The Great American Songbook Collection (4CD/DVD) [Box set]

Rod Stewart | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 15, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 5
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: J-Records
• ASIN: B000BNI99K
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,461 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #17 in Music > Box Sets
  • #27 in Music > Pop > Oldies > Traditional Pop
  • #37 in Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Traditional Vocal Pop

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. You Go To My Head (feat Dave Koz)

2. They Can't Take That Away From Me (feat Arturo Sandoval)

3. The Way You Look Tonight

4. It Had to Be You (feat Michael Brecker)

5. That Old Feeling (feat Arturo Sandoval)

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Time After Time

2. I’m In The Mood For Love

3. Don’t Get Around Much Anymore

4. Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered (Duet with Cher)

5. 'Till There Was You

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Embraceable You

2. For Sentimental Reasons (feat Dave Koz)

3. Blue Moon (feat Eric Clapton)

4. What A Wonderful World (feat Stevie Wonder)

5. Stardust

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Disc: 4

1. I've Got a Crush on You - Diana Ross

2. I Wish You Love

3. You Send Me

4. Long Ago and Far Away

5. Makin' Whoopee

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Often as people age, they grow more interested in ancestry. Rod Stewart's musical family tree certainly includes the great crooners of the past--those who took the pop songs included in his Great American Songbook series and turned them into standards. It's fitting, that he should find a late middle-age career revival by paying homage to the music that paved the way for rock clubs, discothèques, and screaming groupies the world over. Stewart's series has only grown stronger since it debuted with It Had to Be You. Most vocalists could spend sleepless nights trying to figure out how to make "Until the Real Thing Comes Along" their own. It's no problem for Rod. His jetsetter barring coupled with that unmistakable, husky voice is more than enough for him to leave his own stamp on the songs. And with the addition of guest stars from Cher to Chaka Kahn, well, there's a little something for everyone… especially those who remember when "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" was haunting the charts. For fans who sampled and loved a portion of this collection, the box set is a handsome addition to their library. It contains not only the four American Songbook CDs, but a DVD sampler of concert footage. (The set says "Big Band Era." The saxophonist in the mini skirt says it's a Rod Stewart show.) There's also a booklet of glamour shots featuring Rod and one or more leggy blondes, and notes on Stewart's musical career. Rod doesn’t quite convey the ease performing these tunes on stage that he does on the CDs, and the bio is far from unbiased, but who can help but love this music? Especially for sentimental reasons. --Leah Weathersby

Product Description

All four volumes of Rod Stewart's phenomenally successful Great American Songbook series together for the first time in a brand-new box set.

Contains: -It Had to Be You... -As Time Goes By... -Stardust... -Thanks For The Memory... -Plus a bonus DVD of four live tracks and one music video -Deluxe 5" x 10" display book. Including a full-color 20-page book containing new liner notes and never-before-seen photos.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Never been a Rod Stewart fan, but these are fantastic!, November 21, 2005

By 

Fluffy (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Great American Songbook Collection (4CD/DVD) (Audio CD)

I've never been much of a Rod Stewart fan, but I absolutely love these albums! I heard my son playing them, and was immediately enticed and had to have the boxed set. They bring back memories of my father telling me about the big open-air dance theater that he used to go to back in the 40's and 50's. He told me there was magic at these dances with the moon and stars, beautiful music, beautiful girls, and romance in the air. They were the place to go and romance your sweetheart. This boxed set of four CD's contains elegant and classy renditions of old American classic favorites from a romantic era when music was special and the lyrics and melodies meant something. The boxed set also contains a short DVD and a photo and story insert about the creation of this series of great American classics. It is hard to pick any favorites in these CD's, because I love all the songs. Some of my favorites are "It Had to Be You", "Moonglow", "I'll Be Seeing You", "Smile", "As Time Goes By" (featuring Queen Latifah), "Stardust", "Isn't It Romantic", "Long Ago and Far Away", and "Let's Fall In Love". The orchestrations and contributing artists are top-notch. The only song that I would have liked to see another artist perform with Rod on is "Baby, It's Cold Outside", which he sings with Dolly Parton. Her squeaky, hillbilly voice just sent chills down my spine, like scratching your fingernails on a blackboard. It just doesn't lend well to these classy songs. It is evident in the span of the CD's how Stewart's voice and the arrangments of the music evolve to become better and smoother. Some people might say that Stewart's voice doesn't lend well to this type of music, but not any more so than Louis Armstrong's voice did when he sang the classics. Stewart sings with a passion that makes each song meaningful and special. This genre was a great transition for Stewart to change to after his Pop/Rock career. So light the fire, fix that special dinner, break out the wine and candles, and slow dance with your sweetheart to these magical melodies that will take you away to a very romantic place. I have listened to these CD's over and over since purchasing them, and they have definitely become some of my favorites. Stewart comments that he has no plans to continue with the great American classics series he has started, but I sincerely hope that he will decide to make more of these CD's. He has touched my heart and soul with these beautiful melodies, and you won't be disappointed with these treasures!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Having seen Frank Sinatra perform live...., December 1, 2005

By 

Jake "Angeljake" (St Paul, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Great American Songbook Collection (4CD/DVD) (Audio CD)

What makes this series so rare is that the 4 volumes all compliment each other. Rod Stewart's voice is in great form and the arrangements are so simple and unassuming that you simply enjoy the music from one disc to the next. Great for the holidays, dinnertime, when company is over, right before you go to sleep etc. My favorite duet is the one with Cher from volume 2 but if you dont happen to care for an artist that Rod is duetting with rest assured that it doesnt take away from the realxing quality of the set as a whole. Although this isnt Sinatra its great to have a box of light standards that please from one disc to the next.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How could you not love these songs?, February 4, 2006

By 

S. E. Fanning (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Great American Songbook Collection (4CD/DVD) (Audio CD)

One of the songs, "I Can't Get Started with You," contains the line, "Tina Turner's had me for tea." Now, there's a visual.

I have an embarrassing memory of canoodling with a date in his orange shag-carpeted apartment while watching Rod sing "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" on TV. Fortunately, both Rod and I have come a long way since then.

Love these songs so much. Very romantic and Rod's voice is perfect My particular favorites are "Smile," "Wonderful World," "Give Me a Kiss to Build a Dream On," "Stardust" (with Eric Claptaon), "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" (with Cher), "I'll Take Manhattan" (with Bette Midler), and "Baby, it's Cold Outside" (with Dolly Parton).

Highly recommended.