Julia Murney's solo debut I'm Not Waiting shows how much talent lies just below the headlining-superstar level on Broadway. Best known for her electrifying portrayal of Queenie in Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party or for her ... more »role as Elphaba in the touring version of Wicked, Murney here shows both the power and sensitivity to be a major star. The mix of pop and Broadway songs ranges from Tom Waits's "Rainbow Sleeves," Joni Mitchell's "A Case of You," and Annie Lennox's "A Thousand Beautiful Things" merged with U2's "Beautiful Day," to John Lennon's "Beautiful Boy" (Murney starred in Broadway's Lennon in 2006) and Wicked's ballad "I'm Not That Girl." Lippa produced the recording and contributes not only "Raise the Roof" but "When I First Met Him," which was cut from The Wild Party and "I'm Not Waiting," written expressly for Murney. Pianist and co-musical director Tom Kitt also contributes the beautiful "Perfect." --David Horiuchi« less
Julia Murney's solo debut I'm Not Waiting shows how much talent lies just below the headlining-superstar level on Broadway. Best known for her electrifying portrayal of Queenie in Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party or for her role as Elphaba in the touring version of Wicked, Murney here shows both the power and sensitivity to be a major star. The mix of pop and Broadway songs ranges from Tom Waits's "Rainbow Sleeves," Joni Mitchell's "A Case of You," and Annie Lennox's "A Thousand Beautiful Things" merged with U2's "Beautiful Day," to John Lennon's "Beautiful Boy" (Murney starred in Broadway's Lennon in 2006) and Wicked's ballad "I'm Not That Girl." Lippa produced the recording and contributes not only "Raise the Roof" but "When I First Met Him," which was cut from The Wild Party and "I'm Not Waiting," written expressly for Murney. Pianist and co-musical director Tom Kitt also contributes the beautiful "Perfect." --David Horiuchi
"For years, I have thought of Julia Murney as the greatest singer in theatre. From her opening moments in Andrew Lippa's "The Wild Party" to just going to see her as Elphaba in the touring company of "Wicked" and everything in between. This album truly proves. that. Having seen her in concert quite a few times, I knew all of these songs...yes, seeing her in concert means that I DO know the porn story she mentions in the liner notes about "Fancy" :). Andrew Lippa is amazing, also. The title song is one he wrote and it is PERFECT. So, is the song "Perfect" written by Tom Kitt...soon to be on Broadway with his new musical, "High Fidelity." Julia Murney is THE singer on, off, touring, etc. Everyone should get this album and support this amazing artist."
Murney is amazing
Logan Brown | Brandon, Florida United States | 06/27/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Julia Murney is amazing...nothing short of it. I've known her since the early 90s...she choreographed a production of Candide and I was Music Director. Shortly after that, I went to her apartment in NYC and we worked some on her audition material. I remember thinking "This girl has it all...dancer, actor, killer voice that can do anything." I'm so glad that she's getting her due! Finally!
For the record, she's also ridiculously down-to-earth, silly, sharp, funny, outrageous, friendly, and always elegant.
I need to look her up and get her a picture I took of her at a cookout from way back when...
Buy the CD...you won't be sorry. And, Julia, if you read this...I need to find you!
"
A STANDING OVATION
J. Rosenthal | San Francisco | 04/28/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Murney possesses a voice that is thrilling in its vibrancy. She has a remarkable range and variety of vocal colors. This CD gives her an opportunity to stretch stylistically, ranging from the delicate folk-pop of Joni Mitchell's A Case Of You which she sings with great warmth and sensitivity to the intensely theatrical When I First Met Him which she masterfully builds incorporating her intensely emotive high belt. Murney shines on Misery and Happiness, a blackly comic spin on the dating scene,and on Fancy a high-energy country-flavored romp telling the rags to riches story of self-described white trash. Above all, Murney's gift is as a storyteller and though she has a remarkably powerful instrument, she uses it with restraint and artistry. This CD is a great showcase for an artist that has not yet received the kind of exposure her talent warrants. All of the arrangements complement her voice perfectly, putting it front and center and never feeling cluttered. If you like this CD you should definitely purchase Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party cast recording, for my money the most underrated musical score of the last decade. I had the pleasure of seeing Murney's performance as Queenie a couple of times and I was hooked for life! She also does stellar work on the cast recording for A Class Act. This is a theatrical talent who can sing in a wide range of styles effectively. This CD will introduce you to some great songwriters you might not be familiar with including Tom Kitt, composer of the upcoming Broadway musical adaptation of the novel High Fidelity whose Perfect for me is the highlight of this CD. If you are a fan of cabaret singing buy this. If you love powerhouse divas buy this. Combining musical theater singing with a soulful rock tinged edginess Murney is a very special talent and this CD is the perfect vehicle for her.
"
Fantastic solo debut!
Danielle | Illinois | 04/03/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first learned of Julia Murney when I bought Off-Broadway Cast Recording of "The Wild Party". I bought it for Idina Menzel but I was blown away by the woman who played Queenie, Julia Murney. Last year I finally bought her solo cd and I am still blown away by her voice.
1.A Thousand beautiful things/beautiful day- A great song to begin the cd. I love how Julia combined these two songs. They both work so well together.
2.Misery and Happiness- These is probably my favorite song on the cd. The story is quite funny and Julia sings it so well and shows the humor in the song. I've never been lucky enough to see Julia perform live but I can just see this being a highlight in a concert of hers.
3.I'm not waiting- The title song. It actually took me awhile to warm up to this song but I now think it is fabulous. I like how it builds up and the end and Julia's vocals are beautiful. She really lets her emotions show through on her songs.
4.A Case of you- My second favorite song on the cd. I am familiar with Joni Mitchell's orginal version but I actually kind of like Julia's version better. I think her voice is perfectly suited to it. It's beautiful.
5.Perfect-These isn't one of my favorite songs but I still enjoy it. It's another one that is growing on me.
6. Raise the roof-These is a different version than the version that she did in "The Wild Party". I like how she starts the song really softly and then it builds up. I think I like this version better than the version on the "The Wild Party" cd.
7.Beautiful boy-My least favorite song on the cd. Julia sang this song in the musical "Lennon". It's an okay song but I think there are better songs on the album.
8. Fancy- Julia goes country for this song. It's not one of my favorites but it shows a different side to Julia. It's not a bad version of this song though.
9.I'm not that girl-This is an acoustic version of this song from "Wicked". I think Julia sounds beautiful and it gives new light on the lyrics and really shows how sad the song really is.
10. When I first met him- A rejected song from "The Wild Party". I love this song. I think Andrew Lippa is an amazing song-writer and Julia sings the song so beautiful.
11. Rainbow sleeves- A great and sweet way to finish the album. It's an absolutely gorgeous song.
So if you are a fan of Julia Murney through her time in "Wicked",
"The Wild Party", "Lennon", or any other show that she has been in, you'll definitely want to buy this cd."
Viva La Murney
A. L. Ward | USA | 08/13/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Like many of my fellow reviewers, I was introduced to Julia Murney via her performance as Elphaba in 'Wicked'. The play was so-so for me, but Murney's voice blew me away. I literally left the theatre stunned. As soon as I got home I started reading everything I could about her work, and thusly discovered 'The Wild Party' and her solo CD. I wanted to give it 5 stars, but wasn't allowed to change it after I realized my mistake. Oh well.
This CD is not themed, which I like. It seems to simply be a collection of songs that Murney likes, and that concept really works. The selections show off her versatility amazingly well. She belts, sings high notes with ease, melts you with those amazing low notes, is sexy and seductive in one song, and is fun and energetic in another. It's fun to listen to, and she brings something interesting to each song.
This woman can PERFORM the SIN out of a song. An art which is lost on the present generation. She makes all of the narrative songs sound so incredibly personal that had I not known "Fancy" was actually a Bobbie Gentry song, I'd be seriously concerned about her upbringing! What amazes me is how well her emotion translates to her voice. Murney's facial expressions while singing are captivating to watch, and I was concered that wouldn't carry over to her audio-only performances. How wrong I was!
"Perfect", "Fancy", and "I'm Not Waiting" are my personal favorites (all narrative songs, of course). But really the whole CD is wonderful. It's one of the few albums where I don't skip over most of the songs. Her voice is quite distinct, and for some, it make take some time to truly appreciate. Regardless of how you feel when you first pop in the CD, you will end up playing it over and over. I can't wait to see what she'll do next. She is truly a stand-out performer and a welcome change from the rash of unimaginative music and performers out there today! A one woman vocal revolution. Viva La Murney!"