Legendary artist, songwriter, producer, and ex-Eurythmics member presents his biggest hits, set against the backdrop of a 30-piece orchestra. Includes songs he wrote for Eurythmics, Mick Jagger, Bono, Tom Petty, No Doubt, ... more »Celine Dion, Jon Bon Jovi, and more. Also available as double gatefold vinyl.« less
Legendary artist, songwriter, producer, and ex-Eurythmics member presents his biggest hits, set against the backdrop of a 30-piece orchestra. Includes songs he wrote for Eurythmics, Mick Jagger, Bono, Tom Petty, No Doubt, Celine Dion, Jon Bon Jovi, and more. Also available as double gatefold vinyl.
"This is a great album! After listening to it on Dave's website, I could not wait to get it!
I was apprehensive about another singer singing Eurythmic's songs, as no one does them better than Annie, but Dave was very smart, he did not choose singers that sound like Annie or tried to sound like Annie. They put their own spin on the song.
There were quite a few songs I had not heard before and was not aware that Dave had written them.
I especially like This is the world calling and Jealous
There is not a song on it that I dont like.
I highly recommend it!"
Interesting re-working of some of Stewart's best songs
Julian Maddison | Oxford, UK | 08/17/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Dave Stewart is a ceaseless creative force always creating new music, videos, shops and even comics! Of course he is best known as one half of Eurythmics but, in the 25 years since "Sweet Dreams", Dave Stewart has scored sound tracks, formed other bands (Spiritual Cowboys, Vegas, Platinum Weird), released solo albums and collaborated with literally hundreds of musicians. It is a shame there has never been a compilation album of some of his work to date.
In his quest to always do something new, the approach of "The Dave Stewart Songbook Volume 1" is not the conventional "best of". Instead, a selection of his best known songs have been re-recorded with Dave's current touring band and orchestra which gives all 21 tracks a common feel. Vocals are handled very well by band members and Dave Stewart himself. Some songs are close to the originals ("Would I lie to You?", "Lily was Here"), others work very well in their new treatments ("Love is a Stranger", "Goddess of Love"), but inevitably some songs lack the freshness and excitement of the first versions ("Thorn in my Side", "Possessed").
It is interesting to see which tracks did not make it onto the album. There is nothing from the two Spiritual Cowboys albums and the tracks "Jealousy" written with Bootsy Collins and Eurythmics' "There Must be an Angel" - their only UK no.1 - are also absent. This album has "Volume 1" in the title, so perhaps these and other songs are being saved for a "Volume 2".
As an introduction to Dave Stewart's considerable contribution to pop and rock this is great, but it only scratches the surface of his diversity - listen to Eurythmics' "Savage", the OST "Cookie's Fortune", "Greetings from the Gutter" and the collaboration with Deepak Chopra "Grow Younger, Live Longer" to fully appreciate his musicianship."
The Dave Stewart Songbook - Album, Book, Tour, Website - exc
I. Hillert | 08/17/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A masterpiece like a gallery of timeless classic paintings - all by one artist! Who would have imagined Dave Stewart, the man "behind Annie Lennox" of the Eurythmics ;) created all those incredible songs? Think again, and don't miss him on his US summer tour 2008!
More about the fabulous project on The Dave Stewart Songbook Website http://www.TheDaveStewartSongbook.com
"
Stewart Rocks The Classicist
Leonard J. Loomis | Thousand Oaks, CA USA | 11/02/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I stumbled on Stewart and his orchestra while channel surfing a couple of weeks ago. Since I'm more into Frescobaldi and Scarlatti right now than the rock music of my teen years in the '50s I almost passed on by. But, the lushness of the arrangements, the playing of the orchestra and the so sinuous and sexual violinist super-glued me to the spot. Had to have the album, if for no other reason than as a monument to my salad days. I'm sorry this isn't a DVD because the band is as great to look at as it is to listen to. One of our daughters is a senior manager at the largest Indie music store in LA. She couldn't resist listening to several cuts and agreeing with me that the disc is well-worth having -- for the sonics, the arrangements and the old times made new."
See This Live If You Can
S. Jacobs | 09/25/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Saw the show last night (9/24/08) at the Roxy in L.A. and it was fantastic. The band sounded amazing and the orchestra really created both a very unique stage presentation and a tremendously lush sound. Terrific vocals from a rotating ensemble of 3 female singers. Lead electric violinist Ann Marie Calhoun - a star in her own right - almost stole the show (http://www.annmariecalhoun.com/). Really a great show -- especially in a small setting like the Roxy."