Search - Rosemary Clooney :: The Last Concert

ROSEMARY'S TRIUMPHANT FINAL CONCERT

A. POLLOCK | PLYMOUTH, DEVON United Kingdom | 11/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Those who saw Rosemary in concert will recall her warmth, spontaneity with her audience, and total involvement with her music. Fortunately, due to one of those fortuitous happenings, a recording of her final concert was made in Honolulu. The Honolulu Symphony Pops Orchestra, anxious to obtain a recording contract, needed some sample recordings to show how well the orchestra sounded. This recording therefore exists as such and whilst showcasing this talented Orchestra to great advantage, more importantly included the late, great Rosemary in top form at the end of a vacation in Hawaii; a place she had loved since the `50's.Surprisingly enough, her previous "live" recording had taken place at the London Palladium around fifty years previously, during her early pop-star period, so the fact this new and final recording exists is pure chance, and it provides a magic opportunity to hear Rosemary just one more time.She was promoting her new album, SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY, so with Big Kahuna reprising his studio conducting duties, it was inevitable she would feature selections from it like HAPPINESS IS JUST A THING CALLED JOE, ROCKIN'CHAIR, YOU GO TO MY HEAD and the title song, as well as other standards from the American Song Book - I'M CONFESSIN THAT I LOVE YOU, JUST IN TIME and OL' MAN RIVER. All are flawlessly interpreted, with the icing on the cake being some interlinking sections of dialogue expressing her humour and thoughts about her favourite people - Bing Crosby and Sinatra, with THE SINGER dedicated to Ol' Blue Eyes. Most powerful of all is her GOD BLESS AMERICA, performed just two months after 9/11, and an emotional experience for so many reasons.Rosemary was a cherished performer and this final recording will help to ensure her great talent will never be forgotten."

Ya Gotta -- Ya Gotta

A. POLLOCK | 11/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are a fan of Rosemary Clooney -- this is a "must have".
If you only know her from the 50's -- this is a "must have".
The lively, young, exuberant Rosemary Clooney of the early years never left. After a sad passage in her career, Rosie came back as strong as ever -- but there was a deeper understanding of the lyrics that she chose to sing. This album shows without a doubt the effect that singing before live audience can have on a person of great talent. This is Rosie at her best. At 74 years of age this lovely lady is still communicating with her audience. This is the "basic" Rosie at her best. This is the only "live" concert recording of the Clooney voice. And it is a necessary addition to any "pop" collection. We lost her far to soon."

A Fitting Swan Song to The Girl Singer

David Schultheiss | Valencia, CA USA | 11/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rosemary Clooney - The Last Concert is a beautiful CD, and interesting that it is one of her few live recordings. Miss Clooney is in excellent form, she sounds much better than her last "in studio" recording. Her "live" renditions of the songs on this CD are flawless - just amazing for her age. Finally, her closing rendition of "God Bless America" is like hearing the song for the first time, and quite moving. Thank you Concord Records for releasing this fitting swan song to The Girl Singer. We will miss you Rosemary."