- Audio CD (23 Dec 2007)
- Number of Discs: 2
- Format: Live
- Label: Polydor Group
- ASIN: B000XMZJX8
- Other Editions: MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 55,401 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
Jubilee Offer: Patriot Classics for £2.50 |
Product details |
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
|
Disc 1:
Disc 2:
|
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
It was a bit of a surprise to say the least when US singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright announced his intention to recreate Judy Garland’s famous 1961 album, Judy at Carnegie Hall. Not only was the singer to recreate the album song-for-song, but he also arranged to do so in the same venue: the prestigious and legendary Carnegie Hall. While some predicted a disaster--Garland’s selection of tunes, after all, are not what you’d describe as Wainwright’s "bag"–-the night turned out to be an unprecedented success, underlining the singer’s versatility and his ability to put on a genuinely engaging show. For those that couldn’t/didn’t make it, Live at Carnegie Hall captures the entire experience, from Wainwright’s surprisingly good takes on songs like Gershwin’s "Do It Again" to the endearing collaborations with both Garland and Wainwright families. Backed by a 40-piece orchestra, Rufus (& co.) perform the entire songlist with aplomb, dropping in some tasteful twists and subtle sexuality to boot. Now that’s entertainment! --Danny McKenna
Review
To call Rufus Wainwright a 'friend of Judy' would, of course, be politically incorrect, but after listening to Rufus Does Judy - his lavish recreation of Judy Garland's finest hour - it would seem rude to call him anything but.
First recorded in New York's Carnegie Hall in 1961, at time when she had reached a personal and artistic low, the performance became famous for reviving Garland's moribund career, winning 5 Grammys and becoming a byword for showbiz glamour. It's apt then that Rufus - not exactly known for making subtle musical gestures - should re-create the whole evening in all its glitz and glory. This, lest we forget, is a man who spent the finale of his last UK tour dressed in stockings and mini-skirt singing Get Happy, included here as a bonus track.
Spread over two discs, Wainwright's rendition of the show is bewitching, sometimes bewildering and, more often than not, brilliant. It's clear Wainwright has not taken the task of performing the tribute lightly. From the orchestral arrangements down to him speaking "where Judy speaks", Wainwright's affection for the show shines through and, save the inevitable key changes, you can barely hear the difference between his spirited renditions of Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart and Putting On the Ritz and the originals.
There are times when the show falls down - mainly on the second disc when Wainwright's pithy asides begin to grate and when he's reduced to playing second fiddle by the rasping tones of Garland's daughter, Lorna Luft, on After You've Gone. Sister Martha's rendition of Stormy Weather is better, but still has the slight air of the Wainwright family doing karaoke round the piano. However, the showstopping renditions of Over The Rainbow and If Love Were All make up for this in spades - the latter recast as a plaintive love song for the disenfranchised, made all the more pertinent by Rufus singing Noel Coward's original lyrics.
It's a difficult line to tread between tribute and pastiche, and on Rufus Does Judy, it would have been easy for Wainwright to descend into empty kitsch. Instead, he walks it with considerable aplomb. Judy would be tapping her ruby slippers along in delight. --Rowan Collinson
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I wasn't sure about this album, from reading the reviews on here. Got it anyway and LOVE IT. Can't stop listening to it. It's touching, greatly sung, but also very funny in parts - and very uplifting! I also have to say the actual recording sound is of amazing quality. If you hate rufus wainwright, of course don't bother, but if you like his voice and are open to some entertainment, I think you may well love it too!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Only Rufus could have done it. Such a talented singer and songwriter in his own right with nothing to prove.
Deciding to pay homage to one of entertainments greatest and most loved stars should have been risky and full of pitfalls. I am sure it was, but you will never notice as it turned into a complete and utter success.
A show to please even the most hardened lover of the past and most die hard critic of tribute albums.
It has been a project of love and because of that it has worked so well. You can feel the tribute to Judy and you can sense the overwhelming respect that Rufus has for her memory, and, even with all of that, the performance portrays his own unique personality.
Never to be done again but thankfully those in the know after the Carnegie concert made sure the next project was filmed for posterity and for that we should all be truly grateful. The DVD of the show performed at the London Paladium is fantastic and brings to life the songs and the experience for those who were not able to be there.
Don't miss the chance to put into your music and film collection perhaps the most unique show ever.
Deciding to pay homage to one of entertainments greatest and most loved stars should have been risky and full of pitfalls. I am sure it was, but you will never notice as it turned into a complete and utter success.
A show to please even the most hardened lover of the past and most die hard critic of tribute albums.
It has been a project of love and because of that it has worked so well. You can feel the tribute to Judy and you can sense the overwhelming respect that Rufus has for her memory, and, even with all of that, the performance portrays his own unique personality.
Never to be done again but thankfully those in the know after the Carnegie concert made sure the next project was filmed for posterity and for that we should all be truly grateful. The DVD of the show performed at the London Paladium is fantastic and brings to life the songs and the experience for those who were not able to be there.
Don't miss the chance to put into your music and film collection perhaps the most unique show ever.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Agree with all the positive reviews. Just the perfect album for a lazy Sunday. Outrageously camp, wonderfully arranged and recorded. Rufus is in fine voice throughout, delivering each number with sensitivity and effortless panache.
I just have to say as a straight guy, my partner gets a little worried when I stick this on. Maybe one for when she's out with the girls.
I just have to say as a straight guy, my partner gets a little worried when I stick this on. Maybe one for when she's out with the girls.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
An Outstanding Tribute Performance
Rufus really shines in this recording, a tribute to Judy Garland's 1961 performance at Carnegie Hall. Read more
Published on 4 May 2010 by James Hamp
Oh dear!!
Rufus's voice doesn't suit any of these songs! In fact I don't really like any of the songs anyway! Apart from Over the Rainbow andhe murdered that! Read more
Published on 21 April 2010 by Alan D. Evans
Annoying
I tend to like Rufus. This is his worst CD. A clever idea badly executed and performed. It gets too annoying after 15 minutes.
Published on 3 April 2010 by OH
Dire!
Anyone who wrote good reviews for this clearly hasn't listened to Judy. Rufus can't live with her - the arrangements just swallow him whole and he's flat and off the beat for some... Read more
Published on 23 July 2009 by R. L. Delisser
Sometimes Enough is Enough
I have a serious problem with Rufus Wainwright. It was whilst travelling home a few years ago from Yorkshire that I tuned into Radio Two just in time to hear Wainwright singing "Oh... Read more
Published on 11 April 2008 by Mr. Peter Steward
Face
I don't think I've ever seen a worse album cover than this .. .. is it a joke ? That face .. .. ! Really, daarling .. ..
Published on 31 Mar 2008 by D. Summerfield
Don't order looking for the bonus track.
Amazon UK sent me the regular US version with no bonus track. When I asked them to reship, they did, but it was the same version ... no bonus track on disc 2. What a ripoff!
Published on 17 Mar 2008 by thefilmbuff
Great uplifting cd
I love Rufus Wainwright but this album is amazing. The big band sound and arrangements are astounding. Read more
Published on 28 Feb 2008 by M. STIMPSON
Brings fresh life to old songs
Some of these vocals are as great as any that you'll ever hear ("Do It Again" for example). Although I know all of these songs off by heart in versions by other singers, Rufus'... Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2008 by Suzabella
This only gets One Star, cause you can't give a zero
I can't stand Rufus Wainwright. That whining vocal timbre, his unbearably drab self-penned stuff. And then there's this; a 'tribute' to Judy Garland, for God's sake. What next? Read more
Published on 29 Jan 2008 by Og Oggilby
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
