Vagabond Heart

Summary

Vagabond Heart is the sixteenth studio album by British recording artist Rod Stewart, released on 25 March 1991 by Warner Bros. Records.[16] The album reached No. 10 in the US, and reached No. 2 in the UK. The album features five singles, among them a cover of Robbie Robertson's song "Broken Arrow" (No. 20 in the US) and Van Morrison's song "Have I Told You Lately", which would become a hit two years later (in a live version), and is Stewart's most recent top five solo hit in the US and the UK. The two biggest hits from the album were "Rhythm of My Heart" (No. 3 in the UK/No. 5 in the US) and "The Motown Song" (No. 10 in the UK and US). The latter song features Steve Lukather, David Paich, Steve Porcaro and Jeff Porcaro (nearly the entirety of Toto).

Vagabond Heart
Studio album by
Released25 March 1991
Studio
Genre
Length58:26
LabelWarner Bros.
Producer
Rod Stewart chronology
Downtown Train – Selections from the Storyteller Anthology
(1990)
Vagabond Heart
(1991)
Lead Vocalist
(1993)
Singles from Vagabond Heart
  1. "It Takes Two"
    Released: 12 November 1990[1]
  2. "Rhythm of My Heart"
    Released: 4 March 1991[2]
  3. "The Motown Song"
    Released: 3 June 1991[3]
  4. "Broken Arrow"
    Released: 26 August 1991[4]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[5]
Chicago Tribune[6]
Robert Christgau(dud)[7]
Entertainment WeeklyB−[8][9]
Houston Chronicle[10]
Los Angeles Times[11]
NME5/10[12]
The New York Times(unfavourable)[13]
Orlando Sentinel[14]
Rolling Stone[15]

The "Vagabond Heart Tour" was made available on video in 1992, shot during a concert in Los Angeles on Valentine's Day.[17]

Critical reception edit

Overall, the album received positive reviews. According to Rolling Stone, "Vagabond Heart finds Stewart rising to new challenges as both a songwriter and a singer. The strength of the songs and the depth of Stewart's conviction make this his most compelling work since the early 1970s."[18]

AllMusic felt the album was "stronger, more diverse album than its predecessor, Out of Order, featuring a more consistent set of songs."[19][20]

Track listing edit

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Rhythm of My Heart"Marc Jordan, John CapekTrevor Horn4:15
2."Rebel Heart"Rod Stewart, Jeff Golub, Chuck Kentis, Carmine RojasRod Stewart, Bernard Edwards4:10
3."Broken Arrow"Robbie RobertsonPatrick Leonard, Lenny Waronker[a]4:26
4."It Takes Two" (duet with Tina Turner)William "Mickey" Stevenson, Sylvia MoyStewart, Edwards4:14
5."When a Man's in Love"Stewart, Golub, Kentis, RojasStewart, Edwards5:34
6."You Are Everything"Thom Bell, Linda CreedStewart, Edwards4:09
7."The Motown Song"Larry John McNallyRichard Perry4:00
8."Go Out Dancing"Stewart, Golub, KentisStewart, Edwards4:20
9."No Holding Back"Stewart, Jim Cregan, Kevin SavigarStewart, Edwards5:47
10."Have I Told You Lately"Van MorrisonStewart, Edwards4:01
11."Moment of Glory"Stewart, Golub, Kentis, RojasStewart, Edwards4:47
12."Downtown Train"Tom WaitsTrevor Horn4:41
13."If Only"Stewart, Cregan, SavigarStewart, Edwards4:56

Notes

  • ^a signifies a co-producer
  • "Downtown Train" and "If Only" are omitted on cassette copies, as well as some CD versions.

Personnel edit

  • Rod Stewart – vocals
  • Richard Cottle – keyboards (1)
  • Kevin Savigar – keyboards (1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 13), string arrangements and conductor (1)
  • Mick MacNeilaccordion (1)
  • Gary Maughn – Fairlight programming (1)
  • Chuck Kentis – keyboards (2, 4-6, 8-11), drum programming (5, 9)
  • Patrick Leonard – keyboards (3)
  • David Paich – acoustic piano (7), electric piano (7), basic track arrangements (7)
  • Steve Porcaro – synthesizers (7)
  • Steve Lindsey – synthesizers (7), synth horns (7), horn arrangements (7)
  • Robin Le Mesurier – guitars (1)
  • Steve Lukather – guitars (1, 7)
  • Jeff Golub – guitars (2, 4-6, 8-11), acoustic guitar (13), electric guitar (13)
  • Dann Huff – guitars (2), guitar solo (2)
  • Tim Pierce – guitars (3)
  • Paul Jackson Jr. – guitars (7)
  • Waddy Wachtel – guitars (8), guitar solo (8)
  • Jim Cregan – guitars (9)
  • Neil Stubenhaus – bass guitar (1)
  • Carmine Rojas – bass guitar (2, 5, 9, 11)
  • Jimmy Johnson – bass guitar (3)
  • Bernard Edwards – bass guitar (4-6, 8, 10)
  • Khris Kellow – synth bass (7)
  • John Robinson – drums (1)
  • Rave Calmer – drums (2, 4, 8, 10, 11, 13)
  • Jim Keltner – drums (3)
  • Tony Brock – drums (6)
  • Jeff Porcaro – drums (7)
  • Luis Conte – percussion (3)
  • Chris Trujillo – percussion (7)
  • Paulinho da Costa – percussion (10, 13)
  • Kevin Weed – bagpipes (1)
  • Jimmy Roberts – saxophones (2, 8), sax solo (4, 11)
  • Nick Lane – trombone (2)
  • Rick Braun – trumpet (2)
  • Richard Greene – violin (6)
  • Bruce Miller – string arrangements and conductor (5, 10)
  • Nick Strimple – choir director (1)
  • Joe Turano – choir director (1), backing vocals (1)
  • John Batdorf – backing vocals (1)
  • Lionel Conway – backing vocals (1)
  • Jerry Cook – backing vocals (1)
  • Randy Crenshaw – backing vocals (1)
  • Gary Falcone – backing vocals (1)
  • Roger Freeland – backing vocals (1)
  • Robert Jason – backing vocals (1)
  • Arnold Stiefel – backing vocals (1)
  • Roy Galloway – backing vocals (2)
  • Luther Waters – backing vocals (2)
  • Twinkle Schascle – backing vocals (3)
  • Tina Turner – vocals (4)
  • The Waters – backing vocals (6, 8, 9, 11)
  • The Temptations – backing vocals (7)
  • Angela Winbush – backing vocals (11), additional vocals (11)

Production edit

  • Malcolm Cullimore – production coordinator (1-6, 8-13)
  • Julie Larson – production coordinator (7)
  • Nancy Poertner – project manager
  • Jeri Heiden – art direction
  • Eric Handel – design
  • Ann Field – illustration
  • Randee St. Nicholas – photography

Technical

  • Stephen Marcussen – mastering at Precision Mastering (Hollywood, CA)
  • Steve MacMillan – engineer (1, 2, 4-11, 13), mixing (1, 2, 4-11, 13)
  • Trevor Horn – mixing (1)
  • Bernard Edwards – mixing (2, 4-6, 8-11, 13)
  • Jerry Jordan – engineer (3), mixing (3)
  • Bryant Arnett – assistant engineer (2, 4-6, 8-11, 13)
  • John Karpowich – assistant engineer (2, 4-11, 13)
  • Gil Morales – assistant engineer (2, 4-6, 8-11, 13)
  • Marc Moreau – assistant engineer (3)
  • Leon Granados – assistant engineer (7)
  • Scott Ralston – assistant engineer (7)
  • Eric Rudd – assistant engineer (7)
  • Eric Anest – additional engineer (7)
  • Dee Ross – additional engineer (7)

Publishing edit

  • "Rhythm of My Heart" copyright WB Music Corp./Jamm Music/Bibo Music Publishers. "Rebel Heart", "When a Man's in Love" and "Moment of Glory" published by Rod Stewart (Intersong Music Admin.)/Cat in the Hat Music/Kentis Music/Malango Bro. "Broken Arrow" published by Medicine Hat Music. "It Takes Two" published by Stone Agate Music Division. "You Are Everything" published by Assorted Music/Bellboy Music/The Mighty Three Group. "The Motown Song" published by Geffen Music/McNally Music Publishing/MCA Music Publishing. "Go Out Dancing" published by Rod Stewart (Intersong Music Admin.)/Cat in the Hat Music/Kentis Music. "No Holding Back" and "If Only" published by Rod Stewart (Intersong Music Admin.)/Almo Music Corp/Kevin Savigar Music/BMG Inc. "Have I Told You Lately" published by PolyGram International Publishing, Inc.

Charts edit

Certifications edit

Certifications for Vagabond Heart
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[42] 4× Platinum 280,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[43] Gold 25,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[44] 3× Platinum 300,000^
France (SNEP)[45] Gold 100,000*
Germany (BVMI)[46] Platinum 500,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[47] Platinum 15,000^
Sweden (GLF)[48] Platinum 100,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[49] Platinum 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[50] Platinum 300,000^
United States (RIAA)[51] Platinum 1,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References edit

  1. ^ "New Singles". Music Week. 10 November 1990. p. 45.
  2. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 2 March 1991. p. vi.
  3. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 1 June 1991. p. 21.
  4. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 24 August 1991. p. 19.
  5. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. Vagabond Heart – Rod Stewart at AllMusic. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  6. ^ Kampert, Patrick (11 April 1991). "Home Entertainment: Recordings". Chicago Tribune. p. 7.
  7. ^ Christgau, Robert. "CG: Rod Stewart". RobertChristgau.com. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  8. ^ Marsh, Dave (5 April 1991). "Vagabond Heart Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  9. ^ "Rod Stewart – Vagabond Heart CD Album". CD Universe. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  10. ^ Racine, Martin (28 April 1991). "Rod Stewart grows up". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  11. ^ Willman, Chris (7 April 1991). "Stewart's 'Heart' Beats Without Conviction : ** ROD STEWART : "Vagabond Heart" : Warner Bros". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  12. ^ Dalton, Stephen (13 April 1991). "Long Play". New Musical Express. p. 33.
  13. ^ Browne, David (16 June 1991). "RECORD BRIEFS". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  14. ^ Gettelman, Parry (12 April 1991). "Rod Stewart". Orlando Sentinel.
  15. ^ McLeese, Don (16 May 1991). "Vagabond Heart". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  16. ^ "BPI".
  17. ^ "Showtimes, reviews, trailers, news and more - MSN Movies". MSN.
  18. ^ McLeese, Don (16 May 1991). "Vagabond Heart". Rolling Stone.
  19. ^ "Vagabond Heart - Rod Stewart - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
  20. ^ Noble, Barnes &. "Vagabond Heart". Barnes & Noble.
  21. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Rod Stewart – Vagabond Heart". Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  22. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Rod Stewart – Vagabond Heart" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  23. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 1545". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  24. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Rod Stewart – Vagabond Heart" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  25. ^ "InfoDisc : Tous les Albums classés par Artiste > Choisir Un Artiste Dans la Liste" (in French). infodisc.fr. Archived from the original on 6 May 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
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  27. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 1991. 28. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
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  29. ^ "Charts.nz – Rod Stewart – Vagabond Heart". Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  30. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Rod Stewart – Vagabond Heart". Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
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  33. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
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  35. ^ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 50 Albums 1991". aria.com.au. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  36. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Jahreshitparade 1991" (ASP) (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
  37. ^ "RPM 100 Albums (CDs & Cassettes) of 1991". RPM. 21 December 1991. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
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  40. ^ "Complete UK Year-End Album Charts". Archived from the original on 19 May 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  41. ^ "Billboard.BIZ – Year-end Charts – Billboard 200 – 1991". billboard.biz. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
  42. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1992 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
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  44. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Rod Stewart – Vagabond Heart". Music Canada.
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  48. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011.
  49. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Vagabond Heart')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
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  51. ^ "American album certifications – Rod Stewart – Vagabond Heart". Recording Industry Association of America.