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| Most of my long playing records |
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| "Annie Get Your Gun" and Hannah's favorite doll |
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| Hannah and me and a couple of favorites |
Well, back to the LP's. Hannah came to visit me for a couple of days and instead of searching through my many Judy books, CD's and DVD's she was fascinated by my collection of long playing records and pulled them all out of the cupboard, spread them all over the place and luckily my turn table still worked and we played some of them-"Annie Get your Gun" was one.
Strangely, or maybe not, I never get them out now. When did they stop producing LP's? Was it in the late 1970's or 1980's when CD's arrived on the scene? These LP's have been with me seemingly all my life. Originally I had 78's but I guess I left those behind when I came to the States in 1962. Those early Capital LP's were so important - Miss Show Business, Judy, Judy in Love and so on. A new one would be issued every six months or so and we would play the new one again, again, and again until the songs were firmly entrenched in our souls. In talking with Lorna Smith, sometime in the last few years, we both agreed that we didn't actually need to play the records any more, they were already in our heads and could be called to mind any time we wished. There is a songs for all our moods, happy, sad, funny or what every was needed.
I look at the history of the records; some were bought in England in the 1950's, some in the States and even more in England in the 1970's. "A Star is Born" was brought back to me by a boy friend visiting the States on business in 1955s - I remembered being so disappointed that it was a record I already had. I'd hoped he would have found something that was not issued in England. But it did have the impressive package which we didn't have over there.
These poor old records have had a long and tiring life. The journey to Los Angeles, California in 1962; a move up to Northern California in 1967, back to England again in 1970 for 3 years, then back to Northern California - where they had some peace for 20 years. Then either off to Connecticut or Palm Springs (can't remember). Finally back to Northern California about twelve years ago.
What are my favorites? The classical Capital editions of "Judy," "Judy in Love," "Alone," Miss Show Business" along with the special LP which was produced by DeRoy Sound Services for the British Club many years ago. This includes the radio show were Judy talks with 3-year old Liza and many radio programmes where we can hear Judy laughing and giggling with stars like Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. This material we did not have access to many years ago. Nowadays people can find practically anything on YouTube.
There have been some discussions recently on various web sites about where Judy most enjoyed singing and many people were surprised that she enjoyed the recording sessions best. This makes most sense to me. Having been with Judy on couple of her recording sessions, I saw her in action there. I also saw her in concert many times, also several of CBS shows. In the recording studio she was in control - see my previous blog about being at the London Sessions - Judy worked with the musical director and musicians - they were a team producing a piece of art. Live performances were exciting, but one had to consider what was happening back stage; how the audience was; whether Judy felt her voice was in perfect condition - many factors which she could not control. At the studio, she would listen to the play back and re-do the recording if she wished. She also did not have to dress up; could wear her comfortable attire, pants, flat shoes and blouse. She didn't have to put up with someone fussing with her hair or make-up. She was completely at home there and these are my favorite memories.
Always for Judy, Joan
PS Just watching Judy duets on PBS, thank goodness for PBS. Mickey and Judy "You're so Right for me" perfect.
