The orchestral arrangements of all the songs are very faithful to the original 1961 concert. The talent of the musicians chosen and modern technology give the orchestral sound a ‘pop’ that even Judy at Carnegie Hall: The Fortieth Anniversary Edition lacks. While committed to following the original arrangements, the orchestra has also set itself up to highlight the vocal talents of Rufus Wainwright. Approaching a stack full of songs by the likes of Harold Arlen and George Gershwin was undoubtedly very difficult. The songs are often marked by wanting and loss. Wainwright performs all of the songs well. He showcases an array of emotions with his soft, graceful tones.
Occasionally, his voice exhibits a loud, nasal quality that shows the elasticity of his vocal chords. Wainwright displays great fun and frivolity on numbers like “Puttin’ on the Ritz” and “That’s Entertainment.” He easily switches gears to the serious solitude of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” where he is joined by his mother, Kate McGarrigle. He is also joined by Judy Garland’s youngest daughter Lorna Luft for a touching duet of “After You’ve Gone.”
Rufus doesn’t have the vocal range Judy Garland did; the fact is, few do. Wainwright has created a wonderful tribute to a legendary entertainer and along the way has proven himself to be a tremendous talent. Music fans should give Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall a listen. For younger people who may not have heard Judy at Carnegie Hall: The Fortieth Anniversary Edition, I hope you’ll pick that up too and hear the inspiration for this wonderful album.
Article comments