Rod Stewart rocks again

Rod Stewart certainly did the much-loved classics so well in the four albums that comprise his Great American Songbook Series. Because of that, I really thought he would stay with the oldies and bask for a long time in this new phase of his career. There are still so many songs out there waiting for his version. But once a rocker, always a rocker and Stewart has decided to rock once again.

Take note though that although he has decided to rock, he also has no intention of ditching the standards. This guy likes to eat his cake and have it, too. And he has succeeded to do just that. What Stewart does in his new album is sing covers of old rock songs. The title is Still the Same…Great Rock Classics of Our Time and he covers at least 50 years of rock ’n roll songwriting with his line-up. That means music from The Everly Brothers up to The Pretenders to John Waite.

I have to admit that does not rock as hard as the old Rod Stewart did in this CD. Remember Do Ya Think I’m Sexy, Maggie May, Tonight’s the Night and other hits? Maybe the rocker in him had been tempered by performing too much George Gershwin or Cole Porter. So there are less rough edges this time around. However, whether rocking or not, Stewart remains an excellent vocalist and his singing, always so distinctive, is what makes this album a treat.

I guess I should also mention that aside from the merits of the artist’s performance, another reason why I enjoy listening to covers is that these albums are like reprieve centers for songs sentenced to death by forgetfulness. There are so many of those doomed not to be heard again. The important ones saved by this album are Day After Day by Badfinger and Have You Ever Seen the Rain by the Creedence Clearwater Revival, both of which I have not heard for a long while.

Still the Same…Great Rock Classics of Our Time by Rod Stewart also has Fooled Around and Fell in Love originally by Elvin Bishop, which should make a good single; Still the Same by Bob Seger; It’s a Heartache by Bonnie Tyler; Missing You by John Waite; Father & Son by Cat Stevens; The Best of My Love by The Eagles; If Not for You by Bob Dylan; Love Hurts by The Everly Brothers and later by Nazareth; Everything I Own by Bread; Crazy Love by Van Morrison; and he really gave a raspy new spin to the best of the lot, I’ll Stand by You, once a biggie by The Pretenders.

CDs as Christmas gifts

I am sure you have somebody in your Christmas gift list this year who would be very happy to receive a copy of Rod’s Still the Same. Like I repeat in this section year after year, CDs make very good presents. There’s something for everyone in the music stores and that range covers Barney up to Beethoven. CDs are easy to wrap. Best of all, the gift of music, especially if you make the right choice, never stops growing. You might want to check out Rod Stewart’s and these other suggestions for the romantics and the nostalgia trippers in your list.

Duets, An American Classic by Tony Bennett: This is a star-studded tribute to the great Tony Bennett and he has duets with Celine Dion in If I Ruled the World, with George Michael in How Do You Keep the Music Playing, with Elton John in Rags to Riches, with Sting in The Boulevard of Broken Dreams, with Paul McCartney in The Very Thought of You and many others. This album should also go to those who need reminding that age is all in the mind. Bennett turned 80 last August and sounds fantastic.

Awake by Josh Groban: The classical singing heartthrob sings romantic oldies When She Dances, In Her Eyes and moving new originals like February Song and the first single You are Loved (Don’t Give Up).

Romantic Classics by Julio Iglesias: If you are feeling extra generous, this will make a good companion to Rod’s Still the Same, because both albums are made up of redone Top 40 tunes. Julio’s though comes with an added treat. The Spanish balladeer does Crazy in Taglish and a duet with Lea Salonga in All of You.

From this Moment On by Diana Krall: This one is made up of tunes from the American songbook like It Could Happen to You, Day in Day Out and Little Girl Blue, done in the jazzy, smoky style of Diana Krall. Get it for the jazz music lover or for somebody wondering where the present bossa nova craze should go. The answer to that is jazz.