A Tribute That's a Triumph!
I was one of the fortunate audience members at the first incarnation of this show, at Carnegie Hall on June 14, 2006. I also had the great pleasure (even though Rufus was not in his best vocal shape that night) of seeing the show re-created at the Hollywood Bowl in September, 2007. I wish I'd been able to go to London to see the show featured on this DVD. Being a huge fan (along with millions of others!) of the original concert Judy recorded, I was thrilled to have been able to see the show in person twice and now I can re-live the excitement whenever I want, by watching the DVD. The DVD re-creates the thrill of being in the audience. While the London crowd is a bit more subdued than the NY or LA crowds were, the performance is first rate, with many of Rufie's humorous anecdotes and top notch vocals. Also featured are performances by Rufus' sister, Martha Wainwright, singing a spectacular "Stormy Weather" and a duet of "After You've Gone" with Judy Garland's youngest daughter,...
High Praise to Rufus from Someone Who Saw Judy in 1961
I believe that I am the first person to review either the DVD or CDs who actually saw and heard Garland perform in 1961. I was 18 and saw Judy at Boston Garden about 6 months after the Carnegie Hall concert. I am a Rufus fan, but put the DVD on with some fear. How could Rufus possibly be as good as Garland? He is not as good, but it was much closer than I expectly.
The five songs that I most remember from 1961 were "Do It Again" (almost as good, with Rufus singing in Garland's key), "That's Entertainment" (lowest point in Rufus's evening; Garland unexpectly danced while the orchestra was playing and also sang the h*ll out of the song), "If Love Were All" (great job by Rufus), "Over the Rainbow (again not quite as good as Judy, but close). "Come Rain or Come Shine" (Judy's greatest
moments of the concert; Rufus almost matched her and totally won me over).
Garland had more vocally power, over 30 years of experiece singing these songs and the #1 album in the...
Bowled Over!!
What a DVD! No, he does not have Judy's vocal range or the level of emotion she was willing to share with her audience, but he makes up for it with sheer exuberance. For two hours he turns out an exhaustive performance. The conductor of the wonderful orchestra, Stephen Oremus, looks like a teenager, but he is a wizard with a baton. Whatever you do, do not miss this wonderful DVD.
Click to Editorial Reviews
No comments:
Post a Comment