"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.

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!

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!!!!