Track Listing

1. You Go To My Head
2. They Can't Take That Away From Me
3. The Way You Look Tonight
4. It Had To Be You
5. That Old Feeling
6. These Foolish Things
7. The Very Thought Of You
8. Moonglow
9. I'll Be Seeing You
10. Every Time We Say Goodbye
11. The Nearness Of You
12. For All We Know
13. We'll Be Together Again
14. That's All

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #565 in Music
• Released on: 2002-10-26
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Dimensions: .25 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
Rod Stewart's mellowing years have neatly coincided with a commitment to smart ballad choices and a generally warmer musical persona. Like many a pop singer, Stewart returns on It Had to be You to what's become generally known as the Great American Songbook, that evergreen body of mid-20th century song craft that continues to inspire singers across oceans and generations. It's said that Stewart has been vocalising many of these songs in private for years, and given the warm, human scale of most of the performances here, it's not hard to believe. Producer Phil Ramone's spare, unobtrusive arrangements inspire the singer to some of his most subtle and rewarding performances in years. Stewart's slightly weary vocal tack handsomely suggests the smoke, booze and aching heart that lie at the best of these songs. Such back-to-the-future efforts can often sound like a last career gasp; here, they seem a refreshing breath of fresh air. --Jerry McCulley

CD Description
'It Had To Be You' sees Rod Stewart mellow with age by tackling songs from the American pre-rock era. The album features tracks popular throughout the Thirties, Forties and Fifties, and includes songs by Cole Poter, George Gerswhin, and Jerome Kern. Produced by Richard Perry, Phil Ramone, and CliveDavis, Rod takes each track and makes it his own with his distinctive soulful voice.

Customer Reviews

Rod Stewart explores The Great American Songbook
Having heard the same songs by other Jazz singers, I was curious to analyze Rod Steward's version of the old time classics. The surprise was grand and Rod Stewart's own phrasing is simply superb! The arrangements " a la Gordon Jenkins, Billy May...Nelson Riddle" are quite good, the production top notch!
Rod Stewart is simply a singer who can sing, period!He uses his voice like an instrument to convey the emotions of the different tracks as if they were written for him and his dexterity makes you forget about some newly discovered jazz talents and even some veterans.
It was also a surprise to see him in duet with Nathalie Cole on Parkinson's show.
This is not an attempt by the singer to run away from the polluted and saturated pop scene but a genuine rendition of the tunes of his youth.
In a nutshell: The Great American Songbook by Rod Stewart: Excellent ballad album... A must!

Rod Stewart takes this past 5 stars and right to the moon
Rod Stewart has always had a voice that could take you from tears to laughter and love. In just the way he holds the note his voice is like a caress over the notes that leaves a person wanting more, with the song, You go to my head, he can make you feel like you are falling in love, and he is right there with you! It is very rare to find a voice that can span the range of songs that Mr. Stewart has just brushed on I hope he finds his way to more songs like these that can make kids adults and grandparents happy and falling in love for a very long time. This album has some of the best musicians on it from the sax to the clarinet you could not ask for a better piece of music that will go on for ever way to go!!! Thank You Rod Stewart and your band they are the best

Totally amazing
This CD is obviously a labour of love for Rod Stewart. He makes reference in the cover notes to singing these songs at family parties when young. And he sings them so well.

I couldn't believe how easily his voice lent itself to these songs. He has excelled himself this time around and that's a compliment coming from a fan of over thirty years standing. Long may he continue.