Search - Rosemary Clooney :: Jazz Singer

Can't be "best of" when it's all good.

Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 01/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Like rare wine Rosemary got better as the years passed.

Joseph Williams | St. Louis Park, Minnesota United States | 11/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."