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 enlarge | Artist: Bette Midler
Label: Sony/ Columbia
Category: Music
List Price: $11.98
Buy Used: $1.75
You Save: $10.23 (85%)
New (52) Used (44) Collectible (2) from $1.75
Rating:  230 reviews
Sales Rank: 9114
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.5
MPN: 90350
UPC: 827969035023
EAN: 0827969035023
ASIN: B0000BYMYK
Release Date: September 30, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 A Great Tribute October 22, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a really enjoyable CD, about 30 minutes long, 11 tracks. The CD was a team effort between Barry Manilow and Bette. Barry was Bette's musical director in the early days, around 1970. Barry did the arrangements for Bette on most of these songs and produced the album. The album concept was also Barry's. The CD was also a grammy nominee.
This is not a Christmas album, but it wouldn't be a tribute to Rosemary Clooney without "White Christmas" and "Sisters" from the movie "White Christmas". "You'll Never Know" (just how much I love you. You'll never know just how much I care. . .) and "Hey There" (you with the stars in your eyes. . .) are certainly two of my old favorites. "Mambo Italiano" was always cute, too. I absolutely LOVE "On a Slow Boat to China," a duet with Barry Manilow. "Sisters" is also a duet and is with Linda Ronstadt and it is done well. And a little different than in the movie. Other great songs include: "This Ole House," "Tenderly," "Come On-A My House," "Memories of You," and "In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening."
Bette does a great job with the songs and Barry does a great job with the music. It's a winner and certainly a great tribute to Rosemary Clooney.
Some Mustn't Have Been Around To Hear Rosie In Her Prime September 22, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I can only conclude from some of the "so-so" reviews posted that the reviewers concerned were not around to hear Rosemary Clooney in her prime. Because no one else singing today, save Bette Midler, could do her justice.
This CD offers up eleven of Rosemary's most treasured hits, and if there is a complaint it's that it is perhaps a bit on the skimpy side when it comes to selections and liner notes, although the personal notes from Barry Manilow and Bette are touching and obviously straight from the heart.
I must say I was surprised to see that Ray Ellis arranged track 6 and conducted the orchestra. Quite frankly I was delighted to see he was still around as he goes way back to the 1950s backing acts like The Four Lads, etc and is the orchestra leader behind many of the greatest hits to emanate from that era. Come On-A My House, incidentally, was penned by Ross Bagdasarian, better known as David Seville of Chipmunks and Witch Doctor fame.
Other gems that could have been included to bring it to 16 selections are songs like the Hank Williams-penned Half As Much, Botch-A-Me, the wonderful 1952 duet with Marlene Dietrich - Too Old To Cut The Mustard - Mangos and, of course, Blues In The Night. I would have loved to have heard Bette's take on those as well, and my choice to sing the Dietrich part would have been Meryl Streep. Oh well, we can always hope for a volume 2. There is certainly enough material available.
Get a copy. This is a winner.
Fun with Bette August 28, 2007
Nice CD of the classics, however it is a little chatty on some of the songs. The first time you play it, it's cute and fun, the tenth time.... I'm over the jokes
Overall well done
GREAT, but.... June 26, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is a fine tribute to a truly great singer. Bette is in wonderful voice, and does full justice to Rosemary Clooney. "Mambo Italiano", and "Slow Boat to China" are delightful; in fact, I prefer Bette's "Slow Boat" to the original. "Come On A My House" is quirky enough to be great. It's actually a historically important song; the harpsichord was ubiquitous in the days of Bach and Mozart, but by the 1950's, it was forgotten; Miss Clooney used one in the background, and the instrument made a comeback. Of course, Bette uses it, too. Most people don't know that "This Ole House" was originally a hymn by the late Stuart Hamblin...quite a story. "Sisters" is a pure joy, with Bette paired with Linda Ronstadt; I can't tell their voices apart, but I can't tell Rosemary and Betty apart on the original, either.
Great album...five stars for the musical quality. But, 31 minutes is kind of short for a full price album. Also, and this may be picky, the breaks between songs are a bit shorter than I like. Caveats aside, still a super choice. Enjoy.
You can BETTE it'll please ya !!! January 22, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Bette Midler and Barry Manilow do justice to the masterful art of Rosemary Clooney with this album of Rosemary's hits. The sound is exceptionally crisp and clear; the song selection sublime and the musical arrangements very well executed. This CD proves it.
The album starts off with "You'll Never Know" and Bette begins this song with passion a cappella. The musical arrangement that then joins her is flawless and Bette's voice is strong, vibrant and full of energy. The CD changes gears somewhat for the next track, "This Ole House," which Bette performs with an awesome country twist.
Most of the CD boasts classic ballads that true music aficionados could never forget. These great songs include "On a Slow Boat to China" that offers some great chemistry and banter between Bette Midler and Barry Manilow; "Hey There;" "Tenderly;" "Memories of You;" "In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening" and "White Christmas." Excellent!
"Mambo Italiano" is a fun song and Bette works this number to the hilt with her passion; she communicates her emotions so well for this number. Linda Ronstadt does a great job with Bette for their duet of "Sisters."
The liner notes include great pictures of Bette and Barry Manilow as well as the credits for each song.
Unfortunately, however, although there are eleven songs on this CD, the total running time is barely more than 30 minutes. That's too short a songbook to honor and remember the great Rosemary Clooney. Where are some of the songs Clooney did with Nelson Riddle? Amazon correctly mentions that the focus of the material is too skewed toward the early to mid 1950s. Could a Bette Midler Sings The Rosemary Clooney Songbook, volume 2, come to fruition in the near future? It would sure please this author! Unfortunately, these drawbacks frustrate me so I will take off one star to make this a four star review.
Overall, Bette does a superlative job of honoring Rosemary Clooney with the help of Barry Manilow and Linda Ronstadt. Bette delivers a strong, upbeat and vibrant performance that leaves you wanting more! I agree with the reviewer who writes that this CD will make you want to hear Rosemary's original recordings of these classic songs. Fans of Rosemary Clooney and Bette Midler will definitely enjoy this album; and I highly recommend this CD for fans of classic pop vocals as well.
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