Search - Rufus Wainwright: Rufus! Rufus! Rufus! Does Judy! Judy! Judy! Live at the London Palladium on DVD

High Praise to Rufus from Someone Who Saw Judy in 1961

A. McIntyre | Philadelphia, PA United States | 12/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I believe that I am the first person to review either the DVD or CDs who actually saw and heard Garland perform in 1961. I was 18 and saw Judy at Boston Garden about 6 months after the Carnegie Hall concert. I am a Rufus fan, but put the DVD on with some fear. How could Rufus possibly be as good as Garland? He is not as good, but it was much closer than I expectly.

The five songs that I most remember from 1961 were "Do It Again" (almost as good, with Rufus singing in Garland's key), "That's Entertainment" (lowest point in Rufus's evening; Garland unexpectly danced while the orchestra was playing and also sang the h*ll out of the song), "If Love Were All" (great job by Rufus), "Over the Rainbow (again not quite as good as Judy, but close). "Come Rain or Come Shine" (Judy's greatest
moments of the concert; Rufus almost matched her and totally won me over).

Garland had more vocally power, over 30 years of experiece singing these songs and the #1 album in the country ("Judy in Carnegie Hall") the night I saw her in 1961. Additionally, she was one of show business' greatest live performers. Great praise to Rufus for carrying this off so well.
My only regret is that this review, which might convince people to buy the DVD who might otherwise not, will be lost at the end of the posted reviews."

A Tribute That's a Triumph!

W. Kirchmeyer | Chicago, IL United States | 12/04/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was one of the fortunate audience members at the first incarnation of this show, at Carnegie Hall on June 14, 2006. I also had the great pleasure (even though Rufus was not in his best vocal shape that night) of seeing the show re-created at the Hollywood Bowl in September, 2007. I wish I'd been able to go to London to see the show featured on this DVD. Being a huge fan (along with millions of others!) of the original concert Judy recorded, I was thrilled to have been able to see the show in person twice and now I can re-live the excitement whenever I want, by watching the DVD. The DVD re-creates the thrill of being in the audience. While the London crowd is a bit more subdued than the NY or LA crowds were, the performance is first rate, with many of Rufie's humorous anecdotes and top notch vocals. Also featured are performances by Rufus' sister, Martha Wainwright, singing a spectacular "Stormy Weather" and a duet of "After You've Gone" with Judy Garland's youngest daughter, Lorna Luft. Kate McGarrigle, Rufus' mother, also makes dual appearances at the piano for "Over The Rainbow" and several selections during the 'encore' portion of the show. Also something special is Lorna Luft's encore, where she is visibly moved, after singing the song "Bluebird" which Judy sang (on the same Palladium stage) in her last movie, "I Could Go On Singing". While all of Rufus' songs are wonderful, especially notable are "That's Entertainment", "Come Rain or Come Shine" (Rufus quipped, after the Hollywood Bowl performance: "I'm glad this is the last time I have to sing that one"), "If Love Were All", "Zing! Went The Strings of My Heart", "Rock-a-bye You're Baby...", and, my two favorites, "Chicago" and "San Francisco" (which he repeats as a final encore). You will thoroughly enjoy this DVD if you are either a Rufus Wainwright or a Judy Garland fan. (or both!) I wish they had shot the video at Carnegie Hall, but having this London performance is truly a gift I will enjoy many times.

A special note: If you ever get the chance to see Rufus live, jump on it - he puts on a GREAT performance, every time. I have seen him live 8 times and am looking forward to seeing him again and again!"

Bowled Over!!

L. Hebert | Lousiana | 12/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a DVD! No, he does not have Judy's vocal range or the level of emotion she was willing to share with her audience, but he makes up for it with sheer exuberance. For two hours he turns out an exhaustive performance. The conductor of the wonderful orchestra, Stephen Oremus, looks like a teenager, but he is a wizard with a baton. Whatever you do, do not miss this wonderful DVD."

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

Amos Lassen | Little Rock, Arkansas | 12/10/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Rufus! Rufus! Rufus! Does Judy! Judy! Judy!"

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

Amos Lassen

Judy Garland's 1961 concert at Carnegie Hall has achieved legend status. Garland's songs are hers alone and when someone else sings them, they tend to lose something. Her movements and her tears have been imitated for years so when I first heard that Rufus Wainwright was going to recreate that concert, I was a bit apprehensive. I also read that the concert was going to be recorded on both CD and DVD and I was anxious to see and hear it. I am not disappointed. It was not recorded at Carnegie Hall; but at the London Palladium but that is not so important.
Wainwright and the orchestra that back him show great esteem for the music and the tone of affection for Garland can be felt throughout. The audience loved the show and even on the DVD it is possible to sense the energy and love that was there.
We know the songs and they have become a part of many of us. I remember how Garland sang them and Wainwright does not imitate Judy--the way he delivers the songs is his own. He is a very talented person and the audience loved him. It is not easy to take a legend and do her stuff but it is even more difficult to hold a stage alone. He has energy and obviously enjoyed what he was doing.
Wainwright also brought his mother, Kate McGarrigle, and sister Martha on stage to sing and entertain as well as Judy's daughter, Lorna Luft. It was an evening not easily forgotten. There are several highlights but in my opinion "Chicago" and "San Francisco" are still show stoppers. From the moment that the overture begins. The audience (and me too) felt that something magical was about to happen---and it did.
"