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Lunch » Tags » Music » Reviews » Rod Stewart: Soulbook

Rod Stewart: Soulbook

3 Ratings: -2.7

2009 audio CD release

Grammy Award winning Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Rod Stewart will be releasing The Great American SoulBook on October 27, 2009, a collection of classic Sixties & Seventies-era soul favorites sung by one of the most interpretive voices in music. Stewart … see full wiki

Tags: Music, Pop, Album, Soul, Rod Stewart

1 review about Rod Stewart: Soulbook

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Rod sings soul!

Nov 11, 2009

by bobby_h

Rating:

-3

I had great hopes for this album. After years in the musical doldrums, Rod finally seemed to have come up with songs worthy of his talents. I was however to be disappointed. The original versions of some of hese songs were some of the most vibrant and exciting musical milestones full of passion. I am sorry to say that Rod's tribute versions capture none of the 'souls' of these songs. The album is beautifully produced with the backing tracks faithfully copying the originals but missing that essential spark. Rod's vocals are pleasant enough but sung without any suggestion of feeling or expression. In short, Rod had taken some of the world's most exciting songs and turned them into the worst kind of "easy listening". This album is every bit as boring as those appalling American Songbook albums ... but if you like them, you will probably like this
Another mystery is why, on "It's The Same Old Song," does Rod sing completely the wrong notes (a full tone higher) on "Old" and "Mean-ing" ... With a lesser artist, I would put it down to sloppy singing but with a performer of Rod's abilities, I can only assume that he feels that singing completely the wrong notes somehow improves the original song ... It doesn't!
I have followed Rod from the beginning and have enjoyed some of the greatest live performances ever. I now find it hard to believe that this is the same person who gave us "Stay with me," "Miss Judy's Farm," etc. etc. Perhaps it's time Rod seriously thought about hanging up his vocal chords.

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devora November 11, 2009

Thanks for the great review! Very disappointing to hear about this album though, especially from someone who has followed his music since the beginning. Is it possible that his voice may have changed over the years? Odd how he would record a classic in a different key.

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drifter51 November 11, 2009

Great review!. I could not agree with you more. I almost got sucked into buying this disc figuring that he would do a great job on this type of material. Fortunately I sampled some of the tracks on Amazon. As you say these songs lack the passion and the excitement of the originals. You are also correct in saying that it is time for Rod to hang it up. After those dreadful "Great American Songbook" albums that were worse than this I don't believe the man has anything left to offer. Better off enjoying his old stuff on a collection like "The Definitive Rod Stewart". By the way, welcome to Lunch and keep the reviews coming!

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