Album Release Review: 50 Years of Atlantic Crossing

Off to new shores and across the pond to number one in the charts – that's how you could sum up Rod Stewart's sixth studio album in a sentence.
Stewart released this album exactly 50 years ago to the day. AC was divided into one side with fast songs and one side with slow songs. Rumour has it that this structure of the album came about as a result of a suggestion by Rod's then partner Britt Ekland. Shortly before the album's release, Stewart had moved to the United States and was breaking new ground for that reason alone. This was also noticeable in the personnel who worked with Rod in the studio during the recordings. For the first time, these recordings were made without Rod's Faces mates Ronnie Wood and Ian McLagan and his regular musicians. Instead, he hired a group of US studio musicians, including The Memphis Horns and Booker T. and the MG's.
Atlantic Crossing features two of Stewart's most popular songs ever: ‘Sailing’ and ‘I Don't Want To Talk About It’. Probably because of these songs, but not only because of them, Atlantic Crossing became one of Stewart's most successful albums of his career.
The album shot to number one in Australia, Norway and the United Kingdom, number nine in the United States and number 11 in Germany.
Rod received a total of four gold and five platinum awards for his work.
In 2009, an extended version was released on a double CD, which included the bonus song ‘Skye Boat Song’ and numerous alternate versions of the original tracks.
Atlantic Crossing still plays a major role in Stewart's life today. With ‘Sailing,’ ‘I Don't Want To Talk About It’ and ‘This Old Heart Of Mine’ (in the faster 1989 version), three tracks from the album are still among fans' concert favourites.
Speaking of fans, they still love AC today. ‘This album takes me back to a wonderful time every time,’ wrote Melinda from the USA. And Claude from France adds: ‘Atlantic Crossing takes me back to my youth, and it's still a pleasure to listen to this album today.’
Track list:
1. Three Time Loser
2. Alright For an Hour
3. All In The Name Of Rock'n'Roll
4. Drift Away
5. Stone Cold Sober
6. I Don't Want To Talk About It
7. It's Not The Spotlight
8. This Old Heart Of Mine
9. Still Love You
10. Sailing