Search - Judy Garland :: Miss Show Business / Judy

The Best of 1950s Garland

Francis M. Hough Jr. | Charlotte, NC USA | 08/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The content of these two albums constitutes the best of Judy Garland's considerable output to 1950's entertainment. "Miss Show Business" was recorded to coincide with her CBS-TV special which in turn was based on her 1952 19-week Palace run. Her voice is rich, vibrant, and powerful. Hearing these arrangements sung in optimum recording conditions for the time is a real treat (The CBS special itself was hindered by Garland being in thick, husky voice that particular night. It didn't matter as the special went on to become the highest rated special in the history of TV to that time)."Judy," also offered on this two-for-one set, is actually a reissue of the album already relased on a single CD by Capitol several years ago. On that release, Capitol pulled "I'm Old Fashioned," recorded at this same session with the released tracks, out of its archives and put it on the CD release as a bonus track. Unfortunately, it has not been included here, a shame since it's a gorgeous rendering of that beautiful Jerome Kern melody.Thankfully, Capitol is reissuing its Garland catalog on these marvelous two-for-one releases, and no Garland fan should be without any of them."

The brilliance of Judy Garland: She is STILL one of the stan

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 04/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To write that Judy garland was in excellent form here on this CD would be a gross understatement. Her voice is as close to perfection on these tracks as any performer could ever hope to achieve. Although Judy worked hard at MGM and sang in many MGM movies, after she left MGM Judy made several record albums for Capitol Records between the years 1955 and 1965. The two record albums recorded onto this CD are clearly the penultimate Garland, with the only possible exception being Judy at Carnegie Hall. Her voice is emotionally beautiful and powerfully charged. Indeed, if all you do is close your eyes and just listen to Judy sing with such honesty and complete emotional involvement, her voice itself leads you wherever Judy wishes you to go. When she sings "Over The Rainbow," for example, the way her voice quivers, the ever so slight sound of her crying and the style with which she enunciates each word sends shivers up and down my spine and really, truly makes me believe that not only does she want to be over the rainbow-but now I do, too.



Some people would call this CD as a "two-fer." The word "two-fer" simply means that two record albums are presented here on one single CD. A great value! The two record albums are entitled Miss Show Business and Judy. You really only pay two or three dollars more to get both albums on one CD; it is not overpriced. The liner notes included tell the story of how the albums came to be: Judy signing with Capitol Records, how Judy worked for the first time with Nelson Riddle to produce the album entitled Judy, how each album won shining reviews and hit the charts, and how her personal emotional involvement with each song made for the extraordinary performances recorded here.



The liner notes include excerpts from the original liner notes from the record albums with a few color photos of Judy. There is also a black and white picture of the front cover of the record album entitled Miss Show Business.



If you haven't experienced Judy Garland, you simply can't go wrong if you start with this CD of her two record albums entitled Miss Show Business and Judy. You'll be amazed at the simultaneous power, softness, and even vulnerability in her voice--all displayed at the same time on many tracks such as, of course, "Over The Rainbow." Then there are other songs that have a distinct vaudeville flavor to them that can even be interpreted as playful. I personally like "Maybe I'll Come Back," which was a favorite song of Judy's father Frank Gumm. The song "Lucky Day" displays an ecstasy that few singers can emote with their voices. "After You've Gone" is also brilliantly performed.



In short, this is a great starter album for people who want to get more familiar with Judy's work after she left MGM and produced art her own way. It is obviously a must have for Judy fans everywhere, fans of pop vocals, vaudeville and nostalgia. True, the CD lacks the song "I'm Old Fashioned" which will disappoint Judy fans, but this flaw can definitely be overlooked by the incredibly high quality control of every single second of the rest of all the songs here. Get this CD and enjoy the lady who has often been called "America's greatest entertainer!"

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Classic Performances

Matthew G. Sherwin | 05/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These are two classic albums of Garland at the peak of her vocalizing. While "Miss Show Business" focusses primarily on nostalgic tunes, she gives them fire and passion. "Carolina..." and "Pretty Girl..." show off her verve and technique at its best. The big revelation here, though, is the song selection on the second album, simply titled "Judy". While Garland's voice sometimes sounds a bit thick and raspy, her interpretations of these tunes are exemplary. The energetic "I Feel a Song Comin' On" contrasts nicely with the lush "Just Imagine" and overall the song selection is more sophisticated and elegant than the movie tunes Garland is known for. A welcome addition to any fan's collection and a great introduction to classic American music."