The Best of the 20th Century...

I love Turner Classic Movies, so much so that I switched cable providers to get it. It's the only channel I watch about 90% of the time. This is why.

Today was Judy Garland, all day long, on TCM. Summer Stock, Meet Me In St. Louis, Easter Parade, The Clock, In the Good Old Summertime, and this masterpiece, A Star Is Born. This clip is proof  positive that there has never been, nor will there ever be, a singer as good as Judy.

Anyone can carry a tune. Judy knew how to convey a lyric with such emotion and masterful timing that the song was transformed into drama. She held the complete attention of her audience for those few minutes, taking them with her into the heart and soul of the story she was telling.

This song, even more than all the other wonderful songs in her repertoire, is the one that GETS me. Every. Single. Time. It was shot in one continuous take, and Judy, in true star fashion, nailed it the first time. Watch her after the vocal for that cute little wink as the band finishes. She knew she had it.

"The Man That Got Away" is a roller coaster ride with steep drops, sudden twists and hairpin turns as only Judy can deliver. She sings, I am transfixed. I find myself holding my breath as she delivers one powerful note after another. The poignant pauses, the soulful phrasing... they just rip my heart out. This song, like no other, showcases the vocal control and the heartbreaking vulnerability that made her a legend.

So, my friends, here you are: Judy Garland, the best singer of the 20th century. She was a little tiny woman with an enormous talent that will never be equaled. Listen, enjoy... and don't forget to breathe.