Customer Reviews

Jazz Singer

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A nice, generously programmed selection of Clooney's early jazz-oriented recordings made for the Columbia label between 1951-57, following her exit from her partnership with her sister Betty and bandleader Tony Pastor. At the time, Clooney was famous for singing novelty hits such as "Come On-A My House," which were masterminded by pop arranger Mitch Miller... As mentioned in this collection's liner notes, Clooney hated recording that type of cornball material Miller gave her, and after she established herself as a major star, she broke away from Miller, and lined up work with weightier talents such as Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Billy Strayhorn. The results sound pretty nice to me! This is a great introduction to her work as a serious ballad singer and jazz stylist... recommended listening!

Rosie made her initial impact singing on novelty songs for Columbia, most of which sound dumb today. This Legacy collection avoids those, thank goodness, and gives us 18 tracks from six LP's issued between 1951 and '57. These are ballad and mid-tempo performances of less commercial songs, and most are wonderful. Four tracks have backing by Duke Ellington and his men, and three by Benny Goodman's group. The four weakest performances have vocal backing by The Hi-Lo's in the typical Fifties style, but by no means do they spoil the overall worth of the CD. If you like Rosie, and do not have CD versions of the source materials here, you will be happy with this purchase. My favorites are "Memories of You", "It's Bad for Me" and "Goodbye", all done with Goodman, and "I'll Be Around", a sparse ballad done in '51 and not issued until four years later.

This is another one of those "Best of--" collections representing an artist's work from several different recording sessions. You can't blame Columbia/Sony for trying to capitalize on a revival of interest in what was at the time a comparatively neglected dimension of Rosemary Clooney's talent. Not until she later became identified as a "jazz singer" during her extensive tenure with Concord records did many listeners discover perhaps her very best, albeit "non-commercial," early recordings for Columbia--sessions with the likes of Nelson Riddle, Benny Goodman and, above all, Duke Ellington. This last session--"Blue Rose"--is such quintessential Ellington as well as Clooney that nothing less than the original recording will do.

Duke's biggest "hit"--"Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue" from the Newport 1956 album --was in many respects no more representative of his artistry than "Come On A My House" was of Rosemary's. As a result, "Blue Rose" was a rare opportunity for the public to catch a glimpse of both performers in full bloom. In the wordless vocals of the title song and the vocal harmonies of "Mood Indigo" as well as the rich woodwind choirs complementing the voice on "Sophisticated Lady" and "I've Got It Bad," Clooney and Ellington achieve a balance that practically erases any distinction between solo and accompaniment let alone the two "star" performers.

Which is not to say that each doesn't shine in their own light--but it's more a reflected luminescence picked up from an inspiring companionable source. Even Johnny Hodges' jaw-dropping, virtuoso playing on Strayhorn's "Passion Flower" (easily worth the price of the album all by itself) becomes an organic element in a programmatic whole. As for Rosemary, she's never sounded better--nor, for that matter, has Ellington.

The previous reviewers are on target concerning the quality of the music on the present anthology--which is all the more reason to skip this sampler and go to the original sources.

I think in the last 2 years, I've bought every Rosie CD I could get my hands on, including this one! I'm 42, and for some reason, picked up my much older parents' taste in music, instead of my brothers'. They would have been 80 and 84 if they were still alive. Rosemary brings back fond memories of them everytime I listen to her. "Memories of You" brings tears to my eyes when I hear it. "Bad for Me" is a great swinging song that picks me back up!
I listen to her when at the gym, at home or in the car. This CD is a great addition to any Rosemary fan's collection.
Also, check out the reissue of "Rosie Solves the Swingin' Riddle" with Nelson Riddle. ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!

Rosemary Clooney is my favorite female vocalist, and this compliation is a wonderful tribute to a great lady. Thanks to Michael Feinstein, her friend and fellow performer, for bringing us this lovely retrospective of some of her best. I especially enjoy the three tracks recorded with Benny Goodman. Most of these songs are available on other disks, but this is an excellent listen. If you love this, try "Love", "Blue Rose" and "Deddicated to Nelson" for her early work, and any of the Concord Jazz recordings for her mature voice.

ROSEMARY CLOONEY has a unique vocal gift. She will always be remembered as a musical legend due to her pure vocal style.
ROSEMARY is considered by many as being on the same musical level as ELLA FITZGERALD.

You could fill a multitude of CDs with her legendary performances, however, this compilation from Sony is a great product to become introduced to her music and to become the owner of at least one recording from this talented American artist. All the songs included on this compilation are classics in AMERICANA MUSIC.

This CD is a must have for any fans of VOCALS/POP and or JAZZ recordings.

Quite a few of Clooney's early jazz recordings in one place. This CD provides convincing evidence that Clooney sung jazz in addition to other types of music, if there was any doubt. The songs are from at least seven other previous "albums". Vintage Clooney!! It is very enjoyable to hear the Clooney style in a jazz setting. This CD also shows that early on her talents were way beyond the pop tunes she sang in the fifties.

One can compare her renditions of "Sophisticated Lady" in 1956 and 1977 (Concord Jazz Heritage Series, 1998) and see the influence of additional life experience. I feel her rendition of "I'll be Around" in 1951 is pretty amazing for someone in their twenties.

Wasn't Rosemary Clooney wonderful? This is a good collection --- absent Come Over to My House, which is okay. This collection reminds me why R. Clooney was the female Frank Sinatra.

I was a fan of Rosemary Clooney when she first appeared on the scene. White Christmas, with Bing Crosby, was Rosemary's break thru performance. After a difficult time in life Rosemary re-appeared and began singing in Jazz clubs around the country. Her voice and interpretation of the songs on this CD are superb. This CD is a treasure.

A wonderful collection of songs, preformed perfectly by the best singer the world has had. If you are a fan of Rosie you will not be disappointed and if you aren't a fan yet you probably will become one!