It appears as though Rod Stewart‘s trek through the Great American Songbook has come to an end. After spending much of the past decade giving watered-down versions of classics by the likes of the Gershwins, Rodgers & Hart and Irving Berlin, Stewart is returning to rock n’ roll.

Speaking with John Soeder of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Scottish rock legend said, “When I signed with Universal, the head of Universal [Lucian Grainge] said to me, ‘All I want you to do is make an updated ‘Gasoline Alley.” So that’s what I started doing. ”

Released in 1970, ‘Gasoline Alley’ was Stewart’s second solo album, and was where his blend of rock, soul and folk began to gel, and would hit its peak a year later with ‘Every Picture Tells a Story.’ ‘Gasoline Alley’s’ highlights include a cover of Elton John‘s ‘Country Comforts,’ ‘Lady Day’ and the gorgeous title track, a wistful longing to return to one’s roots, which he co-wrote with Ron Wood.

So far, Stewart says he expects to release the album in 2013. The songs deal with “what I call grown-up problems. There are songs with advice to my kids, and I’ve written a song about divorce. I haven’t written anything like ‘Hot Legs’ or ‘Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?’”

Christmas will also be a busy time for Stewart. He is putting out his first Christmas album, which will be produced by David Foster, and his autobiography will be arriving in stores at the same time.

Watch Rod Stewart and Ron Wood Perform ‘Gasoline Alley’

 

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