LOS ANGELES
Rod Stewart grew up idolizing such soul singers as Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson and Otis Redding. On his new album, Soulbook, he gets a chance to pay tribute to his childhood idols in song -- and even gets a chance to sing with one of them on the CD.
Smokey Robinson is one of the guest stars on Soulbook, which features Stewart singing some of soul music's most revered tunes. It follows in Stewart's trend of recording classic covers (he had a resurgence with his Great American Songbook album series).
In an interview, Stewart said he was elated to sing "Tracks of My Tears," which Robinson recorded with the Miracles decades ago on Motown, with the legendary singer and composer.
"I grew up listening to Smokey Robinson -- to have that guy come into the studio and sing on ‘Tracks Of My Tears' (was great)," he said.
Stevie Wonder also joined Stewart to sing one of his signature songs, "My Cherie Amour," another highlight for Stewart.
The CD also features appearances by Mary J. Blige and Jennifer Hudson. Soulbook was released in October. See a review in Thursday's relish.
Now that Stewart has taken on soul music, he's willing to take other genres, even the blues.
"I would love to sing all that stuff. I really would. It could go on and on and on," he said. "The one thing I won't be doing is I won't be writing any songs. It has gone past me now, the writing phase. It was always a struggle."
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