Rosemary Clooney's voice still sounds as warm and youthful as ever. It must be that old black magic. She sings favorite swing era songs with a trademark bounce that rings familiar time and again. Surrounded, for the most part, by big band artists, Clooney is right at home with musical arrangements crafted by John Oddo and Matt Catingub. For "I'll Be Around," she's accompanied by Catingub on piano. For "The Singer," a new song, she's accompanied by Vincent Falcone on piano with synth strings. Another new song, "I'm The Big Band Singer," features Clooney with big band, while "You Go To My Head" finds her in the company of a piano trio. The high point of the album is a vocal duet between Catingub and Clooney with big band. "Ya Got Class" lets the two singers trade with polite charm. It's like watching Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. The memories linger, and Clooney's new big band provides a fine accompaniment. All instrumental solo spots are brief, however, so that emphasis may remain with the singer. Rosemary Clooney keeps getting better with the release of every new album.
Track Listing
That Old Black Magic; I'm Glad There Is You; I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm; You Go To My Head; And the Angels Sing; Happiness is a Thing Called Joe; I'm the Big Band Singer; You Belong to Me; I'll Be Around; I've Got a Right to Sing the Blues; Ya Got Class; Rockin' Chair; The Singer; They Can't Take That Away From Me; Sentimental Journey; I Cried For You/Who's Sorry Now?/Goody Goody.
Rosemary Clooney- vocals; Big Kahuna and The Copa Cat Pack: Matt Catingub- leader, vocals, alto saxophone, piano, synth; Albert Alva, Jefff Prinz- alto saxophone; Matt Cowan- tenor saxophone; Jennifer Lovejoy- baritone saxophone; Dave Scott, Brian Kettelhut, Mike Olmos- trumpet; Doug Beavers, Greg Saul- trombone; Dan Parentti- acoustic bass; Steve Moretti- drums; Additional Musicians: John Oddo- conductor, piano; Thomas Marriott- trumpet on "You Can't Take That Away From Me;" Tom Warrington- bass on "You Can't Take That Away From Me;" Bob Leatherbarrow- drums on "You Can't Take That Away From Me;" Chuck Berghofer- bass on "You Go To My Head;" Joe La Barbera- drums on "You Go To My Head;" Vincent Falcone- piano & synthesizer on "The Singer."
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Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues,The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.