[Dixielandjazz] Rosemary Clooney RIP

[john Petters]

Jim said
> What about Lee Wily, who didn't scat, didn't deviate much from the
> written tune, and didn't improvise very obviously? But she subtly
> changed the tunes, and was a favourite of such out-and-out jazzers as
> Condon, Pee Wee and Kaminsky. Surely, she was a jazz singer par
> excellence? Just like Mildred Bailey, Maxine Sullivan, Barbara Lee...and
> Rosemary Clooney?

Completely agree Jim. There is a wonderful version of Ellington's Come
Sunday recorded at Newport, I believe, when she came out of retirement. Full
of soul and passion. OK the voice has signs of wear and tear (so did
Billie's) but its a wonderful jazz performance. He recording of Down With
Love circa 1940 in the Arlen songbook album is a real gem as is her take on
Old Folks with the Condon gang at town hall.
Let's not forget Connee Boswell either, who served as a role model for Ella,
and to my ear had more depth. Her version of Washbord Blues is a masterpiece
as is her duet with Bing on Yes Indeed.
There were some great phrasers around in those days who made bridged the
jazz/popular music divide.
cheers
John Petters
Amateur Radio Station G3YPZ
WWW.Traditional-jazz.com
.