Search - Judy Garland :: 25th Anniversary Retrospective

Captures the magic of Judy's entire career

Daniel Jolley | Shelby, North Carolina USA | 05/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This retrospective collection is truly a wonderful tribute to the career of Judy Garland. Although 25 songs does not begin to cover the incredible range of this artist, this does represent the best one-CD compilation of her songs. Songs from Judy's early days include the obligatory yet ever wonderful "Over the Rainbow," "Be a Clown," and the engaging duet "I Wish I Were In Love Again" with Mickey Rooney. Standards such as "Get Happy," "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody," and the "You Made Me Love You/For Me and My Gal/The Trolley Song" medley provide an air of comfortable familiarity. Several showstoppers ("San Francisco," "Chicago," "Swanee," and the incredible "The Man That Got Away") from her historic live performance at Carnegie Hall in 1961 are sure to delight Garland enthusiasts and win over a new generation of fans. As a huge Judy Garland collector, the true magic of this collection lies in its selection of songs rarely found on other CDs. "Purple People Eater" is not a song I would ever have associated with Judy Garland, but she delivers a rollicking, infectiously fun version that epitomizes Judy's love for music and for her fans. I love every song on this CD, but "What Now My Love?" is truly special. This recording was made toward the end of a live concert, when Judy's voice was beginning to give out on her, yet it easily takes its place as my favorite Judy song of all time. The emotion she puts into the song is electric, and I never fail to get a little chill every time Judy sings the line "No one will care, no one will cry, if I should live or die." In many ways, these lyrics seem to reflect her own tortured life and untimely death, and I only wish the public could have let Judy know just how much she was adored toward the end of her career.If you want just one Judy Garland CD, this is the one I would recommend to you with no hesitation whatsoever. Slow songs, fast songs, happy songs, sad songs--this CD has it all."

An Embarrassment of Riches......

douglas barton | Arlington, Va. | 10/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While I've always been a fan of the music from America's stage and screen I've never fully embraced Judy Garland and her "larger-than-life" talent. Perhaps I could not comprehend her need to constantly belt out a song full-throttle or, I feel, her over the top live performances (Live at Carnegie Hall).I always recognized her talent but it never seemed my cup-of-tea. Plus....how many times can we truly listen to "Over the Rainbow" anymore? That being said.... For those of you, myself still included, who would like something by this remarkable artist (and everyone should), than this " 25th Ann. Retrospective" is most definitely the way to go. Impressively packaged with a song selection that is second to none this disc pretty much covers all the basics... and a little more. Even music lovers who are only slightly familiar with Ms. Garland's huge back catalogue will find something to enjoy in this cd. I won't bother going into detail but suffice to say that Capitol has tried giving us at least a wide variety of what makes Judy such a formidable singer. And, as always, true talent will rise to the top! There's so much to enjoy on this disc that it may be an embarassment of riches. I think perhaps I will mention my favorite track on this remarkable disc, that being "What Now My Love" which having heard several versions have decided that Judy truly does the difinitive version of a song that can be a real challenge for any singer! Adding to all that, a wonderful job has been done at remastering these songs plus a lengthy booklet is included with a brief history and photos of Judy plus a little background of each song. Very well done!! Bravo Capitol!! Again, while I don't see myself picking up anything else by Judy Garland in the near future I am certainly glad I had the vision to purchase this selection. She truly was one of a kind and a singer, second only to Billie Holiday, who may reign supreme in her field. Everyone should have something by Ms. Garland and, without a doubt, this is THE ONE! Enjoy!"

Judy sold her songs without even trying--and that's no small

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 09/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Once in a very, very long while, all the stars in all the heavens align in precisely the right way--and a superstar is born. Such was the case on June 10, 1922 when Frances Ethel Gumm (aka Judy Garland) was born. Garland could take a song and deliver it in such a way that she instantly made it her own; her passionate delivery earned the love from her adoring audiences and she loved them for loving her. Invariably, Judy Garland gave blood when she performed or recorded songs.



This fine retrospective may not be complete but it gives us an excellent set of twenty-five tracks from Judy's illustrious career. The track set begins with her signature song, "Over The Rainbow." This rendition is from the motion picture soundtrack of The Wizard Of Oz; and Judy's voice never sounded better. The musical arrangement uses the strings, horns and percussion well to enhance this classic ballad. Judy delivers this as only she ever could; and I predict you will enjoy this rendition of "Over The Rainbow" very, very much.



"Be A Clown" features Judy and Gene Kelly having a great time performing "Be A Clown" from the movie entitled The Pirate. Judy and Gene harmonize very well; and Judy's excellent diction bolsters her performance. Great musical arrangement, too! "Easter Parade," from the MGM movie of the same name; features Judy singing ever so sweetly about her man and the beauty of the parade to celebrate the Easter holiday. Judy never misses a note either!



"Get Happy" was Judy's last song that she recorded at MGM; and it sure is a whopper! Judy sings joyously of how she wants herself and others to be happy. Judy's performance lacks nothing--it's THAT good--as was the norm for Judy. "Get Happy" uses the horns and drums to enhance the natural beauty of this number--great! Another track of note is the medley of "You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want To Do It)/For Me And My Gal/The Boy Next Door/The Trolley Song." This medley of just a few of her greatest MGM hits comes from her album entitled Miss Show Business. You sure can tell she IS Miss Show Business as Judy sings this to perfection and beyond! Love those violins!



"Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody" showcases Judy's wonderful cover of a song made so famous by the great Al Jolson; and "I Feel A Song Comin' On" has a stupendous musical arrangement that compliments Judy's vocals smoothly. Judy sings well; and again her excellent diction bolsters her performance of "I Feel A Song Comin' On."



"Purple People Eater" gives us Judy singing a pop song from the late 1950s; and she does her usual fine job with this tune. This number comes from the album entitled Garland At The Grove; and Judy handles the tempo and key changes like the pro she always was! "Purple People Eater" has an upbeat melody with a great arrangement for the strings, too. "It's A Great Day For The Irish" has Garland belts this marching ballad straight out of the ballpark; and Garland sings "The Man That Got Away" with great sensitivity and a panache I rarely hear or enjoy. Nothing could be more perfect than Judy Garland singing another one of her signature songs, "The Man That Got Away."



"Swanee" comes from the two CD set entitled Judy At Carnegie Hall; many still insist that this was the greatest night in the history of show business--and they are right. Listen to that crowd roar when Judy does this energetic number! "Chicago," the last track, is also from the same two CD set of Judy At Carnegie Hall; and Judy and the crowd are clearly having the time of their lives! Judy delivers "Chicago" with all her heart and soul. What an entertainer Judy Garland was!



The liner notes include an essay about Judy and these songs; and we get the recording dates and song credits for each song as well. Great photos of Judy, too!



Judy Garland touched many millions of people throughout her career; and because of her singularly beautiful contributions to the arts she will never be forgotten. I highly encourage new Judy fans to get this; and people who enjoy classic pop vocals from the best of the best will appreciate this album as well.



Thank you so much for everything, Judy! We miss you terribly!

"