Judy Garland The Garland Touch Genres:Jazz, Pop, Broadway & Vocalists "The Garland Touch" was Judy Garland's final album under her contract with Capitol Records - and has never before been released on CD. All of the selections on this record are superb songs by great composers. This release... more » adds 6 bonus tracks, including the rarest single of Judy's career "It's Lovely To be Back In London".« less
"The Garland Touch" was Judy Garland's final album under her contract with Capitol Records - and has never before been released on CD. All of the selections on this record are superb songs by great composers. This release adds 6 bonus tracks, including the rarest single of Judy's career "It's Lovely To be Back In London".
"This album has an unfortunate history. The gorgeous cover was shot for the unreleased concert followup to the Carnegie Hall album, which Capitol decided not to release because Garland had performed with a cold. Garland thought the unreleased live album was just fine. It was issued many moons later as "Judy Garland Live!" and is a wonderful album. In place of the live album Capitol threw together tracks from Garland's 2-LP "London Sessions" set issued in Great Britain, mostly rerecordings of songs she'd already recorded but this time in stereo. Then recent singles were added and some stray stuff. It was a puzzling wreck all in all but Garland is so brilliant on this music her sheer talent overcomes the wreckage her record company did to her. She never recorded for Capitol again; the next album was another mess, this time of mono recordings from her T.V. show soundtracks. She wanted very much to continue making prestigious, high-quality albums but after all the money she made for Capitol it treated her like she deserved no dignity at all (ditto June Christy, ditto eventually Peggy Lee). She often referred to Capitol's refusal to do a serious followup to the historic Carnegie Hall album in interviews."
A Great Intro to Garland
Richard J. Gatton | Washington, DC | 10/21/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Yes, this is a compliation album, but this is, nonetheless, a superb collection of songs from the incomparable Judy Garland. From the bright "Lucky Day" to "San Franciso", Garland is in great voice on every song. Several numbers were recorded in London during her recuperation from a major illness and were later captured on her live album "Judy at Carnegie Hall" and remained unreleased for a number of years, but that doesn't mean they aren't still worth hearing. Just listen to her recording of "Why Was I Born?", which has been released on other albums, of course. It is still the best recording of this song ever made. There isn't one number that is disappointment by any means. "You'll Never Walk Alone" - beautiful. "Comes Onces In A Lifetime" - upbeat and fun all the way. "It's Lovely To Be Back In London" - weak lyrics and all it is still a prime recording from Garland from her show at London's Dominion Theater in 1957...rarely heard. "More Than You Know"...another example of prime Judy Garland. No other singer has the range and ability to sing the variety of songs Garland sang and to do so as well as she did. She rarely got the full credit she deserved for the full catalogue of songs she covered in career. This album is your chance to experience some of the best of the Garland recordings at the peak of her vocal period, too! You won't regret buying this album."
To The Rafers
Dean G. Ehlers | New Mexico | 10/11/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This last album for Capitol Records is a fine piece of history. Judy Garland was one of the best singers of the 20th century and is in excellent voice throughout this CD. She shines on so many songs on this CD that it is hard to pinpoint which are better than the rest. "I Happen To Like New York" and "Judy At The Palace Medly" are superb. It is obvious that after so many years, she still has the appeal. Great vocalist leave a mark. Frank Sinatra once commented on Garland saying "Time will forget most of us.......not Judy Garland.....Never Judy" He was right. There are generations that embrace her every year!!"
The Garland Touch Is Midas!
C. Hackman | easton, pa USA | 10/02/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What can be said about releasing another Judy Garland Capitol Album? It's a chance for a whole new generation of fans who missed the vinyl era when a new Garland LP was as exciting as a new Beatle LP. She crossed many lines and tastes but she always remained great as you will enjoy in this latest release. A wonderful addition to anyone's Judy Garland audio collection. It's important to hear the sounds that made her so special to so many people around the World. Judy is an event, no matter how you asses her. She'll always be a special event and a headliner forever! Don't miss this latest great CD. By the way, her outfit on the cover was from her 1962 Manhattan Center concert while recording "Judy Takes Broadway" and aborted double LP that was to compliment her Carnegie Hall album a year before but due to vocal problems the project was scrapped. Scrapped! Anything Judy did was worthy of production, if you dig around you'll find parts of that performance but I wish the entire night was around somewhere. Well, someday someone will discover it in a garage or a yard sale and we'll all be able to share it in full. In the mean time, her special renditions of her songs shine through although this LP was from previous material on "stock" at Capitol and put together as "The Garland Touch" as I've said earlier, her touch was gold, her talent beyond words.
Don't miss this extraordinary CD for your collection and enjoy her like never before!"
An Old Friend Returns
David Mckinnon | Connecticut | 11/30/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had purchased the vinyl edition of this album when it was first published. It was Judy Garland's last album for Capitol Records. I played it until it showed signs of ware. It brought a lot of enjoyment through the years. Now DRG has done us the favor of releasing it for the first time as a cd. Besides the original songs, there are bonus tracks that add to the enjoyment of the package.
My particular favorite is the Cole Porter song, "I Happen To Like New York." With that song, Miss Garland gives a heart-felt performance that brings to the fore her well-known regard for the city that never sleeps. There is also an excellent re-recording of Garland's famous "Palace Medley." This time it is done in stereo, and benefits from the digital enhancement.
It is a recording made when Miss Show Business was still at the height of her powers.