Rod Stewart’s The Great American Songbook isn’t just one album—it’s actually a series of five albums released between 2002 and 2010. In this collection, Stewart put his signature raspy voice to work on classic pop and jazz standards from the early to mid-20th century, covering composers like George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, and Cole Porter.
Stewart's distinctive raspy voice and his respect for the original melodies and lyrics made these albums a tribute to the golden era of American songwriting.
Rod Stewart’s The Great American Songbook series evokes a warm, nostalgic, and elegant atmosphere, blending romance and sophistication with a touch of laid-back charm.
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Albums and Featured Songs in the Series:
It Had to Be You (2002) – They Can’t Take That Away from Me, The Way You Look Tonight
As Time Goes By (2003) – Time After Time, As Time Goes By (w/ Queen Latifah)
Stardust (2004) – Stardust, Blue Moon, Grammy-winning
Thanks for the Memory (2005) – I've Got a Crush on You (w/ Diana Ross), Makin' Whoopee
Fly Me to the Moon (2010) – Fly Me to the Moon, Moon River
Notable Musicians on Rod Stewart’s Great American Songbook Series
Diana Ross – I've Got a Crush on You (Thanks for the Memory, Vol. IV)
Queen Latifah – As Time Goes By (As Time Goes By, Vol. II)
Stevie Wonder – What a Wonderful World (harmonica, Stardust, Vol. III)
George Benson – Let’s Fall in Love (Thanks for the Memory, Vol. IV)
Dave Koz – Contributed saxophone across the series
Arturo Sandoval – Trumpet on multiple tracks
Chris Botti – Trumpet performances throughout the albums
While specific musician line-ups for each of Rod Stewart's Great American Songbook albums aren't comprehensively documented in the available sources, it's evident that the series featured collaborations with numerous talented artists.
Notably:
Michael Brecker: The esteemed tenor saxophonist contributed to the series, bringing his jazz expertise to the arrangements.
Dave Koz: Known for his smooth jazz style, Koz's saxophone performances added a contemporary touch to the classic standards.
Arturo Sandoval: The legendary trumpeter's involvement infused the tracks with vibrant jazz and Latin influences.
Chris Botti: As a renowned trumpeter, Botti's melodic play enriched the musical texture of the albums.