Rod Stewart: As Time Goes By

Reviewed by GRAHAM REID

Herald rating: * * *

The soundtrack to a thousand dinner parties gets its Part Deux. Here, as on his previous album of covers of songs by the likes of Sammy Cahn, Rodgers and Hart, and the Gershwins, Rod dons the tuxedo and takes that distinctive, weakening voice through the Great American Songbook.

Here guests are Queen Latifah (As Time Goes By) and the great Cher (Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered). If you liked the first one you'll like this. If you didn't it probably means you don't do dinner parties.

Nicest touch? The back cover photo of a smirking, shag-headed and dinner-suited Rod clutching yet another slim-line babe in a parody of his Blondes Have More Fun album cover.

Good on ya, son. Some hate Rod for this, the rest of us just admire his gall and humour.
(J Records)