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Rod rocks and struts with soul,
Winwood kicks out the jams

Rod Stewart / Steve Winwood
United Center
Chicago, IL
October 24, 2013

Rod Stewart

Steve Winwood

Rod Stewart

Story and photos by Andy Argyrakis

Even though Rod Stewart's no stranger to touring, this fall's outing marks his first since 1991 supporting an album of self-penned material. After immersing himself with standards, rock covers, soul tributes and even Christmas confections, the 68-year-old entertainer is back to his singer/songwriter self on "Time" (Capitol), which coupled with his back catalogue from leading the Faces to individual fame, once again filled up the bulk of Chicago's United Center.

With loads of lights, a bright white stage and an even shinier silver suit, Stewart and his massive musical entourage tore through The Isley Brothers' soulful "This Old Heart of Mine," seduced during "Tonight's The Night" and swiveled to "Some Guys Have All The Luck." The bagpipe-laced ballad "Rhythm Of My Heart" took on additional depth as a dedication to America's troops, while "Forever Young" was recast as a touching duet with his daughter Ruby, complete with a drum line breakdown that allowed the headliner to change clothes before the final chorus kicked in.

When he wasn't giving Cher a run for her wardrobe money, Stewart was belting out classics like "The First Cut Is The Deepest," "Have I Told You Lately" and "Reason To Believe," all in the "UnpluggedÉAnd Seated" style similar to his career-reviving appearance on the MTV series of the same name. Vocally Stewart seemed to get in the groove as the evening wore on, evolving from a thick rasp to a more controlled confidence, especially as he strolled through sturdy new tunes like the acoustic "Brighton Beach" and the rousing rocker "Can't Stop Me Now."

The crooner dug even deeper on a burning cover of Chuck Berry's "Sweet Little Rock And Roller," which had no trouble fitting alongside his own pub sing-a-long "You're in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)" or the bawdy soccer ball kicker "Hot Legs." He should've called it a night after "Maggie May," a triumphant finale that could never be topped, but the disco decadence of "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" reared its gimmicky head for a requisite encore. At least a New Year's Eve-styled balloon drop helped soften the silliness and showed Stewart still has no trouble "Having A Party" whether he's singing songs from today or way back in the day.

Opener Steve Winwood could've easily doubled an hour long set between his time in the Spencer Davis Group, Traffic and Blind Faith, let alone an immensely fruitful solo career. Nonetheless, those who were punctual still caught a sampler from each of those eras, including Blind Faith's bluesy "Can't Find My Way Home," Traffic's blustery jam "The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys" and his own rhythmically rearranged "Higher Love." A finale of the Spencer Davis Group's "Gimme Some Lovin'" capped off his short but stellar set, which only enhanced this compatible double header of rock n' soul.