MUSIC REVIEWS
ROD STEWART'S AS TIME GOES BY

Rod Stewart's 2003 release As Time Goes By, The Great American Songbook Volume II, is a follow up to his 2002 release It Had To Be You, The Great American Songbook. As Time Goes By features Rod Stewart singing great American hits from the 1940s, 50s and 60s. He sings classic songs such as "Time After Time," "Where And When," "I Only Have Eyes For You," "I'm In The Mood For Love," and "Till There Was You" (a song recorded by the Beatles). Stewart performs the title cut "As Time Goes By," a song made popular by the movie Casablanca starring Humphry Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, as a duet with Queen Latifah and "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered" with pop diva Cher.

It Had To Be You also features vintage songs from the past such as "The Way You Look Tonight," "Moonglow," "That Old Feeling," the title cut "It Had To Be You," and nine other American classic songs.

The CDs contain traditional instrumental arrangements while maintaining Rod Stewart's unique presentation and delivery that has sustained him through his long career in the music business.

Both CDs were released on j records and were produced by Richard Perry, Clive Davis, and Phil Ramone. The set is a good anthology of ageless songs in a modern updated collection.

There were a couple of CDs released earlier in 2003 that we did not have the space to review but wish to mention at this time. Santana's Shaman is a wonderful 16 track CD that features many popular vocalists. The major hit on this CD was the "The Game of
Love" featuring Michelle Branch. This CD is a great follow up to Santana's Supernatural. If you enjoyed Supernatural, check out Shaman.

Sax aficionado Kenny G's release Paradise is also worthy of note. The song "One More Time," featuring the vocals of Chante Moore, received a lot of airplay on many radio stations across the world. The 11 cut CD includes the unique sound of Kenny G's laid back jazz style and is a must have for the Kenny G fan.

Several albums the Clarion Issue labeled 'missing in action' several years ago have now been re-released on CD. Dr. John's Tango Palace was released in late November 2003. This collection contained one of my favorite Dr. John tunes, "Keep That Music Simple." If you're a Dr. John fan, this CD contains his New Orleans Jazz/Blues/Dixieland style that only the Dr. himself can prescribe. This was an overlooked platter that you may want to investigate now that it is on CD.

Another 'MIA' was Joan Baez's album Gulf Winds. Gulf Winds can be found in its entirety on Joan Baez: The Complete A&M Recordings. The title cut "Gulf Winds" is a very moving ballad about a Spanish/Mexican family in the United States. The CD collection contains five other albums including Diamonds and Rust, Come From The Shadows, and the live album From Every Stage. This CD is a good investment, especially if your Joan Baez collection is still held hostage on vinyl. Look for The A&M Recordings and Tango Palace at the on line record stores.