Customer Reviews

Soulbook

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(30)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

(3.5 stars)

Rod Stewart's latest CD, "Soulbook," has him singing fairly well but it's not exactly the best album he has ever released. For Rod's fans when he was doing a much, much different style of music, this may not be for them unless they also like this genre of music, too. Rod's voice may not be quite as strong as it was twenty or more years ago; but that's the aging process. I will say that Rod still delivers his songs from the heart and that's admirable. The track set lets the songs flow rather well into each other and that enhances the album but then again there are a few missteps along the way. Some numbers are stronger than others for sure!

"It's The Same Old Song" is very well done; and this starts the album off in a good direction. The drums and percussion add a lot to the arrangement. The music fits in very well with Rod's vocals and he never misses a beat, either! "My Cherie Amour" features Stevie Wonder singing with Rod; I like it but this is truly Stevie's song. Moreover, at this stage in his life Rod's voice just can't measure up to the Stevie's original performance back in the day. Sorry, Rod! On the other hand, however, "You Make Me Feel Brand New" charms me with its beauty; Mary J. Blige does a great job with Rod and that's grand. They should do more duets together! I also really like "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher;" the arrangement works wonders for this classic tune.

"Let It Be Me" is a stunner that has Rod Stewart singing wonderfully with Jennifer Hudson. Hudson was the perfect choice for this duet--heck, she could sing out the phonebook and I'd be standing there applauding! Rod's vocals are also easy on the ear. In addition, "Rainy Night in Georgia" is a big highlight of this album. "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted" is another song that gets a fine treatment; Rod sings this and the backup singers harmonize to perfection.

Whether or not you'll like the other tracks depends on your personal preferences. To my mind, other songs that make the grade include "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" and "If You Don't Know Me by Now." The arrangements for the other tracks are good but they could have been better and Rod's voice just isn't quite solid enough to rank as high in my book as it used to rank although I do get the clear impression that Rod sings with all his heart and soul and I admire that.

Overall, "Soulbook" is an album for people who like classic soul music and covers of those tunes; and Rod Stewart diehard fans may want to get this because they would probably like to have everything Rod ever did or will do. The more casual fan, however, would do well to keep looking for other soul albums; this is a pretty good album but it's just not completely distinguished.

Rod Stewart's 'Soulbook' is very similar to his Great American Songbook collection; rather than singing classic Rat Pack era songs, or 'rock' standards as with another recent release, this time he's taking on 'soul' hits; classic R&B hits. Sigh. Don't get me wrong, Stewart's voice and style is definitely present but an issue I have with 'Soulbook' is that similar to the American Songbook series, the song line-up really don't do anything for him. They sound like cover songs (which they are), as if he's just singing them without much thought or true feeling. After 13 tracks, my main complaint is that this doesn't feel anything like Rod Stewart. It feels like Rod Stewart's leaving behind the style, attitude and personality that made him so popular and the musical icon that he is and is settling for covering other artists' songs and standards. What 'Soulbook' lacks is the soul of Stewart. Yes, he sings each song decently well but there's always a feeling that there's something missing in each track and on the album on a whole.

The Good: His voice is probably the best part of the album. It's his signature, it's raspy and it fits this genre a bit better than it did the American Songbook collection of tracks. There's a big 1970s vibe to the album and the arrangements of many of the songs, from the instruments to the production, makes 'Soulbook' sound as if it fits into his early releases. Unlike with the past songbook collections, Stewart comes off a bit more comfortable in this genre and back in his element. I felt he was best on "Tracks of My Tears" which is a very laid back and stripped-down affair where his voice and sensuality and sensibility are on display, and "If You Don't Know Me By Now" that is purely a cover song but his voice and vocals just makes it stand out.

The Bad: The weakness of the album comes from the fact that Rod Stewart seems willing to sit back and ride on the coat tails of others' hits and songs rather than break ground and take on new and original material. The entire cover-artist thing was a fun departure for one CD, it was interesting for a second, but with this being the fifth release of 'standards' and cover songs (4 counting the American Songbook collection, plus the album of rock standards) ... this act feels tired and a bit uninspired. You can distinctly tell he's not fully attached to some songs in the way he is when he's performing songs that are completely his. There's a definite attempt of sticking to the original rather than completely experimenting and mixing it up a bit on the songs because they are such big standards and well-known songs. To me, it held him back as an artist. On another note, this felt like a rather sleepy, uninspired release. There's no real spark to it and it gives off a feeling that this was just another release of covers to stay out there and make money. While his past collaborations have been really special, the Jennifer Hudson and Mary J Blige duets just did nothing for me either. Again, part of the problem is that the arrangements and treatments to the songs are straight-forward covers and (to me) are not showcasing the best of this great solo artist.

In all, 'Soulbook' is average at best. Nothing new, far too reserved and safe. I hope at some point Stewart returns to purely original material with songs that he can truly put his stamp on rather than playing things so safe and relying on others' songs and hits to keep his career going. A bit disappointing but listenable.

While the general consensus by Rod Stewart fans may be that they'd much rather hear a new album of Rod Stewart original as opposed to countless volumes of covers, on Soulbook, Rod Stewart sounds much more natural than he did on any of 'The Great American Songbook' series. Maybe it is because Stewart reigned in a time where music was more universal (the 1970s) - where soul was met with wide reception by rock stars/rock fans and rock was met with wide reception by soul stars/soul fans. Trivializations aside, SOULBOOK has greater vitality than his past series, even if ultimately the rock star brings nothing 'new' to these great, vintage classics.

The album opens up convincingly with "Same Old Song", which suits Stewart's smokey vocals well. On the Stevie Wonder featuring "My Cherie Amour", Stewart also sounds convincing, never overshadowing the original, of course. His duet with Mary J. Blige on "You Make Me Feel Brand New" is the first true showstopper of the album, finding Stewart achieving some 'grit' within his vocals. Cynics might say that singing with a powerhouse such as Blige, he 'had to sang!'

On "Your Love (Keeps Lifting Me Higher)", cynics must quiet down as it easily ranks as one of the best solo performances of the album. "Tracks of My Tears" doesn't fall flat at all as Stewart gives the easily recognizable Smokey Robinson classic just treatment. Even better is his fine duet with Grammy-/Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson on "Let It Be Me".

"Rainy Night In Georgia" isn't too shabby, though it isn't nearly as great as the very best in my opinion ("You Make Me Feel Brand New", "Your Love (Keeps Lifting Me Higher)", and "Let I Be Me"). One of my personal favorite soul songs "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" makes up for any laxness on "Georgia" (which is good, mind you) and finds Stewart channelling Jimmy Ruffin confidently - well as confidently as possible when covering one of soul's greatest songs.

"Love Train" is solid, though the listener feels this isn't as 'legitimate' a cover as some. "You've Really Got a Hold On Me" is a slight departure from the original, bringing some freshness to 'Soulbook'. "Wonderful World" proves enjoyable, while "If You Don't Know Me By Now" also deviates slightly harmonically from the original Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes tune (or the later cover by Simply Red), much like the slight alterations of "You've Really Got a Hold On Me". While I won't say its better than Seal's cover from his fine, yet underrated Soul album, it is strong. "Just My Imagination" ends the album on a high note.

Overall, Stewart has produced a strong covers album, even if it is 'middle of the road' to some extent. Either way, I'm just glad to hear Stewart still singing in his 60s. 4 stars.

Wow! This cd is fantastic. Rod Stewart paying homage to his Soul music idols while growing up in North London.One thing that impresses me the most about this cd is that he stays true to the original songs sound and feel while putting that indelible sound of Rod Stewart in the mix. Every track on this cd is exemplary and finely produced. It's hard to pick a favorite-but his version of "Let It Be Me" with Jennifer Hudson stands out and so does "Just My Imagination" and "My Cherie Amour". Rod even pays homage to his #1 idol and the greatest Soul singer to ever live Sam Cooke with Sam's 'Wonderful World'. Rod does an excellent job on Jackie Wilson's "Higher And Higher" and Brook Benton's "Rainy Night In Georgia. Jimmy Ruffin will be proud of Rod's version of his classic "What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted' when he hears it. All of these songs are Soul music standards and this blue-eyed Soul man has come back to his true roots on this must have cd. I only wish I could give it 100 stars. Rod Stewart is a true Soul Brother !

There was a time, early 70's mid '70's even, when Rod covered classic and contempory soul with verve, passion and added excitement. One just has to listen to "I Know I'm Losin' You" or "Bring it on Home" or "If Lovin' You is Wrong" to agree that his gargled Draino voice worked perfectly for the chosen songs. Not so much for his trilogy of so-called "American Songbook" CDs which remain a stain on his legacy. Those CDs sold so much and kept him in SRO concerts that apparently he decided to try it again with an album of soul classics.

It worked better this time out.

Perhaps it's just natural that his voice and timber allow the ache, give and take, that R&B needs, that Soul controls. Perhaps he just likes the music better. He sounds in fine form, befitting his flinty voice.

"Same Old Song" has a sweet acappela intro that leads into a pushing vocal. "My Cherie Amor" has lush backgrounds a grinning swirl. "Rainy Nght in Georgia" sung dug deep, "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted" is flat, "Tracks of My Tears" has a smokey gasp that sounds like an older man recalling pain a different interpretation than usual. "Wonderful World" and "Love Train" are limply funkifized and easily forgotten." Just My Imagination" sounds like his lazy yet perfect '70s ache.

Two duets are the surprisingly the highpoints of the album. "You Make Me Feel Brand New" with a lovingly Mary J Blige sounds terrific. It's the re-work of "Let it Be Me" by Jerry Butler and Betty Everett done by Rod and guest vocalist Jennifer Hudson that astounds.

If Rod won't write any more and wants to become an interpreter of song styles, fine just work a little harder Rooster we'll keep the foxes from the hen house and buy the eggs laid.

I just recently received Soulbook as a gift. Though long familiar with Rod Stewart since his days as a member of the Jeff Beck Group, I have not been what you would call "a fan", though I have liked some of his early hits, such as "Handbags and Gladrags," "First Cut Is the Deepest, " and ""Maggie May." I was pleasantly surprised by this album. Stewart knows how to choose good material. His covers of some of the best R&B and soul hits from the 60s are true to the originals and feature some of the original artists singing background, such as Stevie Wonder on "My Cherie Amour" and Smokey Robinson on "Tracks of My Tears." His duets with Mary J. Blige on the Stylistics' "You Make Me Feel Brand New" and with Jennifer Hudson on the Everly Brothers' "Let It Be Me" are particularly effective. If you like the music of the 60s and Rod Stewart's distinctive raspy singing voice, this album is a good choice.

Rod Stewart's gravelly voiced hardcore rock may be gone, but in its place is a more mature, silky smooth delivery that shows he has aged gracefully. While I miss the old, I applaud the new, and am thankful that he doesn't cling to the tight pants and gyrations that helped make him famous. Now, I can enjoy his unique voice and renditions of some of the best songs I grew up with. While some of the arrangements are a tad slow, I love singing along with these familiar songs, and can hardly wait for Soulbook II! Rod Stewart is a brilliant singer, and I think it's safe to say, he is becoming ageless. Bravo to the CD, and kudos to Rod for keeping himself relevant.

Rod Stewart is one of the greatest interpretive singers of all time. He has a warm soulful voice that emotes like no other. He has been talking about doing a CD like this for quite some time. I wasn't sure how it would turn out. I was hoping it would be as inspired as his version of "This Old Heart of Mine" with Ronald Isley. I was not disappointed.

Rod is back in rare form here. His last CD was trashed for sounding like karaoke. This one has beautiful arrangements, especially "Let It Be Me" with Jennifer Hudson. Every track is well done here. Whether it is the fun "Love Train" or the spellbinding "Just My Imagination", there is a song on here to please everyone. "Rainy Night In Georgia" seems like it was tailor-made for Rod's voice too.

As you can tell, I can't say enough good things about this album. I bet you can't listen to it just once. Go ahead. Give it a shot. If you have a soulful bone in your body, this masterpiece will have you dancing and singing for years to come.

While I love many of the songs on the CD, this sounds like a decent singer doing Kareoke at a local bar. The song choice is good. The arrangements remind me of muzak. Rod's performance is uninspired. I think he 'mailed it in'. Save your money. There are much better remakes of these great songs from other artists.

Having really enjoyed his Still the Same album, and some of the Great American Songbook albums, I figured this one would be great as well. Not so, it is really unoriginal and despite great production, the songs are all really lacking anything over the original versions. I agree with another reviewer's comments that this is on par with Seal's most recent effort-- I am sure I will forget about this album soon.

All this album has me doing is digging out my original versions of some of these great old songs.