Classic Julie, Classic Broadway
| Classic Julie, Classic Broadway | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Compilation album by | ||||
| Released | 2001 | |||
| Recorded | 1992–1996 | |||
| Genre | Show tune, pop | |||
| Label | Decca | |||
| Julie Andrews chronology | ||||
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Classic Julie, Classic Broadway is a compilation album released in 2001 by English actress and singer Julie Andrews through Decca Records. The collection draws material from four previously released projects recorded between 1992 and 1996, during Andrews' late-career resurgence as a recording artist under the Philips label. These include the studio cast recording of The King and I (1992), where Andrews portrayed Anna Leonowens, as well as two songwriter tribute albums—Broadway: The Music of Richard Rodgers (1994) and Broadway: Here I'll Stay — The Words of Alan Jay Lerner (1996). Additionally, selections from the original Broadway cast recording of Victor/Victoria (1995) were incorporated.[1]
The compilation was assembled five years after Andrews' final studio recordings for the Broadway series, which was discontinued due to the singer's irreversible vocal cord damage. Prior to this, Andrews had announced plans to expand the series with tributes to composers such as George Gershwin, Stephen Sondheim, Irving Berlin, and Cole Porter. However, these projects were abandoned following her medical diagnosis, leaving Classic Julie, Classic Broadway as a retrospective of her last commercially released studio work.[2]
Musically, the album features Andrews reinterpreting signature roles from My Fair Lady, Camelot, and The Sound of Music, alongside lesser-known Broadway material she had never previously recorded, such as "On a Clear Day" from On a Clear Day You Can See Forever and "A Cock-Eyed Optimist" from South Pacific. The arrangements predominantly adhere to traditional orchestral Broadway styles, though some critics noted inconsistencies in their execution, particularly regarding the balance between vocal delivery and instrumental accompaniment.[1]
Decca's decision to compile these recordings in 2001 have been motivated by the lack of new material from Andrews following her vocal injury. The label positioned the release as a career summation, emphasizing her association with mid-20th century Broadway classics. Notably, the album excludes material from Andrews' earlier film soundtracks, such as Mary Poppins or The Sound of Music, focusing instead on her post-1990 studio reinterpretations of theatrical repertoire. From a production standpoint, Classic Julie, Classic Broadway reflects the technical standards of its source recordings, with minimal remastering or editing evident. The sequencing follows a conventional thematic approach, grouping songs by composer or show origin. No new vocal takes or unreleased tracks were included, reinforcing the compilation's archival nature.[a]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| New Straits Times | Unfavorable[3] |
William Ruhlmann from AllMusic praised Andrews' "famous poise and precise intonation" as well as her "wonderful voice" even in her later years. He highlighted standout moments, such as her renditions of "On a Clear Day" and "A Cock-Eyed Optimist", while acknowledging occasional missteps like the overly bombastic orchestrations and unsuitable song choices (e.g., "Bewitched"). Ruhlmann's review struck a bittersweet tone, noting that the compilation seemed to capture the "best of Andrews' final recordings", making it a poignant listen for fans.[1]
Christie Leo's review from New Straits Times was notably critical, describing the album as "overripe with orchestral bloat and portentous arrangements". While acknowledging Andrews' sincerity, Leo argued that her interpretations lacked the subtlety and nuance of the original versions, calling her a "hopelessly shallow interpreter". The review dismissed the collection as a "monumental ego trip" rather than a heartfelt tribute, concluding that listeners would be better off revisiting The Sound of Music soundtrack for Andrews at her best.[3]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Musical | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "On a Clear Day" | Burton Lane, Alan Jay Lerner | On a Clear Day You Can See Forever | 3:37 |
| 2. | "A Cock-Eyed Optimist" | Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers | South Pacific | 4:25 |
| 3. | "Hello Young Lovers" | O. Hammerstein II, R. Rodgers | The King and I | 3:12 |
| 4. | "Here I'll Stay" | Alan Jay Lerner, Kurt Weill | Love Life | 4:23 |
| 5. | "Overture / Wouldn't It Be Loverly / Let a Woman / Just You Wait / Poor Professor Higgins / The Rain in Spain / You Did It / Show Me / I Could Have Danced All Night / I've Grown Accustomed to His Face" | Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe | My Fair Lady | 12:28 |
| 6. | "Getting to Know You" | Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers | The King and I | 5:07 |
| 7. | "Living in the Shadows" | Leslie Bricusse, Henry Mancini | Victor/Victoria | 3:28 |
| 8. | "Bewitched" | R. Rodgers, Lorenz Hart | Pal Joey | 4:55 |
| 9. | "I Have Dreamed" | O. Hammerstein II, R. Rodgers | The King and I | 4:34 |
| 10. | "My Funny Valentine" | R. Rodgers, L. Hart | Babes in Arms | 3:32 |
| 11. | "Camelot Suite: Camelot / The Simple Joys Of Maidenhood / How To Handle A Woman / If I Ever Would Leave You / What The Simple Folks Do / I Loved You Once In Silence / Guinevere / Camelot" | A. J. Lerner, F. Loewe | Camelot | 9:09 |
| 12. | "Crazy World" | L. Bricusse, H. Mancini | Victor/Victoria | 3:19 |
| 13. | "If I Loved You" | O. Hammerstein II, R. Rodgers | Carousel | 3:58 |
| 14. | "Edelweiss" | O. Hammerstein II, R. Rodgers | The Sound of Music | 3:51 |
| 15. | "The Sound of Music" | O. Hammerstein II, R. Rodgers | The Sound of Music | 5:07 |
Personnel
[edit]Credits adapted from the liner notes of Classic Julie, Classic Broadway.[4]
- Art Direction and Design (Reissue) – Carla Leighton
- Compilation Producers – Brian Drutman, Denis McNamara
- Original Concept and Compilation – Bill Holland, Mark Wilkinson
- Cover Photo – CBS Photo Archive
- Creative Director – Penny Bennett
- Management – Steve Sauer
- CD Mastering – U.E. Nastasi
Notes
[edit]- ^ The album does not feature any songs taken from The Sound of Music soundtrack, but it does include two songs from the original stage musical. These are recordings sourced from the 1996 album Broadway: Here I'll Stay — The Words of Alan Jay Lerner, "Edelweiss" and "The Sound of Music".[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Ruhlmann, William. "Classic Julie: Classic Broadway - Julie Andrew... | AllMusic". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 21 March 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
- ^ Paget, Clive: Julie Andrews to tour Australia Archived 4 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine at Limelight, 18 May 2013
- ^ a b Leo, Christie (1 September 2001). "ELO's melody of sentiments". New Straits Times. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: 15. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
- ^ Julie Andrews (2001). Classic Julie, Classic Broadway (liner notes). Decca Broadway. 468 593-2.