The London Studio Recordings 1957-1964

The "Judy Garland - London Studio Recordings, 1957-1964" CD set arrived and I knew I had to clear my schedule for a few hours.  Listening to Judy is never a background project for me!  So this Sunday afternoon I put away my latest book proposal and turned on the stereo.  I knew this would be an emotional afternoon, as certain songs bring an immediate smile to my face while others bring on the tears. 

As I listened to the London Studio Recordings, memories and thoughts flooded my mind:

My first thoughts were…what a complete collaboration there was between Judy and the orchestra.  Of course she had been recording since she was a teenager and it was part of her life.  Whatever troubles there were in Judy’s personal life at the time, it didn't matter when she was in the recording studio.  It never encroached upon her recording sessions.  There she could be natural and not bother with dressing up, because it was just her and the musicians.  She was at home, loving her craft.


I choked up right away as I heard the first track, “It's So Lovely To Be Back Again in London.”  I was at the opening of Judy's Dominion Theatre engagement on October 16, 1957, when she sang this song.  And I still have the small LP which Judy gave to the opening night audience members.

costume Judy wore for this opening song. 

Love the solo sax behind her during the soaring “…can’t go on” phrase in “Stormy Weather”.

“You Go To My Head” and immediately a smile comes on my face – such a playful song.

Judy sang this at the London Palladium 1960

“Rock-a-Bye” takes me back to Judy's engagement at the London Palladium in 1951.

Judy at London Palladium on opening night 1951

“It’s a Great Day for the Irish” and she is nineteen years old again!

The magnificent “I Happen to Like New York” – more tears.  I was in the studio when she recorded it; so glad she is resting there.

“Do It Again” – I remember the completely still theater and one small spotlight on Judy’s face as she performed this song at her Palladium show in 1960.

“Come Rain or Come Shine” – I remember thinking at the Dominion 1957 that this was the most exciting thing I had ever seen on stage.  She wore a feathered tomato red-colored dress, while the bongo drummer sat at Judy's feet.  He never left her side as they both gave each other encouraging and inspiring looks throughout the performance.  Then the orchestra soared behind them till the song reached its climatic finish.

“The Man That Got Away" – One of the best versions of this song.  Love the solo sax that comes in behind her.  If I could only have one song with me on a desert island, I would choose to have every version of this song.

“You'll Never Walk Alone” – When I first heard this song years ago (Judy recorded it the first time in NY in 1945, just after her marriage to Vincente Minnelli), I felt then it was nearly operatic.  She wanted so much to do a Broadway show.

“Chicago” and “San Francisco” – Happy songs and memories of Judy skipping around the stage.

Her voice was so strong and in its finest shape in 1960.  It's a shame the future tours were so demanding and pity she didn’t keep some of the money she earned.  Instead, her earnings went into other people’s pockets.

“Hello Bluebird” – We were at the London Palladium all day, cast as extras in the audience, while they filmed the concert scenes for her movie, "I Could Go On Singing."  I remember listening to the playback of this song over and over again as we sat in the theater, with Judy coming out now and then to film her sequences.  Oh!  Happy Day!  1962

"Blue Bird" British fan club members in Dress Circle

“(I’ll go my way) By Myself” – Very emotional, as she was in the last stages of her marriage to Sid Luft. 

“I Could Go On Singing” – Lorna Smith and I were invited to attend this recording session at the EMI studio in the summer of 1962.  We were standing at the side when Judy arrived escorted by Dirk Bogarde and she seemed surprised to see so many people – approximately 80 sitting on bleachers!  She quickly sent them off for some refreshments, perhaps to relax them.  (Thanks to Frank Labrador for putting me in contact with David Price for the  photographs from this evening.)    
Judy wore a black dress and very high-heeled shoes, which quickly came off when she turned and began to sing (with her back to us).  These recordings, which were made when I was actually present in the studio, are very emotional for me.

Judy at EMI studios getting ready to sing.  Lorna Smith and I were in the group somewhere? 

Judy recording "I Could go on Singing" for movie of that name

Judy with her children + Lorna Smith over on the right edge.

In 1964, Judy was not supposed to have sung for a long period after being ill in Hong Kong earlier that year.  But she came back to London, went to a benefit and they encouraged her to sing – and off she went again!  Four joyful “Maggie May” songs were recorded in August 1964, during the 6 months she lived in England.

Judy with Lionel Bart in 1964

“Lucky Day” – She sang this song so often in concerts, usually at the beginning of the show.  Brings back good memories.

“Stormy Weather” – Love the solo horn and sax “singing” around Judy’s voice.  This is perhaps the most beautiful of all the London Studio recordings. 

Love “Please Say “Ah” – So nice to hear something new.

Those moments when I was in Judy’s presence at a recording studio or at concert seem to me as if they only happened a few months ago.  They are so clear in my mind.  As I mentioned above, Lorna Smith (my friend and then current president of Judy Garland's fan club) and I were very lucky to have witnessed one of her recording sessions at the EMI Studios on August 3, 1960.  Many years after this recording session, Lorna Smith asked Judy about her beautiful and sensitive rendition of “Why Was I Born?” she recorded that day and Judy giggled, "I expect they lost it!”  Thank goodness they didn’t lose it…or any of the other songs she recorded at the EMI Studios.  Now we all can enjoy them.