Customer Reviews

The Great American Songbook Collection (4CD/DVD)

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

This boxed set was given to me as a Christmas Gift...but the memories each song has stirred up in my mind is more than any gift could have given.....memories of my parents dancing together...family gatherings from the past....old high school friends...unbelieveable--Thanks for the Memories!

I never was a fan of Rod Stewart until this series. Didn't care for the DVD at all, but the CDs are incredible. He actually pulls off this genre` perfectly. Ordered a set for my Dad's 90th birthday.

Rod Stewart has kept his sexy, sultry voice. This music is perfect for a dinner party, just to have playing on a rainy day, and driving on a long road trip. The songs are so easy on the ears. Here are all the great songs we've heard from Rod over the years plus some new. I gave this set to my parents. They said it was the perfect gift.

I boiught the great american songbook collection for my mother for christmas. It is not my taste as I prefer the original Rod Stewart but my mother was so delighted with it I don't think I have ever bought her anything so successful.

I love Rod's take on these sweet,sentimental,classic songs.Grab a glass of Chablis...dim the lights...turn the phone off...and fall into each others arms....ahhhh...romance :-)

Rod Stewart really had a good idea to record all these songs ! I'm so glad that I heard one of these CDs in the bar of an hotel I was staying at in Portugal last winter... I was a fan of Rod Stewart when I was younger but I didn't know he has recorded jazz songs from the past ! I'm fan again !!

the songbook collections are amazing. although they were songs before my time somehow rod (and his various featured duet artists) make these songs current and extremely enjoyable!