The romance and nostalgia of old black and white movies is in the air as Hollywood jazz diva Rosmary Clooney takes us on a sentimental journey back t othe glanour days of the 1950s, and her voice is still as smooth and sassy as it ever was. The quintessential screen and pop star, she last wooed a Dublin audience well over 10 years ago with the great Bing Crosby. Co-stars in White Christmas, together they took the Gaiety by storm. The audience falls under her spell quickly, already well warmed up by the peppy, finger-snapping swing vocalist Michael Feinstein, her co-star for this once-off evening performance at the National Concert Hall.
The 73-year-old grandmother of 10 and favourite aunt of Hollywood actor George Clooney, peppers her singing with anecdotes of Bing, Frank Sinatra, the Gershwin brothers and all her old legendary pals.
Friends Mβire Booshel from Drumcondra and Lill Ledwidge from Castleknock remember how they grew up listening to Rosemary Clooney. "She's just marvellous," they say. Joan Walsh, who plays Mags Kelly in Fair City, is here tonight with the man she calls her "real" husband, Willie Walsh, and they are having a wonderful time. Actress Rosaleen Linehan is also in the audience.