Unplugged�and Seated is a refreshing release from Rod Stewart and may possibly be his best since the 1970's. It's a no frills affair showcasing Rod's absolute voice, something that occasionally is lost amidst chaotic productions and songs that aren't up to the talent of his voice. Unplugged shows were all the rage from 1990-1995 and Stewart's is as refreshing as any of them. For possibly the only time since he left the Faces, he let the music do the talking. What better way to revisit the past than to invite his old Faces band mate Ron Wood? Wood sits in and adds to the air of revitalization as Stewart and his accomplished band whisk through the past with ease and vibration proving even the naysayers that Stewart still had much vitality left inside of him.

One of the reasons everyone will pay attention to a new Rod Stewart release is because of his voice. It's an instrument that he wields with great prowess and showcases his ability to become many different characters. How else can you explain the generation coming before Stewart heralding him for his Great American Songbook records? The rock n' roll era views these as a sell-out (mostly because of his association with Clive Davis) but in reality, if you're going to do a series of covers, is there better material to draw from? However, by looking back to his own past, Stewart created his most essential album of his latter part career with Unplugged�and Seated. The album's two most well known tracks, a Van Morrison cover of "Have I Told You Lately" and "Reason To Believe" may have been overplayed by FM programmers in 1994, alas, taken within the context of this performance, both are revelatory. In the reissue is a DVD of the performance allowing us to witness the tear Stewart shed during "Have I Told You Lately". In a world where publicists carefully create an image to appeal youthful and cool, it was refreshing to not just see Stewart allow himself to be vulnerable, but to let his tender voice crack with sentiment. This is what makes this record so damn special. Instead of playing it safe, Stewart went back to the beginning and found his authentic voice. This isn't a pop star looking for fame and glory, but a young turk exposing his soul.

"Hot Legs" and "Tonight's The Night" sound enchanted in a reserved atmosphere while "Gasoline Alley" (one of the reissues bonus tracks) is cocked full of high octane riffs taking you back to Stewart's youth. There are only two tracks that don't quite work; "Forever Young" (a bonus track) and "Having A Party". Try as they might, "Forever Young" never lifts off here and despite my reverence for the song, it makes me wonder if it is really that good of a song or if it was the syrupy arrangement I feel for. "Party" has a rather limp arrangement and delivery that teeters on karaoke. However, the rest of the tracks are fully formed and realized with impassioned vocals by Stewart and some great back up support by Ronnie Wood. At this time in his membership with the Rolling Stones, Wood was definitely second fiddle to Keith Richards and this was my first peak at his showmanship and how important he is to his musical brother Stewart. Their lack of musical projects over the last three decades is one of the music world's great losses. Both are at their best when with each other. If you doubt me on this, one listen to "Every Picture Tells a Story" or "Stay With Me" will have you thinking otherwise.

If you do not have Unplugged�and Seated in your collection already, this is essential for any Rod Stewart and Ron Wood fan. It includes some excellent liner notes by Bud Scoppa in the new version. If you previously own it, the DVD is a nice addition and the inclusion of "Gasoline Alley" almost warrants you opening your wallet a second time just to hear Wood and Stewart share the same stage and microphone for one of a handful of times in the last thirty-three years.