The Concord Jazz Heritage Series Review

07/13/2005 6:22 AM, AMG


Rosemary Clooney's hookup with the Concord label (which began in 1977) resulted in a renaissance in her career and her being featured in much more jazz-oriented settings than in the past. This 1998 sampler of her Concord years is at its strongest when it features material from her earlier Concord projects, ones that often found her joined by tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton and cornetist Warren Vache (although the latter is only on three of the CD's 14 selections). Less interesting are a few later tracks (including an insipid "Thank Heaven For Little Girls") that show the gradual and inevitable decline in Clooney's voice, finding her backed by an orchestra. This set is very much a mixed bag, highlighted by "I Cried for You," "I'll Be Seeing You," "Fascinating Rhythm" and "God Bless the Child" (taken as a duet with pianist Nat Pierce). ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide