NEW BIOGRAPHY OF VINCENTE MINNELLI
AVAILABLE MARCH 1, 2009
[JANUARY 17, 2010]
Author Mark Griffin has written a new biography on Vincente Minnelli which will be available March 1st. Obviously this book will have a lot of Judy and Liza in it! :)
On March 3rd, Griffin will be at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City to introduce a screening of Minnelli's 1949 version of "Madame Bovary".
TRACK LISTING & RELEASE DATE FOR THE UPCOMING JUDY GARLAND AND LIZA MINNELLI "LIVE" AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM
CD RELEASE FROM DRG RECORDS
[JANUARY 12, 2010]
It's official! Here is the NEW track listing for the upcoming premiere CD release of Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli "Live" at the London Palladium from DRG Records (additions/changes noted in bold font):
1. Overture 2. Once In A Lifetime (Judy) (Previously unreleased November 15th version) 3. Just In Time (Judy) (From the November 8 concert)
4. The Travelin’ Life (Liza)
5. Gypsy In My Soul (Liza)
6. Hello, Dolly (Duet)
7. Together (Wherever We Go) (Duet)
8. Medley:
We Could Make Such Beautiful Music (Duet)
Watcha Gonna Swing Tonight (Bob White)
9. Medley:
Hooray For Love (Duet)
After You’ve Gone (Judy)
By Myself (Liza)
’S Wonderful (Judy)
How About You (Duet)
Lover, Come Back To Me (Liza)
You And The Night And The Music (Judy)
It All Depends On You (Duet)
10. Who’s Sorry Now? (Liza)
11. Smile (Judy)
12. How Could You Believe Me When I Said I Loved When You Know I’ve been A Liar All My Life (Liza)
13. What Now My Love (Judy)
14. Liza’s Medley:
Take Me Along
If I Could Be With You
Tea For Two
Who
They Can’t Take That Away From Me
By Myself
Take Me Along
Mammy
15. Make Someone Happy (Judy)
16. Pass That Peace Pipe (Liza) 17. The Man That Got Away (Judy)
18. The Music That Makes Me Dance (Judy)
19. Medley:
When The Saints Go Marching In (Duet)
Brotherhood of Man (Duet)
20. He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands (Duet)
21. Never Will I Marry (Judy)
22. Encore: Swanee (Duet)
23. Encore: Chicago (Duet)
24. Encore: Over The Rainbow (Judy)
25. Encore: San Francisco (Duet)
The release date is now scheduled for April 6th. The liner notes will be written by Will Friedwald.
EARLY INFO ABOUT UPCOMING "A STAR IS BORN" BLU-RAY
[JANUARY 8, 2010]
Although no official announcement has been made by Warner Home Video, a source tells me that the upcoming Blu-ray release of A Star Is Born is planned as a "Special Edition Blu-ray Book". Obviously no official artwork has been released by Warner Home Video, but if you want an idea of what a "Blu-ray Book" is, here is an image of the "Blu-ray Book" for the recent release of the Hitchcock masterpiece North By Northwest.
The standard DVD will be a "Special Edition" but not in the book format. The assumption is that will be a two-disc version, especially if it's going to contain the restored version of the 1937 original that starred Janet Gaynor and Frederick March.
PLEASE NOTE that all of this could change by the time an official announcement is made by Warner Home Video. But it seems as though this is the route they're going with special edition Blu-rays, as the upcoming Doctor Zhivago is planned in this format/packaging as well (see below).
I expect that an announcement should come soon.
The Turner Classic Movies First Annual Film Festival is set for April 22nd, and the newly restored A Star is Born has been chosen to open the festival. It would make sense that Warner Home Video would have the DVD and Blu-ray ready by that date. All home media is usually released on Tuesdays, so we're probably looking at April 20th or April 27th. This is speculation on my part. We'll just have to wait and see.
I personally really like these "Blu-ray Books". They're much easier to store with the rest of your DVDs and Blu-rays than the boxes. But I like the boxes too. So in my eyes, however it plays out, it's a "win-win" situation for us ASIB fans!
[From the back of the DVD] "From Gershwin to Garland: A Musical Journey with Richard Glazier" begins with the opening bars of George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. From there, pianist Richard Glazier takes us on a musical time machine through the Golden Age of American Popular Song. Glazier's warm, witty and fascinating inside stories accompany the glorious music.
From the keyboard of a gorgeous Steinway concert grand, with portraits of his musical heroes looking over his shoulder, Glazier tells his stories: of George & Ira Gershwin, composer Johnny Green, the great opera star Camilla Williams, composer Hugh Martin, and Judy Garland, whose performance in the film "Girl Crazy" sparked Glazier's interest in this music. The show's climax is the complete solo piano version of Rhapsody in Blue.
1. Introduction
2. Embraceable You
3. I Got Rhythm
4. Someone To Watch Over Me
5. An American In Paris
6. Body And Soul
7. Concerto In F
8. Bess You Is My Woman
9. The Boy Next Door
10. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
11. The Trolley Song
12. Over The Rainbow
13. Rhapsody In Blue
14. Love Is Here To Stay
15. Closing Credits: I'll Build A Stairway To Paradise
Bonus Material: Interview from PBS NewsHour
"JUDY AT CARNEGIE HALL" DOCUMENTARY PLANNED
"STAY ALL NIGHT" FILMAKERS LOOKING FOR TESTIMONIALS FROM SURVIVING ATTENDEES
[December 14, 2009]
John Fricke has announced a new film project focused on Judy's historic concert at Carnegie Hall on April 23, 1961:
"Within the past few months, respected New York-based filmmaker Steven Lippman has begun preliminary plans for a documentary film project, “Stay All Night,” celebrating the 50th anniversary of Judy's Carnegie Hall concert. I've been asked to pass along his thesis and request to the Greater Garland Community:
Dear Judy Garland Fans,
On behalf of myself and my creative team, we’re grateful to be introduced to you, and to reach out to you as a community in such a personal and direct way.
"Stay All Night" is a documentary about the legendary Judy Garland Carnegie Hall concert of April 23rd, 1961. The film will stand as an oral history of that night, as told by those who were there. Through contemporary first-hand recollections, the film will be a celebration of Garland’s enduring triumph. It will also create a mosaic portrait of New York City, revealing personal stories of lives, aspirations and dreams.
For this one night, in one luminous city, in one famous concert hall, a diverse group came together and shared the unique, precious experience and communal fervor of Judy Garland at her peak. It’s the shared experience that binds these people -- and us -- together forever.
To those who were there at Carnegie Hall on April 23rd, we're looking for you to be potential on-camera subjects, sharing your valuable memories, as a part of the film. And if you weren't’t there, but know someone who was, we encourage you to pass along this information and request.
Or write to us at: “Stay All Night”
c/o New York Office 15 West 26 Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10010
Please make sure to include all your contact info including telephone and address so we can follow-up.
To all, your help spreading the word is much appreciated. We’re excited and honored to gather these personal recollections, and look forward to sharing them with everyone in “Stay All Night.”
With thanks,
Steven Lippman a/k/a Flip
Director
Mary Wharton
Producer"
Per Fricke, the filmmaker's goal is to find as many people who were a part of the audience on that historic night on April 23, 1961. If you were there, please contact the filmmakers at the email and/or address noted above.
With your help, this could become the best Garland documentary (or any Garland-related film) made since 2004's "By Myself".
JUDY AND LIZA LIVE AT THE PALLADIUM
TO BE RELEASED ON CD BY DRG RECORDS
The 1965 album Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli - "Live" At the London Palladium" will be released on CD for the very first time on February 9, 2010 by DRG Records.
CD producer Hugh Fordin has told me that: "[The CD] is presently being remastered from the original tapes in the Capitol vaults and digitally transferred using the highest quality equipment.
Everything that was contained on the four sides on SWBO 2295 (original cover art will be used) will be included. Nothing more will be added as agreed between DRG and the estate. New liner notes will be written by Will Friedwald and additional photographs will be included as well as documentation concerning the recording information."
In other words, this will be a restored and remastered CD of the 2 LP release from 1965, not the 2 CD "complete" concert with rehearsals that was planned for release September 17, 2002 and then again on May 19, 2009 but aborted for assorted reasons.
CLICK HERE to read the detailed article about the album and its subsequent releases "The Plagued History of Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli "Live" at the London Palladium, 1965-2009" - it's a fantastic article by Lawrence Schulman.
This is the last of Judy's original Capitol albums to be released on CD. Finally!!
Great news from Gary Horrocks - The Judy Garland Club is back!
Click on the image at left to download the PDF which includes instructions for joining.
The new Club Website will be up and running soon.
From Gary:
The easiest, quickest and preferred way to join is via PayPal (www.paypal.com). You can easily set up a free and secure personal PayPal account that directly links to either your bank account or credit/debit card. Payments using PayPal can be accepted in GBP, Euro, USD and AUD and should be made to the e-mail address: judygarlandclub@googlemail.com. To make your payment please follow the instructions at the end of this letter. It is important that you state in the notes section your name, postal address, email and telephone number. If you are paying for additional memberships for friends please remember to provide us with their full details. If you do not have access to the internet or e-mail please follow the instructions on the subscriptions page about how you can join and pay by cheque.
Over the coming months we will continue promote the Club and its rich history to help attract new members. You may like to consider gifting a membership to friends and family, or even offering a small donation that will help the Club on its way to lasting financial security. I finish with the words of the great lady herself by saying ‘Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ and ‘Here’s to Us’ for health and happiness in 2010.
Yours truly
Gary Horrocks
Editor – ‘Judy Garland – a Celebration’
For help and advice please phone:
UK: 020 8299 5864;
International: +44 20 8299 5864
The International Judy Garland Club
is a not for profit organisation
WORLD PREMIERE SCREENING OF NEWLY RESTORED "A STAR IS BORN"AT TCM FILM FESTIVAL
APRIL 22, 2010
[FROM TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES]
“Hello everybody. This is Mrs. Norman Maine“ Opening night, April 22, 2010: world premiere screening of a newly restored version of A STAR IS BORN (1954). North American premiere of the restored silent sci-fi classic, METROPOLIS (1927). The fest will also screen the French New Wave film BREATHLESS (1960). Don’t miss spec...ial presentation of 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY. Plus, special guests, Leonard Maltin & Peter Bogdanovich. Learn more at http://tcm.com/festival. Keep checking for many more details in the months ahead or sign up for email updates!
[Looks like the new DVD and Blu-ray will probably come out around that same time]
For fans of Judy's films, like myself, this sounds like something akin to the "Art & Anecdote" book from a few years back as there's no doubt it will be filled with great photos. Definitely something to look forward to.
No major details yet, aside from Fricke's note that the book will include previously unpublished art, as well as "minimally published" art. On the "Everything OZ" Yahoo group, Fricke explained that "minimally published" means "[for example] something that might have been used in a 1938 movie magazine but which has remained pretty much unseen ever since, and which has gone unused in other Garland books. Or which was printed badly or incorrectly."
The book will obviously make a great new addition to our every growing Garland book collections!
I can't reveal my source, but the 2010 release of the new 8k restoration of A Star is Born on Blu-ray and standard DVD has been moved up. Originally Warner Home Video had planned to release the boxed set (and other versions) later in the year. But now, they're going to release it "sometime between February and April 2010". The actual date hasn't been decided on. However, what has been decided is that A Star is Born is going to be their big, major Blu-ray and standard DVD boxed set release for 2010. This means lots of goodies in the boxed set (I'm sure it'll be released in "no frills" editions as well).
Warner Home Video is also currently restoring the 1937 Janet Gaynor Technicolor original. It might be included with this new release of Judy's version - maybe as a Blu-ray-only extra much like the documentary MGM When the Lion Roars was a Blu-ray only extra in the recent OZ release.
I'll post more just as soon as details, and a firm release date, are given.
In other news, Judy's 1963/64 TV series, "The Judy Garland Show", is going on the auction block. Here are two links to the recent Reuters story: www.earthtimes.org
From JSP Records: JSP RECORDS will
be releasing in 2010 a box set of Judy Garland recordings that will include the
most important selection to date of radio performances, many of which have
never been previously issued. John Stedman will produce the set; Lawrence
Schulman will compile the collection, as well as provide a discography and the sleeve
notes; Peter Rynston at Tall Order Studios will be in charge of audio remastering
all tracks.
Judy Room Note: This CD set is planned to be 4 discs consisiting of mostly unreleased and rare radio performances, with a few extras and surprises thrown in. I'll post more once the details are finalized. At last, a comprehensive "Garland on the radio" set!
A new book is out, this time tracing Judy's family history as far back as possible. It's a "Volume 1", so look for a second volume out next year. Should be an interesting book!
The Recording Academy Announces 2010 Grammy Hall of Fame Inductees
Selections Represent Some of Music's Lasting and Legendary Recordings
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 24 -- The Recording Academy announced the newest
additions to its Grammy Hall of Fame, adding 25 recordings to a timeless
list that now includes 851 titles. The Hall of Fame serves as a celebration
and reminder of the triumphs and achievements of the recording arts.
Selections are drawn from all categories of music, acknowledging the
diversity of musical expression for which The Recording Academy has become
renowned. The list and recordings now reside as a collection on display at
the Grammy Museum.
"This year's Grammy Hall of Fame inductees highlight a diverse array of
masterpiece recordings that have had a profound impact on our musical
history," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "The
selections are timeless staples that span six decades and represent a wide
range of genres from comedy to rock, reggae, jazz and R&B. They all greatly
deserve to be memorialized. "
The selected recordings range from 1923's "Dipper Mouth Blues" by King
Oliver and His Jazz Band to 1977's "Birdland" by Weather Report. Other
recordings also chosen this year include Louis Armstrong's "Lazy River," the
Beach Boys' "California Girls," James Brown's "It's A Man's Man's Man's
World," George's Carlin's Class Clown, the Doors' "Riders On The Storm," Jose Feliciano's "Feliz Navidad," and Bob Marley and The Wailers' Catch A
Fire. Other artists with selections include the Isley Brothers, Bo Diddley,
Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Mahalia Jackson, Harry James and His Orchestra,
Janis Joplin, Johnny Mercer, Jelly Roll Morton, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt
Band.
The Recording Academy's National Trustees established the Grammy Hall of
Fame in 1973 to honor recordings of lasting qualitative or historical
significance that are at least 25 years old. Hall of Fame recordings are
reviewed annually by a special member committee of eminent and knowledgeable
professionals from all branches of the recording arts, and final approval is
made by The Recording Academy Trustees. For more information about the Hall
of Fame or the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards (to be broadcast live on Jan. 31 at
8 p.m. ET/PT on the CBS Television Network), please visit http://www.Grammy.com.
The standard DVD will be a "Special Edition" but not in the book format. The assumption is that will be a two-disc version, especially if it's going to contain the restored version of the 1937 original that starred Janet Gaynor and Frederick March.
