Customer Reviews

Julie Is Her Name

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Julie London burst onto the music scene in 1955 with the first recorded version of the now-classic "Cry Me a River," and the album that accompanied it, "Julie is Her Name," was a sensation. One listen to the record and it's little wonder, as Julie's husky, sultry voice is backed only by guitar and bass for a sparse and subtle mood. It's the kind of understated nuance that too frequently gets lost in jazz admist string and horn sections, and we now have the opportunity to treasure the album, as well as its counterpart, 1958's "Julie is Her Name Volume II," on one lucky find of a CD.

"Cry Me a River" is, bar none, the most famous recording of Julie's career, and her delicate but wise handling of the tune justifies every rave it ever received. "I'm Glad There is You" and "Can't Help Lovin That Man" are sophisticated as well, and her reading of Cole Porter's "I Love You" is a swinging, upbeat treasure.

The songs from "Volume II" boast more mature and skillful vocals from Miss London. "How Long Has This Been Going On" and "If I'm Lucky" rank with the strongest ballads of her career, "Goody Goody" is a bubbly delight, and "Too Good to Be True" is sweetness itself, flaunting all of Julie's strengths as a singer who knows her way around a melody.

For those of you who treasure the mellow nuances of "Cry Me a River" this is a chance to embellish in an hour's worth of Julie London singing classic songs in that same intimate setting. Dim the lights and enjoy.

This Album changed my appreciation of music for life. Rock & Roll with it's 3 chord 12 bar blues & 4 chord turnaround formats seemed boring when compared to the guitar playing of Barney Kessell accompanied by Ray Leatherwood on base and the superb vocals of Julie London. This is the epitome of this musical genre and nothing has surpassed it for me.
I love all 13 tracks and can see little point in reviewing each one individually. Off course "Cry Me a River" became Julie's trademark and has been immitated by many top female vocalists. Some how Julie's version remains the best.

Product description reads as follows -

(This is a) digitally remastered and expanded 34 track reissue of (London's) 1955 debut album including bonus tracks ... contains ... London's complete "Julie Is Her Name" sessions ... Includes numerous bonus tracks ...

These so-called "bonus tracks" are certainly NOT taken from London's 1955 debut recording sessions - they are merely tracks lifted from London's albums "Lonely Girl" (1956), "Calender Girl" (1956), "Julie" (1957), and "Julie Is Her Name -Vol. 2" (1958).

To make matters worse the album's producers have given some of the tracks a horrible "fake stereo" do-over (I could do better with my at-home software). Interestingly, these tracks are the ones that have, to date, only been officialy relased on disc by EMI in mono, which is proof enough that this album is unauthorized bootleg.

A waste of time and money.

I owned this album in the 50's, and though I always hated the cover, the voice is pure magic.

I Bought this strictly for the cover. Any Julie London fan will tell you they have purchaced at least one of her albums based on the "cheesecake" cover alone. I, however, would highly recommend her album "About The Blues" for your listening (rather than viewing) pleasure. For someone just discovering her, you will quickly realize exactly where Diana Krall got her style, sound and a good portion of her catalogue from.

Thanks goodness for modern technology....
I was at a friends house years ago and we found a huge pile of old Jazz and Blues LP's. Even some 33's ( you gotta be old to remember those lol).
It was like finding a pile of Gold,

I started remembering many of the names in these albums that my friends parents had played on these stowed away LP's.
Many names I didn't recognize but I knew from the Classics they had in this pile like Julie London that they had a great taste in music.
I was so disappointed when I tried to have these LP's transferred over to CD's. They were beyond repair. I was brokenhearted.
I thought we have lost all of this great music that made Jazz and Blues what it is, I was worried that the price to own and listen to this great music was beyond my reach..

Then along comes computers and Amazon and there is Julie again. I was delighted,
Her music LP's had been cleaned up along with many other old great Legends from the 30's to the 50's and even 60's.
The price was even affordable.

Well She is in my living room with me every night...
One Classy lady that thankfully some enterprising people had the wisdom to save for life..
Thanks to Amazon and these sharp people.

Julie is just one fine Jazz artist, and she doesn't look bad either. I mean she is probably 80 or more now, lol Check her out.

I have many of her CD's and those of other past Legends.
If you think old music is not good , Well let me allow you in on a secret. It's fantastic and so great to listen to.
It sure beats the so called Top 40's of today and the noise you hear on today's "popular" radio stations......
Spend a few dollars I promise you won't regret listening to Julie and more of our passed on Greats artists.
Her picture may look as people would say now look a but geeky, but throw that CD on your machine and just shush up and listen to some fine tunes, that believe it or not many of the artists performing now in the year of 2000 are still performing.
If you would like some hints on what Classics to buy email me. This old guy will turn you onto some great artists , that have made your music of today popular.
This CD is a must to own.

If you are a Julie London fan, buy her 3-cd collection of 45 songs. It's called "Julie London:The Ultimate Collection at either Amazon.com or Amazon. ca for the very same price. It includes every song on this album & costs the same.Forty-five songs! Check it out.

On EMI CDP 7 91675-2 printed in 1989 U.S.

1) Cry Me A River
2) I Should Care
3) I'm in the Mood For Love
4) I'm Glad There Is You
5) Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
6) I Love You
7) Say It Isn't So
8) It Never Entered My Mind
9) Easy Street
10)S'Wonderful
11) No Moon At All
12) Laura
13) Gone With the Wind

I remember as a youngster hearing her and always liking her, I didn't know what she sang then, I just remembered she was good.
well that was 50 years ago,
Here she is and Wow!!! my young mind had locked on her and I was right in my Memories.
She is just fantastic,
Some things may get old and break or wear out, Julie will never be a victim of either.
She is rightfully an incredible Legend that I hope will be remembered for many more generations..
I have had a great time becoming acquainted with her again. This time I know her name and her wonderful voice.
She is just plain Great!!!!!!!!