Out today (November 22nd) is Rod Stewart's You're In My Heart: Rod Stewart With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The album combines classic vocal tracks from Rod's biggest hits along with newly recorded arrangements by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO). Rod joins a growing list of artists who have tapped the RPO to supplement their evergreen masters, including Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys, Aretha Franklin, and Roy Orbison.
Highlights on the set include a new recording of the 1966 Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston Motown classic "It Takes Two" featuring Robbie Williams, as well as the new track, "Stop Loving Her Today."
Among the legendary tunes revamped and given the orchestral treatment are such hits as "Maggie May," "Reason To Believe," "Tonight’s The Night (Gonna Be Alright)," "You’re In My Heart (The Final Acclaim)," "Stay With Me" with the Faces, "Forever Young," "Rhythm Of My Heart," and "Have I Told You Lately," among others.
Rod Stewart told us that although his recent American Songbook albums have sold incredibly well, these days, getting substantial radio airplay is still tough for an older artist: ["You're running up against, y'know, the airplay situation. They don't seem to want to play anybody that's over 35 anymore, y'know, and even over 30. I'm not complaining. Y'know, I think we've had a really good run at it — the people that came along in the early-'70s and are still here, like Elton and myself — and I don't think anybody can complain if they're playing other people on the radio."] SOUNDCUE (:17 OC: . . . on the radio)
Rod Stewart kicks off a 13-date UK tour on Saturday (November 23rd) in Manchester, England. Throughout the trek, Rod and his band will be backed by a 36-piece orchestra.
Rod's next U.S. show is set for February 23rd at Hollywood, Florida's Hard Rock Live.