ISLAND SOUNDS
Rosemary Clooney belts out the best in pops

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

Three diverse CDs provide variety and bountiful pleasures this week.

One is by a legendary voice, who helped the Honolulu Symphony Pops get on the musical map.

Another is by a local songbird, who strolls down memory lane with an anthology that's hot.

The third is by a five-member band that continues to put its collective best-foot forward.

"The Last Concert" by Rosemary Clooney, with the Honolulu Symphony Pops conducted by Matt Catingub (Concord Records)

• Genre: Jazz, pops.
• Distinguishing notes: In what would be her final concert and recording, Rosemary Clooney, the star of numerous films and hit songs, joined the Honolulu Symphony Pops in a program conducted by her longtime friend, Matt Catingub (who featured his Big Kahuna and the Copa Cat Pack). Thus, this CD has international interest and implications: a major musical icon sharing her luster and vocal dynamics with Honolulu and the world and a "live" recording, that capitalizes on the Clooney charisma and repertoire that exhibit her remarkable phrasing, presence and perfection, interspersed with candid dialogue. The tunes are as legendary as the singer herself: "Sentimental Journey," "Just in Time," "They Can't Take That Away From Me." And a powerful, never-out-of-season "God Bless America."
• The outlook: Big-band sound meets big-voice sentimentalist — a wonderful orchid in the artistic cap of the local orchestra.
• Our take: Everything's coming up Rosie.

"Just in Time" by Rosemary Clooney. Audio sample available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.

"A Gallery," by Teresa Bright (Pumehana Records)

• Genre: Best-of anthology, scoping 10 years — and the remarkable versatility — of this Bright island voice.
• Distinguishing notes: A swell stroll down memory lane, going back to 1990, when this songbird made her first solo CD. The retrospective format serves her well, because of her myriad vocal styles and diverse songbag. Her jazz tangents are formidable on "Hawaiian Vamp," "Haole Hula" and the still-Hawaiian "Le'ahi," with a decidedly smokey flavor. Of course, she's a thrush in the Hawaiian turf, demonstrating this command via "Queen's Prayer," "Nani Kaua'i," and "Popo'alaeae." The 15 songs are from four previous discs: "Self Portrait," "Painted Tradition," "Ka Pilina: and "Lei Ana."
• The outlook: She makes anything palatable to the ear, the heart, the spirit; her "Hawaiian War Chant" is a modern classic, and the "Gallery" concept is right on target: her aural "photos" are "hung" for the fans to admire (great cover execution by Brian Onaga).
• Our take: Satisfying re-exploration of Bright and her mighty talent.

"Hawaiian Vamp" by Teresa Bright. Audio sample available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.

"Island Feeling Part II" by Ten Feet (Mass Appeal Entertainment)

• Genre: Island rhythms, pop.
• Distinguishing notes: Ten Feet still are 10 feet in total, as pictured on the CD cover; the membership is intact, comprised of Josiah Kekoa, Jojo Guzman, Nathan Martin and Ericson Carnante, even if Andres Delos Santos is visibly missing. Reason: He's attending pilot school in California, but expects to appear with the fivesome in major gigs; his omission from the bio-and-pic display in the liner is regrettable. Ten Feet is footloose and fancy free, with a hip ("Invasion") but soulful energy ("Warriors"), and showing hints of mellowing ("Love of a Lifetime," "I'm the Only One for You"). Ah, yes, but they can't escape the infectious reggae flavors ("Sober Sunday") that ignite crowd hurrahs.
• The outlook: Clever ritual still at play — songs are dubbed 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, etc., with a pause at 10 feet. Consider 11, 12 and 13 as Extra Feets, as stated on the disc. Great feats, too — a varied, original and resourceful compilation of fresh material, delivered with intensity and honesty.
• Our take: Ten Feet is still hard to beat — a band with industry legs, too.

"Invasion" by Ten Feet. Audio sample available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or by faxing 525-8055.