Celebration of Rosemary Clooney

BobbySoxer · #21 06-30-2002, 07:04 PM

It was at Feinstein's here in New York. The performance was memorable, but I slipped a note to Ms. Clooney during
a break requesting COME ON A MY HOUSE. A while later the maitre d' returned with a reply, "Too strenuous, wait
till next year." How sad, next year never came. Who knew? RIP

Burt Foster · #22 06-30-2002, 07:26 PM

This time God said it was time to Come Ona My House.

Enjoy eternity.

Gerald · #23 06-30-2002, 08:17 PM

Set Avatar · #24 06-30-2002, 10:50 PM

gone.

Is there anyone left out there besides Tony (Bennett)?

BobbySoxer always said that Rosemary was the last one still standing. Not as good as Peggy Lee, but still standing. She may have been the last great popular singer trained in the Big Band era and shaped by its legacy.

Thank you, Gerald, for posting that beautiful picture. Wasn't she gorgeous? And Will, thanks for the link to an excellent obituary. The writer references her 1977 autobiography, "This for Remembrance," but fails to mention a more recent (and complete) one titled "Girl Singer." This last is highly recommended to anyone who likes to dish the dirt with the rest of the girls -- there are plenty of juicy tidbits. It's a good read at bedtime. (Michael Feinstein lauds Clooney's talent as a raconteur.) Compare the dust covers of both books and you will note an interesting fact: that when you are successful and famous, friends and admirers appear out of the woodwork and cling to your coattails (also endorse your books), but how few bother to show up when you're down and out.

Didn't Frank Sinatra know something about that?

Set Avatar · #25 07-01-2002, 11:55 AM

I will miss RosemaryClooney. My wife and I went to Louisville Kentucky to see her once. See you in heaven sweet lady.
She was from Maysville, Kentucky that is Graves Co. here.
So glad we had someone so great from Kentucky. God-Bless and sleep with the ANGELS. Love, Larry and Family

Set Avatar · #26 07-01-2002, 03:10 PM

I just found out. It's heartbreaking. RIP.

Set Avatar · #27 07-02-2002, 06:40 AM

"Hey There" "Mambo Italiano" "I'm Checking Out Goom-Bye" "Come-On-A-My House" all these great 50's era novelty songs recorded by a beautiful girl singer. Not super great material-with the exception of Ellington's "I'm Checking..."-but she,like her mentor Sinatra,made these songs great!!!

I hate to disagree with those who have said she wasn't as good as Peggy Lee but listen to her latter day recordings with the Basie Orchestra and the one's with the retro swing band the Copa Cats. This lady was all about big band jazz.

I was moved the last time I saw her at Ravinia Park outside Chicago 2 years ago when she included in her performance a song saluting her friend and then performed a heartfelt version of "In the Wee Small Hours." You could hear the pain of loss in her version saluting FAS. I read on her web site that Tony B was the one who suggested that all singers who came after FAS include a song by him in their performance since FAS influenced all of them. BTW- it was a great Jazz In June series-Dave Bruebeck-Marian MacPartland-Rosemary Clooney.

Her Rosary Prayer will be held at the same church as FAS' funeral- the Good Shepard in Beverly Hills.

Aries- according to her website cards can be sent to the following address:

Production Central
19951 Oxnard Street
Woodland Hills,CA 91367

Happy Fourth of July

Mark

ARIES3032 · #28 07-02-2002, 09:52 AM

Hi Mark, Thanks for the address. I also have a Maysville, Ky. address where she will be buried. I understand she was born in that area. Happy 4th to you.

Edwin · #29 07-02-2002, 10:35 AM

In the TrueBlue Mosaic records catalog, is the 6 CD box set of Rosemary's Concord Records "Songbook Collection." The albums are Ira Gershwin, Harold Arlen, Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, Irving Berlin and Rodgers-Hart-Hammerstein. Ira Gershwin was her next door neighbor. All 6 for $59.95.

She did marvelous work on Concord. Her WWII, Ballad and Bing albums are also great. They all feature excellent jazz sidemen and are all pure performances of great songs with excellent intrumental solos. Many 5 & 6 minute tracks.

In the same TrueBlue catalog is the video of Sinatra's '67 TV special with Ella and Jobim and his '65 solo special with Riddle and Jenkins...and the CD's live in Australia, the Complete Capitol Singles and others along with 64 pages of jazz & jazz oriented pop and swing.

They're at www.truebluemusic.com or call (203) 327-7111. That's in CT.

Set Avatar · #30 07-02-2002, 11:27 PM

... that "Girl Singer" includes an annotated discography written by Michael Feinstein. Rosemary Clooney did good work throughout her career, even during the much maligned 1950s and early '60s, when Sinatra signed her to Reprise and rescued a set of recordings sitting in the vault at RCA. The set was issued as the album "Love" and promptly sank into obscurity. Happily it has been re-issued on CD (with two bonus tracks), a splendid set of torch songs with lush orchestral backing by Nelson Riddle (the love of her life that wasn't meant to be). "Love" and "Rosie Solves the Swinging Riddle" are recommended to all fans of Riddle and Clooney.

Set Avatar · #31 07-04-2002, 07:43 PM

My wife Jill and I went to see Rosemary Clooney several years ago.
We watch her on a morning show and she talk so good about Frank Sinatra. She really love him.
Rosemary Clooney was from Maysville, Kentucky that is Graves co here in Kentucky. She will be brough back to her home land of Kentucky.
Frank, Dean, Sammy, Perry and Rosemary sing for Larette that is having a very hard time.
I love you Nancy. I can't say it enough. Love, Larry and Family

Rich K · #32 07-07-2002, 03:15 PM

Munchkin, I second your recommendations...both great albums. Nelson's charts also sound inspired on both sets. Another great one is the Clooney salute to Nelson on Concord Jazz that has her signing to arrangements he wrote for her '50s tv show, but expanded for jazz solos...very nice. If you're not all that familiar with Rosemary Clooney, you should check out her albums. As far as "Come On a My House", she had often said she hated the song, was forced to record it and even though it turned out to be a huge hit, she never liked it. It was written by Ross Bagdasarian, who, as David Seville, introduced us to the "Chipmunk Song". Somehow author William Saroyan is also credited on this song. ("My House", not the "Chipmunks")

Set Avatar · #33 07-07-2002, 10:46 PM

I loved Rosie 's voice it was so sweet I was reading a biography on her and it said how much she loved Frank and how he gave her such inspiration as a singer. She really had a beautiful voice. I am looking at a picture of her and Frank and it makes me sad to know both these two legends are gone but I know they deserve to be in Heaven, where they can have the eternal peace and joy they deserve.
RIP
Mrs. Clooney
Go here to look at this lovely picture of Frank and Rosie Clooney
http://www.reeljewels.com/Clooney/ClooneyBlueEyes.jpg
ciao
Melissa

Set Avatar · #34 07-08-2002, 01:30 AM

Just saw Frank Jr. interviewed by one of the entertainment shows while going to Ms. Clooney's service in Beverly Hills. He said nothing but good things. One class act saluting another.

Set Avatar · #35 07-08-2002, 05:34 AM

OK well i put this one up really quickly, i'll makea better one when i get some time, and put more detail in it but for now this is it! If anyones got other stuff post it, or even a tribute message in your post!

I was in India an amazing country for the first time, went there to visit an ill Grandparent whose not expected to live( .

He's Spanish just so you know, and i didnt support Spain in the World Cup!

:

Set Avatar · #36 07-08-2002, 05:51 AM

.

Set Avatar · #37 07-08-2002, 11:45 AM

I have a vinyl copy of the soundtrack to this wonderful film, 3 of the 4 stars are present and correct(Bing, Danny Kaye & Vera-Ellen)
Rosemary though isn't on it, I assumed it must have been a contractual problem.
Her replacement is the one and only Peggy Lee!

Mark.

Library Bob · #38 07-08-2002, 12:35 PM

One of the best female singers ever, for my money. The novelties may have sold the records, but, to me, she was always at her best with the ballads. "Hey There," "Tenderly," "Half as Much," the "Love" and "Thanks for Nothing" albums will always be associated with this remarkable singer as much as "Come On-a My House."

Rosie trivia: What future Oscar-winner was one of the chorus boys backing her up on "Love, You Didn't Do Right By Me" in "White Christmas"? Hint: You can see his face very clearly for just a few seconds during the number.

Set Avatar · #39 07-08-2002, 07:45 PM

My wife and I were fortunate enough to hear Ms. Clooney at Wolf Trap a few years back. What a marvelous singer. In my opinion, she and Tony Bennett are the best when it comes to working with a small group (trio, quartet, or quintet). She will be missed.

J. Marvin

Set Avatar · #40 07-09-2002, 07:37 PM

I'm very, very sad.

John is right. The Great Ones are leaving us. I feel so old.

Did anyone see the repeat of Rosie on Larry King Live? She completely charmed him.

Rest in peace, Rosie.