"JUDY IN LOVE is perhaps Garland's greatest studio album. A superb collaboration with Judy in wonderful voice, and arranger Nelson Riddle at the top of his form. Inexplicably, this album is only now making its CD debut in the U.S. Capitol Records seemingly had no interest in releasing it themselves, so they've sublicensed it to S&P Records, who have done a terrific mixing and remastering job. Comparing the sound to a recent UK import is overwhelmingly impressive. The UK release sounds mediocre, and this new issue belies its having been recorded 44 years ago.
JUDY IN LOVE is paired with her monaural ballad album ALONE, which was arranged and conducted by Gordon Jenkins. The two albums together are a distinct contrast and yet only show the versatility and mastery of Garland. The highlight of the ALONE tracks is Jenkins' schmaltzy, yet irresistable I'VE GOT A RIGHT TO SING THE BLUES. ALONE was previously issued on CD by Capitol years ago, but has been long out of print, so this collection is a dream come true for Garland fans.The 5 Star rating is for the recordings and the way they've been beautifully produced. It does not, however, represent a true rating for the package itself, which has been saddled with awful,
amateurish liner notes which are so poorly written that it's a blatant insult to Garland. What a shame the producers who took such care in creating such a great sounding album, didn't bring the same kind of excellence to the accompanying package. This should not detract anyone from buying this CD, but buyers looking for an interesting commentary on the legendary lady and these specific tracks will have to go elsewhere."
Finally "Alone" on CD!
Marc Drost | Den Haag, Netherlands | 10/01/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I just received this Judy "double bill" and I can only say it's GREAT!! "Alone" was always one of my favorite Judy albums, and I am more than pleased to have it on CD now. The sound is not stereo, as another reviewer point out, but it never was recorded in stereo. I have the old vinyl, and that's mono too, but also pretty worn, after all these years. The liner notes actually are pretty good too. The original covers are reproduced, with the original liner notes reprinted, AND some fresh liner notes about this re-issue. There, you can read that the "alone" recordings are from 1957, and that "Judy in Love" is from 1958, and was her first stereo album for Capitol.So why is "alone" my favorite Judy album? Maybe simply because it was one of my first encounters with Judy, when I was 17 years old. I didn't realize at the time that the selection of songs is pretty unusual. It's not the repertoire she sang a lot in her live and TV shows. I love the mostly subdued pathos on this album, although she does belt it out occasionally, in her own inimitable way. The songs are about 'surviving on your own', and some times about finding your inner strength, in a bittersweet way. The album is not very cheerful, but it does make me feel good, in a sentimental way. The arrangements are very good, just right, in the 'proper' fifties style. The strings have a very warm quality, which wasn't always the case in those days. There is also a beautiful large choir singing in the background on some tracks.
Some of the songs are very unknown, which makes this album special too. Happy New Year, for instance, is a beautiful torch song, written over a very slow version of Old Lang Syne in minor key; a real gem of a song! Blue Prelude is also a great song, so don't be discouraged by the titles you may not know.
All in all, a 'must have' for any Judy fan, but also a wonderful introduction if you want to get acquainted with Judy's singing. "Judy in Love" is an excellent example of her warm joyful singing, while "Alone" gives you all those wonderful torch songs. A balanced package, with a passionate Judy in great voice!!"
Magnificent
Marc Drost | 04/30/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Alone" and "Judy in Love" were really Garland's only two albums in the true Capitol tradition arranged by the geniuses Gordon Jenkins and Nelson Riddle and recorded in that incomparable Capitol sound with the inimitable Capitol packaging. The songs reflect Garland's savvy and eclectic taste--she was a true raconteur when it came to American popular music and really knew the gems, many of them little known. These albums are magnificen, and taken together breathtaking. Garland is in great voice, great spirits and emotional high pitch. My favorite album is the later "That's Entertainment," where the classic M-G-M Pictures arranger Conrad Salinger enters the picture for a brilliant album which isn't exactly Capitol in feeling but more M-G-M Pictures. Don't miss that one--she is in full-bodied voice at that point, just before doing her legendary Carnegie Hall concert. Judy is a gem still shining brightly. And I met her once--a nicer lady more appreciative of her fans you would never find."
Judy belts 'em out--and sings so sweetly it breaks your hear
Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 02/14/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Judy in Love & Alone is a two-fer CD that gives us in magnificent digital sound all the tracks from Judy Garland's two record albums entitled Judy In Love and Alone. The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork impresses me. This two-fer CD is a must-have for Judy's fans and anyone who appreciates classic pop vocals cannot afford to overlook this fine CD.
The track set opens with "Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart." Judy sings this with great energy and the faster than usual tempo works very well. The lush musical arrangement is fantastic and Judy belts this out, never singing a superfluous note. "Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart" is quite a strong number to start off this album. "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" features Judy singing sweetly with all her heart and soul; Judy makes this number a masterpiece in her more than capable hands. Great! Moreover, there's also "More Than You Know." Judy sings this to perfection; and the arrangement makes great use of the strings, drums and more. "More Thank You Know" is a very sweet number that I'm sure you're bound to enjoy.
"I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)" showcases Judy's exquisite ability to emote every emotion in every subtle nuance of all the words in every song she ever sang; and the brass helps the melody along quite well. "Day In-Day Out" is a great number that Judy sings with panache and great sensitivity; the drums add a slight Latin twist to this number which enhances it all the more. Great!
"By Myself" gets a peppy arrangement that features Judy's singing so beautifully I could easily swear I've never heard a sweeter voice anywhere. "Me And My Shadow" is another highlight of this two-fer CD; and Judy never misses a note! The strings work very well on "Me And My Shadow;" I always enjoyed this number the way Judy interprets it.
"I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues" has a tremendous spotlight on Judy who never misses a note; and the brass makes the number shine even more! "How About Me" again places Judy squarely in the spotlight; and she will captivate you with her singularly beautiful and sensitive rendition of this classic love song. "Happy New Year" is a bluesy number about a woman being alone on a holiday; and Judy delivers this to perfection as she always did. The CD ends with the bonus track entitled "Then You've Never Been Blue." Judy sings this so well you'll be yearning for more--and you'll be playing this CD over and over again--Judy's THAT good.
The immortal Judy Garland lives on quite well because of the countless superior contributions she made to the arts. Judy could dance and act--but wow, how she could sing! I hope you enjoy this two-fer CD as much as I did.
"
Garland the Great
Matthew G. Sherwin | 05/02/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A beautiful compilation of two classic, original "Judy" albums. These are two of the six studio albums she recorded for Capitol in the fifties, and these are probably the best. While Judy's vocal tone is not at its best on "Judy in Love", the song selections and her interprative genius make up for the slight vocal imperfections. "More Than You Know", "I Am Loved" and "By Myself" are absolute delights, and are clearly definitive versions of these songs. In addition, the ballads shine with passion and tenderness. "Alone" is mostly filled with similarly tender songs, and on this one Garland is in fine, full voice throughout. "Little Girl Blue" is a particular standout, and the addition of the never before released "Then You've Never Been Blue" is a special treat for fans and newcomers. Popular singing doesn't come any better than this."