Lorna Luft pays tribute to her mother Judy Garland with an incredible CD bursting at the seams with songs Judy sang. This truly IS an album of songs that Lorna's mother taught her both at home in the 1950s and later on in the 1960s when they occasionally did concerts together. Indeed, the entire CD, the liner notes, and all the sweat, labour and planning reflect an enormous amount of love and affection Lorna still has for a mother whose memory she holds so dear. Lorna cares a lot about her mother's legacy so much to have produced such a marvellous tribute CD to Judy.
Although this is not a live recording of Lorna's tribute show to her mother, Lorna delivers these songs flawlessly with the same loving care and honest emotion she exudes in her tribute shows.
The CD begins with a recording of Judy Garland herself singing "Lorna;" and then Lorna comes in to sing songs including "Chicago;" "I Feel A Song Coming On;" "Rockabye Your Baby (With A Dixie Melody);" "Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart" and so much more. Garland fans will notice that these are, of course, all songs that Judy sang often. In addition, I also like how Lorna interjects a bit of conversation with her daughter Vanessa and her son Jesse about how she wishes they had known their grandmother Judy. Lorna describes Judy in such a loving, sweet way that anyone would want to meet Judy Garland.
The musical arrangements lack nothing, either. The "Garland Overture" sounds just as strong and dramatic as ever, even if it's been tweaked slightly here and there. The musical accompaniments for Lorna's songs serve to bolster her performance without ever stealing the spotlight from Lorna as she sings. It's truly very well done.
The liner notes give us great photos of Lorna with just a handful of the numerous people who worked to make this album a reality; and the artwork impresses me. The quality of the sound is excellent.
Of course Lorna Luft fans will want this CD in their collections; a CD from Lorna is long overdue. Lorna sings very well and she performs beautifully throughout the album. Judy Garland fans will be touched by Lorna's loving tribute to her mother; and the CD will be very, very enjoyable regardless of whether or not anyone's seen Lorna's tribute show to her mother of the same name. This is not a live album; but I point that out merely to describe the album further--this studio album is every bit as enjoyable as Lorna's stage tribute to her mother.
Very few superstar mothers have a talented daughter so devoted and loving that decades after they're gone their daughters turn out tribute albums to them. Then again, however, who else but Judy Garland would deserve this fine honour? "Celebrities" may come and go; but there will never be another superstar like Judy; and Lorna knows that. That is why Lorna made this CD with extra love and care that shows through in Lorna's timing when she sings and Lorna's interpretations of great ballads including The Man That Got Away.
Track Listing: 1. Lorna/Minstrel Girl 2. I Feel A Song Comin’ On 3. Rock-A-Bye Your Baby (With A Dixie Melody) 4. Mother Daughter Medley You’re Nearer I Can’t Give You Anything But Love Through The Years 5. Chicago 6. The Man That Got Away 7. Come Rain Or Come Shine 8. Born In A Trunk (medley) 9. Shining Star/Over The Rainbow BONUS TRACKS 10. Carnegie Hall Overture 11. Hello Bluebird (2007)
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