Rod Stewart - It Had To Be You - The Great American Songbook on CD

Description

Rod Stewart's mellowing years have neatly coincided with a commitment to smart ballad choices and a generally warmer musical persona. Like many a pop singer, Stewart returns on It Had to be You to what's become generally known as the Great American Songbook, that evergreen body of mid-20th century song craft that continues to inspire singers across oceans and generations. It's said that Stewart has been vocalising many of these songs in private for years, and given the warm, human scale of most of the performances here, it's not hard to believe. Producer Phil Ramone's spare, unobtrusive arrangements inspire the singer to some of his most subtle and rewarding performances in years. Stewart's slightly weary vocal tack handsomely suggests the smoke, booze and aching heart that lie at the best of these songs. Such back-to-the-future efforts can often sound like a last career gasp; here, they seem a refreshing breath of fresh air. --Jerry McCulley Product Description 2002 release that features tracks popular throughout the Thirties, Forties and Fifties, and includes songs by Cole Poter, George Gerswhin, and Jerome Kern. Produced by Richard Perry, Phil Ramone, and Clive Davis, Rod takes each track and makes it his own with his distinctive soulful voice.