Rufus Does Judy At Carnegie Hall [2 CD] [Import, Live]

Rufus Wainwright | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 4, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import, Live
• Label: Geffen Records
• ASIN: B000XMZJX8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,912 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #31 in Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo-Fi > Chamber Pop
  • #55 in Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Cabaret
  • #56 in Music > Imports > Broadway & Vocalists

Editorial Reviews

2007 two CD set. On June 14, 2006, Rufus Wainwright took to the stage to recreate the Greatest Show of All Time in honor of the Greatest Show of All Time: Judy Garland's legendary 1961 concert at Carnegie Hall. He recreated the entire show song-for-song in the very same venue it was recorded at. Garland fanatics feared a fiasco, but the show was a triumph. His sophisticated act of homage to his hero was both a loving tribute and an arch commentary on the original, featuring classics like 'Over The Rainbow', 'Come Rain Or Come Shine' and 'Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart'. Backed by a 36-piece orchestra and arranged by Broadway's famed Stephen Oremus (Wicked, Avenue Q), Rufus's vocal talent soars over those classic melodies.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 58 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant tribute to a great artist December 6, 2007

By WRG

Format:Audio CD

Why did Rufus Wainwright decide to perform his version of the classic songlist from Judy Garland's Carnegie Hall concert? At first, I thought it was a joke. How could he take on such a risky and frankly bizarre endeavor? Then, as I thought about it and heard about it and tried to understand it, I began to see. Wainwright has a two-fold purpose. First, he wanted to push his talent to a place where it had never been. Be plunging into this material, he was forced to go placed that he doesn't need to visit. This project pushed his ability to look into the truth of a song that is not a perfect fit for him. Second, I think he decided to redefine the limits of what it means to be "out." He decided to do something that is so audaciously gay, so bordering on camp with setting up a tent, that he basically became the "outest" gay man on the planet, and that in itself is a political statement. Finally (I guess there are three reasons), he wanted to pay tribute to the talent of the great Judy Garland. I think that this CD set succeeds on all of those counts. He strives for a new depth in his communication of lyric, he stands out as a gay icon, and he pays homage to Garland. Admittedly, this is not a clean and perfect album. There are retakes and vocal problems to be found. But, he goes on and tries again to push himself into the material...not an easy tast, but I feel that he chooses to do it "not because it is easy, but because it is hard."
I found the album moving on several levels, and a uniquely devouring experience.

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars C'est magnifique! December 11, 2007

By Pyotr Rusakova

Format:Audio CD

This CD has made me so happy I may not be able to stop smiling for a good year or more. What cracks me up most of all, however, is some of the negative comments customers have written here. I am sure that Rufus is laughing his head off over "physiological inability to form an `e' vowel"! Of course, Rufus' voice is unique and I would not expect all of God's creatures to love or understand it, just as many don't get the "Judy Garland obsession" of many people. Some couldn't stand Jimi Hendrix, some didn't like Jimmy Durante. People have different tastes.

But for some of us, this Judy Garland concert by Rufus is enough to make us get down on our knees, reach to the sky, and shout to the heavens "Thank you God!" I bought the CD having some wee little doubts about whether I would like it or not, but I enjoy Rufus' music so much that I just had to try it. From the very beginning of the CD I was totally hooked. It was the most fun I have ever had listening to a music CD. I listened to it as I rode the bus to and from work, and as I walked home from the bus stop.

I was walking down R Street here in Washington DC as I listened to Martha Wainwright singing "Stormy Weather" and having never heard her before I initially thought "Oh gosh, I really wish I could hear RUFUS sing this song instead of his sister!" But it didn't take long for me to say "Wait a minute. This gal is fantastic!" Oh yes, she is amazing, with a totally unique voice, much like Rufus, which some might not like, but which I could listen to for the next 50 years. Her rendition of "Stormy Weather" is the best rendition of that song I ever heard in my life. I fell to my knees right on the sidewalk of R Street and screamed "I love you Lena Horne, but this Martha gal has made this song HER baby now!" I don't think I ever heard anything so wonderful as this. I may have to erect a statue in her honor one day.

Rufus' stories preceding various songs are priceless. And the story written by his mother, Kate McGarrigle, on the CD may well be the most beautiful thing I have ever read. What a family this Wainwright clan is! Holy smokes! They absolutely reflect the best of America.

How I wish we had more music like this to listen to. Great melodies, great lyrics... the kind of song you could actually enjoy with people of all ages and share a laugh together. Some of them have me swaying and tapping my feet so loudly on the bus that I have to keep looking up to see if the bus driver is squinting at me, preparing to ask me to get off the bus. Above all, it is a special treat to hear Rufus sing "Over the Rainbow" to his wonderful mother. Yes, I adore Judy, but I prefer hearing Rufus sing "Over the Rainbow" to anyone else who ever walked the earth. I will never forget the powerful rendition of it he gave as Lance Loud's memorial service. To me that was the best that song will ever be sung.

It's hard to guess who will love this CD, and who just won't get it. You just have to try it and see. I suspect that most people will either (1) adore it to pieces and want to go do their own Judy show, or (2) wonder why on earth anyone would like this stuff. As for me, I think this CD is as beautiful as can be.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant and Fantastic! December 4, 2007

By PSBChris

Format:Audio CD

While I agree that the cd of Rufus doing Judy Live does not include the encores (but the dvd does), I must say that this is still a fantastic and brilliant Rufus release. His voice is in top condition. He delivers beatiful versions of classics made famous by Judy Garland. His versions of "That's Entertainment" and "Over The Rainbow" alone make this set worth getting. I also find it interesting to hear Rufus perform songs that were not written by him, and are from a whole other genre of music... He pull is off wonderfully!! A must buy for any Rufus fan!!!