Customer Reviews

I'm Not Waiting

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For years, I have thought of Julia Murney as the greatest singer in theatre. From her opening moments in Andrew Lippa's "The Wild Party" to just going to see her as Elphaba in the touring company of "Wicked" and everything in between. This album truly proves. that. Having seen her in concert quite a few times, I knew all of these songs...yes, seeing her in concert means that I DO know the porn story she mentions in the liner notes about "Fancy" :). Andrew Lippa is amazing, also. The title song is one he wrote and it is PERFECT. So, is the song "Perfect" written by Tom Kitt...soon to be on Broadway with his new musical, "High Fidelity." Julia Murney is THE singer on, off, touring, etc. Everyone should get this album and support this amazing artist.

Murney possesses a voice that is thrilling in its vibrancy. She has a remarkable range and variety of vocal colors. This CD gives her an opportunity to stretch stylistically, ranging from the delicate folk-pop of Joni Mitchell's A Case Of You which she sings with great warmth and sensitivity to the intensely theatrical When I First Met Him which she masterfully builds incorporating her intensely emotive high belt. Murney shines on Misery and Happiness, a blackly comic spin on the dating scene,and on Fancy a high-energy country-flavored romp telling the rags to riches story of self-described white trash. Above all, Murney's gift is as a storyteller and though she has a remarkably powerful instrument, she uses it with restraint and artistry. This CD is a great showcase for an artist that has not yet received the kind of exposure her talent warrants. All of the arrangements complement her voice perfectly, putting it front and center and never feeling cluttered. If you like this CD you should definitely purchase Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party cast recording, for my money the most underrated musical score of the last decade. I had the pleasure of seeing Murney's performance as Queenie a couple of times and I was hooked for life! She also does stellar work on the cast recording for A Class Act. This is a theatrical talent who can sing in a wide range of styles effectively. This CD will introduce you to some great songwriters you might not be familiar with including Tom Kitt, composer of the upcoming Broadway musical adaptation of the novel High Fidelity whose Perfect for me is the highlight of this CD. If you are a fan of cabaret singing buy this. If you love powerhouse divas buy this. Combining musical theater singing with a soulful rock tinged edginess Murney is a very special talent and this CD is the perfect vehicle for her.

Julia Murney is amazing...nothing short of it. I've known her since the early 90s...she choreographed a production of Candide and I was Music Director. Shortly after that, I went to her apartment in NYC and we worked some on her audition material. I remember thinking "This girl has it all...dancer, actor, killer voice that can do anything." I'm so glad that she's getting her due! Finally!

For the record, she's also ridiculously down-to-earth, silly, sharp, funny, outrageous, friendly, and always elegant.

I need to look her up and get her a picture I took of her at a cookout from way back when...

Buy the CD...you won't be sorry. And, Julia, if you read this...I need to find you!

I first learned of Julia Murney when I bought Off-Broadway Cast Recording of "The Wild Party". I bought it for Idina Menzel but I was blown away by the woman who played Queenie, Julia Murney. Last year I finally bought her solo cd and I am still blown away by her voice.

1.A Thousand beautiful things/beautiful day- A great song to begin the cd. I love how Julia combined these two songs. They both work so well together.

2.Misery and Happiness- These is probably my favorite song on the cd. The story is quite funny and Julia sings it so well and shows the humor in the song. I've never been lucky enough to see Julia perform live but I can just see this being a highlight in a concert of hers.

3.I'm not waiting- The title song. It actually took me awhile to warm up to this song but I now think it is fabulous. I like how it builds up and the end and Julia's vocals are beautiful. She really lets her emotions show through on her songs.

4.A Case of you- My second favorite song on the cd. I am familiar with Joni Mitchell's orginal version but I actually kind of like Julia's version better. I think her voice is perfectly suited to it. It's beautiful.

5.Perfect-These isn't one of my favorite songs but I still enjoy it. It's another one that is growing on me.

6. Raise the roof-These is a different version than the version that she did in "The Wild Party". I like how she starts the song really softly and then it builds up. I think I like this version better than the version on the "The Wild Party" cd.

7.Beautiful boy-My least favorite song on the cd. Julia sang this song in the musical "Lennon". It's an okay song but I think there are better songs on the album.

8. Fancy- Julia goes country for this song. It's not one of my favorites but it shows a different side to Julia. It's not a bad version of this song though.

9.I'm not that girl-This is an acoustic version of this song from "Wicked". I think Julia sounds beautiful and it gives new light on the lyrics and really shows how sad the song really is.

10. When I first met him- A rejected song from "The Wild Party". I love this song. I think Andrew Lippa is an amazing song-writer and Julia sings the song so beautiful.

11. Rainbow sleeves- A great and sweet way to finish the album. It's an absolutely gorgeous song.


So if you are a fan of Julia Murney through her time in "Wicked",
"The Wild Party", "Lennon", or any other show that she has been in, you'll definitely want to buy this cd.

Like many of my fellow reviewers, I was introduced to Julia Murney via her performance as Elphaba in 'Wicked'. The play was so-so for me, but Murney's voice blew me away. I literally left the theatre stunned. As soon as I got home I started reading everything I could about her work, and thusly discovered 'The Wild Party' and her solo CD. I wanted to give it 5 stars, but wasn't allowed to change it after I realized my mistake. Oh well.

This CD is not themed, which I like. It seems to simply be a collection of songs that Murney likes, and that concept really works. The selections show off her versatility amazingly well. She belts, sings high notes with ease, melts you with those amazing low notes, is sexy and seductive in one song, and is fun and energetic in another. It's fun to listen to, and she brings something interesting to each song.

This woman can PERFORM the SIN out of a song. An art which is lost on the present generation. She makes all of the narrative songs sound so incredibly personal that had I not known "Fancy" was actually a Bobbie Gentry song, I'd be seriously concerned about her upbringing! What amazes me is how well her emotion translates to her voice. Murney's facial expressions while singing are captivating to watch, and I was concered that wouldn't carry over to her audio-only performances. How wrong I was!

"Perfect", "Fancy", and "I'm Not Waiting" are my personal favorites (all narrative songs, of course). But really the whole CD is wonderful. It's one of the few albums where I don't skip over most of the songs. Her voice is quite distinct, and for some, it make take some time to truly appreciate. Regardless of how you feel when you first pop in the CD, you will end up playing it over and over. I can't wait to see what she'll do next. She is truly a stand-out performer and a welcome change from the rash of unimaginative music and performers out there today! A one woman vocal revolution. Viva La Murney!

Julia Murney not only has one of the best voices I've heard in a long time, it's also one of the most unique. Although I'm familiar with her work in the theatre, this album proves that she is comfortable with other musical styles; country, pop, whatever Joni Mitchell is.
She has, possibly, the most power I've heard in any singer, and a natural acting ability which makes her songs poignant and emotional. The arrangements turn old favourites into something new. The first song on the cd, a mix between Annie Lennox's A Thousand Beautiful Things and U2's A Beautiful Day is absolutely staggering. I'm Not Waiting, the title track, was written directly for Julia and she utterly blows it away. For her theatre fans, there are a couple of tracks from The Wild Party (a highly underappreciated musical), one of which was cut from the show, and I'm Not That Girl, from Wicked (which Julia is currently starring in on Broadway)

Overall, this is a fabulous album, her low notes will make you melt, and her versatility will surprise a lot of music-lovers.

Having worn out my copy of the original off-broadway cast album of Andrew Lippa's Wild Party, you can imagine my excitement when Julia Murney's first solo album was released. The album is gorgeous with songs we have never heard plus new arrangements of songs we love including Raise the Roof from The Wild Party. Julia's voice is unlike any other voice in the musical theatre today. It has a ferocity unmatched by anyone but also has a sweet vulnerability that can break the strongest of hearts. (The song Perfect)I highly recommend this album to anyone who is sick of the same old tired broadway singers.

Many people have become aware of this outstanding woman's talent thanks to her role as Elphaba in the national tour of Wicked. I, too, was fortunate enough to see her live in Atlanta when she was sick. Yet she still brought down the house! I was highly impressed then, and after buying her CD I am even further impressed. (She will be Elphaba on Broadway in January!!!!)

Upon my first listening to this album, I was rather disappointed merely because it's mostly not a Broadway powerhouse sound, which is what I was expecting. The only Broadway songs, in fact, are "Raise the Roof", "Perfect", and "I'm Not That Girl" (which is an acoustic version). However, I listened to it many more times (dozens, actually) and realized the genius of this album.

Julia's showing us her versatility. Personally picking a wide array of music styles- Annie Lennox, John Lennon, U2, and (of course) Andrew Lippa,- she successfully ensures the listener that she's more than a Broadway star...she's a SINGER. And she can perform the heck out of a song. It also makes it a very enjoyable CD because none of it sounds the same. You can listen to it 30 times and still discover something new each time.

My personal favorites are "I'm Not Waiting" and "Perfect". "Fancy" is a lot of fun, as well as "Misery and Happiness". "Raise the Roof" is good, though I prefer the original version.

Buy it. Listen to it. Love it. Listen to it again and again and again.

If you've never heard her, I STRONGLY suggest that you purchase The Wild Party original cast recording. You will fall in love with Julia Murney's voice.

Julia Murney is truely one of the most amazing singers I've ever heard. From the Wild Party, to Lennon, to Wicked, Julia is really leaving a mark! I was fortunate enough to see her in Philadelphia for the Wicked tour (I also got to meet her) and she is an amazing woman. If you are looking for a fresh face (or you are already familiar with Julia), heck, anyone should get this CD! As Julia says, "I want to sell my apartment!".

I had not heard of Julia Murney prior to seeing her perform as the "Green Girl" in Wicked. Let me just say that her voice is incredible! Everything she sang that evening was incredible. She "felt" the music and this carried over beautifully to the audience. By the time she finshed singing, "Defying Gravity", I had chills. I LOVE that song! I started to purchase the soundtrack to the play and I was informed that she was not singing on that CD, so I opted for her solo project without any hesistation! I must say that I am not sorry that I purchased this project!What clarity she has in her voice. I simply cannot say enough about her. I do plan on returning to NY to see this play again just to see her perform!