The music-buying public can't get enough of the former Rod the Mod in his current incarnation as a smoky-voiced vocal stylist of standards. The great Rod Stewart's latest collection, STARDUST:THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK III, features a cavalcade of stellar guests; Stevie Wonder, Bette Midler, Dave Koz, Dolly Parton and trumpet genius Arturo Sandoval.
|
Notes & Personnel Info |  | Personnel include: Rod Stewart; Stevie Wonder (vocals, harmonica); Dolly Parton, Bette Midler (vocals); Eric Clapton, Bob Mann (guitar); Dave Koz (saxophone); Arturo Sandoval (trumpet); Dave Grusin, Kenny Ascher (piano); Bob Cranshaw (bass guitar); Allan Schwartzberg (drums). | | Neither Rod Stewart nor producer Clive Davis have ever been accused of letting any moss grow around them, so when Stewart's first collection of tunes from the Great American Songbook turned out to be a smash, they followed it up with a sequel, and, eventually, with a third volume. As with the preceding albums, STARDUST finds Stewart tackling the cream of the crop of classic pop standards, songs that will be instantly familiar to followers of Bennett, Sinatra, et al. but which may conceivably be new to some of Rod's more rock-oriented fans. In that sense, the record can be seen as a public service, introducing those woefully benighted souls to such masterworks as the Gershwins' lovelorn ballad "But Not for Me," and the transcendently stellar, Hoagy Carmichael-penned title tune. As if the material wasn't firepower enough, the album's profile is further raised by some heavyweight guest stars; Dolly Parton is Stewart's sassy foil on "Baby, It's Cold Outside," Stevie Wonder contributes his trademark chromatic harmonica magic to "What a Wonderful World," and Eric Clapton adds to the poignancy of "Blue Moon" with some lyrical guitar work. |
Producer: Richard Perry; Clive Davis; Steve Tyrell |
Musical Guests | | Dolly Parton | | Bette Midler | | Stevie Wonder | | Arturo Sandoval | | Dave Koz | | Eric Clapton |
|
CD
