Rod Stewart tackles American standards for forthcoming album
ByJul 29, 2002 10:00 PM
Rod Stewart, who long ago established himself as a premier interpreter of R&B, folk and rock songs, will focus on American standards from the ‘20s and ‘30s on his next album, which is set for release on Oct. 15.
Rod Stewart, who long ago established himself as a premier interpreter of R&B, folk and rock songs, will focus on American standards from the ‘20s and ‘30s on his next album, which is set for release on Oct. 15.
Among the songs Stewart has recorded for as-yet-untitled album are “These Foolish Things,” which features a solo by saxophonist Dave Koz; “It Had to Be You” featuring a solo by Michael Brecker; the 1938 classic “You Go To My Head”; “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1938; 1936’s “The Way You Look Tonight” written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields; the 1930’s love song “The Very Thought of You”; as well as “For All We Know,” “Where or When,” “Moonglow,” “Everytime We Say Goodbye” and others.
“Recording these songs that I grew up with has been a life long dream of mine,” Stewart said in a statement. “Making this album was a great challenge and I’m thrilled with the outcome.”
The new album marks Stewart’s debut for Clive Davis’ J Records. Stewart parted ways with Atlantic Records in 2001, and Davis signed him to J Records in February after hearing the initial demos for the forthcoming album. Phil Ramone and Richard Perry were brought in to produce the album.
According to J Records, Stewart has sold more than 120 million records over the course of his career, and his greatest-hits album, “The Story So Far,” has sold more than 2.5 million copies in 2002.