A&E Biography:...Anthology Review

07/13/2005 6:20 AM, AMG


Released in conjuction with airing of the television show of the same name, A&E Biography offers an incomplete but informative overview of Judy Garland's recordings for Capitol Records. Since she recorded many of her great songs for Capitol, the compilation doesn't feel incomplete the way similar entries on Mel Tormé and Bobby Darin do (they recorded for several labels). That said, this compilation isn't a straight greatest-hits album, even if many of her most familiar songs ("Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart," "Over the Rainbow," "Come Rain or Come Shine," "We're Off to See the Wizard") are here. There are a few interesting, idiosyncratic inclusions that are more of interest to hardcore fans; they may have all these performances, but context does matter at certain times. Nevertheless, A&E Biography is designed for the casual fan, and chances are that most casual Garland followers will be very happy with this fine collection. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide