Mandolin Wind
Encyclopedia
"Mandolin Wind" is a song written by Rod Stewart
. It was first released on Stewart's 1971 album Every Picture Tells a Story
and later as the b-side of a single from that album, his cover of "(I Know) I'm Losing You
." In 1972, it was covered by The Everly Brothers
on their album Stories We Could Tell
, and in 1977 it was covered by Earl Scruggs
on his album Strike Anywhere. The song has also appeared on numerous Rod Stewart compilation and live albums, including Sing It Again Rod
, Storyteller – The Complete Anthology: 1964–1990 and Unplugged...and Seated
. It has also appeared on Everly Brothers and Earl Scruggs compilation albums.
"Mandolin Wind" has been heavily praised by music critics. In his review of Every Picture Tells a Story in Rolling Stone Magazine, John Mendelsohn refers to the song as being "nearly as good" as the #1 single off the album, "Maggie May
." Rock: The Rough Guide went further, calling the song the highlight of the album. Stewart Mason of Allmusic called the song "every bit...equal" to "Maggie May," and Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine
called the song "unbearably poignant." In its review of Every Picture Tells a Story, Billboard Magazine called "Mandolin Wind" an "excellent Stewart composition," and in its review of Stories We Could Tell the magazine noted that the song offered "great single potential." Rod Stewart biographers Tim Ewbank & Stafford Hildred refer to the song as "a stunning ballad
."
The song combines elements of rock music
and folk music
. The lyrics tell of the singer's love for his woman after she stayed with him through a particularly brutal winter on the American frontier. The song uses mostly acoustic instruments, with a particularly prominent mandolin
part. Stewart has stated that he "always thought the mandolin was such as romantic-sounding instrument." Although the tempo
remains slow to medium throughout, Stewart Mason describes the song as "a masterpiece of dynamics." The song rocks harder during the fadeout
than during the rest of the song. Mason finds the song's "simple, sweet declaration of love and fidelity" more believable than Stewart's later love songs.
Stewart has stated that his "goal in life is to play 'Mandolin Wind' and make it sound like the record." Jayhawks
guitarist Gary Louris
quoted from "Mandolin Wind" in the song "Waiting for the Sun" on their Hollywood Town Hall
album.
The identity of the mandolin player on "Mandolin Wind" is unclear. The liner notes however claim that "the mandolin was played by the mandolin player in Lindisfarne
" but that Rod Stewart had forgotten his name. In 2003, Ray Jackson claimed to be the mandolin player on the album, at least for the song "Maggie May." Ray Jackson is the talented mandolin player from English folk-rock band Lindisfarne .Mason attributes the mandolin playing to Martin Quittenton
. The liner notes to Every Picture Tells a Story list Quittenton only as the acoustic guitar
player.
Rod Stewart
Roderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE is a British singer-songwriter and musician, born and raised in North London, England and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry....
. It was first released on Stewart's 1971 album Every Picture Tells a Story
Every Picture Tells a Story
Every Picture Tells a Story is the third album by Rod Stewart, released in the middle of 1971. It went to number one on both the UK and U.S. charts and finished third in the Pazz & Jop critics' poll for best album of 1971...
and later as the b-side of a single from that album, his cover of "(I Know) I'm Losing You
(I Know) I'm Losing You
" I'm Losing You" is a 1966 hit single recorded by The Temptations for the Gordy label and produced by Norman Whitfield.- History :...
." In 1972, it was covered by The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers are country-influenced rock and roll performers, known for steel-string guitar playing and close harmony singing...
on their album Stories We Could Tell
Stories We Could Tell
Stories We Could Tell is a country rock album by The Everly Brothers, released in 1972. It was reissued as Stories We Could Tell:The RCA Years by BMG in 2003 and included additional tracks.- Track listing :...
, and in 1977 it was covered by Earl Scruggs
Earl Scruggs
Earl Eugene Scruggs is an American musician noted for perfecting and popularizing a 3-finger banjo-picking style that is a defining characteristic of bluegrass music...
on his album Strike Anywhere. The song has also appeared on numerous Rod Stewart compilation and live albums, including Sing It Again Rod
Sing It Again Rod
Sing It Again Rod is Rod Stewart’s first compilation album, released in 1973. The album is notable for its Peter Corriston -designed die-cut album sleeve .-Track listing:...
, Storyteller – The Complete Anthology: 1964–1990 and Unplugged...and Seated
Unplugged...and Seated
Unplugged...and Seated is a live album released by Rod Stewart on May 24, 1993 . It is Stewart’s second live album and his first appearance on MTV Unplugged. The album was released by Warner Bros. Records...
. It has also appeared on Everly Brothers and Earl Scruggs compilation albums.
"Mandolin Wind" has been heavily praised by music critics. In his review of Every Picture Tells a Story in Rolling Stone Magazine, John Mendelsohn refers to the song as being "nearly as good" as the #1 single off the album, "Maggie May
Maggie May
"Maggie May" is a song written by singer Rod Stewart and Martin Quittenton and recorded by Stewart in 1971 for his album Every Picture Tells a Story....
." Rock: The Rough Guide went further, calling the song the highlight of the album. Stewart Mason of Allmusic called the song "every bit...equal" to "Maggie May," and Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Stephen Thomas Erlewine is a senior editor for Allmusic. He is the author of many artist biographies and record reviews for Allmusic, as well as a freelance writer, occasionally contributing liner notes. He is also frontman and guitarist for the Ann Arbor-based band Who Dat?Erlewine is the nephew...
called the song "unbearably poignant." In its review of Every Picture Tells a Story, Billboard Magazine called "Mandolin Wind" an "excellent Stewart composition," and in its review of Stories We Could Tell the magazine noted that the song offered "great single potential." Rod Stewart biographers Tim Ewbank & Stafford Hildred refer to the song as "a stunning ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
."
The song combines elements of rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
and folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
. The lyrics tell of the singer's love for his woman after she stayed with him through a particularly brutal winter on the American frontier. The song uses mostly acoustic instruments, with a particularly prominent mandolin
Mandolin
A mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
part. Stewart has stated that he "always thought the mandolin was such as romantic-sounding instrument." Although the tempo
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.-Measuring tempo:...
remains slow to medium throughout, Stewart Mason describes the song as "a masterpiece of dynamics." The song rocks harder during the fadeout
Fade (audio engineering)
In audio engineering, a fade is a gradual increase or decrease in the level of an audio signal. The term can also be used for film cinematography or theater lighting, in much the same way ....
than during the rest of the song. Mason finds the song's "simple, sweet declaration of love and fidelity" more believable than Stewart's later love songs.
Stewart has stated that his "goal in life is to play 'Mandolin Wind' and make it sound like the record." Jayhawks
Jayhawks (band)
The Jayhawks are an American alternative country and rock band that emerged from the Twin Cities music scene during the mid 1980s. Their country rock sound was influential on many bands who played the Twin Cities circuit during the 80s and 90s like Uncle Tupelo, The Gear Daddies and The Honeydogs...
guitarist Gary Louris
Gary Louris
Gary Louris is a guitarist, singer, and songwriter of alternative country and pop music. He was a founding member of the Minneapolis-based band The Jayhawks, and their principal songwriter and vocalist after the departure of Mark Olson; he is often credited with the band's subsequent move from...
quoted from "Mandolin Wind" in the song "Waiting for the Sun" on their Hollywood Town Hall
Hollywood Town Hall
Hollywood Town Hall is a 1992 album by country rock revivalists The Jayhawks. It peaked at #11 on the Billboard Heatseekers and #192 on the Billboard 200...
album.
The identity of the mandolin player on "Mandolin Wind" is unclear. The liner notes however claim that "the mandolin was played by the mandolin player in Lindisfarne
Lindisfarne (band)
Lindisfarne were a British folk/rock group from Newcastle upon Tyne established in 1970 and fronted by singer/songwriter Alan Hull. Their music combined a strong sense of yearning with an even stronger sense of fun...
" but that Rod Stewart had forgotten his name. In 2003, Ray Jackson claimed to be the mandolin player on the album, at least for the song "Maggie May." Ray Jackson is the talented mandolin player from English folk-rock band Lindisfarne .Mason attributes the mandolin playing to Martin Quittenton
Martin Quittenton
Martin Quittenton is a British guitarist and composer. He played in the blues rock band Steamhammer, formed in 1968. Their debut album Steamhammer was released in 1969 with keyboardist Pete Sears as a special guest....
. The liner notes to Every Picture Tells a Story list Quittenton only as the acoustic guitar
Acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
player.