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

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!

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.

Have wanted this DVD for some time.... a A good example of the old and newer mus ic appreciated by all of his audience ........ here is a vocalist who can adapt to both styles with dedication and Of course present it so that all can get some value from it (All from a selection back to the thirties .... Bravo!! and well done Rod

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.

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

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!!!

Listening enjoyment and relaxation.

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.

いい雰囲気が出てます。相変わらずかすれ声が心に響きます。リズム感も素晴らしい。

他の方のレビューにビデオでもPCでもリーションフリーのため再生可能と出ていましたが、実際は日本の東芝製ビデオプレーヤーでは再生できませんでした。２０年くらい前のビデオプレーヤーRD-X6では、「このビデオディスクはPAL方式なので再生できません」と表示されますし、５年くらい前の東芝RD-BR600でも同様の表示が出て再生できませんでした。日本のビデオプレーヤーで見るにはNTSC方式のフォーマットで記録していなければ見れません。しかしパソコンではPowerDVD8というソフトで見ることができました。リビングでDVDを見たい方は注意が必要です。Rod StewartのGreat American Songに最近はまっていて既にVol.2-4を買い今回Vol1に当たるこのDVDを買ったのですが、中身は編集がちょっと不満ですが、歌自体は楽しめるものとなっています。Rock時代の曲とジャスやスタンダードの曲の２本仕立てになって、服装も変えて登場してきます。

先ずはリージョンフリーのようなので、ＰＣでもＤＶＤでも再生可能。ジャズスタンダードナンバーの他、MAGGIE MAY、HOT LEGS、DOWNTOWN TRAIN他素晴らしいライブパフォーマンスが繰り広げられます。昔からのファンは勿論の事、ジャズファンもきっと、甘いハスキーなヴォーカルに十分満喫できます。すぐＧＥＴ！！

ロッド・スチュアートの「グレート・アメリカン・ソングス集」は、ジャズを歌い始めた人には最適なCDだと思う。原曲に忠実であまり崩していないからだ。その映像があるというので、楽しみに購入したのだが……。シャープのBDレコーダーでも、パイオニアのBDプレーヤーでも再生できないのだ。「アメリカ」というグループのBDを購入した時も同様なことが起きた。そのBDは返品して同じものに交換してもらったのだが、付け紙には「返品されたディスクはまともだった。それでもクレームがついたので交換に応じた」という趣旨のことが印字されていた。では、なんで返品したBDは再生不可で、交換されたBDは再生できたのか？　アメリカ資本ゆえか、己の非を認めない文化があるようだ。今回も同様に、返品の煩わしさに不快な思いが募る。結論としては、「アマゾンでDVD・BDは買うまじ」だ。己の非を認めない企業態度も問題である。

ＴＶ用のライブショーです。しっとりと聴きたい人にはロッドの素晴らしい歌声を堪能できると思います。ロッドのジャズは素晴らしいです。但し、ロックの部分は・・・。カーマイン・アピスがドラムを叩いていた頃のワイルドなロックンロールを期待する人にはお勧めできません。ホットレッグスはロックンロールではなく、ポップスになってますので、あしからず。