Atlantic Crossing

Rod Stewart’s Sixth Solo Album Atlantic Crossing was released on August 15, 1975 by Warner Bros. Records.

The album marked a significant shift in Stewart’s career, reflecting his move from the UK to the US and a new musical direction.

Atlantic Crossing was a pivotal moment for Rod Stewart, symbolizing his departure from the UK for Los Angeles, partly to escape the UK’s high 83% income tax rate for top earners under Prime Minister Harold Wilson’s Labour government. The album title cheekily references this transatlantic move and his shift from Mercury Records to Warner Bros.

The album marked Stewart’s evolution from his earlier bluesy, folk-rock roots with The Faces to a more polished, radio-friendly sound blending rock, pop, and soul. This change was controversial among fans and his bandmates in The Faces, who disliked the new direction.

Stewart’s decision to record without The Faces, his longtime collaborators, signaled the beginning of the end for the band. Following the album’s success and his move to the US, Stewart announced his exit from The Faces by the end of 1975.

The album was recorded between April and June 1975 across five American studios: A&R (New York), Criteria (Miami), Wally Heider’s Studio 3 (Hollywood), Hi Recording (Memphis), and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio (Alabama).

Tom Dowd, a legendary producer known for his work with artists like Otis Redding, was brought on board. Dowd’s involvement allowed Stewart to focus solely on his vocals, unlike his previous self-produced album, Smiler, which was considered disappointing.

Stewart worked with top-tier American session musicians, including The Memphis Horns and most of Booker T. & the MG’s (Steve Cropper, Donald "Duck" Dunn, Al Jackson Jr.). Other contributors included guitarists Pete Carr, Jesse Ed Davis, and Fred Tackett, bassists Lee Sklar and David Hood, and keyboardists Barry Beckett and Albhy Galuten. This marked a departure from his earlier work with The Faces’ core members like Ronnie Wood and Ian McLagan.

The album was divided into a "Fast Side" (rock-oriented tracks) and a "Slow Side" (ballads), reportedly at the suggestion of Stewart’s then-girlfriend, Swedish actress Britt Ekland. This format was repeated in his next two albums.

The album consists of 10 tracks, split evenly between the Fast and Slow Sides.

Fast Side

Three Time Loser (Rod Stewart) – 4:03A bawdy, upbeat rock track about venereal disease, considered one of Stewart’s finest rockers. Its infectious energy and cheeky lyrics made it a standout.

Alright for an Hour (Stewart, Jesse Ed Davis) – 4:17A reggae-infused track about a fleeting romance, co-written with guitarist Jesse Ed Davis.

All in the Name of Rock ‘N’ Roll (Stewart) – 5:02A high-energy song about the adventures of a rock band touring America.

Drift Away (Mentor Williams) – 3:43A cover of the Dobie Gray hit, transformed into a lyrical reggae style. Stewart’s emotive delivery was praised as surpassing the original.

Stone Cold Sober (Stewart, Steve Cropper) – 4:12A lively track co-written with Steve Cropper, capturing Stewart’s playful, in-the-alley vibe.

Slow Side

I Don’t Want to Talk About It (Danny Whitten) – 4:47A heartfelt cover of the Crazy Horse song, later a UK #1 hit in 1977 as a double A-side single with “The First Cut Is the Deepest” (from A Night on the Town). Some critics found it lackluster compared to Stewart’s other performances.

It’s Not the Spotlight (Barry Goldberg, Gerry Goffin) – 4:21A slower track that received mixed reviews for its lack of energy.

This Old Heart of Mine (Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, Eddie Holland, Sylvia Moy) – 4:04A cover of the Isley Brothers’ Motown classic, recorded with Al Green’s rhythm section. It reached the UK and US Top 10 but was criticized for not matching the original’s tempo.

Still Love You (Stewart) – 5:08A tender, self-written ballad evoking Stewart’s vulnerability, often compared to his classics like “Maggie May” and “Mandolin Wind.”

Sailing (Gavin Sutherland) – 4:37The album’s biggest hit, a UK #1 in September 1975 and a Top 3 hit again in 1976 when used as the theme for the BBC series Sailor. Both acoustic and electric guitars were played by Pete Carr. It became one of Stewart’s signature songs, though it had limited success in North America.

2009 Deluxe Edition Bonus Tracks: A 2009 two-disc re-release by Rhino Records included the original album on Disc 1 and additional tracks on Disc 2, such as Covers like “To Love Somebody” and “Holy Cow” with Booker T. & the MG’s.

Alternate versions of most original tracks, including “Skye Boat Song” by The Atlantic Crossing Drum & Pipe Band.

The album peaked at 1 in the UK (Stewart’s fourth consecutive solo album to do so), Australia, and Norway, and 9 on the US Billboard 200.

Certified 4× Platinum in Australia, Platinum in the UK, Gold in the US, Germany, Hong Kong, and Sweden.

“Sailing” was a UK 1 hit in 1975 and returned to the Top 3 in 1976.

“This Old Heart of Mine” reached the UK and US Top 10.

“I Don’t Want to Talk About It” became a UK 1 in 1977 as a double A-side with “The First Cut Is the Deepest.”

Critics were divided. Some praised the album’s polished production and Stewart’s emotive vocals, particularly on “Three Time Loser,” “Drift Away,” “Still Love You,” and “Sailing.” Others felt the Slow Side was uneven, with overly saccharine string arrangements and weaker covers like “I Don’t Want to Talk About It” and “This Old Heart of Mine.”

Rolling Stone called it “within hailing distance of earlier masterpieces” but criticized the Slow Side’s drop-off in quality.

Re-releases: The 2009 Deluxe Edition and Rhino’s 2025 Quadio Blu-ray audio re-release enhanced the album’s legacy with improved sound quality and bonus tracks.

Personnel Vocals: Rod Stewart

Guitars: Pete Carr, Jesse Ed Davis, Steve Cropper, Fred Tackett, Jimmy Johnson

Bass: Lee Sklar, Bob Glaub, David Hood, Donald "Duck" Dunn

Drums/Percussion: Al Jackson Jr., Roger Hawkins, Nigel Olsson, Willie Correa

Keyboards: Barry Beckett, Albhy Galuten, Booker T. Jones

Horns: The Memphis Horns

Mandolin/Violin: David Lindley

Backing Vocals: Cindy & Bob Singers, The Pets, The Clappers

String Arrangements: Arif Mardin, James Mitchell

Art Direction/Design: John Kosh

Illustration: Peter Lloyd

Engineers: Gabby Garcia, Jerry Masters, Rich Blakin, Steve Melton, Willie Mitchell

Mastering: Melvyn Abrahams

Chart Performance (Select Countries)

Australia: #1

UK: #1

Norway: #1

Netherlands: #2

New Zealand: #2

Sweden: #5

Germany: #11

US: #9

Canada: #21