Big voiced Irish lady
Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 10/13/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Rose Marie became popular in Britain and Ireland during the eighties via a series of easy listening albums filled with covers of old songs. Rose Marie had a big voice somewhat similar to Jackie Trent, a British singer and songwriter of the sixties.
Rose Marie covered fifties and sixties pop songs but many of her songs were from an earlier era - the Great American songbook. Like most Irish singers, Rose Marie also enjoyed country and Irish music although her Irish music is missing from this compilation, which is otherwise is a fair representation of her music. Of course, there is always room for debate about track selection.
Rose Marie's debut album contained a number of original songs but her only UK hit, which came from that album, was an old Irving Berlin song (When I leave the world behind). It is, of course, included here although it was only a minor hit. After that, Rose Marie abandoned the idea of original material and focused exclusively on covers. By her choice of material, a judicious mix of the obscure and the famous, she acquired plenty of fans. Many of the songs are rarely recorded so Rose Marie fulfilled a need by allowing fans to hear the songs again, albeit not the original versions.
Fifties and sixties pop music is represented by covers of Love letters in the sand (Pat Boone), Love hurts (Everly brothers), Hurt (Timi Yuro), I'm sorry (Brenda Lee), Don't forget to remember (Bee Gees), I'm coming home, I'll never fall in love again (both Tom Jones), These boots are made for walking (Nancy Sinatra) and The wedding (Julie Rogers). There is one pop cover of more recent origin - The way old friends do (Abba).
Older songs are represented here, too. Cry (Johnnie Ray) has become a country standard while Smoke gets in your eyes (a song written in the thirties) has been a pop hit for the Platters in the fifties and Bryan Ferry in the seventies. Another famous classic, When you were sweet sixteen, first topped the American charts in April 1900. Another singer covered the song and also had a number one hit with it later that year. Elsewhere, there are covers of Anniversary waltz, My Yiddish Momma and My mother's eyes.
As far as country music is concerned, Patsy Cline is represented by covers of Just out of reach, Sweet dreams, I fall to pieces, while Patsy also recorded Have you ever been lonely. Rose Marie was clearly a huge Patsy Cline fan as she also covered several other Patsy songs not included here. Other country songs here include covers of You needed me (Anne Murray) and From a distance (Nanci Griffith).
This is a good overview of Rose Marie's music."
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1