Smiler is by far the weakest album that Rod Stewart released on the Mercury label. It has some excellent performances, but it is spotty in most spots. The album starts off with a ripping song, "Sweet Little Rock 'N' Roller" but then falls off until his medley cover of Sam Cooke's "Bring It on Home To Me/You Send Me". Mr. Stewart is a major devotee of Mr. Cooke's and he always steps up his level of performance on covers of his songs. "let Me Be Your Car" is an enjoyable number, but he makes a rare, but major, misstep on "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Man". By singing it from a man's point of view, it strips the song of its essence. The rest of the album is up and down. Smiler could have been alot better, but it is not a wasted effort.

So many bad reviews have been written about this album, that I had to buy it and find out the truth. I must say that most of the reviews are wrong. This is a very solid early 1970's rock cd. If you like the Faces and the Mercury era Rod albums, you'll have to have this to complete the collection. It isn't as great as Gasoline Alley, but pretty close. This is a fun, loud, last fling record for the Stewart/Wood/ partnership. That is why it is valuable. Rod never sounded this way after leaving Ron Wood and the rest of the Faces....Kenny Jones and Ian McClagen. Great version of Sweet little rock and roller.

A nice remaster of a very good album. Notable that it contains the only collaboration between Rod and Paul McCartney to date on the final, McCartney-penned track, "Mine for Me." McCartney also sings beautiful background vocals on this fine tune. The rocking "Let Me Be Your Car" was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The only downfall is that the CD has no bonus tracks - rare for a classic reissue.

Are you kidding? The cover of Dylan's "Girl from the North Country" is worth $6.98!

This is the way Rod should sound! It kicks of with a blistering Sweet little rock'n roller. Farewell a classic song but a small hit when this album first was realeased in 1974. Every nano second on this CD is worth the price. It Rocks and it swings and the ballads are filled with soul. Ron Wood on bass and guitar, original songs by Paul McCartney (Mine for me) and Elton John who also guests on his effort- A thundering Let me be your car. this album should please anyone whose into Rod-Faces-Stones-Elton.........GREAT
BUY BUY BUY