Julie Andrews' Thoroughly Modern Julie: Her Golden Era Retrospective
Few voices are as instantly recognizable or as deeply cherished as that of Julie Andrews. Her illustrious career, spanning stage and screen, is a testament to her unparalleled talent, captivating millions with her crystalline soprano and radiant charm. In 1996, Rhino Records offered a meticulously crafted homage to her foundational years with the release of The Best of Julie Andrews: Thoroughly Modern Julie. This compilation album is more than just a collection of songs; it's a carefully curated journey back to the genesis of a legend, providing a thoroughly immersive retrospective of her golden era.
The album’s title itself, Thoroughly Modern Julie, is a clever nod to her iconic 1967 film, Thoroughly Modern Millie, which perfectly encapsulates the period it explores. It signifies a comprehensive and detailed look at the era where Andrews became a global phenomenon, defining an entire generation of Broadway and Hollywood musicals. This collection doesn’t merely scratch the surface; it delves thoroughly into her formative vocal recordings, showcasing the incredible versatility and emotive power that cemented her status as a beloved icon.
The Genesis of a Golden Era Retrospective
The mid-1990s saw Julie Andrews enjoying a renewed wave of popularity, and Rhino Records recognized the opportune moment to celebrate her timeless legacy. Released on March 26, 1996, The Best of Julie Andrews: Thoroughly Modern Julie was conceived as a definitive overview of her early vocal career, specifically targeting her peak years in the 1960s. This was the decade when Andrews became synonymous with blockbuster musical films like Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music, transforming her from a Broadway darling into an international superstar.
The project was overseen by producer David Weiner, who, along with creative consultants Ken Bloom, Tony Natelli, and Will Friedwald, embarked on the ambitious task of curating 19 tracks recorded between 1956 and 1967. Their goal was to assemble a cohesive collection that highlighted Andrews' incredible range across both her stage and screen performances. This dedicated team sought to offer listeners a thoroughly curated experience, ensuring the album represented her formative years with precision and insight, without venturing into her later works. It was an exercise in focused celebration, designed to capture the essence of her initial, indelible impact.
A Panoramic Songbook: Iconic Hits and Hidden Gems
Spanning a delightful 59 minutes and 42 seconds, Thoroughly Modern Julie presents a rich tapestry of Andrews' vocal artistry. The album opens with several of her most iconic Broadway performances, whisking listeners back to the magic of the stage. You’ll find the enchanting "I Could Have Danced All Night" and the wistful "Wouldn't It Be Loverly" from My Fair Lady, songs that introduced her stunning soprano to American audiences. The collection also features the delightful duet "What Do the Simple Folk Do?" with Richard Burton from Camelot, perfectly illustrating her stage chemistry and narrative prowess.
But it's not just Broadway—the compilation seamlessly transitions into her monumental film work. Essential tracks from The Sound of Music, such as the heartwarming "My Favorite Things" and the poignant "Feed the Birds (Tuppence a Bag)," are included. From Mary Poppins, the album features the tongue-twisting "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," an infectious number performed with Dick Van Dyke that continues to charm generations. These selections alone offer a thoroughly satisfying trip down memory lane for any fan.
Beyond the universally recognized hits, the album demonstrates its commitment to a comprehensive overview by including lesser-known selections from Andrews' solo albums and earlier stage works. Songs like "Falling in Love with Love" and "If Love Were All" illuminate her impressive vocal versatility, showcasing her command of both musical theater and sophisticated pop standards. This deliberate inclusion of deeper cuts provides a broader and more thorough view of her immense talent, proving that her brilliance extended far beyond her most famous roles. The album concludes fittingly with "Prelude / Thoroughly Modern Millie," circling back to the compilation's namesake film and serving as a perfect sonic bookmark for this specific, vibrant period of her career.
Navigating the Nuances: Licensing and Legacy
Creating such a retrospective was not without its hurdles, particularly when it came to securing licensing rights. Julie Andrews' early recordings were spread across a multitude of labels, including RCA Victor, Columbia, Decca, and Buena Vista Records. These intricate negotiations ultimately dictated the album's scope, restricting its content to pre-1968 material. This temporal cutoff meant that while the compilation offers a thorough look at her early career, it consciously excludes later works, such as selections from her acclaimed return to the screen in Victor/Victoria.
Furthermore, these rights issues also explain the omission of some beloved staples, such as "A Spoonful of Sugar" from Mary Poppins. While such exclusions might initially seem like gaps, they ultimately serve to define the album's specific purpose: to provide an unblemished, albeit delimited, portrait of her golden era. Critics universally praised it as a solid retrospective for existing fans and an excellent entry point for new listeners, highlighting its admirable balance of major hits and deeper cuts despite the temporal limitations. It successfully encapsulates the period where Andrews, with her unparalleled vocal control and emotive delivery, became a defining voice in musical theater and film. For a deeper dive into the word that anchors this album's title and its meaning, explore Understanding "Thoroughly": From Dictionary to Julie Andrews' Album.
More Than Just Music: A Deeper Dive into the Package
Beyond the stellar musical content, The Best of Julie Andrews: Thoroughly Modern Julie offers significant added value that elevates it beyond a mere collection of songs. The compilation benefits from meticulously remastered audio quality, ensuring that Andrews' legendary voice shines with pristine clarity, allowing listeners to appreciate every nuance of her performances as if they were present at the original recordings. This careful attention to sound engineering means that both new listeners and long-time fans can experience these timeless tracks with a freshness that belies their age.
Accompanying the music are detailed liner notes that chronicle Andrews' career trajectory during this pivotal period. These notes provide rich context, offering insights into the production of her iconic shows and films, the challenges she faced, and the artistic choices that shaped her performances. Paired with archival photographs, the liner notes transform the album into a historical document, allowing fans to not only hear but also visually immerse themselves in her journey. This comprehensive package offers a truly thorough and engaging experience, making it a treasured item for anyone with an appreciation for musical theater and film history.
Conclusion
The Best of Julie Andrews: Thoroughly Modern Julie stands as a definitive and enchanting tribute to the formative years of an unparalleled talent. It's a testament to Julie Andrews' enduring appeal, her remarkable vocal gifts, and the timeless magic she brought to stage and screen. Despite the licensing-imposed temporal boundaries, the album offers a thoroughly satisfying and meticulously curated journey through her golden era. It captures the essence of a performer who, with her crystalline soprano and emotive delivery, not only captivated audiences but also set a benchmark for musical excellence. Whether you're a lifelong devotee or a newcomer eager to discover the origins of a legend, this compilation is an indispensable addition to any music library, reminding us all why Julie Andrews remains, truly, thoroughly unforgettable.