Rufus Wainwright - Rufus Does Judy At Carnegie Hall [2 CD]
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Free Music Notes for Rufus Does Judy At Carnegie Hall [2 CD]
Free Music Review: Captures the ethos of the original concert...
Hit: 5 Stars
The problem with most of the reviews posted for this work is that it takes only the consideration whether Rufus Wainwright is Judy Garland or whether he has the voice to do Judy Garland. The approach to this is totally missing the whole point of the concert. I had the opportunity to listen to both the original Judy Garland Concert album as well (obviously!) as this one. Let us take into consideration that -- yes, there is only one Judy Garland. Some may argue that Mr. Wainwright is not Judy which I must admit that Mr. Wainwright can never be for he is NOT Ms. Garland. Therefore, this statement as a review DOES not hold. However, let us take the argument that Mr. Wainwright sang the songs because he wanted to recreate -- in his own way -- a certain atmosphere that that HISTORIC concert did in 1961. The question is whether he was able to hold up to THAT part of the bargain.
In this respect, I must admit -- Mr. Wainwright has indeed lived to the promise and the emotional memory of that concert. Though both Ms. Garland and Mr. Wainwright have both missed notes during the singing of some of the numbers -- all are accepted songs of the Judy Garland repertoire -- that is the least of the concerns. The main point is this -- it is the emotional content and the sincere tragedy of each of these songs through their arrangement and delivery that they wish to convey is what's important. Ms. Garland in 1961 did not have the perfect pitch nor the purity of voice to sing her songs as she did when she was younger. Also, let us admit that the songs are vocally demanding that an aging Ms. Garland was not able to hold up to perfectly 100% along the way. But she brought in her later years -- an eerie kind of wisdom in their then new interpretations. Listen to the rendition and arrangement of the Gershwin naughty song, "Do It Again" -- it was naughty if sang in a very carefree fashion yet tragic in her slow, frightened-like 1961 version. Mr. Wainwright brought this emotions again back to life.
For this reason, I say bravo to this performance. It is very rare that a modern singer can bring back an emotion that has been in its deathbed for the past decades. With this performance -- I felt that Judy was back and this time it is for us to enjoy -- a musical performance of a decade long past gone. The most wonderful thing is that the concert's hype was not because of some choreography like in Madonna's or Brittney Spears' concerts. It is not some gimmick like Ms. Jackson's costume "failure". Rather -- it is just singing and singing because we all wanted to have a good time.
Thanks to Ms. Garland for the inspiration and thanks to Mr. Wainwright for reliving it to a new audience.
Free Music Review: Judy + Rufus + Geffen = Broadway
Hit: 5 Stars
Did you hear there is a new Musical in America? Judy is alive again through the efforts, expense and talents of Rufus! With Phil Ramone as producer, on the label of our well respected David Geffen, lead by Director/Conduter Stephen Oremus with his impeccable 36 piece band what we have here is a Broadway Musical created by Judy Garland. Therefore, Judy comes to life again and can do a run on Broadway for years. It took the insight of Rufus to see that of course. The research and getting the rights for all the songs and music in the order Judi created them was, I'm sure, a pain-staking task for Rufus. Yet, with a smile, laugh and lush music Rufus takes control and is morphed into Judy with gestures, jokes and dead on accuracy. He of course does not sound like Judy...does anyone? There would be a line of fantastic Broadway Divas lined up to play this role. Judy's show would knock the socks off Broadway and put Musicals back on Broadway with class, style and her treasured songs(unlike what they call musicals now such as Young Frankenstien).
For all you 1 and 2 star raters I wish you could have seen what was really going on. It takes some insight to recognize genius and doing so one needs a clear head without cackling queens who never like anything but something or someone to tear apart. It's sad to see someone stuck in a box or bar. But they do.
If Lorna Luft thinks her mother Judy Garland was paid tribute to shouldn't we all respect her opinion. If she didn't like it we'd have had cause to worry but she again knows when a star is out shining, and it's her mom. You can see Lorna on Rufus! Does Judy Live at the London Palladium
I was fortunate enough to be able to get both the CD and DVD and then bought all Rufus' CDs. I also am lucky enough to have a perfect sound system and TV to see the up-coming Judy Broadway Musical on.Bose Lifestyle 28 Series III DVD Home Entertainment System - BlackSharp Aquos LC46D64U 46" 1080p LCD HDTV
I applaud the 5 star reviewers whom were excellent in their review of Rufus and how they saw the many angles of our proud and out Rufus. May I add how handsome Rufus looked. A yummy delight for sure. Rufus is one talented man. I feel priveleged to be his fan. Rufus, Rufus, Rufus pays praise and tribute to our Judy, Judy, Judy. This simply is what it's all about.
Free Music Review: Judy would've loved this....
Hit: 5 Stars
I first heard Rufus on the Moulin Rouge soundtrack. Absolutely loved the song (that voice) but didn't know who sang it and didn't follow up on it at the time (for some reason!). Then recently I was doing a search on YouTube for Grey Gardens and came across Rufus singing his song of the same title, awesome. Listened to a few other songs, Hallelujha, Over the Rainbow, and thought I must get one of this guy's albums, he's brilliant! Rufus has the kind of voice that I think polarises people - you either love it or hate it. So I can appreciate he does get some scathing reviews from some who don't really get it. For me though his voice is so emotive - the emotion he conveys is absolutely amazing. So anyway, I was in iTunes yesterday listening to samples of his music from his various albums trying to decide which first Rufus cd I would buy. Then I came across Rufus does Judy and was intrigued by it. I suddenly remembered that I'd come across this CD before on an Amazon search when I was looking at buying a Judy Garland album a year or so ago and I'd thought at that time how odd it was for some guy to try and duplicate a JG concert. I dismissed it out of hand (never judge a book by its cover eh..! ;). So, I came back to Amazon to read the reviews of the CD (I like dong that!) and found they were pretty mixed (as expected I suppose). Anyway, while reading the reviews I was listening to the track previews on iTunes and I just though I love this. So I downloaded it there and then and really couldn't wait to listen to the songs in their entirity. And I have to say, unlike some here, I was not dissapointed. Quite the opposite in fact I was delighted. The whole thing is such a joy to listen to from the awesome spine tingling intro, fabulous orchestra, Rufus chat and the classic timeless songs so beautifully sung with joy and love and humour and oh let's not forget the emotion. It really is so close to perfection and it's an amazing listening experience. If I was to pick fault then I'd say the worst bit for me was listening to Lorna Luft trying to sound like a cross between Liza and her mother (and failing miserably) on After You're Gone. High point is Rufus' Over The Rainbow which is up there with the original. Over all this is a truly great album and one that I will be listening to for many a year to come. Thank you Rufus...Free Music Review: A brilliant tribute to a great artist
Hit: 5 Stars
Why did Rufus Wainwright decide to perform his version of the classic songlist from Judy Garland's Carnegie Hall concert? At first, I thought it was a joke. How could he take on such a risky and frankly bizarre endeavor? Then, as I thought about it and heard about it and tried to understand it, I began to see. Wainwright has a two-fold purpose. First, he wanted to push his talent to a place where it had never been. Be plunging into this material, he was forced to go placed that he doesn't need to visit. This project pushed his ability to look into the truth of a song that is not a perfect fit for him. Second, I think he decided to redefine the limits of what it means to be "out." He decided to do something that is so audaciously gay, so bordering on camp with setting up a tent, that he basically became the "outest" gay man on the planet, and that in itself is a political statement. Finally (I guess there are three reasons), he wanted to pay tribute to the talent of the great Judy Garland. I think that this CD set succeeds on all of those counts. He strives for a new depth in his communication of lyric, he stands out as a gay icon, and he pays homage to Garland. Admittedly, this is not a clean and perfect album. There are retakes and vocal problems to be found. But, he goes on and tries again to push himself into the material...not an easy tast, but I feel that he chooses to do it "not because it is easy, but because it is hard."
I found the album moving on several levels, and a uniquely devouring experience.
Free Music Review: Surprising Success!
Hit: 5 Stars
I only recently discovered the magic that is Rufus Wainwright. To top it off, I'm a female vocalist lover and if I do have male singers I like, they ordinarily better blow my socks off with soaring vocals. I usually can't tolerate quirky voices, like that of Neil Young or Tom Petty. Rufus, however, grew on my over a matter of about 3 days...to the point where he is now all I listen to. Yes, my new obsession. I can never hear "Beautiful Child" or "April Fools" enough times to suit me. The way his imperfect voice glides over his oblique, mysterious and poetic lyrics...just makes the day a little brighter. He's medicine for the soul. For this album, I wasn't expecting great things, in fact, I cringed when I saw it on display at Borders. I thought, "Who can really cover Judy Garland effectively? Does the world really need another JUDY! JUDY! JUDY! show??" No, not really...but what the world could use, and now has...is a wonderful, unique interpretation of that historic show. Rufus doesn't out-do Judy; he wasn't even trying to. He was paying TRIBUTE to Judy...and he magically delivers. It's fun, beautiful, melancholy and it all comes wrapped in Rufus' quirky voice with all of it's bad enunciation and harsh breathing. You can't help but listen. And watch, if you have the DVD.
There are those out there who might not enjoy Rufus Wainwright. So be it. But it makes me feel good about myself that I do. I feel like I "get it". Not everyone can sing Judy Garland. Others, like Rufus Wainwright, could sing the phonebook...and I'd listen.