So much has been written about Garland's private life that over time it has been increasingly difficult to reach through her notoriety to experience the art she created. The 1961 Carnegie Hall Concert provides the listener an opportunity to do just that.Although the recording includes several examples of Garland's conversational rapport with her audience, the emphasis is on the music. And here, from the moment the orchestra begins an excitingly arranged overture, we find a degree of electricity, authority, and artistry that equal and quite possibly best any other performer of the 20th Century.Although her range was not remarkable, Garland's voice possessed tonal qualities that set her apart from any other singer of her era, but more importantly Garland's voice was an instrument of incredible emotional nuance. Whether tossing off an up-beat throw-away such as "You Go To My Head," a scorching torch ballad like "The Man That Got Away," or the belter's classic "Swanee," one is always acutely aware of what seems to be an instinctively flawless phrasing specifically designed with you personally in mind, unavoidable, inevitable, and inescapable.If you never listen to, or own, any other Garland recording, it must be this one. Forget about all the things you've read, all the documentaries you've seen, the mythology and iconography--interesting as such may be, Garland's completely overwhelming talent doesn't require reference to anything except itself. Lock the door, draw the curtain, turn off the telephone--and simply experience the single finest live concert recording of the 20th Century. Judy At Carnegie Hall: Fortieth Anniversary Edition
Simply put, this recording documents one of the greatest triumphs of Garland's career. The quality of the recording is excellent. That night Judy came out to a standing ovation and if you turn the volume up just a little and listen carefully you can even hear fans chanting a chorus of "Judy! Judy! Judy!" over and over again. Garland then goes on to sing 26 songs, including some jazz, and wows the audience with her performance. Her rapport with the audience is excellent and the fact that Garland concerts were scripted is impossible to notice here. At the end of the second CD of this two CD set there is a long instrumental of "Over the Rainbow." It was at this time that fans rushed to the apron to shake hands with Judy or at least touch her hand or wrist for even just an instant of a second. How I wish I could have been there that night! Many stars flew in expressly for the occasion. Judy does two encores of After You've Gone and Chicago; they are exquisitely well done. At one point Judy "wonders" if the audience is getting tired--how they scream NO! Then she comments that perhaps she should keep singing and that they should all stay all night--and they SCREAM FOR MORE WITH DELIGHT! PLEASE, get this two CD set--I can't see how you or anyone could possibly regret this purchase. A strong BUY!
Forget anything you've read about Judy Garland..this concert recording will reveal the human being--the artist like no other source material. Your heart will sing...then it will break..then it will sing again. I'm not even an avid fan, but the honesty...the humanity contained in every track of this performance is NOT to be missed. A real treasure for fans of music, 20th Century Pop culture and celebrity bio.
This is, without a doubt, the best recording that Judy made in her lifetime. Thank God that it was recorded and that we're blessed to have such a terrific CD. I don't think that there is anything more that can be said, but that lady was pure magic. She was so talented, and had accomplished so much in her lifetime, she can be compared to a shooting star. She was a super-nova that burned bright and quick, and as scarecrow(Ray Bolger) said, she just wore out.
Judy achieved super stardom in films,records,radio,television, and, of course, live performances. She was indeed a multi-media superstar. Judy Garland had mass appeal, from her show biz cronies, to presidents, to middle class folks, and even to the poor who had to scrimp up and save there money a long time for a ticket. She had a love affair with the public: They loved her, and she loved them right back. It really does show in this CD. It's not quite just the songs that she sings, or the way she sings them, but the way the rapturous audience responds to her, and how she interacts with them.
Throughout her career, the press had dubbed her the queen of comebacks, but it was more than that. Like her character Esther Blodgett in A Star Is Born, she indeed had the knack for being in the right place at the right time. She was not only born with an incredible ability to sing and entertain, but, seemingly,she could catch lightning in a bottle, too. She did that many times in her lifetime, especially with Oz, and here too at Carnegie Hall.
In this 2 set CD, she sings most of the songs that made her famous(including the #1 movie song of all time:Over The Rainbow) and some not attributed to her like "Stormy Weather", and "Puttin' on the Ritz". She not only sings every note letter perfect, but she sings it all with her trademark great style, and full gamut of emotions. She makes every song her own. Many have said (including George Cukor) that Judy was a fabulous raconteur. And I'm delighted to say, that I never new Judy was such a gifted comedian. Her wonderfully self-depracating stories are quite hilarious. (The only draw back is sometimes you have to turn up the volume in between sets to get the complete gist of them)
One of the best moments in the concert is when Judy is almost done singing but of course is called back for her encore.(one of many songs) She is singing "Chicago", and when she gets to the part "I saw a man dance with his own wife, and you would never guess where?", somebody ,as if on cue (but you could tell it was spontaneous) shouts out "where!". That interaction totally uplifts a near exhausted Garland and she shreds that song and tears down the house!
A friend once told me that he saw Garland performing at the Hollywood Bowl. During her performance, it started to pour rain. The concert went on, and as Garland sang "Over The Rainbow" the rain let up a bit, the sun started to peek out, and above a rainbow appeared! Like I said , the lady was pure magic. - The Best - Broadway Singers - Great Music - Classic Lounge'
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