Rod Stewart (February 1976) The Vintage Years 1969–1970 – Record Mirror & Disc Album Review

Publication: Record Mirror & Disc

Date: February 1976

Writer: Not credited (album review)

A one‑page Record Mirror & Disc review assessing Rod Stewart’s early Mercury recordings, repackaged as The Vintage Years 1969–1970. The compilation draws from Stewart’s first two solo albums — An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down and Gasoline Alley — and the reviewer presents it as a welcome step back into his raw, soulful, and deeply emotive early work. Before the polished superstardom of Every Picture Tells a Story and beyond, these Mercury-era recordings showcase Stewart’s distinctive rasp, folk-blues roots, and unvarnished expressiveness, offering a strong contrast to his later, more commercial sound.