Judy Garland Get Happy CD

The two CDs in this package contain separate collections of Judy Garland performances of the 1950s and '60s. Disc one is a compilation of duets drawn from television programs, almost all of them from the 1963-1964 series The Judy Garland Show, the sole exception being a medley of "Let There Be Love" and "You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You" sung with Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra that derives from a 1962 special also entitled The Judy Garland Show. The sound quality is terrific, the arrangements bold and brassy, and the guest stars enthusiastic in teaming with Garland. This material, which apparently is being licensed more or less indiscriminately by the estate of Garland's third husband, Sid Luft, to any label willing to pay the fee, is also available in one form or another on many other reissues, but this one is well-put-together, with the tracks segueing seamlessly together as if this were one long, all-star show. Disc two has also turned up on many other discs. It is the private recording made of Garland's final show of her 1951-1952 engagement at the Palace Theater in New York. Here, too, the sound quality is much better than it has been on previous issues, but this is still a fan-only performance on which the singer is sometimes off-mic or communicating with her adoring audience in ways not apparent simply from the audio. In her spoken remarks, Garland is often out of breath and seemingly absent-minded, but her singing is usually powerful. ~ William Ruhlmann

Originally released for what would have been Garland's 75th birthday by Sid Luft music, this two disc set captures two important & captivating sets of performances. The first disc is a compilation of duets recorded for CBS' weekly 'The Judy Garland Show.' The guests include Count Basie, Sinatra & Dean Martin, Bennett, Streisand & Liza Minnelli. The second disc of this set is also a revelation. Normally a nervous & unpredictable performer in front of an audience, Garland shows no such nerves in this 1952 concert recorded at the Palace Theatre in New York. Blasting through old standards & classics, her performance of 'Over The Rainbow' & 'Liza' were described as 'homeruns' by one critic. 2002.