15 December 2006
	JAZZ CD REVIEW Songs for swinging stockings By Don Albert

Teen rockers and teeny boppers are growing up; and, through the efforts of Rod Stewart and his ilk, these new adult listeners have been exposed to the songs of the Great American Songbook, written by Gershwin, Berlin, Rogers & Hart, Porter and even Ellington, to name a few. Today there are many compilations of the above, some good and others so-so, but one that sticks out as a goodie is simply titled Songbook (StarCD 7054). The compilation includes 20 songs sung mainly by artists younger listeners can relate to, and which the over-50s will also enjoy. Sting does a sterling job on "Someone to watch over me"; Norah Jones is delicate on "The nearness of you"; Jamie Cullum grooves on "I get a kick out of you"; Katie Melua offers a cool bluesy version of "Blues in the night"; and Diana Krall adds a sensual Latin beat to "Let's face the music and dance". Elvis Costello is tender on Charles Aznavour's "She"; Brian Ferry starts off in a soft disco style before adding a back-beat to "I put a spell on you"; Chantz is backed by a big band for "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing"; and the super Madeleine Peyroux recalls Billie Holiday on "Don't cry baby". However, after all the good stuff, there are a few tracks that don't quite make it for me. They are Joss Stone's "Some kind of wonderful"; Gabrielle's "Walk on by"; LeAnn Rimes' "Crazy"; and Rod Stewart's "Reason to Believe". But the CD ends on a good note as another Billie Holiday-inspired singer, Amy Winehouse, takes it home with "There is no greater love". An excellent stocking filler.