Music Review: A Children's Celebration of Music

 A Children's Celebration of Music, various artists, AllMusic, 1992

This is a delightful collection of children's songs by the original artisits, some as long as 50 years ago.  Some are classic American Folk songs such as "This Old Man" by Pete Seeger and "Skip to my Lou" by John McCutcheon.  Peter Paul and Mary sing "Puff the Magic Dragon" and Loggins and Mesina sing "House on Pooh Corner."  There is also "Over the Rainbow" by Judy Garland.  A beautiful song is "Garden Song" sung by Maria Muldaur.  There is even "The Ugly Duckling" by Danny Kay and Gordon Jenkins.  Other artists include Paul Simon, Anne Murray, James Taylor, Burl Ives and the Doobie Brothers.  There are fifteen songs in total and all are enjoyable.  

Music Review: Judy at Carnegie Hall: Judy in Person, Judy Garland

 The Album Judy at Carnegie Hall was released by Capitol Records in 1961.  Judy Garland had recorded an earlier album, but this was in fact life to capture the energy og Garland entertaining.  Garlan plays many big band songs including, Over the Rainbow and Almost Like Being in Love from "Brigadoon."  Smile and the Whole World Smiles with you was a favorite.  The audience was obviously very much into the music as the demanded three or four encores.  This album won the grammy for album of the year.  It is very good and the energy is great.  Garland also talked considerably with the audience talking about songs and sharing stories.  It also won a grammy for best album cover, and Garland won entertainer of the year, the first woman to do so.

Music Review: Judy Garland: Christmas Through the Years

Granted Judy Garland has a beautiful voice, and puts lots of energy in her music.  However they had to stretch to get this Christmas album.  Not all the songs seem to even have a winter theme.  In this set she sings, "Little Drop of Rain," "Smile," "You'll Never Walk Alone," "Lost in the Stars" and "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" which are beautiful songs, but not really Christmas Music.  This is such great stuff though we don't really care.  "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is also a Garland classic and she provides two versions here.
Great vocals, and orchestra accompaniment.  Beautiful!

Christmas/ Musical Movie Review: Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

This show is an interesting portrayal of life in St. Louis leading up to the 1904 World’s Fair.  It portrays an upper middle class family with five children, one son and four daughters.  The oldest two daughters are into the romantic scene, and have plans and boyfriends.  They are all looking to the fair.  The song "Meet me in St Louis" expresses this excitement.  The "Trolley Car Song," interesting for its rhythms is another fun song.  

Father puts a wrench into the happy home life when he announces that he has accepted a position in New York and he plans on moving the family there.  The family is in turmoil, and not happy at the prospect. 

Things look better for the older girls after the Christmas party.  Their relationships will likely keep them in St. Louis.  However the youngest daughter is upset.  The second oldest daughter, Esther (Judy Garland) sings “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” to cheer her up.  It doesn’t work.  She destroys her snowmen, as she can’t take them anyway.  Father starts to think about things, and Christmas Day announces to the family a change of heart, he plans to stay in St. Louis.  The next scene is a few months later when everyone is going to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition also known as the St. Louis World’s Fair.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on
our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yule-tide gay
From now on
our troubles will be miles away

Here were are as in olden days
happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
gather near to us once more

Through the years we all will be together
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now