Rod Stewart’s Spectacular “One Last Time” Show at Merriweather Post Pavilion
It was pouring down rain as we pulled into the eight-level parking lot across from the venerable Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD, to see octogenarian Sir Rod Stewart on his current “One Last Time” tour. This was my second time seeing Mr. Stewart, the concerts separated by approximately 4 decades, and this man, who has been performing for over 65 years, put on a show from which bands one quarter his age could learn about showmanship.
The show opened with “Infatuation,” with Stewart onstage in a leopard print sportcoat, ruffled shirt opened halfway down his torso and black pants with thin pinstripes. His excellent backup band consists of guitarists Donald Kirkpatrick and Kevin Emerson Swinford, bassist Curtis Schneider, drummer David Palmer, and saxophonist James Roberts as well as 20-year band member J’anna Jacoby on violin, mandolin, guitar, and vocals. Additional band members included Andrea Young on mandolin/fiddle, Kevin Savigar on keys, Julia Thornton on percussion and providing the incredible backing vocals were Holly Brewer, Joann Harper, and Rebecca Kotte. He then sequed into “Tonight I’m Yours (Don’t Hurt Me)”, after which the photographers, who were shooting from the soundboard approximately 200’ from the stage, were escorted to the office to deposit our gear, missing his cover of Bonnie Tyler’s “It’s a Heartache” and part of “It takes Two.”
What many folks don’t realise about Stewart is that he was never completely comfortable as a songwriter, and his concerts are comprised of about 75% cover songs. Growing up, his two loves were music and football (the soccer kind). When the realisation set in that he wasn’t going to go pro on the pitch, the music path truly beckoned, and he followed. Wise choice, as it was unlikely he’d be a touring footballer at age 80!
The violin players took the lead during “First Cut Is the Deepest,” led by longtime band member Jacoby. Also joining the instrumentation was a harp, not exactly a common choice for a rock band, but Stewart is anything but conventional. The multimedia display throughout the night was a perfect complement to what was happening on stage, demonstrated with a starry flaming background that morphed into candles during “Tonight’s the Night.” James Roberts’ expressive tenor sax was a joyful added touch to this and other tunes throughout the show.
A surprise Irish jig was inserted in the middle of “Forever Young” to the delight of the crowd, bringing a touch of Riverdance fever to the proceedings, along with prominent lead fiddle and marching-band style drum. Then Stewart brought us waaaay back to his days with Faces and “Oh La La,” one of my favourites from long ago. After that, a slight change of clothing, and Rod comes back in all black for “Young Turks” and of course, crowd favourite “Maggie May,” which began as an audience sing-along. Up front were the bass player and electric guitar, and some kind of electric xylosynth was brought out while the ladies were backstage changing into fringe-style flapper dresses.
Then Stewart slips off stage for another change and the ladies kill it with a dynamite “Lady Marmalade,” barely preparing us for Stewart’s return in a hot fuchsia satin top and pants for a couple of tunes off of the true classic “Every Picture Tells a Story,” – “Mandolin Wind” and “Reason to Believe.”
Coming down the home stretch began with a lovely cover of Van Morrison’s “Have I Told You Lately,” Donna Summer’s “Hot Stuff” and classic “Love Train” by The O’Jays. Things took a sombre turn as Sir Stewart called for a victory for Ukraine in its battle with Russia, during “Rhythm of My Heart.”
The final two left the audience exhausted, beginning with a rousing “Do You Think I’m Sexy?,” and then his classic “Hot Legs.” After a brief stage exit, Stewart and the band came back for an encore with “Some Guys Have All the Luck.” Being able to do what he loves after more than six decades on the road confirms that Sir Roderick David Stewart is one of those lucky guys. If you get the chance, go see this brilliant show. You’ll feel lucky afterwards too.
Photos (c) David Fang
