The Complete Decca Masters (plus) is a 4-CD box set released by in 1994 by Decca and MCA Records, containing 90 tracks spanning Judy Garland' record career with Decca from 1936 to 1947. The compilation includes all 79 master takes released by the singer alongside select alternate versions and a comprehensive 52-page companion booklet.
In 2011, JSP Records released another CD collection titled Smilin’ Through: The Singles Collection 1936-1947, adding nine tracks (alternate versions) for a total of 99 tracks.
Critical reception
Billboard described the four-CD set as "an invaluable, entertaining testament to an all-around talent", praising the 90 Judy Garland sessions for showcasing a voice that evolved "from talented youngster to hip swinger and sophisticated balladeer", while highlighting both her major film themes and her ability to "go beyond Hollywood vehicles". USA Today praised the compilation for tracing "a broad stylistic arc" in Judy Garland's career, describing the earlier Garland as "more balanced" and capable of singing "torch songs, jazz and humorous novelty numbers", while calling her earliest recordings "a particular delight" and praising her "irresistible adolescent soulfulness".
Stereo Review called it a "revelation", noting that the 90-song collection contains "enough moments here when she can still knock more than your socks off", while praising Garland's ability to "sound great even when saddled with pedestrian arrangements and material" and highlighting her "wryly delicious duets" with Bing Crosby. The New York Times praised the box set for documenting the singer's recordings from 1935 to 1947, noting that "the voice and attitude suggest an eager, exuberant teen-ager overflowing with talent, more swinging than wistful", and highlighting the relatively small amount of "Tin Pan Alley dross" recorded during this period. Renee Doruyter of The Province recommended it as an example of "non-holiday CDs that would make dandy gifts". People considered it as "a feast" for Garland fans, describing her voice as combining "youthful exuberance and exhilaration and unforced toughness", with "easy and natural" phrasing and "pure radiance", while highlighting "The Jitterbug" and the original soundtrack recordings from The Harvey Girls and Meet Me in St. Louis.
Accolades The box set was nominated for Best Historical Album at the 37th Annual Grammy Awards in 1995. The nomination placed Garland alongside renowned artists such as Andrés Segovia (A Centenary Celebration), Louis Armstrong (Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, 1923–1934), Tommy Dorsey & Frank Sinatra (The Song Is You), and the winner Ella Fitzgerald (The Complete Ella Fitzgerald Song Books on Verve).
+ Awards and nominations for The Complete Decca Masters (plus) Year Award Category Result 1995 37th Annual Grammy Awards Best Historical Album
Commercial performance According to Scott Schechter's book Judy Garland: The Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Legend, the box set sold "incredible well" with reported sales between 15,000-20,000 copies.
Track listing The Complete Decca Masters (plus)
Personnel Credits adapted from The Complete Decca Masters (plus) box set.
Produced by Ron O'Brien Executive Producer: Andy McKaie Producer (riginal Recordings): Dave Kapp, Jack Kapp, Joe Perry Remastered by Paul Elmore, Robert Stoughton Transferred by (Digital Transfer) Steven Lasker Art Direction: Vartan Design: DZN/N Ung Photo Coordination: Geary Chansley Liner notes by Ron O'Brien
References