At the insistence of her director, Sally Mayes, Carolyn Montgomery read Rosemary Clooney’s biography repeatedly before finding an affinity with the star. This candid yet discreet show offers not just a glimpse into two lives, but natural warmth and maturity shared by the vocalists.
Rosemary Clooney 1954 (Public Domain)
“Fancy Meeting You Here” (Jimmy Van Heusen/Sammy Cahn) opens with easy swing. Montgomery is flirty, she sways. Call/respond with Tedd Firth arrives reminiscent of the era embraced tonight. Marc Blitzstein’s “I Wish It So” leads into “Hey There” (Richard Adler/Jerry Ross) Vibrato tails unfurl. Trumpet skates around a fox trot.
Rosemary Clooney dropped out of school in 1944 to join Tony Pastor’s Big Band. By 1951, she was a household name. Clooney recorded, acted in films, survived drug addiction, married (three times) and had five children with first (and second) husband José Ferrer.
“No two women were more different, but she and I spent our early years trying to please everybody all the time. It’s exhausting.” Vernon Duke/Ira Gershwin’s “I Can’t Get Started with You” is puzzled and pissed off. A bit of parlando makes delivery conversational.
“Rosemary loved men she worked with so keep sexuality down low to maintain her reputation. I love men and women and keep my sexuality down low to survive. The point is the rules for women are hard…” Three songs reflecting situations in which women find themselves are unexpected, but exemplary. Both Montgomery and the honoree were once reckless with their feelings.
Like Clooney, this vocalist has rhythmic dexterity and superb control. She can seamlessly move from robust to delicate timbre Despite this evening’s being live streamed, the performer plays to our audience, not the camera- something other artists might keep in mind.
Carolyn Montgomery, Matt Scharfglass, Jonathan Kantor, Warren Vaché
“Rosemary and I were similar in that playing the field was fun, but some people run out of a burning building- the two of us didn’t.” Brass lays down a muted blanket for “Love, You Didn’t Do Right By Me.” (Irving Berlin) Montgomery mimes dancing with partners who then pull away. “Luhhhhvvveee” she sings… “You done me wrong,” she says. The last note is a lollapalooza.
Originally from Kentucky, Clooney sang in multiple “bizarre, mostly Latin accents” Tedd Firth calls “ethnically homeless.” A group of novelty songs begins with a coquettish “Come-On-A My House” (William Saroyan/Ross Bagdasarian). “Mambo Italiano” (Bob Merrill) sashays with Hollywood Italian inflection. “Sway” (Pablo Beltran Luis/Noman Gimbel) is infectious. Shoulders shift, hips react. It’s a production number!
“Tenderly” (Walter Gross/Jack Lawrence) makes reference to Clooney’s meeting Ferrer. Brushes circle, trumpet is muted, clarinet supple; vocal downy. The star discovered her husband was a womanizer, but stayed 16 years. “She was in love. Love conquers all,” Montgomery says, one eyebrow raised.“I would’ve kicked him out of the house and taken the house.”
Tedd Firth, Carolyn Montgomery
Hitting rock bottom (divorce and addiction) she found “a paralyzing freedom. Would I have to reinvent myself not just as a performer, but as a person?” (Rosemary Clooney). “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” (George and Ira Gershwin) bookends “Still Crazy After All These Years” (Paul Simon) Montgomery’s interpretation is particularly lucid.
“Let Go”- (“Cantode Ossanha”- Baden Powell de Aquino adapted by John Pizzarelli) – is exuberant. Mark McClean plays carnival drums. The vocalist bobs. She knows and shares good advice when she hears it.
Carolyn Montgomery has aplomb as well as taste and talent. She exudes bonhomie and comfort on stage. The beautifully calibrated show is like a three star meal. Arrangements are terrific, musicianship top notch. Warren Vaché, who worked with Rosemary Clooney, links past to present.
Photos by Maryann Lopinto
Carolyn Montgomery is executive director, director of education and outreach – The American Songbook Association. She notes that 54/Below made it possible for students to stream the show.
Carolyn Montgomery: Girl Singer
Directed by Sally Mayes
MD/Piano – Tedd Firth
Jonathan Kantor -Sax, Clarinet – Matt Scharfglass, Bass – Mark McLean-Drums
Warren Vaché – Trumpet
54/Below
254 West 54th Street
