Ever since I bought the 3 CD collection “The Essential Judy Garland”, I have been enjoying riding in my car. I stopped listening to political talk radio and have instead been thrilling to Garland.
Traffic jam? No problem. It gives me more time to listen to Judy. I have found my overall daily mood has improved and even when I’m not listening, the sweet refrains of her tunes keep being recalled in my head, brightening my day.
I keep marveling at what a natural talent she was. She had such musical expression, such a beautiful tone that she changes to match whatever song she is singing, such rhythmic timing, such exuberance, such dynamic range, and such soul!
And she gets you to feel whatever she is singing about. It’s clear she knows and conveys the meaning of whatever lyrics she is crooning. You can hear her smiling through the upbeat spirit she brings to “Get Happy”, “The Trolley Song”, “Everybody Sing”, and “If You Feel Like Singing, Sing”. These renditions warm my heart and make me feel, well, like singing.
The timing and tempos of such spiritual classics as “Swanee”, “Fascinatin’ Rhythm”, “I’ve Got Rhythm”, “All God’s Chillun Got Rhythm” and “I’m Just Wild About Harry” and big band swing tunes of “Stompin’ At The Savoy”, “On The Atchison, Topeka, And The Santa Fe”, and “FDR Jones” make we want to get up and dance. (Hard to do while driving.)
The pathos and dreamy quality of such ballads as “Zing Went The Strings of My Heart”, “Sleep, My Baby, Sleep”, “Oceans Apart”, “I’m Nobody’s Baby”, “But Not For Me”, “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, “The Man That Got Away”, “Embraceable You” and of course, “Over the Rainbow” make me swoon.
I had forgotten how many hit recordings she had. Besides the holiday classics “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Easter Parade”, there are uplifting jewels such as “Look For the Silver Lining”, “On The Sunny Side Of The Street”, “Alexander’s Ragtime Band”, and “Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis.”
And the duets she sings shows her ability to work well with other stars and create an entertaining chemistry that is palpable in renditions of “For You, For Me, Forevermore” and “Aren’t You Kind Of Glad We Did?” with Dick Haymes, “For Me and My Gal” and “When You Wore A Tulip” with Gene Kelly, and “Mine” with Bing Crosby. And her comical side is highlighted in the collaborations of “Be A Clown” with Gene Kelly, “Friendship” with Johnny Mercer, “Yah-Ta-Ta, Yah-Ta-Ta, Talk, Talk, Talk” with Bing Crosby, “Could You Use Me?” with Mickey Rooney, and “We’re A Couple Of Swells” with Fred Astaire.
In fact, there is not one number out of the 60 offerings on the CD collection that I don’t like. No wonder Ron O’Brien declared her “the reigning goddess of the golden age of the Hollywood film musical.”
And hearing Judy sing is just one part of the equation that was Garland. She was also a great dancer and gifted actress that brightened the stage or screen. Most have seen her memorable performance in “The Wizard of Oz” but in that classic she only sings one solo and doesn’t get to dance much. If you haven’t yet experienced the total joyful package that she was, I suggest you go to youtube and watch the clips of her film career and TV show. The irony of Judy Garland is that though her tragic off screen life of imposed drug addiction by MGM (they made her take amphetamines in her teens), divorces, and breakdowns was publicized so extensively in the press, her on screen persona, I believe, is the real Judy and it is where she shined and was happiest. She was born to sing and entertain. And we are the lucky beneficiaries of her talent.
There is no getting around it. We need a Garland revival. I happen to love that time period of the big bands, spirituals, and Broadway musicals. I have a theory that Judy helped that generation survive the Great Depression and World War II. Boy, could we use her now! I am thankful we have these CDs and youtube video clips. The one of Judy and Barbra Streisand singing “Hooray for Love” on her TV show in 1963 is particularly memorable. As one musical icon passes the torch to another, the genuine respect and affection they display for one another is heartwarming.
But we need more Judy. I would like to hear more radio stations play her hits. We have “Fridays with Frank”, why not “Fridays with Frances” (her real name)? Or how about “Jubilation with Judy”?
How about a new movie on her life? I know HBO did one a few years ago, but I want to see one on the big screen. And I would cast Hillary Swank to play Judy. She looks like her and has the same kind of girl next door energy.
While listening to these CDs I was struck by how many references are made to rainbows (“Over the Rainbow”, “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows”, and “Can This Be the End Of The Rainbow?”)
In “Sunny Side Of The Street”, Judy adds a new twist to one of the lines: “Troubles over, I’ve crossed over the rainbow.” She has and I am convinced she has found peace, free of the troubles and sorrows she must have endured here on earth. She left us a legacy of happiness through song and if anyone is deserving of forgiveness and grace it is Judy Garland.
