Album Release Review: Never a Dull Moment (released 21 July 1972)

A document of its time, full of soul, charm and unpretentious authenticity
More than five decades have passed since Rod Stewart released Never a Dull Moment in the summer of 1972 – an album that, in retrospect, is more than just a follow-up to the outstanding Every Picture Tells a Story. It is a work that shines today as it did then with its unpretentious honesty, musical diversity and Stewart's unique voice. From the perspective of 2025, this album seems almost like a counterpoint to today's slickly produced pop world: raw, charming and deeply human.
‘You Wear It Well’ remains the undisputed classic of the album to this day. The song tells of lost love in a melancholic tone, but without sentimentality – with that mixture of irony and vulnerability that made Rod Stewart so distinctive at the time. The track remains a perennial favourite in streaming playlists for ‘Classic Rock Ballads’ or ‘Vintage Storytellers’.
But the album is not just one hit. ‘True Blue’ opens with casual rock “n” roll energy, and you can really feel the proximity to the Faces era – Stewart's band at the time, whose influence on his solo sound is often underestimated. The song has an immediacy that is rarely heard in 2025.
What makes the album particularly appealing today is its stylistic breadth – Stewart moves effortlessly between folk, blues, rock and soul. His version of ‘I'd Rather Go Blind’, for example, remains one of the most moving interpretations of this soul classic – stripped down, raw, heartbreaking. At a time when artificial emotions often seem staged, Stewart's voice sounds so authentic here that you almost forget it's a cover.
‘Angel’ – a soulful tribute to Jimi Hendrix – has also gained depth over the decades. Where other cover versions age, this one gains more dignity with each passing year.
From today's perspective, Never a Dull Moment is not an album of grand poses, but one of subtle nuances. It is the work of a musician who did not have to bend himself out of shape to be moving. Stewart does not write for effect – he tells stories. And that is what makes him relevant to this day.
Conclusion:
53 years after its release, Never a Dull Moment feels like a musical relic from a time when it was still about storytelling, feeling and playing – not calculating. It is an album that has not lost its lustre over time, but has gained depth. Anyone who wants to understand Rod Stewart – not the late entertainer in a glittery suit, but the real musician with a raw soul – will find one of his most honest moments here. Let's get to the point: NADM – a classic that no well-stocked rock or singer/songwriter collection should be without.

Chart positions:
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) 3
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM) 1
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts) 8
German Albums (Official Top 100) 37
Italian Albums (Musica e Dischi) 22
Japanese Albums (Oricon) 56
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) 2
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista) 8
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) 4
UK Albums (OCC) 1
US Billboard 200 2

Personnel
Rod Stewart – vocals, acoustic guitar
Ronnie Wood – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, slide guitar, pedal steel guitar, bass guitar
Ronnie Lane – bass guitar on ‘True Blue’ and “Angel”
Micky Waller – drums on all songs except ‘True Blue’
Kenney Jones – drums on ‘True Blue’
Ian McLagan – Hammond organ, piano
Neemoi ‘Speedy’ Aquaye – congas
Pete Sears – piano on ‘Italian Girls’ ‘What Made Milwaukee Famous’ (single), bass guitar on ‘I'd Rather Go Blind’.
Brian – piano
Spike Heatley – upright bass
Dick Powell – violin
Martin Quittenton – acoustic guitar
Gordon Huntley – steel guitar
Ray Jackson – mandolin
Arrangements on ‘Twistin' the Night Away’ by Jimmy Horowitz