Stardust... The Great American Songbook, Vol. III

Rod Stewart | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 19, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: J-Records
• ASIN: B0002X94Y8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (167 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,808 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

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. --Tammy La Gorce

Product Description

CD > POPULAR MUSIC > ROCK

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

79 of 90 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Third Time Is Charm as Rocking Rod Delivers The Standards, November 6, 2004

By 

Antoinette Klein (Hoover, Alabama USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stardust... The Great American Songbook, Vol. III (Audio CD)

Having thoroughly enjoyed volumes 1 and 2 in the Great American Songbook, I was eagerly waiting for this one. And I was not disappointed. Rod continues to put his trademark voice on these classic standards and gives them a new romantic feeling with his unique interpretations.

Favorite songs like "For Sentimental Reasons, "Blue Moon," and "Isn't It Romantic" make this a cd I play continuously. The title song, "Stardust," has never been so richly done and the one special UK song which I had never heard before, "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" is a worthy addition to an otherwise all-American collection.

There are more guest performers on this one than in the two previous releases. Eric Clapton on "Blue Moon" and Stevie Wonder on "What A Wonderful World" are remarkable, but it is Bette Midler's easy style on "Manhattan" that steals the show. Her voice and spirit blend effortlessly with Rod's for a real showstopper performance. Only the duet with Dolly Parton seemed a bit off-key and weak to me as it's hard to imagine their two styles combining, and in my opinion they didn't.

Still, it's a wonderful work filled with highlights such as Cole Porter's unforgettable "Night and Day" and the newly-revised lyrics Rod improvises on "I Can't Get Started."

If you loved the first two and can appreciate what Rod Stewart has done for the most beautiful songs of all time, this one is a must.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This CD is a musical treat, October 19, 2004

By 

Robert G Yokoyama (Mililani, Hawaii) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stardust... The Great American Songbook, Vol. III (Audio CD)

Rod Stewart sounds superb on this third installment of the Great American song book. This is a perfect CD to listen and forget all your troubles to. My favorite song is Isn't It Romantic. I think this is the perfect song to dance the night away to with your sweetheart. Rod puts his own unique spin on a classic song from the 50's entitled Blue Moon. Eric Clapton's smooth guitar playing paired with Rod Stewart dreamy vocals make this song a delight. I also enjoyed his rendition of the song For Sentimental Reasons. It is a very romantic song and one of my favorites. Rod sings some excellent duets on this album. My favorite duet is the duet he sings with Bette Midler entitled Manhattan. Bette has such a smooth voice. Rod's classic raspy sexy voice compliments her so well on this track.

Baby It's Cold Outside is another excellent duet. It is interesting to hear a country star like Dolly Parton and a pop star like Rod Stewart perform this great jazz standard. I really liked it. Rod sounds very warm and engaging especially on the song Night and Day. The piano playing sounds so good on this track. What a Wonderful World is a very a pretty song with an excellent mini harmonica solo by Stevie Wonder. I really enjoyed listening this album. This CD is a musical treat as were the first two.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Made me Cry, November 7, 2004

By 

Mike Scott "mike S" (Hawaii) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stardust... The Great American Songbook, Vol. III (Audio CD)

I'm in my early 50's and was a Rod Stewart fan in my teens and early 20's when he was a big rock performer. Listening to his performance on this CD makes me want to check out the other two previous clssics series...I was impressed...not what I expected at all and I found myself just letting it play over and over through the day. What a Wonderful World is a song that I first heard when I was in Vietnam and it made me cry then...it still does today..tears are streaming down my face as I listen to Rod's version and remember so many heartbreaking experiences and the terrible grief that went with them.
I like this Album.