As Time Goes By...The Great American Songbook: Volume II

One of the great vocalists of the rock era, Rod Stewart earned a Grammy nomination for his performance of timeless hits on "It Had To Be You... The Great American Songbook." His follow-up to that multi-platinum success, "As Time Goes By... The Great American Songbook Vol. II" contains 15 more American classics, including duets with Cher and Queen Latifah and a Target bonus track. Available only at Target stores and target.com, this exclusive version of the CD features his rendition of "My Favorite Things" for the Target holiday ad campaign. Includes: 1. "Time After Time" 2. "I'm In The Mood For Love" 3. "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" 4. "Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered" (featuring Cher) 5. "'Till There Was You" 6. "Until The Real Thing Comes Along" 7. "Where Or When" 8. "Smile" 9. "My Heart Stood Still" 10. "Someone To Watch Over Me" 11. "As Time Goes By" (featuring Queen Latifah) 12. "I Only Have Eyes For You" 13. "Crazy She Calls Me" 14. "Our Love Is Here To Stay" 15. "My Favorite Things" (Target exclusive)

At least Rod Stewart is consistent. Long accused by critics of selling his considerable interpretative talents short and playing it safe for the trappings of fame, Stewart revisits the font of his latest career revival here. But while 2002's It Had To Be You at least turned on the novelty of hearing raspy Rod the Mod tackle a slate of American pop standards with a boozy, world-weary tone that sometimes reinforced the originals' intent with trans-generational flair, the British rock icon unfortunately reverted to form a year later on this 14-track sequel. Set against the laconic, cocktail-friendly productions of vets Richard Perry and Phil Ramone, Stewart's performances seem strangely detached throughout. Even when offered the chance at some real human interaction on a pair of ill-conceived duets with Cher (who at least attempts to bring some dramatic flair to "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered") and Queen Latifah (whose recent turn in Chicago informs the title track), Stewart seems almost blissfully unaware of their presence. These are songs that virtually demand to be acted out, not phoned in. Brilliant vocal performances often reinforce the notion of "the singer, not the song;" here that old adage sounds more like a suggestion of where to place the blame for this album's disappointments. --Jerry McCulley