Customer Reviews

Bette Midler Sings The Rosemary Clooney Songbook

5 star:		(147)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(20)
1 star:		(27)

 

 

A charming album. Bette and Barry have crafted a loving tribute to one of their favorite singers, the amazing Rosemary Clooney.
Bette plays it straight - the Divine Miss M is not in sight, but that's appropriate because Clooney didn't need to showboat to show off her chops, either. Great arrangements create a stylish bed for Bette's vocals, which are better and more focused than they've been in years. Nice duet with Linda Ronstadt on "Sisters." I agree that the CD is a little short, but that's showbiz - leave them wanting more! A fine effort from all concerned, and very respectful of Clooney's legacy, yet the artists involved allow their own personality to shine thru. A worthy addition to anyone's library of standards.

Barry Manilow and Bette Midler teamed up after many years for this tribute to the great Rosemary Clooney and it's wonderful. I agree it could (and should) have been longer with more songs but what IS here is impeccable. Splendid orchestration and Manilow's arrangements of the songs are perfect for Midler's voice. She sounds better than ever. The selections are evocative of Clooney and have new spins on them but remain true to her legend. Midler has some fun with "Come-on-a-My-House" and "Mambo Italiano" but keeps Clooney in mind on the duet with Linda Ronstadt "Sisters". They sound so good together that it's hard to tell them apart---but the result is pure swinging Clooney. Only eleven songs are here but the CD is completely entertaining even in it's short running time. It ends with a nice version of "White Christmas" and makes you yearn for more. For my money, it's the best Bette in years. Thank you, Miss M and Mr.Manilow AND Rosie.

When Rosemary Clooney passed away last year I did not think that she received the consideration due her musical career. Maybe it was because her initial reputation was made on the strength of recordings that were clearly novelty songs. But in terms of female jazz singers from that period, and I would maintain that ultimately Clooney was a jazz vocalist, she was a superb lyrical interpreter, whose phrasing displayed an intelligence that few of her contemporaries could match. One result of this tribute album from Bette Midler and producer Barry Manilow is that a lot of people are going to be inspired to go back and listen to Rosemary Clooney's original recordings; that is certainly the effect it had on me.

"Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook" is Midler's tribute to the late singer and those expecting to hear the Divine Miss M here might face some disappointment. I have seen Midler in concert and for my money there is no performer on the face of the earth that puts on a show like she does. However, few songs in the Clooney "songbook" play to Midler's best known strengths ("Mambo Italiano" would be the exception that proves the rule in this case). That is why the key track on this album is "Come On-A My House," which represents the best example of what Middler is trying to do on this album, with "Hey There" and "In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening" in a similar vein. Picking Linda Ronstadt for the duet of "Sisters" is an interesting choice, but that song is always going to be fun. The net result is a pleasant mix of tunes and a fitting tribute to Clooney. Few of Midler's fans will consider this her best album, but it a much stronger effort than we have seen recently and quite enjoyable.

Bette always makes a great album and sometimes (mostly always) she makes the best. Well here we are at Bette doing what she does best, styling great songs from the Rosemary Clooney songbook. Her voice is perfect and the arrangements by Barry Manilow fit Bette to a tee! She sounds comfortable and in her element. She swings like the best of them (Keely Smith, Eydie Gorme, Peggy Lee, and of course Rosemary Clooney). Highlights of the album are her duets with Barry Manilow "Slow Boat to China" and Linda Ronstadt "Sisters". She spices up "Come On To My House" and actually sounds italian in "Mambo Italiano". A great record for a great singer. Go out and buy the cd, sit back with drink, have a friend over, and enjoy Bette Midler singing Rosemary Clooney. Rosemary would be extremely honored by this album.

While the average rating is a mere 3.5 stars, of the 146 ratings so far the following break out is helpful
81 rated this as a 5 star hit
18 rated it at 4 stars
4 rated it at 3 stars
15 rated it at two stars...many because it was too short
28 rated it at 1 star with one particular "fan" repeatedly responding ( 7 posts of 28) to previous posts as if this was a chat board
Just thought you might find it helpful in your browsing

Tribute albums usually pose a problem for the
artist(s) paying homage to the subject. How do
you remain respectful to the spirit of the
original recordings and put your own spin on the
material? Happily, Bette and Barry seem to have
found the answer, at least in this case. The
arrangements are swinging, yet are not carbon
copies of the originals, and a few songs are
almost completely recast (This Ole House, Slow
Boat To China). Bette sounds more relaxed, mature
and vocally confident than she has in quite a
while, and the love for the material--as well as
Rosie herself--shines through in every cut. The
duets are both charming; "Sisters" in particular
is an extremely well-sung number with very
precise harmonies, yet never lacking that sense
of fun that Bette is known for. Kudos to Linda
Ronstadt! You can't argue with the song selection,
although "You'll Never Know" and "Memories Of You"
could have gone on a bit longer. The only quibble
is the short running time--31 minutes--which does
not affect the quality of the CD but makes one
hesitate to pay full price for it. My advice is
to look around for the lowest price you can find,
then buy it, and enjoy one of the most heartfelt
projects Miss M has ever come up with. Go, Bette!

I usually need to listen to a Midler CD two or three times to appreciate it, but this collection is a delight from the first track. I was worried that the CD would be too respectful (as was Manilow's singing the Big Band songs a few years back). As a matter of fact, I own the Bear Records boxed sets tracing Rosemary Clooney's career through the '50s. But Miss M's voice is in fine form and the lush instrumentals sound fresh yet evocative of the original era. Rosemary Clooney would be pleased at this tribute.

I have to admit that where Bette Midler is concerned I'm prejudiced. I have EVERY recording. I have always been fond of her folk-rock recordings like "Friends," "Buckets of Rain" (with Bob Dylan), "I Think It's Gonna Rain Today" and "The Rose." However, I just love it when she sings standards and big band music - "I Gave My Heart To the Junkman," "Miss Otis Regrets" and "Glory of Love" - not to mention the entire "For the Boys" CD. So, you can well imagine that this new CD of Rosemary Clooney standards is very near to a dream come true. Each one of these songs is a gem. I was especially blown away by the duets - "On A Slow Boat To China" with Barry Manilow and "Sisters" with Linda Ronstadt. "This Ole House" and "Come On-A My House" are wonderful - and have always been favorites (did you know that "Come On-A My House" was written by the late-great William Saroyan of "Time of Your Life" fame?). Anyway, the entire CD is a tribute not only to Clooney, but to Midler and Manilow and everyone else connected with this project. A must.

In Bette Midler's hands "The Rosemary Clooney Songbook" is a delight, at times a hoot, but well worth your time. Maria Muldaur did a great tribute CD for Peggy Lee; and this set will go in the changer on random play with that great jewel. What a creative choice to add Herb Pedersen's banjo on "This Ole House" with the whistler's chorus. The flirtatious chatter that comes with "On A Slow Boat to China" is delightful while Bette & Barry Manilow's voices blend superbly with a great uptempo arrangement on this lovely melody. My dad used to play Joni James' version of "Hey There" all the time; so I'm glad to finally learn this is a Rosemary Clooney gem. It's certainly one of the most beautiful of melodies. Barry looks none too well in his picture with Bette and his "At the Mayflower" was a standout CD, but his arrangement here of "Tenderly" glitters with gorgeous strings. "Come On-A My House" is wonderfully updated. My favorite is the wonderful Bob Merrill tune "Mambo Italiano" with its great Latin rhythm, Bette's soaring vocals & Robbie Buchanan's shining piano solo. Bette's voice blends well with Linda Ronstadt's on the sweetly silly "Sisters." Manilow again shines as arranger on the lovely "In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening," "When the party's getting a glow on, singing's in the air!" Bette's adorable "White Christmas" will be playing this year with James Taylor's "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"! Yes, there could be more songs on a longer recording; but it's better to be given a wonderful half hour and be wanting more than wondering how long before the music's over! So less is more or what are you waiting for, get Bette! Enjoy!

I love Rosie and Bette does her well. I gave it five stars because anyone who revives those golden voices deserves it, and this was done well. I didn't care for one song, and would have appreciated more than just 11 cuts, but it is a real nice piece.