Concord Compiles Catalog Puente and Clooney

Last Tuesday Concord Records released two more installments in its series of two-for-one CD sets, this time compiling classic albums by Tito Puente and Rosemary Clooney (pictured). Party at Puente’s Place is a two-disc set combining the Puente albums On Broadway (from 1983) and Mambo Diablo (from 1985), while the Clooney set, From Bing to Billie (also two discs), combines the albums Rosie Sings Bing (1978) and Tribute to Billie Holiday (1979).

Both albums included in Party at Puente’s Place were honored with Grammy awards, and the set features Puente’s arrangements of classic jazz tunes like “Take Five,” “Lush Life,” “Sophisticated Lady,” “Bluesette” and “Lullaby of Birdland.”

The Bing half of From Bing to Billie has the late Clooney singing 10 Crosby-associated tunes that date mostly from the 1930s, with saxophonist Scott Hamilton, guitarist Cal Collins, pianist Nat Pierce, bassist Monty Budwig and drummer Jake Hanna backing her up. The Holiday portion of the set features the same band, plus cornetist Warren Vache, playing songs Holiday made classic like “Don’t Explain” and “God Bless the Child.”

Originally Published January 31, 2004