Essential Rosemary Clooney [Original recording remastered]

Rosemary Clooney | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 31, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0002S94V6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,110 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #54 in Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Cabaret

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Though she would finish her career as one of the most respected jazz singers in American popular music, Rosemary Clooney fought long and hard for those props. This 16-track collection chronicles the early stages of her struggle, mixing the outright, if still vibrant novelty songs (tunes like "Mambo Italiano" and "Come On-A My House" were foisted on Clooney by label exec Mitch Miller) that helped make her a popular film, radio and TV star with more sublime fare like "Tenderly" and the emblematic hit "Hey There." But it's on tracks like Duke Ellington's "Blue Rose" and a pre-Sinatra take on "The Lady is a Tramp" that her true muse comes shining through. Though limited in scope, this anthology manages to showcase the early hits that made Clooney a star and, more importantly, the beginnings of the willful jazz sensibility that forged her legend. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Digitally remastered 2004 collection is the one you want, June 10, 2005

By 

Paul Tognetti "The real world is so much more... (Cranston, RI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Essential Rosemary Clooney (Audio CD)

My first encounter with the music of Rosemary Clooney was as a 14 year old teenager in 1966 playing one of my aunts scratchy old LP's. That collection of early 1950's pre rock and roll hits included Rosemary Clooney's #1 smash "Come On A My House". "How silly..." I thought. "and adults think our music is stupid." My first impression of Rosemary Clooney would stay with me for a good many years. It was not until the 1980's that I really began to appreciate just what an incredibly gifted singer she was.

"The Essential Rosemary Clooney" features 16 of her very finest recordings. Sure you will find all of her big hits from the early 50's including "Half As Much", "This Old House", "Hey There" and of course "Come On A My House". But you will also be treated to a dozen other great tracks including Rosemary's first hit from 1947 "You Started Something" recorded during her stint as lead vocalist with Tony Pastor and his Orchestra. Next, enjoy her swinging rendition of "The Lady Is A Tramp" from the Broadway musical "Babes in Arms". Also featured is "Blue Rose', a rare collaboration with the legendary Duke Ellington. I would also recommend to you a pair of other tunes. "In The Cool, Cool, Cool of The Evening" is a fabulous Hoagy Carmicheal/Johnny Mercer tune which Rosemary recorded with Harry James back in 1952. Outstanding. Finally, you are sure to enjoy Clooney's rendition of the great standard "Tenderly".

Sad to say we lost the great Rosemary Clooney on June 29, 2002 from lung cancer. She was still making memorable records. "The Essential Rosemary Clooney" reminds us just how great a singer she was. Although Mitch Miller and the folks at Columbia records insisted she release a good many novelty tunes that became wildly successful hit singles Rosemary Clooney preferred to sing sad ballads. Happily, she got to do a lot more of what she enjoyed most in her later years. "The Essential Rosemary Clooney" is a "must have" for fans of classic pop. The remastering job is absolutely superb and will greatly enhance your enjoyment of this marvelous collection. Very highly recommended!

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great--as far as it goes, that is..., April 16, 2008

By 

Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Essential Rosemary Clooney (Audio CD)

The Essential Rosemary Clooney is a single CD that must not be confused with the "Essential" two CD series that is out there for many recording artists. However, this still is a wonderful album of great hits by Rosemary Clooney. It's not a complete compilation of her "essential" songs so I can only give this a four star review. Fortunately, however, what we do get is top choice material throughout and the sound quality is excellent. The artwork is thoughtfully done.

"Come On-A My House" starts the track set off with a rousing tune that is upbeat and Rosemary Clooney sings this with zest and passionate. The music that accompanies her couldn't be better and Rosemary sounds wonderful. "In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening" features Rosemary singing her heart out and this number works very well. I really like the big band arrangement and Rosemary never sings a superfluous note. I'm very impressed.

"Hey There" was a number Rosemary Clooney loved to sing; and here her voice is rich, warm and very vibrant. Rosemary sings this melancholy love song so well it must have made the other female singers jealous!

"The Lady Is A Tramp" gets the royal treatment as Rosemary sings this to perfection and beyond! The piano arrangement is very elegant and together with the percussion they carry the bulk of the musical arrangement. "You Make Me Feel So Young" places Rosemary squarely front and center--right where she belongs! Rosemary's voice is as clear as a bell--and that brass works wonders for this ballad.

"Blame It On My Youth" slows down the tempo for a romantic style ballad that Rosemary sings very sweetly. Her remarkable sense of timing enhances "Blame It On My Youth" and again Rosemary proves she was a true champ! "Mambo Italiano" is one of my very favorite Rosemary Clooney songs; she sings this with The Mellomen and it all holds its own very well. "Mambo Italiano" never sounded as good as when Rosemary Clooney sang it! "This Ole House" is another rousing number in the same category as "Come On-A My House" even though the upbeat melody belies the seriousness of the lyrics.

"Tenderly" showcases Rosemary's talents as a fine chanteuse who could deliver a great love ballad alongside the best of them; and the album concludes with Rosemary performing "From This Moment On." "From This Moment On" comes from Kiss Me Kate and it shines especially bright when Rosemary belts this out!

This is obviously a wonderful Rosemary Clooney CD. It's a must-have for her fans although the title "essential" is somewhat misleading--this alone is not ALL the essential songs by Rosemary Clooney. Fans who truly want so much more would do well to consider other more substantial CDs for sale on this website.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to Rosemary Clooney!, January 5, 2005

By 

Viky Fisher "queenshiningstar" (Flower Mound, TX United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Essential Rosemary Clooney (Audio CD)

I'm just recently discovering what is being coined as "nostalgia music" -- having found an "adult favorites" channel on my dish network. I absolutely love the upbeat sound and happy, spirited tunes from the 40s and 50s. Rosemary Clooney was my first purchase of crooners that I've enjoyed on this channel and this cd has all of my favorites. Next stop is Pat Suzuki!