Customer Reviews

Dedicated to Nelson Riddle

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Concord Jazz presents an amazing piece of entertainment, arrangements used on this recording were originally created by Nelson Riddle for Rosie's classic mid '50s television series - "The Rosemary Clooney Show". Newly transcribed and adapted by John Oddo, Eddie Karam and David Berger, and rerecorded with the benefits of technology undreamed of in the 1950s, she restores to us 16 "lost" orchestrations by the master arranger of the '50s, the man whose music is as much a part of that decade as any singer or songwriter you can name - "DEDICATED TO NELSON".

Rosie represents Nelson's vintage charts for the first time in a generation, nostalgic of a bygone era shared in a musical past with astute pleasure. Superb arrangements providing passages for instrumental solos, basic harmony with voicings, counter-melodies and Nelson's trademark rhythmic ostinatos. Clooney is in her element, surrounded by a top-notch-studio orchestra, articulation of the difficult melody line - "DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO MISS NEW ORLEANS?", is nothing less than "pure interpretation" by Rosie...to perfection.

Concord Jazz takes us back to those days of the successfully syndicated variety show in the 1956-57 television season - "THE ROSEMARY CLOONEY SHOW"...a pure pleasure, again!

Total Time: 51:47 on 16 Tracks...Concord Jazz CCD-4685...(1996)

Dedicated to Nelson is a sublime CD by the great Rosemary Clooney; she handles these ballad with ease and this impresses me. The sound quality is excellent and the artwork is very good, too.

The track set starts with Rosemary Clooney singing her heart out on "A Foggy Day;" she never misses a note and the arrangement stuns me with its beauty. Wow, how Rosemary had excellent diction! "A Foggy Day" is the perfect way to start this CD. Listen also for "We're In The Money;" Rosemary handles this oldie but goodie with panache and I could never tire of hearing Rosemary belt this one out! The arrangement uses the brass and drums to great advantage as well. "Limehouse Blues" is yet another stunning ballad that gets the royal treatment from Rosemary; she swings gently and this makes the melody very pretty. I predict that you will enjoy Rosemary Clooney singing "Limehouse Blues."

"I Got It Bad And That' Ain't Good" is a beautiful love song that shines like silver and gold when Rosemary sings this to perfection--and beyond! I hope Rosemary was proud of this--she should have been; it's THAT good. "The Continental" is another older number but it sounds new and fresh when Rosemary sings this; her voice never sounded better--her more mature voice is really wonderful to hear.

"As Time Goes By" gets a gentle, sophisticated treatment from Rosemary; the brass and piano carry the bulk of the musical arrangement very well. "As Time Goes By" is definitely one of my very favorite songs--ever; and Rosemary certainly does this tune great justice.

"Mangos" is a number I hadn't heard until I heard this album; Rosemary delivers "Mangos" with great strength and I think I won't forget this song anytime soon. "What Is This Thing Called Love?" features Rosemary front and center. Rosemary belts this out with all her might; she never sings a superfluous note and the band style arrangement complements her singing perfectly. The album closes with another highlight entitled "Come Rain Or Come Shine." Rosemary handles this last ballad with heart and soul; this is one of the best versions of "Come Rain Or Come Shine" I've ever heard.

This CD is absolutely a must have for Rosemary Clooney fans; and people who appreciate classic pop vocals will cherish this album for years to come.

I've probably listened to this CD about 500 times at least. (Ok- I admit I'm obsessed with her wonderful voice and interpretations!) It's this CD that turned me on to Rosie. I now have about a dozen of her CDs. In her autobiography, she talks about her deep love for her good friend, Nelson Riddle, and it shows in every song she sings on this collection. I think his arrangements are just terrific.

I prefer her mature voice. It is filled with richness and emotion and I'm convinced she has lived every single song she sings. In a crowd of luscious voices from her era, Rosie stands out as my all-time favorite. May her legacy live on forever.

This dedication to one of the grand masters, Nelson Riddle, by one of the most talented interpreters of song is a must buy! Rosie is in top form on this CD, from lush ballads to swingin' arrangements.

An A+++!

I admit, I am too young to remember much about Rosemary Clooney, yet alone her music. But this CD is just fantastic. Rosemary's deep throated warble is a mixture of Talulah Bankhead and Doris Day! Just take one listen to her swinging "Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?" or her emotional journey through "As Time Goes By" and you too will be hooked on Clooney. She captures the mood, she captures the lyrical quality of every song and she will capture your heart as well.

The CD cover uses a photgraph from the early 1960s, giving the impression that it was recorded during the heyday of both Nelson Riddle and Rosemary Clooney. In fact, the CD was recorded in the mid 1990s. Rosemary's voice is not what it used to be and even though the overall effect of her singing and the arrangements is pleasant,it is not vintage Rosemary quality.

All the songs that sung by her in this album are the most my favorite, plus the arrangement is just match. I couldn't describe by words...just feel relax and forget all the problems when listen it <*> _ <*>

I love Rosie but her voice now is not the voice of the young Rosie. I would like to know if there are any tapes or CDs of the original recordings. Can you help me?

I HAVE BEEN A ROSEMARY CLOONEY FAN FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS BUT I MUST SAY THAT I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS CD. ROSEY CHOOSE TOO MANY SONGS THAT WERE NONPOPULAR SONGS. .ON THE POPULAR SONGS SELECTED SOME OF THE ARRANGEMENTS WORKED AND SOME DID NOT WORK. I RESPECT THE WORK OF NELSON RIDDLE BUT THERE IS SO MUCH HE CAN DO WITH HIS ARRANGEMENTS. OF THE 16 SOINGS LISTED I ONLY LIKED 5.