), Rhino Entertainment has given this disc deluxe treatment and released it as a double-disc by adding a second disc with an unreleased alternate version of the full Atlantic Crossing album along with three studio outtakes and a non-LP single.

Taking a look at the bonus tracks, Disc One ends with "Skye Boat Song", which was released as a single in the UK on Stewart's then-manger's Riva label. This is a traditional Scottish song that Stewart performs with The Atlantic Crossing Drum & Pipe Band.

Disc 2 starts with three fully produced outtakes that were recorded in Los Angeles with The MG's (Booker T's backing band). These songs are an interesting mix of covers which include The Bee Gee's "To Love Somebody" and the Elvis popularized hit "Return To Sender". From here, the disc goes into the alternate Atlantic Crossing. The alternate version is less produced and there are minimal backing tracks which allows the songs to clearly feature Stewart's raspy, bluesy voice. The songs sound more relaxed and these alternate versions are more than just demos but rather alternate interpretations of the songs. The disc closes with an alternate version of "Skye Boat Song" and there is a hidden track at the end of the disc with the original radio promo for Atlantic Crossing.

This is a good year for Rod Stewart fans as these two reissues will be followed by the release of The Rod Stewart Sessions in mid-September. This forthcoming release is a 63-track box set that features rare and unreleased material, including a collaboration with Pink Floyd's David Gilmour.

Links:
Rod Stewart's Website