Judy Carmichael Music

I enjoyed this album so much that I gave my copy to my best friend. That was before I knew that it was no longer in print. If it was anyone else I would ask for the gift back, and I have never asked for a gift back.

Judy's arrangements of "Ain't She Sweet," and "Love is Just Around the Corner" make this collection absolutely indispensible! You'll love her flair and control at the keys--- seeming so effortless.... she absolutely sparkles at the keys!

Deep in my heart the melody lingers, and the song never ends. That is why this marvelous double CD set produced by Brian Gari, "Legends and Songwriters in Concert 1941", appeals to me. It will also connect with any lover of the American popular song.

The 45 tracks represent a spectrum of song hits beginning in the teens of the 1900s. As the title suggests, this is a concert--a rarely heard concert even in its time. Taken from what was thought to be lost discs, the Feb. 25, 1941 Greek Relief Fund evening features not only the songs, but the composers. (Many died within a few years of this recording.) Some sing their own creations (always a joy, even when they cannot sustain all the notes), and some accompany other singers via a piano or play solo piano.

The war in Europe was festering. Pearl Harbor was only months away. So this precious two hours and 20 minutes recording exists as a history bookmark--an extremely entertaining one. There are patriotic songs (Tony Martin belts out a very mean and stirring "God Bless America" at the conclusion--nearly equaling Kate Smith's final note); and there are references to the Greek resistance effort against the Axis in a special lyric that Bob Hope sings via "Thanks for the Memory."

This extravaganza was performed at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and broadcast soley to West Coast listeners. It includes some of the great entertainers of all time: Jack Benny (playing his theme song "Love in Bloom" on the violin); a young Judy Garland (singing "Over the Rainbow" with its composer Harold Arlen on the piano--to a thunderous ovation); composer Hoagy Carmichael singing what most consider the greatest pop song ever written, "Star Dust"; and Eddie Cantor, producer Brian Gari's grandfather, singing his immortal "Makin' Whoopee" as songsmith Walter Donaldson accompanies him on piano.

This is one honey of a CD set. The live performance includes numerous fluffs, including Dinah Shore having to restart "South American Way" several times, and Bob Hope coming back for curtain calls twice, even though he is told on air that the show is running late. Sound quality is monoraul, no surprise, and there are a few clicks and scratches due to the condition of the original discs. But such imperfections are minor. On with the plus factors:

*"St. Louis Blues"--performed by the composer, W.C. Handy, on trumpet. *"Smoke Gets in Your Eyes"--Jerome Kern plays the piano, backed by full orchestra. (The orchestra, conducted by either David Rose or Alfred Newman, assists most of the artists.) *"Lover, Come Back to Me"--played by Sigmund Romberg, the composer, along with a medley of his hits. *"Indian Love Call"--Rudolf Friml on piano. *"You Made Me Love You"--played and sung by its soulful and warbly creator, Jimmy Monaco. *"My Heart Belongs to Daddy"--Mary Martin sings her signature song with writer Cole Porter on piano. *"My Buddy"--Remember the wonderful Frances Langford? She sings a wrenching version as composer Walter Donaldson accompanies.

Perhaps the surprise of the show opens the program. Albert Von Tilzer might be a forgotten song writer, but he sings his own all-time hit that will always be remembered: "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Wait until you hear its seldom sung verse.

Pardon me as I listen again.

I can only restate how much I wish I had been sitting at the Shrine Auditorium on that February night in 1941! The amount of brilliant talent on these 2 cd's just astounds me! I can only wonder whether it was filmed for newsreels or if somewhere there exists footage of all of these fabulous performances. Listening to the audience laugh while Jack Benny performs "Love in Bloom", hearing beautiful renditions of "The Donkey Serenade" & "Moon of Manakoora", the golden standards that still sound so marvelous and always will. I almost didn't purchase this CD thinking that I had all of these songs already on recordings of various artists, but when I saw that the songwriters of almost every popular song ever written were to perform their own tunes, I had to get it. I am ever so glad I did!! Just try not smiling when Bob Hope sings! I dare ya!

This little-known musical about the 19th-century courtesan Lola Montez has a score by Claibe Richardson (music) and Kenward Elmslie (lyrics). If you like their score for the musical "The Grass Harp," you will probably like this one, too.

While some of the lyrics here are a little awkward, others are very good. The music is sometimes powerful and intense, and at other times melancholy, gorgeous, and haunting. While there are a few not-so-good songs here, most are very good, and a few are real stunners. Richardson was a very talented composer, and it's sad that none of his shows seems to have worked well onstage. Fortunately, at least some of them were recorded, preserving his music.

This recording is further helped by excellent orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin and a cast that would be hard to improve upon (Judy Kaye, Christine Andreas, David Carroll, and Jack Dabdoub). There'a also a lovely bonus track of Barbara Cook singing a song from the show that she recorded on another album.

If you're a musical-theatre lover who enjoys exploring lesser-known shows, try this one. I think you'll be glad you did.

You are missing a bet in not carrying all of her CDs. I have them all, have met Ms. Carmichael, can't get enough of her genius. To listen to her CDs is a joy. To see her in person is an unforgettable experience.

It's a shame some large music chains make it seem impossible to get the work of this outstanding jazz artist. Judy Carmichael has been recording since the early 1980's and has released at least 6 CD's, this one being from the mid 1990's. As it is with many small jazz labels the larger chains don't seem to always hold her product in stock and instead of admitting that they just don't stock it, they claim it is unavailable. This recording IS available ( I just bought it) and you shouldn't be deterred from the sheer enjoyment of listening to it simply because you'll have a little trouble getting your hands on it. I suggest you try Judy Carmichael's web site for more info.

This CD may be named for Judy herself or the "Judy" title might be inspired by the wonderful Hoagy Carmichael tune covered here by Ms. Carmichael. Either way it's a fantastic recording. Judy is backed up on this CD by the Charlie Christian inspired guitar player (and frequent Carmichael sideman) Chris Flory. Mr. Flory joins her on most of the tunes and while his playing adds some additional layers to the magical notes coming from the piano he is also subtle enough that at times this CD almost comes off as a solo piano job. From beginning to end Carmichael offers us a very rich and inspired trip into her own eclectic world of jazz piano. Eclectic only because who else would give us Ja Da, Lazy River and It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got that Swing all on one CD? And what other jazz pianist today would be able to give them all such a fresh interpretation?! The bouncing excitement of When I Take My Sugar to Tea turns to a thrilling pounding in a very interesting interpretation of the Rodgers and Hart tune Blue Room and Henderson Stomps makes you want to, well, just jump to your feet and stomp!! We also get to hear Carmichael re-do one of the first tunes she ever recorded, the stride classic Alligator Crawl. The time between her first recording of this tune and this CD has allowed Carmichael to mature and grow as an artist but you can still tell that Fats Waller found his way into this woman's soul from the beginning and has stayed there throughout her career. Dr. Jazz, Sweet Sue, Do Nothing Till you Hear From me and Gee, Baby Ain't I Good to You all get special treatment from Carmichael on this classic jazz piano CD. If you really enjoy jazz or just want to hear some very special feel good music you must check out "Judy".

It's a shame some large music chains make it seem impossible to get the work of this outstanding jazz artist. Judy Carmichael has been recording since the early 1980's and has released at least 6 CD's, this one being from the mid 1990's. As it is with many small jazz labels the larger chains don't seem to always hold her product in stock and instead of admitting that they just don't stock it, they claim it is unavailable. This recording IS available ( I just bought it) and you shouldn't be deterred from the sheer enjoyment of listening to it simply because you'll have a little trouble getting your hands on it. I suggest you try Judy Carmichael's web site for more info.

This CD may be named for Judy herself or the "Judy" title might be inspired by the wonderful Hoagy Carmichael tune covered here by Ms. Carmichael. Either way it's a fantastic recording. Judy is backed up on this CD by the Charlie Christian inspired guitar player (and frequent Carmichael sideman) Chris Flory. Mr. Flory joins her on most of the tunes and while his playing adds some additional layers to the magical notes coming from the piano he is also subtle enough that at times this CD almost comes off as a solo piano job. From beginning to end Carmichael offers us a very rich and inspired trip into her own eclectic world of jazz piano. Eclectic only because who else would give us Ja Da, Lazy River and It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got that Swing all on one CD? And what other jazz pianist today would be able to give them all such a fresh interpretation?! The bouncing excitement of When I Take My Sugar to Tea turns to a thrilling pounding in a very interesting interpretation of the Rodgers and Hart tune Blue Room and Henderson Stomps makes you want to, well, just jump to your feet and stomp!! We also get to hear Carmichael re-do one of the first tunes she ever recorded, the stride classic Alligator Crawl. The time between her first recording of this tune and this CD has allowed Carmichael to mature and grow as an artist but you can still tell that Fats Waller found his way into this woman's soul from the beginning and has stayed there throughout her career. Dr. Jazz, Sweet Sue, Do Nothing Till you Hear From me and Gee, Baby Ain't I Good to You all get special treatment from Carmichael on this classic jazz piano CD. If you really enjoy jazz or just want to hear some very special feel good music you must check out "Judy".