2006年VOA标准英语-Rod Stewart Sings Rock Classics

（单词翻译）

By Doug Levine
Washington
12 November 2006

After releasing four consecutive¹ tribute albums to the Great American Songbook, Rod Stewart returns to familiar territory with his latest effort, "Still The Same … Great Rock Classics Of Our Time." Stewart hasn't lost his knack² for making what's old new again.

Rod Stewart knows the value of a great rock and roll song all too well. His musical beginnings coincided with rock's formative years in the early-1960s, and for years after, he honed his singing skills with one British band after another, hoping to land that one big hit. Finally, in 1971, patience and persistence³ were rewarded, and Stewart had his first Number One single, "Maggie May."

Now, more than 35 years later, Rod Stewart is singing a different tune⁴, actually 13 different tunes⁵ by some of rock's most respected artists of the past four decades.

Rod Stewart is a master of interpretation⁶. Whether he's singing a Cole Porter standard, or a Cat Stevens ballad⁷ from his new album of rock classics, Stewart always gets to the heart of a song.

Even at age 61, Stewart recaptures his spirited rock and roll days with an update of "Love Hurts." From Still The Same … Great Rock Classics Of Our Time, Rod Stewart softens⁸ Nazareth's rock ballad "Love Hurts."

The album's recent chart-topping debut⁹ made it the fourth Number One album of Stewart's career. A major publicity¹⁰ campaign, including appearances on more than a dozen American television shows, helped boost its sales. The night before its highly anticipated release, Stewart previewed the disc to a sell-out crowd in New York City. That concert was simulcast to movie theatres and radio stations across the country.

Stewart doesn't stray far from the originals, and fans should have no trouble recognizing songs by Van Morrison, Bob Seger, Elvin Bishop¹¹, Badfinger, The Eagles, and John Fogerty, who penned the Creedence Clearwater revival¹² hit, "Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"