Rosemary Clooney: From Bing to Billie
Archive: Listening
I've been struggling with Rosemary Clooney's singing for a few years. Come on-A My House is so easy to like. A song it is hard to imagine not having been a hit. Much of what I've heard of her later work I've never been able to enjoy. Sounds overwrought to me.
But I keep trying. Particularly when a Concorde disc arrives in the shop. Aside from having heard that much of her best work appeared on the label I was never willing to buy them because they were comparatively more expensive.
I started listening to From Bing to Billie with considerable doubt. Bing Crosby's relaxed vocals seemed so far from Clooney's. It was easy to imagine Billie Holiday's compressed tragedy bringing out the worst of her.
But singing Crosby's songs seems to loosen her up. And perhaps she knew better than to try to recapture Holiday's intensity. Compared to the originals she's relaxed. Not nearly as good but that isn't fair.
I've really been enjoying From Bing to Billie.
(I'd forgotten to note that the CD is a compilation combining Rosie Sings Bing and Tribute to Billie Holiday.)
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Thanks, Richard