Judy Garland

The folks at High Definition Tape Transfers have unearthed a clutch of alternate takes from Judy Garland's 1956 Capitol album, Judy.  These takes from those March 1956 sessions arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle form the basis of this new digital release (also available on CD-R).  Judy remains one of Garland's master classes in vocal interpretation - aided, in no small part, by Riddle's sympathetic charts - and so it's fascinating to gain a glimpse into her process with early versions of such standards as "Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries," "Come Rain or Come Shine," and "Lucky Day."  (There's even an instrumental outtake penned by Riddle and named for a famed choreographer, "Blues for Peter Gennaro."  Gennaro would go on to choreograph The Judy Garland Show.  "I'm Old Fashioned," heard here in an alternate take, was recorded at the sessions but didn't see release until the CD era.)  All of these tracks, including band-only tracks included in the bonus section, have been restored by John H. Haley from original acetates.  (Haley has also provided the informative liner notes.)  The program is rounded out by an episode of General Electric Theatre starring Garland and performed to the orchestral tracks from the album.  She performed some of the songs live to the tracks while lip-synching others.  The audio for the whole broadcast is included here - including, again, "Blues for Peter Gennaro" - as well as spoken dialogue and commercials.  As far as archival collections of Garland go, this one is tops, with expectedly moving vocals, sizzling charts, and full context provided.  It's a nostalgic trip well worth taking.