After winning the coveted best concert of 2011 award right here at rock nyc back, I’ll go going back tomorrow for another look at the great somewhat aging man and in anticipation, took a look at his set list for a TD Bank gig back on December 3rd. It looks OK, a lot of covers even by Stewart standards, and only two songs from the newbie and one from the Faces. All three are killer songs. Indeed, the setlist is pretty good though at this point he should kill the opening act and do 150 with an intermission if he has to. In Boston, his kid Ruby Stewart joined him, let’s hope she shows on Monday as well.
1. This Old Heart Of Mine – I have no idea why he would open with this downbeat ballad. A beauty, yes, a soul classic, absolutely, by why the hell is it here??? – A-
2. Having A Party – One of two Sam Cooke classics, and this was the opener of course. A perfect rave up – A+
3. You Wear It Well – The greatest song he ever wrote – A+
4. Stay With Me – The Faces masterpiece and a sign post to a sexual freedom AIDS derailed – A
5. Tonight’s The Night (Gonna Be Alright) – This is where I began to have real problems with Stewart, disco ballad doesn’t work – C+
6. Some Guy’s Have All The Luck – He sings this very well, the song opens with the chorus with good reason, it is a pleasure to hear him trip through it – B
7. Rhythm Of My Heart – Stewart can’t make a bad song good but he can make an ok song good, he does that here – B+
8. Just One More Day – Otis Redding cover, he sang it with his daughter in Boston – A
9. Forever Young – Unbearable Dylan – C
10. The First Cut Is The Deepest – Cat Stevens in full ballad mode, but Cat never sang it this way – A
11. Brighton Beach – The best song he has written in over thirty years and a sweet remembrance of the scruffy beat up working class tenage trobadour – A
12. Have I Told You Lately – The Van Morrison cover of your dreams – A
13. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Meh, neither Judy nor Conor’s losing sleep – C
14. Can’t Stop Me Now – Awesome rocker off the newbie – A-
15. Sweet Little Rock And Roller – 19 years old???? Ah yes, statutory rape caused the change!!! – B+
16. I’d Rather Go Blind – Etta James? You have to be crazy or crazily brilliant to pull it off, Rod was the latter – A
17. Proud Mary – Please, no mas – B
18. You’re In My Heart (The Final Acclaim) – How bad is this? You did read the song title didn’t you – C-
19. Hot Legs – This disco song isn’t as rancid as it was in 1978 when it felt like a sick joke in a 45s wonderland of high octane punk – B
20. Maggie May – Sorry but no – B+
21. Do Ya Think I’m Sexy – Also 1978, but this sounds as rancid – D+