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The Best of Lost Tracks 2: 1936-1967 on CD

The long-awaited sequel to 2010's groundbreaking 4-CD set "Judy Garland Lost Tracks: 1929-1959," "Judy Garland Lost Tracks 2 - 1936-1967" features a whopping 40 new-to-CD tracks. In the years between the two releases many new, previously unreleased and/or thought-lost Garland recordings have been discovered. Also during that time, audio restoration software has advanced to the point that, as in the capable hands of audio engineer John H. Haley, "old" recordings can now sound better than ever thought possible

There are many previously unreleased and new-to-CD radio performances that just a little over a year ago were thought lost. Thanks to the generosity of John Newton (his collection is the source of most of the radio tracks) we're able to enjoy these performances. And amazing they are! Rounding out the collection are several live performances, outtakes, alternate takes, and rehearsals. They all make for a great listening experience.

There is something here for everyone. Fans of Judy's early years will enjoy the many rare radio recordings. Fans of Judy's films will enjoy the outtakes, alternates, and extended takes of some of her most popular movie songs. Fans of Judy's later years will enjoy the concert, studio, and television performances most of which are also making their CD debuts on this set.

Hold That Bulldog & Pennies From Heaven

Judy barks! Both performances are from Judy's appearance on Jack Oakie’s College radio show on January 5, 1937. Judy prerecorded "Hold That Bulldog" for 20th Century-Fox in the summer of 1936 for her feature film debut in Pigskin Parade (1936). The number was cut and the footage (if it was filmed) and prerecording are lost. This radio performance is the only extant recording of Garland singing this novelty song and gives us an idea of how it might have been performed in the film. At 14 years old, she handles it like a seasoned professional while putting her unique mark on it. As if that wasn’t enough, Judy encored with a flawless rendition of “Pennies From Heaven” in which she's given some special material (probably provided by her mentor Roger Edens) that showcases her range of styles including a fun jazzy ending.

Johnny One Note & Always

Judy’s April 20, 1937, performance of “Johnny One Note” just might be the first nationwide public radio performance of the new, soon-to-be-standard, song by Rodgers and Hart. The song premiered on Broadway on April 14, 1937, in "Babes In Arms" which was just six days prior to this Garland performance on "Jack Oakie's College" radio show. Cut from (and never recorded for) the 1939 film version of the show starring Judy and Mickey Rooney, she later performed the song as her encore in 1948’s Words and Music. For decades fans wondered what the “Young Judy” version would sound like. Now we know: fantastic!

As an encore, Judy again put her mark on what even then an Irving Berlin chestnut of a standard, "Always." This is the only known recording of Judy singing the lovely song which Berlin wrote for his wife. The love Berlin had for his wife permeate the lyrics and come through via Judy's emotional rendition.

(Dear Mr. Gable) You Made Me Love You

This classic Garland performance, recorded on May 7, 1937, for Broadway Melody of 1938, is a welcome addition to any CD set. The version presented here is Take 3 of the song which is a partial alternate without Judy's spoken recitative ("Aw, gee Mr. Gable") which was recorded live on the set when the song was filmed. The music that provides the background to that spoken bit is lovely.

A Shine On Your Shoes

On May 25, 1937, Judy put her unique vocal stamp on this wonderful song predating Fred Astaire's famous performance of it in the 1953 MGM musical The Bandwagon. This version is decidedly more "jazzy" and brilliantly shows off Judy's vocal abilities. It's hard to believe she was only 14-years-old!

Where Are You?

Here is a previously thought lost radio performance from Judy's appearance on Jack Oakie’s College radio show on June 1, 1937. This is another one of Judy's "recitative songs" in which she delivers a short monologue in the middle of the song, most likely written by her mentor, Roger Edens.

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

Here is the complete version of this song from the soundtrack of Everybody Sing. In the film, the song is trimmed. The song was previously thought to have been prerecorded on October 24, 1937, but according to the surviving MGM "Daily Music Report," it was prerecorded on November 8, 1937. The liner notes for this set were printed before this new information was discovered.

Blue Skies

Here is another rarity, and another previously thought lost performance, this time from Judy's weekly appearances on "The Pepsodent Show Starring Bob Hope," on January 16, 1940. It is a delight and the only known recording of Judy singing this Irving Berlin standard. Once again, Judy makes the song her own. Listeners will note that the intro chorus is almost identical (save a few words at the end) to the chorus for "Pennies From Heaven" performed by Judy in 1937 and also included on this set. This intro is another Roger Edens creation written solely for Judy.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

This alternate prerecording for Meet Me In St. Louis was recorded on December 4, 1943, and makes its CD debut here. I have always preferred this version to the one used in the film, even though both are quite lovely. The differences in the two versions are subtle and an example of how seemingly minor subtleties can make for a different listening experience.

Someone At Last

The soundtrack album to Judy's film masterpiece A Star Is Born (1954) has never been out of print. Included on that album is her now-famous tour de force "Someone At Last." In fact, the working title of the number was "tour de force." The version on this set is the CD debut of an alternate take without the dialog, effects, and studio chorus plus a great ending not heard in the final film or the soundtrack album. Also, there's no "Wilhelm Scream" effect. Talk about a unique listening experience. Judy's vocals are front and center, and her full throttle ending is hair-raising. Its deletion from the final film is a puzzle.

Over The Rainbow

It’s hard to believe, but Garland’s famous 1955 television rendition of “Over the Rainbow” from the Ford Star Jubilee special has never been restored and remastered for CD.

Come Rain Or Come Shine

Judy returned to television in 1956 for CBS-TV's "General Electric Theater." While some of the performances in the special were prerecorded, Judy sang "Come Rain Or Come Shine" live. The song was fairly new to her repertoire and it became another Garland standard.

Down With Love

Judy's recordings for Capitol Records are some of her finest, so any new discovery from these sessions is a rare treat. Judy's talent was so great that even her alternates are worth releasing. Presented here for the first time from the collection of Raphael Geroni is an alternate take of “Down With Love” recorded in 1960 for the classic "That's Entertainment!" album. For many fans, this is the greatest of all her Capitol albums and with good reason. It's as perfect as anyone can get on an LP of standards. It also brings to mind the fact that it must have been tough to decide which takes of songs ended up on the final releases of albums.

What Now My Love

At this time in her career, Judy alternated between the concert stage, television, and a few films. More new-to-CD performances from this era are presented, finally remastered after years of floating around collector's circles. A standout is this previously unreleased rehearsal recording of "What Now My Love?" for Judy's concert with daughter Liza Minnelli at the London Palladium in 1964. Judy was suffering from vocal issues but that didn't stop her from giving a great performance, even in rehearsal. For comparison, this is followed by her triumphant rendition of the same song in 1966 on NBC-TV's "Kraft Music Hall" with full orchestral accompaniment.

I'll Plant My Own Tree

Judy delivered more than anyone else could have when she recorded the final track on this set. “I’ll Plant My Own Tree” was written for Judy to sing as “Helen Lawson” in the film version of Valley of the Dolls (1967). The song is meant to show off the superstar quality of the character. Sadly, it's not a good song. Out of context, it could be mistaken for parody. Judy didn’t want to record it, preferring “Get Off Looking Good.” But ever the trouper she recorded it and against the odds she makes it sound better than it is. Only a talent of her caliber could have pulled that off. Garland never completed the film and the song was re-recorded by Margaret Whiting for Susan Hayward (the new "Helen Lawson") to lip-synch to. A mono version with very bad audio appeared on LP in the late 1970s, and this stereo version has been traded by collectors for several decades. Here it’s finally remastered and presented on CD for the first time.

The "Easy To Love" MGM playback disc label above is from The John Newton Collection. Thanks, John!

Judy Garland Lost Tracks 2 - 1936-1967