Rod Stewart Stardust: The Great American Songbook, Vol. 3 CD

Neither Rod Stewart nor producer Clive Davis have ever been accused of letting any moss grow around them, so when Stewart's first collection of tunes from the Great American Songbook turned out to be a smash, they followed it up with a sequel, and, eventually, with a third volume. As with the preceding albums, STARDUST finds Stewart tackling the cream of the crop of classic pop standards, songs that will be instantly familiar to followers of Bennett, Sinatra, et al. but which may conceivably be new to some of Rod's more rock-oriented fans. In that sense, the record can be seen as a public service, introducing those woefully benighted souls to such masterworks as the Gershwins' lovelorn ballad "But Not for Me," and the transcendently stellar, Hoagy Carmichael-penned title tune. As if the material wasn't firepower enough, the album's profile is further raised by some heavyweight guest stars; Dolly Parton is Stewart's sassy foil on "Baby, It's Cold Outside," Stevie Wonder contributes his trademark chromatic harmonica magic to "What a Wonderful World," and Eric Clapton adds to the poignancy of "Blue Moon" with some lyrical guitar work.

Photographers: Andrew McPherson ; Penny Lancaster.

Arranger: Bob Mann.

Personnel: Bob Mann (guitar, keyboards, synthesizer); Eric Clapton, Vin "Vinny" D'Onofrio (guitar); Sylvia Davanzo, Gil Romero, Katia Popov, Christopher Cardona, Ana Landauer, Barbara Porter, Ken Yerke, Cenobia Cummings, Franklyn d'Antonio, Antoine Silverman, Martin Agee, Roberto Cani, Bruce Dukov, Julie Gigante, Maxim Moston, Robert Peterson, Paul Woodiel, Michael Markman, Jonathan Dinklage, Endre Granat, Haim Shtrum (violin); Jorge Moraga, Dan Neufeld, Brian Denbow, David Creswell, Danielle Farina, Janet Lakatos, Simon Oswell, Nancy Roth, Jessica Troy, David F. Walther (viola); Timothy Landauer, Danny Miller , Stephen Erdody, David Low , Anja Wood, Steve Richards , Sarah Carter (cello); Stevie Wonder (harmonica); Warren Leuning, Bob Sheppard (clarinet, saxophone, trumpet); Dave Koz, Plas Johnson (saxophone); Warren Vaché, Arturo Sandoval (trumpet); Kenny Ascher (piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Mike Thompson (piano, string synthesizer); Dave Grusin, Alan Pasqua (piano); Jon Allen (keyboards); Andy Chuckerman (string synthesizer); John "Hot Fat Reynolds" Ferraro, Allan Schwartzberg (drums); Dorian Holley, Marlena Jeter (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Andy Zulla.