Search - Rosemary Clooney, Count Orchestra Basie :: At Long Last

FINE & MELLOW

MOVIE MAVEN | New York, NY USA | 01/03/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Firstly, I'd like to write a few things about the other customer reviews I've read about this album: One of the writers said that the choice of material was weak. Can classic songs like "The Man Who Got Away" or "Just In Time," "Willow Weep For Me," "Lullaby of Broadway," etc. ever be considered light-weight? How about "In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning?" or "I Got Rhythm?" All of these and 10 more are well represented on this CD. There is even a less well-known number called "If Swing Goes I Go Too" written by none other than Fred Astaire. Another reviewer complained that Clooney's voice is not what it used to be. Big surprise: A woman of 70+ years does not sound as technically good as she did when she was in her 30's or 50's. But, as opposed to many other singers, with Clooney you get the ups & downs of a long, spectacular career reflected in her voice. This first-rate combination of one of America's finest song stylists and, arguably, America's finest big band is inspired. Clooney's interpretive skills are as sharp as ever, even if she does not have all of her top notes, even if she shies away from a legato line. Her duet with Barry Manilow ("How About You") is witty and charming with the singers obviously enjoying their time together. Is this my favorite Rosie album? Not by a long shot. That would probably be "Demi-Centennial" or "Do You Miss New York?" or one of her tribute albums to the likes of Cole Porter or Johnny Mercer or Irving Berlin. But it is a fine, mellow, sweet, sophisticated CD and well worth anyone's time and money."

Masterful phrasing.

Gregor von Kallahann | 05/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The one or two previous reviewers who complained that Rosie's voice is not what it once was are a. entitled to their opinion b. belaboring the obvious or c. forgetting that phrasing is half of what jazz singing is about and that Rosemary Clooney is a past master at the art of putting over a song. Answer is d. all of the above. As a bit of an ironic tribute to her former self, Rosie includes a section of a demo version of "I Got Rhythm" (circa 1946) as an intro to the updated version with the Basie Orchestra. The effect is startling. Her early "girl singer" voice is lovely but a little characterless. I would not necessarily recognize it as a Rosemary Clooney vocal. When she launches into her latter day version, well, it's clear who it is and that she's in charge. This is a voice that can sing "Willow Weep for Me" and "In the Wee Small Hours..." with real conviction. Just masterful.And the best thing about the current day Rosemary Clooney? No one's going to force this independent artist to do silly novelty numbers anymore. The woman who used to be the girl singer is now a mature woman and consummate artist."

Finally!!! Rosemary with the Basie Boys!

jkerpel@concentric.net | Atlanta, GA | 11/30/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a graduate of Eastman and a good friend of Shawn Edmonds, a trumpet player on this album, I can say (with naturally a touch of bias!), that this CD is a '98 Grammy contender. Especially poignant is "Willow Weep for Me" and "I Got Rhythm". "I Got Rhythm" begins with Rosemary's original 1946 demo of the song (adding a touch of nostalgia) which then transitions to the 1998 version of the Basie Band, one of the most swingingest in recent memory.Buy it-you'll like it!"