Body Wishes

Upon its release in 1983, Body Wishes received some pretty vicious reviews. Reviewers attached to Stewart’s folk-blues roots were reticent to accept this latest incarnation of Stewart’s musical profile. Much like the underrated Tonight I’m Yours, Body Wishes relies on smooth, synth-led arrangements that owe nothing to Stewart’s raw rootsy past and instead align with the pop world of the early ‘80s. Stewart’s music has always reflected its time and place and Body Wishes may very well appeal to a different audience than those who bought Every Picture Tells A Story; it has its pleasurable moments and the musical performances are solid if extremely slick. “Dancin’ Alone” reflects Rod’s rock music roots with a Chuck Berry styled pop tune. The single “Baby Jane” delivers a strong melody and Stewart’s always appealing phrasings and delivery. The remaining singles, the slow and pensive “Sweet Surrender” and the energetically if mechanically processed “What Am I Gonna Do (I’m So In Love With You),” are strong and catchy. This may not be the album to which old school Stewart fans return, but pop music fans will probably find some neat things to recommend.