Rod Stewart Sings Classic American Songs Debuts at #1 : Is American Pop Changing?

Accoring to Reuters...

Stewart Dusts Top of Chart
Fri Oct 29, 2004 11:14 PM ET
By Geoff Mayfield


"LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - As expected, Rod Stewart's latest becomes his first No. 1 album in more than 25 years, but the seasoned British singer also accomplishes a rare trifecta: three simultaneous slots in the top half of the Billboard 200.

The new title, "Stardust ... The Great American Songbook Vol. III" (J) moves 240,000 copies, his largest sales week in the time since Nielsen SoundScan set up shop in 1991. His previous best was the album that bowed exactly a year ago: The second opus from his standards series, "As Time Goes By ... The Great American Songbook Vol. II." It moved 221,000 copies during Christmas week, and 212,000 during the opening frame, when it bowed at No. 2...."

In Volumes 1, 2 and 3, Stewart brings his whiskey barroom voice to classic theatre songs, and then some.

The question is, do you see a changing trend in American pop music that is bringing back intelligent lyrics married to melodies?

Updated On: 10/30/04 at 08:01 PM

So, this is a element of the adage that we all become our parents at a certain point in our lives?

At his age, Rod in a suit and singing Gershwin is a bit more attractive and platable than the old grandpa strutt'n around the stage to blaring inconprehensible rock songs.

Bette's voice is maturing nicely. Listen to their duet on "Manhattan."

I was never a Rod Stewart fan. I'll admit to the fact that Rod's "Great American Songbook" cds are the only ones of his that I own. I had no interest in any of his other recordings, except for mayone one/two songs....

but this series makes one long for low lights, a glass of cognac and someone special nearby to snuggle.

This last one is quite sexy, in its own right.

I'll have to look for it. Thanks, MM.

Speaking of BOTH SIDES NOW, have you heard Mabel Mercer's rendition?

One of the best new additions to my music collection is the double CD of the two Bobby Short and Mabel Mercer concerts at Town Hall, recroding live in the late 60s.

Two classic recordings of two top notch song stylists in their prime. And the material... Superb!

What a coincidence: I just heard Rod Stewart's American Songbook CDs last night. I thought they were GHASTLY.

What Stuart WISHES he sounded like is Steve Tyrell, whose CDs (of much of the same material) are incomparably superior to Stewarts. But Stewart is not dumb - the producer of his Classic Amnerican Songbook CD is...Steve Tyrell.

Hadn't we gone this "Has-Been Rock Stars Rediscovering Classic pop" route a decade or so earlier with Linda Rondstadt?

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Updated On: 10/30/04 at 10:14 PM

Jose, I'm familiar with the Mabel Mercer you speak of. I find Mitchell's version pf BOTH SIDES NOW comparable to Ms. M's. No small praise.