Judy Garland

Beware the compilation with the title Love Songs that comes out in the early part of the year -- it's often a shoddy attempt to cash in on the whims of Valentine's Day shoppers. And Savoy Jazz titles by Judy Garland were also beginning to get some caveats; they seemed to plunder Garland's solid television show of the early '60s with a barrage of thematic collections, peaking early and becoming increasingly forgettable after the first three volumes. But this Love Songs is worth some attention; it collects 13 romantic standards appearing on the show, and although Garland's performances are undeniably live-sounding, they appear with great arrangements. This isn't the sort of musical wallpaper that romantics prefer to soundtrack their woo-pitching, but it certainly represents the work of a great vocal interpreter in a setting and with arrangements that take risks, and most often succeed. The sound is excellent, and after the applause dies out at the beginning of each song, these could be studio recordings for all uninformed listeners would know. Highlights include a soft and tender version of "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" and the frenetic Latin percussion that drives "From This Moment On" and "Come Rain or Come Shine." ~ John Bush, All Music Guide