My new Judy set arrived today along with DRG's release of Judy's "The Letter" (will review separately). I didn't know what to expect, since I've purchased the previous issues of Collectable's complete Judy 2on1 albums. I thought the sound on those issues were pretty good. In this case, with an all new 2007 Remastering from the original session tapes, there is significant difference. The sound is vibrant and crystal clear as you would probably hear it being recorded in the sound booth at Capitol in the original high-fidelity mono. The packaging is gorgeous. The blue color is becoming to accent the black & white photos of Judy, some I've seen for the first time. Unique to this release is the complete JUDY IN LOVE album from 1958 is issued in Mono for the first time. The mixing for the mono release vs. what has been mixed and released in stereo is different and packs more of a punch. It is nice to have this version of JUDY IN LOVE, plus two comparing tracks added on Disc 3 of ZING...and I AM LOVED in 2007 remastered stereo. One track from THE LETTER and one from GARLAND AT THE GROVE makes this package. Still waiting on a complete CD release of THE GROVE concert recording. The London Sessions are also represented with two alternate takes that are previously unreleased. STORMY WEATHER and OVER THE RAINBOW are alternate TAKE 1's from these sessions in their complete form. Jacket notes state a combination of takes were used in the previous released versions.
Capitol/EMI here in the US should have considered a set like this when issuing CLASSIC JUDY GARLAND a couple of years ago. Though that is an excellent set, as is this new gem, both are not complete, so you need to keep both. The new set is a must for the extras and the extrodinary beautiful remastering. It keeps Judy alive and makes her best recordings shine so brilliantly. Very Best of Judy Garland: The Capitol Recordings 1955-1965
The Very Best of Judy Garland: The Capitol Recordings 1955-1965 gives us a remarkable 72 tracks on three CDs all proving beyond a doubt that Judy Garland remains the world's greatest entertainer. The sound quality is very good (at least on the copy I purchased) and the artwork reflects good taste, too. The liner notes are very informative.
The first CD starts with a stunning medley from Judy's LP entitled Miss Show Business. "This Is The Time Of The Evening/While We're Young" introduces Judy with a chorus that sings sweetly; and when Judy comes in her voice never sounded better! This is followed by an even better medley of "You Made Me Love You/For Me And My Gal/The Boy Next Door/The Trolley Song." Judy performs this second medley with great panache; she enhances the beauty of each tune with her singularly beautiful voice. The strings add to the arrangement very nicely, too. "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody" has great brass and strings to accompany Judy's sublime vocals; Judy sings this with all her heart and soul. This number lacks nothing--it's THAT good.
"Over The Rainbow," is, quite naturally, given the royal treatment by Judy Garland as this was her principle signature song. It's perfect! "I Feel A Song Coming On" gets a snazzy arrangement and Judy doesn't sing a single superfluous note! Listen also for "Maybe I'll Come Back;" this old vaudeville song was reportedly one of Judy's father's favorites--but in any event Judy delivers this brilliantly! "Lucky Day" sparkles like gold when Judy sings this with heart and soul. "Me And My Shadow" begins with a musical flourish from the strings; and when Judy comes in this number truly takes flight!
The second CD is equally beautiful. "I Get The Blues When It Rains" is a striking torch song that Judy aces easily; and the strings on this tune are fantastic. "Just A Memory" is another torch song that Judy enhances with her singularly beautiful rendition of this ballad. "Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart" was always one of my very favorite Judy Garland songs; I could never tire of this one! The percussion, brass and strings greatly enhance the natural beauty of this song. "Do It Again" has Judy singing a rarely heard opening verse; and as Judy sings the main lyrics to "Do It Again" this blossoms into a lush love song. There's also the zesty "That's Entertainment" from the LP of the same name; Judy attacks this number with all her might and she truly gives blood to make this perfect! I love it!
The third CD gives us even more. "Just You, Just Me" has a fine piano arrangement and Judy makes this sound fresh and new even if you've heard this a million times before! The "Judy At The Palace" medley gives us "Shine On Harvest Moon/Some Of These Days/My Man/I Don't Care." "I Don't Care," from the movie In The Good Old Summertime, thrills me every time I hear Judy sing this with all her might--it's a brilliant performance from Judy--as usual! The strings and more enhance the melody to make this extremely pretty and sweet. After being treated to an alternate take of "Over The Rainbow," we hear Judy performing another signature song, "The Man That Got Away." The horns make this so beautiful along with Judy's voice; this live track really is electric! "I Could Go On Singing" is from the movie of the same name; Judy delivers this so smoothly it stuns me every time I hear it. Listen also for two duets Judy sings with her daughter Liza Minnelli; we get "When The Saints Go Marching In" and "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands."
If you're a fan of Judy Garland this is a must have CD set for your collection. It's also a wonderful CD set for people who appreciate classic pop vocals and even some of the "oldies" songs as well. Get this today and enjoy!
As a member of the production team, I noticed and inquired about the comments that CD #1 had a manufacturing defect. EMI London looked into this with the plant, to learn that it did accidentally occurr on a few pressings, and it has been corrected. Our sincere apologies. It should not happen again. My information is that anyone who has a defective CD should be able to return it to the seller, and they will be supplied a new one. This is most unusual, and again our apologies. We were very pleased to see the comments on the booklet and excellent audio quality, as a great deal of time was spent on them. These recordings are glorious, and we wanted them presented in the best way possible.'
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