It really has surprised me when MTV really exceeded their expectations with the feel of their classic series MTV Unplugged. Yet, it is just a absolute shame that they haven't really been able to revamp that well recieved series that came out during the 80's and 90's. There are so many well accepted acts that have absolutely made great stripped doen performances including Nirvana, Elton John, L.L. Cool J, and the legendary Rod Stewart. During the early 90's Rod was on a double revived trail with his album Vagabond Heart, and his lovelife with his then wife Rachel Hunter. His appearance on MTV Unplugged really was the talk of the town.

Rod Stewart's 1993 album Unplugged... and Seated is a very intimate live performance that really lets Rod's voice really excel and the songs as well. Most of the album reflects on Rod performing classic when he performed in the 70's. The songs here are very intimate here, and the feeling of the record also speaks very well, as one of Rod's best live performances. The highlights that are featured on this record include classic performances of standards like Maggie May, Reason To Believe, which became a hit nearly 20 years after Rod launched it to #1, a very wonderfully tearjerking version of Have I Told You Lately, Having A Party & one of Rod's boldest songs not featured on any of his studio albums, People Get Ready.

Out of all of the live records that Rod Stewart has recorded, none of has been able to capture what Unplugged... and Seated has. For anybody who hasn't heard this record, it is well worth the listen. It is also a shame Rod hasn't released a live record since. This is a must have for any Rod Stewart fan.

Album Cover: B

Songs: B+

Mastering: B

Price: A-

Overall: B+

This excellent album has all the grit and feeling of Rod Stewart's delightful early-70s LPs.
Accompanied by a great combo which includes former bandmate Ronnie Wood, he returns to the acoustic rock n' roll and folk that marked his greatest recordings, and even if "Unplugged" can't quite match "Gasoline Alley" or the sublime "Every Picture Tells A Story", it's really amazing how close it comes at times.

Rod Stewart sounds fine, if a little bit ragged at first, and the set opens with a wonderfully tough acoustic rendition of the sleazy rocker "Hot Legs", and the unplugged versions of the Faces' only hit, "Stay With Me", and Sam Cooke's "Having A Party" are equally superb.
"The First Cut Is The Deepest" is a bit too saccharine for my taste, and a clumsy rendition of "People Get Ready" never gets off the ground. But everything else is good, and most of it is great, like the swinging blues "Highgate Shuffle", the country-rock of "Cut Across Shorty", the melancholy "Handbands And Gladrags", and the 70s classic "Maggie May".

Great sound, great songs, great arrangements and a whole lot of feeling and character.
4 1/2 stars - highly recommended.

Superstar Rod Stewart made this Unplugged for MTV back in Feb. of 1993 in Los Angeles. He reunites with old partner Ron Wood from the Stones; they played together with the Faces way back in the 60's. The reunion magic and sincerity show. Rod doesn't mind poking fun at his age and how long he has been performing.

The MTV unplugged and seated was a splendid performance with an array of very talented musicians. The best thing that happened was the release as a CD, because the video was a classic, it was one of Rod's best performances.

Here, are a great mixture of older classics including the best song on the CD, this version of "Maggie May." Also done wonderful are "First Cut is the Deepest" and Sam Cooke's "Having A Party", an uptempo energetic, fun timepiece.

There is lively conversation in between the songs. Slow and fast songs fill this CD. However, there aren't any lyrics or booklet.

Stewart's raspy voice remains true, never slipping and sharply unique; he looked very primed at this historic event. If you haven't educated yourself to this master of show, do so now! ...........MzRizz

Sometimes performers get so caught up in the studio that they forget their business is to entertain. Rod Stewart apparently remembers how to entertain well as is proven by this excellent CD recorded back in 1993. Rod Stewart clearly enjoys himself and the crowd enjoys Rod as he rocks his way through a string of classic songs.

The range of songs is quite good. There is the classic "Hot Legs," with Rod Stewart growling his way in a gritty fashion that rarely comes across in the studio. There is an excellent rendition of "Tonight's the Night" that feels more honest and sensual than the studio recording. "Handbags and Gladrags" shows a poignant side of Rod Stewart.

For a change of pace Stewart rocks his way through "Cut Across Shorty," an upbeat song that gets everyone moving. After this song everyone is pumped and Stewart keeps up the pace with another rocker, "Every Picture Tells a Story." The studio version of "Maggie May" is as good as any studio version is, but the live version here is far superior. For some reason Rod Stewart comes across better in this live regarding. If you have ever been a fan of this song you should buy this CD for this song.

Remaining consistent with the quality of the other songs is "Reason to Believe." This version is again, in my opinion, better than the studio version. I think Rod Stewart's voice matches this venue better than a studio. Or perhaps Rod Stewart's voice has reached the point where he sounds great.

"People Get Ready" has wonderful strings backing Rod Stewart's vocals. Rod Stewart does justice to Curtis Mayfield's song. I usually object to the backing vocals in live performances, but the backing vocals on this song are performed well. The pace remains steady in the love song "Have I Told You Lately," yet another winner on this CD. "Tom Traubert's Blues (Waltzing Matilda)" is gloriously poignant and can easily affect your mood, and is yet another in a series of mellow songs. The pace remains slow with the tear-jerker "The First Cut Is the Deepest."

The pace picks up slightly with "Mandolin Wind," particularly as this song gets into the fourth minute, when the speed picks up substantially and Stewart manages a few yells reminiscent of the 1960s. "Highgate Shuffle" is a blues song that Stewart and the band have a lot of fun with, as evidenced by the casual style of the song. I suspect that had they been allowed to go on the song could have been much longer.

The CD finishes with "Stay with Me" and "Having a Party." The former song has dynamic vocals and a fast pace. The last song is a fun song and though Stewart sounds a little tired at the end, it seems to me that he is enjoying himself.

As I have expressed in a number of previous reviews, I am usually not a fan of live albums. However, with improved technology, the right venue and the right artist, the results can be surprising. I consider myself a casual fan of Rod Stewart, but this CD is worthy of having in any pop-rock fan's collection. Rod Stewart sounds very good throughout this CD, and I consider many of these performances to exceed his studio recordings. Stewart is enthusiastic and animated, and the quality of his voice is perfect for the songs and the environment. Fans of live pop albums will want this CD. Fans of Rod Stewart will absolutely require this album.

When I was in first grade in 1993, my bus driver would always play 95.9 R96, and everyday after school and then a few days apart they played this version of "Having A Party" and I bought this CD 8 years later and still loved that song, and my friends listened to it and all remembered it as a favorite to all of us. Then a few years later I learned to like Rod Stewart even more and the entire CD is very good.