Rod Stewart: It Had to Be You - The Great American Songbook

Some purists have given this performance and Rod's renditions of the old standards thumbs down.His unique style, the arrangements and the phrasing do these songs do them great justice and respect.He's as good as anyone at them.His voice is the perfect fit too.He invests just the right amount of feeling in each of them and performs with verve and humor.And in this DVD, a 50 year old man dancing among all the beautiful women (including musicians in red leather miniskirts).We got stuck to some extent for some decades in a Rock and Roll Dark Ages so more people are now receptive to songs that are more reflective and romantic.As a rocker he is accomplished; but when he sings songs of a more understated, more innocent and emotional and sentimental era he excels.Tony Bennett in his new incarnation and Harry Connick was perhaps the first to popularize them for new generations; and most recently McCartney, Elvis Costello, Madeleine Peyroux and so many others have been doing the old standards beautifully now and they are needed for the emotional balance we may have partially lost.

I have never been a Rod Steart fan... Until now... I caught the CD .. and the DVD was a must. Rod takes the opportunity to "cross over" and bridge the gap of at least a couple of generations. The shots of todays audience holding hands... cheek to cheek is back and warmer than ever. He provides todays listeners with the common sense to listen to the lyrics and understand the meaning of them. One of the most noteable and less obvious is the lack of "brass and amplified percussion" in the band... mostly strings with a rythmn section highlighted by a single Trumpet or Sax solo to enhcnace the arrangement.The entire production is well executed and the background singers and set compliment the entire production. Rod has made the transition well and he will no doubt gather a whole new "army" of followers with this one. Well done Rod... Congratulations.

I purchased this for my 91 year old mom for Mother's Day - she could NOT be happier with this - her words "he sends me".... Her caregiver said this is the BEST Rod DVD she has EVER seen!!! HIGHLY recommend if you LOVE "Sir Rod" like my mom does!!!

For many years, I had been only a casual fan of Rod's work, due to a surfiet of "Maggie May" played continuously on the juke box in my college restaurant by some unknown idiot. After a while, people would get up and kick the plug out of the wall, to tumultuous applause from the rest of us. After that beginning, I was loathe to explore more of Rod's work. However, I did eventually pick up "Storyteller", since it contained all the Stewart material I liked. I was mildly puzzled by the title, but never enough to pursue it. It was only when I received this DVD as a gift that "Storyteller" made sense. In drama school, we spent some time learning the art of storytelling, which can be even more difficult than acting. The answer was evident then. One has to SEE Rod to understand that he has mastered the art of storytelling in his songs. This DVD has taken a lot of flack; it doesn't deserve it. Rod's performance of "Downtown Train" is killer; a fantastic example of his storytelling skills, but they are also evident in his songs from "The Great American Songbook". Combined with the "One Night Only" DVD (another must-have), you've got Rod Stewart as he should be enjoyed --- live and loving what he's doing!

Rod Stuart the Rock music singer is not my cup of tea. But his Great American Songbook series is terrific. If you are looking for smooth relaxing oldies music, you won't be disappointed. The Orchestra backing Stuart up is outstanding. Lot's of good Piano and Sax. He doesn't try to "Stylize" the songs to death. Just sings them! Take a chance on these albums if you like say...Frank Sinatra, or Michael Bubble. Your gonna love Rod.

Watching this video is just having a ringside seat. If you like the Frank Sinatra-like concertthen you will love this live concert on dvd. The standard ballads sang here proves thatthese songs will never die. Although Rod's voice does not compare with Sinatra, he has giventhese standard songs another extension of life. Plus you get an additional bonus watching thereal Rod Stewart as a rock star do his real thing.

This visual DVD would not play. I was very disappointed as I like Rod Stewart singing the classics.I did, however, receive a prompt refund for this item. That was appreciated, but I would rather have the DVD.

Music is a very personal thing. To me, this is an awesome DVD. Sometimes I just play it for the music. hIghly recommneded.

Wspaniały koncert.

Top Concert

enregistrer en live avec les plus grands succes americains qu'il a enregistre tres bon moment

BELLISSIMO CONCERTO. ROD SUPERLATIVO. OK.

DVD en excellent état. Recus un peu en retard mais je suis habitué avec z'overstock. En attendant leur DVD sont toujours en super bon état. Quand au DVD c'est rod Stewart mais plutôt stylé variété. Pas comme à l'épique où il était avec les faces ou c'était plus rock. Il y a quelques titres de cette époque mal grès tout. C'est un bon chanteur qui touche à tout. Bon DVD.