The first two CDs, packaged as a unit inside the box, are an anthology of Garland's career from 1929 to 1963. The Talk of the Town in January 1969. Those familiar with the tortured history of the tapes to The Judy Garland Show will be relieved to finally hear Mort Lindsey's orchestra and Garland's voice in all their glory. Since the first two CDs cover 34 years of Garland's career, and the second two less than one, one could hardly call this a particularly balanced overview. Considering the trove of unreleased Garland radio transcriptions, the selection made for this set is slim pickings.
Garland begins the take, flubs it, and has to start again.
Her wild laugh at her error is intoxicating. It must be remembered that we are here listening to Garland's voice track alone, which would later be remixed with the other tracks. Hence, all the force of Garland's resplendent voice is isolated in a way it was not intended to be. In that moment when Garland goes from mumbling to full-throttle singing, she goes from something ordinary to something grandiose and important. In that moment she went from Frances Gumm to Judy Garland.