"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 * * * * *

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.

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.

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!