Swing Around Rosie

AMG Review of Swing Around Rosie

Ken Dryden
All Music Guide

This is an odd release by Rosemary Clooney, who's accompanied by keyboardist Buddy Cole and an unidentified rhythm section. Although the singer is in great form, Cole's extremely corny arrangements and his very dated sound on both organ and piano (which are frequently overdubbed, often in unison) threaten to make the entire session more of a nostalgia trip than something that will appeal to jazz collectors. Still, Clooney's pure swinging vocals on standards such as "'Deed I Do," "Blue Moon," "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me," and "This Can't be Love" are very rewarding, in spite of Cole's uninspiring backgrounds. The original Coral LP jacket reproduced in this Verve CD reissue (which will remain in print until May 2005) has a mini-LP paper jacket and sleeve as well as gossip columnist Earl Wilson's inane liner notes.