26.07.2008.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< PASSWORD: zinhof >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

ROD STEWART - The Great American Songbook:

Volume 1 - It Had To Be You... (2002)

320

Rod Stewart's mellowing years have neatly coincided with a commitment to smart ballad choices and a generally warmer musical persona. Rod the Mod liberated at last? Like many a pop singer, Stewart returns here to what's become generally known as the Great American Songbook, that evergreen body of mid-20th century songcraft that continues to inspire singers across oceans and generations. It's said that Stewart has been vocalizing many of these songs in private for years, and given the warm, human scale of most of the performances here, it's not hard to believe. Producer Phil Ramone's spare, unobtrusive arrangements inspire the singer to some of his most subtle and rewarding performances in years. Stewart's slightly weary vocal tack handsomely sests the smoke, booze, and aching heart that lie at the best of these songs. Such back-to-the-future efforts can often sound like a last career gasp; here, they seem a refreshing breath of fresh air.

01. You Go to My Head
02. They Can't Take That Away From Me
03. The Way You Look Tonight
04. It Had to Be You
05. That Old Feeling
06. These Foolish Things
07. The Very Thought of You
08. Moonglow
09. I'll Be Seeing You
10. Every Time We Say Goodbye
11. The Nearness of You
12. For All We Know
13. We'll Be Together Again
14. That's All
*

Volume 2 - As Time Goes By... (2003)

320

At least Rod Stewart is consistent. Long accused by critics of selling his considerable interpretative talents short and playing it safe for the trappings of fame, Stewart revisits the font of his latest career revival here. But while 2002's It Had To Be You at least turned on the novelty of hearing raspy Rod the Mod tackle a slate of American pop standards with a boozy, world-weary tone that sometimes reinforced the originals' intent with trans-generational flair, the British rock icon unfortunately reverted to form a year later on this 14-track sequel. Set against the laconic, cocktail-friendly productions of vets Richard Perry and Phil Ramone, Stewart's performances seem strangely detached throughout. Even when offered the chance at some real human interaction on a pair of ill-conceived duets with Cher (who at least attempts to bring some dramatic flair to "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered") and Queen Latifah (whose recent turn in Chicago informs the title track), Stewart seems almost blissfully unaware of their presence. These are songs that virtually demand to be acted out, not phoned in. Brilliant vocal performances often reinforce the notion of "the singer, not the song;" here that old adage sounds more like a sestion of where to place the blame for this album's disappointments.

01. Time After Time
02. I'm in the Mood For Love
03. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
04. Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered (featuring Cher)
05. 'Till There Was You
06. Until the Real Thing Comes Along
07. Where or When
08. Smile
09. My Heart Stood Still
10. Someone to Watch Over Me
11. As Time Goes By (featuring Queen Latifah)
12. I Only Have Eyes For You
13. Crazy She Calls Me
14. Our Love Is Here to Stay
*

Volume 3 - Stardust... (2004)

320

It's a little hard to take Rod Stewart seriously when, on the first track of this third installment in his Great American Songbook series, he sings ruefully about his love life being "lean" ("Embraceable You"). But otherwise, Stardust...Volume III is as note-for-note solid as its predecessors--a cozy-up-to-the-fire treat that's also a pleasant reminder of these songs' staying power. "S'Wonderful" settles on the ears winningly, and Stewart's scratchathon voice scalpels the cobwebs off of "Isn't It Romantic" in a way that compels the average listener to reconsider thinking it dopey. In addition, the parade of high-wattage pals recruited to pitch in continues here, resulting in a couple of must-hear combinations. Eric Clapton delivers a rather un-Clapton-like guitar solo on "Blue Moon" and Stevie Wonder blows harp like he means it on "What a Wonderful World," but it is the duets--"Baby It's Cold Outside" with the unsinkable Dolly Parton and "Manhattan" with the indomitable Bette Midler--that the dazzle most.

01. Embraceable You
02. For Sentimental Reasons
03. Blue Moon (featuring Eric Clapton)
04. What a Wonderful World (featuring Stevie Wonder)
05. Stardust
06. Manhattan (featuring Bette Midler)
07. 's Wonderful
08. Isn't It Romantic
09. I Can't Get Started
10. But Not For Me
11. A Kiss to Build a Dream On
12. Baby, It's Cold Outside (featuring Dolly Parton)
13. Night and Day
14. A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
*

Volume 4 - Thanks For The Memory... (2005)

320

Accuse Rod Stewart of what you like--through the years he's been called a philanderer, a has-been, a pageant-ish progenitor of puff rock--but as he has consistently proved with his Great American Songbook series, the concept of dignity is not lost on him. There is a time, after all, for leaping across stages in leopard-print spandex while shamelessly parading an unparalleled gift for scratchy-voiced seduction, and he is past it. Past his prime is another thing. On this fourth installation of the Clive Davis-produced series, Stewart again makes excellent use of his rolodex: Diana Ross, whose affection for this material comes through as convincingly as her spike-haired partner's, cuddles up for opener "I've Got a Crush On You," Chaka Khan packs her bags but not her mighty vocals for "You Send Me," and Sir Elton shelves the recent balladeer's instincts for a rip-roaring run through "Makin' Whoopee." A handful of marquee instrumentalists also returned Rod's calls-- Dave Koz blows sax on "Nevertheless," and trumpeters Chris Botti and Roy Hargrove turn up the heat on "I Wish You Love" and "My One and Only Love" respectively. As on earlier discs, though, it's when Rod rules the spotlight alone that he can be most compelling: Cue up "My Funny Valentine" in the right frame of mind and you may never need to hear it sung by another. Retiring the satin shirts in favor of this material was the smartest move Stewart ever made.

01. I've Got a Crush on You - (featuring Diana Ross)
02. I Wish You Love - (featuring Chris Botti)
03. You Send Me - (featuring Chaka Khan)
04. Long Ago And Far Away
05. Makin' Whoopee (Duet With Elton John)
06. My One And Only Love (featuring Roy Hargrove)
07. Taking A Chance On Love
08. My Funny Valentine
09. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
10. Nevertheless (featuring Dave Koz)
11. Blue Skies
12. Let's Fall In Love (featuring George Benson)
13. Thanks For The Memory
*