Rod Stewart - It Had to Be You... The Great American Songbook
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Free Music Notes for It Had to Be You... The Great American Songbook
Free Music Review: Rod Stewart's Most Romantic CD
Hit: 5 Stars
"It's such a joy to sing these songs." ~ Rod Stewart ~
"Rod had an innate feeling for the material and a passion for the standards." ~ Richard Perry ~
I must admit that I only became a fan of Rod the Fab (a title I coined - Rod as the Fabulous interpreter of the Great American Songbook) when he recorded the standards from the GAS, although there were occasional hits he sung that really appeal to me like "Reason To Believe," "I Don't Want To Talk About It" and "You're In My Heart." And now I'm a forty-something fan! I grew up listening to these songs. My father was a music lover and had the most extensive collection of albums, tapes and CDs. I learned to appreciate the standards at an early age. And as someone who grew up with the standards playing over and over at our musical household as sang by Sinatra, Fitzgerald, Cole, Vaughan, Martin, Como, Bennett, Clooney, Day, London, Stafford, among many others, I totally welcome and embrace new interpretations by contemporary artists done in splendid and loveliest settings and recordings. So when I heard Rod Stewart singing "It Had To Be You" on the radio, I thought that I must have that CD. On my way home from work, I stopped by Tower Records to get me a copy and found myself listening to it over and over again.
I salute Rod Stewart and his producers, Richard Perry, Clive Davis and Phil Ramone for coming up with this romantic CD, he should have done it earlier! Who would ever think that one day the rocker will record this kind of music? Lo and behold, he did and passed with flying colors and ultimately proved his versatility and not to mention his love and respect for these eternal standards. According to him, "it's such a joy to sing these songs." Mr. Stewart and Mr. Davis worked very closely together in selecting its repertoire. They hope to accomplish bringing these ageless songs that constitute the Great American Songbook to millions of people all over the world.
My highlights:
"They Can't Take That Away From Me" - a great Gershwin & Gershwin classic first recorded in 1939. An old song but to my ears it's "forever young." It's never out of date. This is one of the most memorable songs to me.
"The Way You Look Tonight" - an unforgettable gem from Kern & Fields that has a special spot in my heart. A very important person in my life once told me that this is his song for me and me alone. (Sigh! The door is still open).
"These Foolish Things" - a charmer penned by Jack Strachey & Holt Marvell. "Those stumbling words that told you what my heart meant... Oh how the ghost of you clings...these foolish things remind me of you"
"The Very Thought of You" - Ray Noble's most famous ditty that Mr. Stewart performed so marvelously. "I see your face in every flower... your eyes in the stars above"
"That Old Feeling" - a Sammy Fain & Lew Brown song. Also known as one of Sinatra's signature songs. "There'll be no new romance for me...it's foolish to start...for that old, old feeling is still in my heart"
"You Go To My Head" - Haven Gillespie & J. Fred Coots' jewel sung in a very relaxed atmosphere. "Like a summer with a thousand Julys, you intoxicate my soul with your eyes"
"That's All" - a great song by Bob Haymes & Alan Brandt sung in a very meaningful and sincere fashion. "And the only heart I own for you and you alone"
"I'll Be Seeing You" - A Sammy Fain & Irving Kahal gorgeous standard. "I'll be seeing you in every lovely summer's day, in everything's that's light and gay, I'll always think of you that way"
"We'll Be Together Again" - a beautiful and uplifting song composed by Carl Fischer & Frankie Lane.
"Some day, some way
We'll both have a lifetime before us
For parting is never goodbye
We'll be together again"
Volume II will be released soon and I already pre-ordered a copy for me! It would have been nice if he will record some of the loveliest songs of all time such as "Moonlight Serenade," "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You," "My One & Only Love," "The Look Of Love," "Come Rain Or Come Shine," "Night And Day," and "Stardust" to name a few.... Volume III coming up?
Bravo Rod Stewart!
Free Music Review: A soon to be classic CD by a classic voice...
Hit: 5 Stars
Initially, I cringed when I first learned Rod Stewart was to release a CD of "standards". How could Rock-n-Roll's most unique voice opt for this particular venue? Rod is a rocker, not a Sinatra or a Bennett! Surely it would be a travesty for rock, as well as a slap in the face to all the legendary performers who had originally introduced these timeless standards. Admittedly, as a lover of both genres, I was skeptical; now, I'm happy to say I was wrong. In retrospect, it is only appropriate that he now explore this type of music as an artist. Over a career that spans almost 40 years, Rod has sang rock, blues, R&B, soul, ballads, pop and most recently, hip-hop. Now we are offered Rod Stewart as crooner. The transition has been a long time coming. After hearing "Songbook", one has to admit it is also long overdue. Originally, some, like myself, may be erroneously tempted to confine Rod to a specific genre. Unfortunately, when one often thinks of Stewart, visions of the "rock star"...the loud clothes, spiked hair and raucous onstage antics immediately come to mind. In fact, it is these very perceptions that have overshadowed his career and misled so many, particularly Stewart's critics over the years. The image has for so long obscured Rod's true talent, his uniquely amazing voice, which has always been his greatest asset.
On "The Great American Songbook", it's ALL about the voice. Rod Stewart's voice is now truly showcased as never before. The familiar raspiness is still there, yet refined, mature and smooth as silk. When listening to this new release, one would almost think that these songs were originally written with Rod in mind. His delivery is passionately sincere and hauntingly valid. It would have been easy for Stewart to simply "cover" these classics, as many other artists have done in the past and, I might add, failed miserably at it. This is not the case with "Songbook". Instead, Rod has interpreted these songs as only he can do, making them his own while reinventing and defining them for an entirely new generation to appreciate and savor. While remaining true to the original musical arrangements, Stewart adds a soulful, modern twist to the vocals. Think Sam Cooke and Billie Holiday being channeled at the same time.
Whether one likes Rod Stewart or not, whether one is a diehard rock fan or a lover of these classic standards, this CD is a must have and deserves a listen. Like the timeless classics showcased in this release, Rod Stewart's voice also stands the test of time. With the release of "Songbook", it is only fitting that he now be included on the exclusive list of legendary vocalists. Rod has earned that.
Young, old, or in between, "Songbook" speaks to us all. It appeals to a much wider audience than anything Rod has ever done in his long career and should be greatly received. It's definitely a refreshing change to some of the material currently being released today in music. For those who thought Rod was a "has been", think again! For those who would pigeon hole Rod into one specific category, I dare you to think outside the box. Personally, I hear a Grammy nod in the not so distant future...
Free Music Review: This is the best CD I ever bought
Hit: 5 Stars
Most CD's are classified according to well-known categories, and people who like a certain category tend to concentrate their purchases in that area. This CD doesn't fit the mold. So, many people are passing it up. But go into any store, and it is playing in the background without you even noticing it. It is slipping into your subconscious even though you may have never heard of it. This is Rod Stewart singing songs that were popular before most of the CD-buying public was even born. They are the songs that Rod Stewart heard in his home as a boy when he was growing up, and he has a special feel for them that is extraordinary. The arrangements are genius. Although the initial reaction is that he is singing in too hign of a register, that feeling quickly fades into a romantic frame of mind that transports you to wherever you go when thoughts of romance and love take hold of you. I have been waiting to get tired of it, but it never happens. Flat out--it is the best CD I ever purchased. If all your ear can appreciate is heavy metal, you won't like it. If you have never heard these songs, maybe they won't mean a thing to you. So, I won't guarantee it to everyone. But if you don't like it, you are missing a some music that makes other people want to dance, daydream, or get lost in some romantic fantasy. It is happy, gentle, friendly and evocative of a time when lyrics were poetry. If you like "I got to have you baby" you won't like it. But if you like, "You got to my head, and you linger like a constant refrain, and I find you swimming round in my brain like the bubbles in a glass of chanpagne," all sung to an infectous melody, then this CD is for you. This is the classy side of Rod Stewart. This is Rod Stewart at his best. I have heard some critics give it less than high praise (actually in connection with his second volume) but don't listent to them. These are people who probably can't carry a tune and problably don't appreciate these songs in the first place. I doubt that they even hear the soft guitar in the background or appreciate the very subtle chord transitions. Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain! Buy this CD!Free Music Review: Through the years.........
Hit: 5 Stars
Times change, people change, and people change with time. There seems to be a new crop of music out their. New artists like Steve Tyrell, Norah Jones and Diana Krall. Just to name a few. Who've brought back a sound from a different part of time. Maybe songs our parents listened to when they were dating or just got out of high school. But Rod Stewart? We all remember the raspy sound of the throat busting rocker from his days of fame when we hear Maggie, Hot Legs, or a hit he released in the last decade like Forever Young. This is a different type of music though and from a different era. You have to like this kind of music to appreciate it. I find it to be a very refreshing turn in music being released compared to others today like RAP. If you like RAP, you won't like this. The other has nothing but a beat and lyrics of violence, crime and hate. This music has a soft, relaxing tone to it. A gentle guitar or saxaphone in the background. We all remember the names of that era where this music came from; Ella Fitgerald, Jo Stafford, Sinatra, Bennett, the list is endless. You could take one song from this CD and see it was done by more than a dozen differnt artists back then. This CD brings the music to a new generation that's never heard it. They probably don't know what a 12 inch vinal record is either. In fact I'll bet there's a few young folks out there that have listened to this a couple of times and told theirself, "You know, I like this music." This is a CD you'd like to put on when you invite that special someone over for dinner or just chat and sit out on the porch with each other and look at the moon and stars. I hope this trend of bringing old music back continues. We need more companionship in our life today. We certainly don't need more violence as this RAP suggests.Just one last thought... from all the negative reviews I've read on Rod's latest CDs, I would guess that same crowd is to busy out there having sex to take the time to listen to it. Even more so, have never made love in their precious little life yet. What's that, you didn't know there was a difference between the two??
Free Music Review: LOVE THE VOICE, SONGS, MUSIC...
Hit: 5 Stars
These are my favorite CDs. As a matter of fact, I bought two copies of each [Songbooks I and II], one for my bedroom and one for the car. I listen to both of Rod's American Songbooks and can't wait for the third to arrive in the mail!
These are stress-reducers for me. I play them all the time and know all the words by heart, and I even know which song is coming on next because I play them so often. I especially play them when I'm stressed, as they help me relax and put me in a good mood and make me happy. :-)
I LOVE Rod's voice, and have loved it since I first heard "For the First Time" when a friend played it for me. I've been a fan ever since. These Classics are some of my favorites. Although I grew up in the sixties [I'm 54 now], I've always loved music from the forties, fifties, and sixties the best, and also music from before that time.
I'm glad that singers are starting to bring back this type of music. It's what I listen to the most.
I'm also a fan of [singers, writers, musicians, composers, etc.] Barry Manilow, Michael Bublé, Bill Hayes, Mac Davis, Johnny Crawford [old and new], Neil Sedaka, Michael Crawford, The Beatles, Brian Hyland, Glenn Miller, Leonard Bernstein, Vivaldi, Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, The Zombies, The Eagles, The Rolling Stones, Connie Francis, Ricky Nelson, Bon Jovi, Peter Cetera, Alan Jackson and MANY, many more. You can see that my taste is varied, but now that these Classics have come out, I listen to Rod all the time, including his CD "If We Fall in Love Tonight", which is one of my favorites, if not THE favorite.
I'm just sorry that Rod didn't sing a lot MORE of the Classics and also "For the First Time" at his concert. However, it was the best I've been to, even better than Barry Manilow's and Paul McCartney's concerts, and that's saying a LOT!
I strongly disagree with those who say Rod's voice is not suited to these songs. We all have different tastes, and Rod is definitely at the TOP of MY list of singers, ESPECIALLY with these songs!
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