Customer Reviews

Thanks For The Memory...The Great American Songbook IV

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(58)

 

 

"Success is great, but even sweeter when you get to experience it with the gifted, passionate, hardworking and - equally important to me - fun-loving professionals at J Records. And just think, this is only Volume IV." ~ Rod Stewart ~

My friends and I have been anticipating the release of Rod Stewart's fourth of a series of Great American Songbook ever since Steve Tyrell (one of the album producers with Clive Davis) made an announcement about it during his concert at the Starlight Bowl in July of this year. Finally, the wait is over - for now - that is! It's so great to know that we're in for more wonderful Volumes to come. What he said about this being only Volume IV is an assurance that there will be more to look forward to. Recently, before this CD was released, I watched him perform on Tonight Show with Jay Leno where he sang "I Wish You Love" and CNN's Larry King Live where he sang "Long Ago And Far Away" to the delight of the viewers.

This fabulous recording presents a new set of gorgeous and timeless standards. Topping my list is a lovely song that brings back a chock-full of memories to me, "My One And Only Love," featuring Roy Hargrove on trumpet. This is also one of the songs I mentioned in my review on Volume I that I wish he would record. Thanks so kindly, Mr. Stewart for including this charming ditty in this repertoire of beautiful classics. An added delight to this recording is the presence of the equally talented guest artists, the likes of Diana Ross, Elton John, Chaka Khan, Chris Botti, George Benson, Dave Koz and Roy Hargrove, as well as a versatile musician and the main man, Alan Broadbent, who splendidly arranged and conducted the magnificent Orchestra. The credit also goes to Bob Mann, a fine guitarist/keyboardist/arranger, who co-produced and arranged this album and the rest of the musicians - Kenny Ascher (piano), Ed Howard (bass), Allan Schwartzberg (drums), David Finck (bass), Dan Higgins (clarinet) and Warren Luening (trumpet).

My favorites include Gershwins' "I've Got A Crush On You," a delightful duet with the Queen of Motown, Diana Ross. After all these years her voice is still great. Hers is a kind of voice that doesn't change with the passing of time. Their duet is one of the highlights and blended perfectly with this gem of a song. The duet with Chaka Khan "You Send Me" is also remarkable and deserves a special mention. All the tracks are absolutely noteworthy and are on my "Listmania Lists." It's one CD that you want to listen all the way through without skipping any track at all. And these songs are my late parents' music that I've been hearing when I was growing up and were glued to my ears all these years and became my all-time favorites. The best tracks for me are "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm," "Nevertheless, I'm In Love With You," "Makin' Whoopee" (a terrific duet with Elton John), "Blue Skies" (I love Bob Mann's guitar intro), "My Funny Valentine," "Taking A Chance On Love" and "Let's Fall In Love," a composition by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler and featuring the guitar artistry of George Benson.

"Let's close our eyes
And make our own paradise
Little we know of it
Still we can try to make a go of it
We might have been made for each other
To be or not to be, let our hearts discover"

I would classify this as one of my 'Desert Island CDs' along with the first three of his Great American Songbook series. This is one of Rod Stewart's CDs that you'll enjoy listening to "not for just an hour, not for just a day, not for just a year but always, always!"

I wholeheartedly recommend it for your listening pleasure! ;)

* * * * * TEN STARS * * * * *

If you're a Rod Stewart fan -and- a fan of these tunes, go for it. If you're a fan of the rockng Rod, just be aware that this is not that Rod. If you're a fan of the tunes, but not of Rod, it's likely you already enjoy an older version of each of these tunes more than you'll like Rod's versions.

The formula for these CDs is simple and it works. Sing beautiful love songs from eras past and you can't go wrong. Rod can keep putting these out for another ten years. What upsets me is that the total time for this CD is only 43 minutes. A CD can hold up to 80 minutes worth of material. 43 minutes is a tease and it's cheating the public. With so many classic songs available another three or four would have made this perfect. That's what's keeping me from giving it more than 3 stars.

Rod Stewart's raspy and unusual voice has been interesting to me since "Maggie May" in the 70's. Who would've thought that he could ever pull off a series of pop standards that would produce four CD's of such classic and enduring compositions? Not I. That's what makes his foray into this genre so pleasant.

One of the other reasons the CD is so pleasing is that these old songs hold up lyrically (with very few exceptions). It's wonderful to hear songs that are currently being recorded that refer to love and loss in classicly romantic language. No "droppin' it like it's hot and backin' up that thing" on this presentation. Here, the overt reference to sexual expression is deferred for the sensibilities of the 40's and 50's. These songs were composed when lyricists had to use imagination a versatile vocabulary and subltle reference to impart a beautiful thought and a musical message. Thank goodness and Clive Davis of J Records for taking us on a sentimental journey.

Rod's weather worn voice is indeed perfectly suited for many of these songs. More than a few of them were originally recorded by women in their heydays. Artists like Sarah Vaughn, Peggy Lee, Jo Stafford and others wrapped their silky and versatile vocals around such sensuous lyrics to make these hits the standards they are. A smoother or more refind voice would not have played as well with such vulnerable and feminine lyrics. Rod's raspy turn at these gems lends believability and finesse to his interpretations.

There are some problems. On occasion Rod struggles with his voice needing to be as fluid as it should be (Long Ago and Far Away). On other times his mispronunciation of words (Is your figure less than greek) in "My Funny Valentine" is almost stunning; leaving you to wonder why noone corrected this blatancy. But all in all I found the CD very enjoyable and worth the cash spent.

My favorites on this project are; "I Wish You Love". Which is beautifully expressive and convincing. "I've Got A Crush On You" is an inspired pairing between Mr. Stewart and Miss Ross. Diana's voice is a perfect match for Rod's on this one. She should take a cue from Rod and return to the jazzy blues standards she did in the seventies. It might jumpstart a new phase in her career. "Taking A Chance On Love" is fun and spirited.
Chaka Khan's duet with Rod is a little bit too over produced for this CD. Towards the end of the song she is harmonizing with herself (On a DUET?!?) and she ends the song with a jazz inspired mumble. Too much.

I sincerely hope this is not the last of the series as I've read Rod has stated. Just one more time please. Rod, just consider it an encore.

Many friends and I have purchased all the SongBook series. We love them. We are senior citizens and long for the nostalgia and the type of dancing Rods CD's are giving us. Notice other musicians are coping Rod's idea. However, Rod's versions and arrangements are the best. Especially for our aging ears. Having said that I have also tried, in vain, to get the message to Rod that 48 slow Fox Trots are enough. Give us some swing and Latin arrangements, PLEASE!

I never particularly liked Rod Stewart. I had nothing against him but I was not a fan. That changed one day in Quebec when I heard a sample from the first album in this series. Since then I have become a fan when he is singing these old songs.

Like on the previous albums, he has guest artists from the modern, rock oriented world who sing with him and all do a fine job of re-interpreting these classics of a completely different style. The same is true of Stewart himself. He does not have what I would have thought of as a "great voice" but he does have mastery of it. He makes it great with his interpretation. He's not just an aging rocker; he is a competent artist and musician.

First off to avoid any conflict of interest claims I admit that I an a huge Rod Stewart fan. That being said, I just wasn't interested in hearing him do the old American classics(which I also love). I just didn't see how he could do them justice, that is, until I saw his DVD "Live from Royal Albert Hall" in which he did several of the songs from his first "Great American Songbook". I was just blown away. These songs were now his. I went to the computer to order one of the CDs but my wife talked me into getting all four and I am surely not sorry. I believe that there are very few CDs available with no weak tracks(there are some) but here are four that just don't have a weak track(IMHO). He has made all of these great songs his. My all time favorite song is "Stardust" by Hoagy Carmichael. I had never heard a version that I thought could top his, until now. If you love the old standards you should really give these 4 CDs a listen. They'll melt your heart!!!!

I've never been a big Rod Stewart fan, but I always admire a person who can put together the body of work he has over so many years. Today my opinion of Stewart changed from being a casual fan to wishing he would come near here so I could hear him live in concert.

His new set of CD's which he calls THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK has allowed him to move into some styles of music that he has never explored before. His 4th CD in that set; THANKS FOR THE MEMORY is one of the finest albums that I have purchased in many years.

Take a look at the selections on the CD and if you enjoy that style of music this one is fantastic. Stewart and all his guest musicians do a fantastic job! On a scale of 1-5 I'd give this one 6 Stars!!!!

People never cease to amaze me. With the fourth installment of Rod Stewarts American Songook series it should perfectly clear to any and all reviewers exactly what one might find in purchasing one of these discs. Rod and U:ber-Producer Clive Davis set this wheel in motion with the very first release and have nary strayed from that winning formula. So when you stop by your local retailer and decide to purchase a copy of your very own it's painfully obvious what contents within will be found. Yet...here in Amazonland we have yet another slew of one star temper-tantrums ( I refuse to call some of these critiques 'reviews' ) from misguided music-lovers who feel the need to prove to the world just how musically sophisticated they truly are. So getting their knickers in a twist they hurridly get on-line, post a few silly comments and just as hurridly disappear. Of course none of them having actually purchased the disc and giving it a proper listen. Sadly, they ultimately do little more then pollute this fine web-site with opinions that mean very little and prove to the world that some people should have their keyboards taken away from them until they can learn how to play nice. But thats the price we pay for certain freedoms. Even cranky one-star mental midgits must have their day!

As to the disc itself as previously stated if you enjoyed Rods first three installments then you will probably enjoy the final disc as well. Again, he doesn't stray from that immensely successful formula and while for many thats a blessing it, unfortunatley, is also a small curse. I'll be blunt. Rod Stewart doesn't know the first thing about tackling standards but unlike many musically-challenged detractors I'm perfectly aware of that and am not seeking that when making my purchase. Comparsions with Sinatra ( which some reviewers seem intent on making ) is beyond ludicrous. If I want Sinatra I'll put Frank on my turntable. My reasons for enjoying these cd's is simply because Rod Stewart evidently enjoys these songs, seems to have a grand time singing them and that sense of enjoyment is what comes thru my speakers here at home. If I want pharsing I'll listen to Mel Torme or Ella. If vibrato is what I seek then I got plenty of Sarah Vaughn or Tony Bennett. But asking this singer to be compared with the greats of years before not only shows a complete lack of understanding popular song and also belies any real empathy and understanding of these discs. Trust me, not one of these cd's will ever be considered a "classic" but that's hardly the point here. The sheer pleasure, at least from this music lover, comes from hearing a standard, knowing its lyrics and singing along with Rod. Knowing full well that neither of us will ever be considered great vocalists and not caring either. Can anyone here truly believe that Rod the Mod actually subsctibed to the very idea that he's a tremendous vocalist. Of course not! Thats why he's having such a grand time. Its a labor of true love for him and the very fact that fans of these discs are hip to that fact makes it even more enjoyable. And for those out there who only wish to hear him sing " Maggie May " I suspect nothing that this singer could ever do would eventually please them.

Overall, I take great pleasure in these cds. No, there not perfect, no there far from being considered classics. And no, not one track to be found on any of these offerings would be considered definative but who cares. Its a great disc to throw on, roll back the carpet, sing and dance to and thoroughly enjoy.

Excellent album with some of the all time favorite songs that could have been forgotten had it not been recorded by Rod Stewart. Exceptional interpretations with Rod Stewart's personal touch.