Customer Reviews

New Classics

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I've known of Julie Budd growing up, but got into her music after hearing her sing in the Disney film, THE DEVIN & MAX DEVLIN released in the early 80s. I then started the painstaking task of collecting her LPs and singles. Julie has also issued three previous CD albums that are wonderful. At this time, we hit upon an absolute standout for 2005 with THE NEW CLASSICS.

Julie and her long time producer/arranger/conductor, Herb Bernstein, have put together what they've called a "labor of love", and it absolutely defines this package. First note to the last, production is top notch. Julie has never sounded better on an album. She takes on some great songs making them her own, as well as revisiting a classic track she recorded for the Max Devlin film.

My favorite track standouts are the two Dionne Warwick covers, A HOUSE IS NOT A HOME and AFTER YOU. From two different periods of Dionne's career (HOUSE from the 60s Bacharach-David flood of hits and AFTER YOU from the blockbuster Barry Manilow-produced DIONNE from 1979, and that albums third single), Julie takes these great pieces and breathes new life into them. ROSES AND RAINBOWS (the finale song in Devil & Max Devlin, released on an obscure A&M single in 1981) finally has an album home and Julie's fans are cheering that they are able to finally have it in their collection. One of Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager's best collaborations as songwriters.

The big surprise is Julie's take on the infamous Act 1 closer from "Wicked", the gigantic DEFYING GRAVITY. Absolutely takes Idina's gem and creates an alternative take all her own that could be single-worthy if it gets airplay. Orchestration is outstanding.

Julie never fails to surprise me in some way. Musically this week, this new recording of hers has offered me some emotional moments. Very few recordings have done that to me in recent years. I long for reactions like that. You will not be disappointed if you try this one out if you are experiencing Julie for the first time. Diehards, this is an absolute must!

A wonderful selection of contemporary songs that are given new layers and taken to another level with Julie Budd's incredible voice. Although this album has a decidedly more pop feel to it than her previous two albums, "Pure Imagination" and "If You Could See Me Now" (which have more of a symphonic/big band feel and are both MUST HAVES as well), Julie and producer/arranger Herb Bernstein more than succeed in showing us that these songs do have the kind of timelessness of a "classic".

Right from the start of "A House Is Not A Home", you know you're in for a treat with this album. Julie's vocals are gorgeous, emotive and powerful.

"Little Boy Of Mine", is a song written by Herb Bernstein and although I'm not a parent, you can't help but be moved by the touching lyrics and beautiful music. And such a gorgeous arrangement! This is truly a new classic and destined to be a standard at bar mitzvah's everywhere, that's for sure!

"Roses and Rainbows" was written for Julie by Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager for the Disney film, "The Devil and Max Devlin", in which she starred along with Elliot Gould and Bill Cosby. The extremely rare 45 of the song goes for $50 and up on auction sites. Most fans from all over the world have been waiting 25 years to hear this song again. Although the arrangement is close to the original version that we all love, Julie's vocals are even more powerful. You know this girl has been through it and she's really singing from her soul.

Defying Gravity" from the Broadway musical, Wicked, is a tour de force! Julie will wear you out with this one! Brava!

"Broken Vow", written by Lara Fabian, is probably my favorite of the album. Herb's arrangement is absolutely beautiful and Julie is amazing on this song. From the moment she starts singing, you get chills...you know she's going to take you on a journey. When she soars, you can feel her pain and heartache and you're right there with her. Simply magical.

Julie's version of Elton John's "Sorry Seems To Be the Hardest Word" is heartfelt and stirring. Once again, you not only hear what she's feeling, you feel it yourself.

If you like beautiful voices that can easily go from soft and caressing to soaring with a diva-like belt, you'll love Julie Budd.

Julie Budd's new album, THE NEW CLASSICS, is fantastic. Although difficult to distinguish because they're all GREAT...some of my favorties are: Little Boy of Mine, her remake of Roses and Rainbows, After You, Defying Gravity and of course A Broken Vow. This album reminded me what I've been missing for some time...an amazing voice!

What an outstanding piece of work! I initially got this CD for the "Roses and Rainbows" cut. I fell I love with the song when Miss Budd performed it for the finale of "The Devil and Max Devlin." I've played the VHS so many times, it is seriously streched out, and nearly inaudible. I am pleased to hear the DVD will be released shortly.
This is a CD that you have to sit and listen to; you can't do anything else. It's not 'background music' for a dinner party. The phrasing, the emotional delivery of each track can be compared to listening to a short musical one act play. An extensive, expressive musical range, and powerful vocals dominate this work. Why has this artist had such limited recording opportunities when she is outstanding, and has always been?? My opinion?? She's yet another victim of the Shroud of Streisand. Folks, I have all of Miss Streisand's recorded music, and this gal is just as good, and better in some aspects. Years ago I was told there was a "Streisand Mafia," and I laughed at how absurd this comment was. Now I'm not so sure...

Having been a fan of Julie's for many years, I have been eagerly awaiting this CD for some time. It was defintely worth the wait! I can see why they have titled the CD "The New Classics", for each song deserves that description when performed by Julie. Many singers have fantastic voices, but I've found many of them sing as if they have NO idea what they are singing about. Sure, they reach in their vocal "bag of tricks", but in the end you're left empty. Not with Julie singing the songs! She pulls you into each song with her, and when she's done with you, you know that SHE knows what she's singing about! I highly recommend this CD if you want to hear a beautiful voice singing wonderful songs....with a true understanding of the lyric.

In the late and great musical sixties Merv Griffin showcased a very young and incredibly talented singer in her teens and Julie Budd could really out-sing them all...does so now more than ever as this classic vocal collection show! Goofy comparisons with another great singer who many years ago only happened to have a slight physical resemblance have always bored me as vocally Julie most clearly has her own unique style & sound and always has...at eighteen when Julie released the wonderful RCA "Julie Budd" (limited edition Import a must have vocal classic including riveting & incredible performances of "Just Say Good-bye" & "How Can I Be Sure (Of You)") it was clear another truly magnificent singer arrived...just turned eighteen Julie played Century Plaza Hotel gorgeous Westside Room and luckily have been able to enjoy many concert performances since from this extraordinary singer...listen to the passion and unique vocal greatness in "A House Is Not A Home" and know this is truly one of the greatest singers ever who can take a classic such as this turning it inside-out giving a performance of great emotional depth and tremendous vocal beauty that is breathtaking and incomparable! An elegant jazzy and hypnotic Jobim "Someone To Light Up My Life" is definitive and the brilliant medley "Didn't We/The Hungry Years" melts together two timeless classics creating a riveting tour-de-force that demands multiple play as neither classic has ever sounded quite as stirring and soulfully sung. Haunting pathos fills a glorious original "Little Boy Of Mine" composed by Julie's brilliant life-long producer/composer and pianist Herb Bernstein who has been with Julie from the beginning. "Roses And Rainbows" specially written for Julie by Carole Bayer Sager/Marvin Hamlisch should have been a huge hit and is given a masterful & exhuberant update that is a complete thrill! "After You" is a gorgeous ballad showing off Julie's stunning range and a Michel LeGrand classic "Once Upon A Summertime" is another mesmerizing vocal that is truly a gift to those who enjoy an extraordinary singer in peak form...great tempo changes and another stellar vocal make "Defying Gravity" a riveting and wondrous tour-de-force of great power and jaw-dropping vocal magnificence...fascinating stunner is the magical vocal centerpiece of this tremendous vocal collection! "A Broken Vow" is another stunner becomming a deeply moving anthem and Julie takes the Elton John classic "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" making it her own and this soulful performance must always bring everyone out of their seats in concert and Elton himself has got to be completely thrilled. Acclaim for this extraordinary singer is long overdue...hopefully this brilliant collection of classic performances that go deep inside the heart and soul of each and every one of these wonderful classics will correct this!!! BRAVO JULIE BUDD...incredibly gifted singer and your time is now as this collection of "The New Classics" is enthralling and truly a lasting NEW CLASSIC!

I saw the movie and had no clue who she was. I have since looked her up on
the web and found out more about her. where has she been and how is her
life going.

I've always thought Ms. Budd's talent was excellent......I discovered her when she starred in the 1980's Disney film 'THE DEVIL AND MAX DEVLIN'. She's still an excellent singer......A must for her fans!

Julie Budd ha sido mi inspiracion desde que vi la pelicula Max Deblin y el Diablo en lo personal me parece que ella tiene una voz espectacular y ha sido desaprovechada por productores de discos que preferieren apoyar voces no tan especiales como la de ella,. He buscado por mas de 20 anos la cancion de roses and rainbows que ahora que esta incluido en su nuevo album no desaprovechare la oportunidad de tenerlo. Ojala tengan la oportunidad de escuchar musica de ella, Julie tu eres simplemente la mejor. te quiero mucho. por favor compren su disco no se van a arrepentir.