Search - Judy Garland :: The Letter

A Love Letter from Judy

Bruce K. Hanson | Petersburg, VA | 12/28/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When "The Letter" was first released on LP in 1959 it was greeted with luke warm reviews and rather tepid sales which quickly turned this album into a collectors' item; especially if you could find the album cover with its letter intact. Even its re-release a few years later with its new title, "Our Love Letter" and a new album cover (a generic photo of New York City) did not generate sales. To this listener, much of the blame would have been due to John Ireland's bland reading of an equally dull narrative about a young couple meeting in New York City. But the vocals are something else! These songs by Gordon Jenkins are very adult; that is they are sophisticated and complex. Garland sounds wonderful as she weaves in and out of melodies that might not grab your ear at first listening. Two songs, "Beautiful Trouble" and "The Worst Kind of Man" are catchy tunes but the rest are worth repeating as they will soon grow on you and become favorite Garland recordings as well. "The Red Balloon" is a lovely ballad whose subtle poignancy is revealed as the mature singer looks back at childhood. And "That's All There Is" is the most interesting of the lot with a melody that fools the listener as it goes in a direction than otherwise expected. There is also a witty blues number sung by Charley Lavore, "Charley's Blues", which actually infuses dialogue between Garland and Ireland to a very humorous effect. (Oddly, this song was partially and poorly edited for the subsequent US and French LP re-releases.) The sound of this CD is spectacular; a full and lush sounding orchestra to which we are no longer accustumed. The Jenkins orchestrations and the Ralph Brewster Singers fully compliment the warm, grown up sound of its star. The liner notes by Garland expert, Scott Schecter, are well written and add much to the package. And, the letter itself is reprinted as well. As an added bonus, there are four mono versions of songs from the album that were originally released on a 45 rpm EP record in 1959. No, this is not the Judy Garland you might be used to with those all too familiar songs of her repertoire. Instead you will discover "new" songs sung as only Judy could when she was truly singing in a great voice. Take the chance and buy this one. You won't be disappointed."

A Mini American Opera with Judy

Diane A. Barrie | Torrance, CA United States | 06/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Every Judy fan should own this one. Judy's singing is absolutely at her best in this little opera. The bonus tracks are a good addition to the original LP recording. Judy is one of, if not the best, singer of the 20th century."

The Broadway Show Judy Never Got to Do

William Slavin | Glen Ellyn, IL | 08/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have two copies of "The Letter." One I purchased and then one I received as a gift from a friend. This is a Broadway show but with only one singer, Miss Garland. The orchestrations are wonderful; Judy is more than up to the job, and it is much better than anything that has been on Broadway, that has been new, since 1968. I wish we had more of such works: romantic, falling in love, and love conquering all in the real world. Modern culture depreciates and demeans all of that, but it still occurs and conquers all, no matter what, thank G-d. This album will grow on you and will become a cherished chestnut just like the others that you enjoy of Miss Garland's astonishing career. The record producers did right originally and in bringing it back now . Don't miss it."