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

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Thanks For The Memory...The Great American Songbook IV Review"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 * * * * *
Thanks For The Memory...The Great American Songbook IV OverviewRod's back with another chaper in the American songbook. This time he has teamed up with Diana Ross for 'I've Got a Crush on You', Chaka Khan on 'My One and Only Love' and Elton John on the classic 'I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm'. Also included are the timeless classic's'My Funny Valentine', 'Makin' Whoopee', 'Let's Fall in Love' and the tilte track 'Thanks for the Memory'. J Records. 2005.

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