Rod Stewart, Blood Red Roses (Republic) ****

RATHER modestly, Rod Stewart claimed he wasn’t really bothered about record sales anymore, being solely in the business of making albums for himself and a few friends. Well, a few of those friends have propelled Rod’s 30thstudio album to number one. What's more, his show at York Racecourse on June 1 looks as if it will be the hottest date in our city next summer. Blood Red Roses is Rod’s third post-autobiography album, following 2013's Time and 2015's Another Country. The memoir really marked a watershed in his musical career. After a string of superlative American Songbook, rock and soul cover albums, writing his own story triggered a neglected muse. Glorious story songs such as Didn’t I, Look In Her Eyes and Julia, written with producer Kevin Savigar, are intelligent, age-appropriate songs worthy to sit beside Stewart’s classics. Rod also delivers sincere covers of Paddy McAloon’s Who Designed Ihe Snowflake, Muddy Waters' Rollin’ And Tumblin’ and the exquisite Grace by Frank and Sean O’Meara.

Ian Sime