5/5 Well shot & sounds fantastic.
  by D. Pigott (Mississippi)
This is by far the best concert DVD I've ever seen. There are little to no shots of the audience, which is rare among modern concert videos. It's like being there. If you like American Songbook tunes and you like Rufus, then this is a must buy.

5/5 WOWIE-A PLEASANT SURPRISE
  by Brian C. Leachman
I was very curious to see what this was about, not knowing a thing about Rufus Wainright but a devoted fan to Judy and especially her concert that this is emulating. I wondered since he was male if it was going to be a drag show or what, I couldn't imagine anyone seriously daring to take on this grammy award winning and legendary concert that has never gone out of print.
Wow-what a fabulous surprise! The first thing I heard was the orchestra was right on the money, generating the kind of excitement that comes from pure genius. And it never faltered from the first notes till the end. This orchestra man will be heard from again, there is no doubt. His ability to capture the original concert and maybe even making it sound better is unbelievable if I didn't hear it for myself. The sound recording is also superb.
Now Mr. Wainright, at first is a little hard to get used too. His voice sounds like its really just one note and nasally kind of flat, but by the third song I realized just how good he is, an original in his own right and he delivers the goods, getting better and better in each song. I really enjoyed the concert and his performance and was so glad it wasn't some tired ole drag show BUT instead a first quality show & performance.
I highly recomend this if your thirsty for new talent and love the classic songs. The only negative I could say is he is short on razzle dazzle showmanship (say like a Peter Allen would of done) which would of added another dimension to the performances without having to go over the top or being overtly swishy. Just for an instance, when he sings Get Happy, I would of loved to see him with the hat and some dance steps. Also I didn't like his clothes,(nor his guests, for that matter) they were tacky nightclubbish like and showed a lack of imagination or the wow factor a clever designer could have given.
His sister is a wonderful, great singer who surprises in the show with her ability to belt or sing a ballad beautifully. Of course Lorna sounds like Judy at first and belts out a great favorite, never disapointing us.
These guest spots add to the show.
The concert is thoroughly delightful and I would pay to go see it if it came to NYC. BUT again this orchestra guy -his name is Stephen Oremus, floats Mr. Wainright to the success heights of 5 stars this concert is- thats for sure!!!

5/5 Rufus does Judy
  by Michelle A. Chenard (Petoskey, MI)
Amazing! A magnificent setting and fabulous performance. I agree with Lorna Luft that Judy Garland would be proud and impressed. Highly recommend this for anyone who is a Rufus or a Judy fan. Martha's version of Stormy Weather is brilliant.

5/5 this is really a lot of fun and a great Tribute to the greatest!
  by Richardson (Sunny California USA)
I really enjoyed this DVD very very much. I have listened to the Judy Garland recording probably as many times as any straight man and agree that it is a masterpiece. In no way is Rufus Wainwright comparable to her vocally...its just not close..but WHO CARES? This artist is obviously a big fan and he really pours it out on this performance which is very fun and when you factor in the stunning number of fabulous songs...this is a great collection of well performed standards from the Great American Songbook!

If Judy's performance was captured on film and available on DVD ...I'd say...why bother? But its NOT...so this isn't the travesty or other such nonsense that some reviewers have suggested...but a hoot and a pretty good time to listen and watch. Besides that....if one is a true fan of Judy Garland you'd think someone putting such an effort into a tribute which keeps her artistry in the public consciousness should be applauded and I do!!



5/5 Rufus Wainwright is not Judy Garland...
  by No Middle Name (Phoenix AZ, USA)
...but I knew that going into this and I was still looking forward to seeing him doing this concert as much as I would have looked forward to seeing Judy do it in 1961. I was richly rewarded by the experience, but I can understand that there are those who would not be. I didn't like Rufus the first time I heard him, but a line of one of his songs came back to me again and again after hearing it once: "I don't want to hold you and lose my senses...". It wasn't the words so much as the way he sang them. His voice and delivery got under my skin to the extent that I went back for another listen, then another and another until I was hooked. I can still be initially put off by his tone, phrasing, intonation, but I can't forget it. He goes to my head and stays there beckoning me to return to his music and its better than I remember it when I get there the next time. I have come to love the time I spend with Rufus and his music, and I know I'm not alone.
So, here, I don't see Rufus Wainwright trying to be or to imitate Judy Garland or reproduce her original performance note for note. I see Rufus being Rufus and loving Judy Garland and thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to pay tribute to her memory by reinterpreting her most famous set - and share it with his family and part of what's left of Judy's. I found myself pulled into that and having as good a time as he was [and as the audience obviously was]. He also evoked the spirit of Judy Garland for me in a very effective way. Judy was unmistakably Judy. You couldn't have disguised her if you tried, at least not once she started to sing. Rufus is unmistakably Rufus, and you couldn't disguise him if you tried. Both of them have a way of putting themselves out there for an audience that is honest and forthright like no one else.
If you're looking for someone who sounds like Judy, looks like her, moves like her, endeavors to be true to her style, this isn't the place to go. If you're looking to see Rufus Wainwright put himself out there in front of god and everybody through these songs the same way Judy did, you'll have a great time.